Tuesday, 1 Dec 2020

Written Answers Nos. 738-764

Ministerial Meetings

Questions (738)

Thomas Gould

Question:

738. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the agenda for his last three biweekly meetings with the Minister of State for public health, well-being and national drugs strategy. [40228/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The meetings referred to by the Deputy did not have set agendas but rather provide an opportunity for Ministers to discuss weekly business.

Health Promotion

Questions (739, 740, 744)

Neale Richmond

Question:

739. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the policies in place and the further measures he has considered to tackle period poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40235/20]

Neale Richmond

Question:

740. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he has considered following the example of Scotland and provide free period products to all who require them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40236/20]

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

744. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce free access to sanitary products such as tampons and sanitary pads in schools, colleges, universities and other public buildings; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40280/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 739, 740 and 744 together.

The National Strategy for Women and Girls (NSWG) Strategy Committee, now led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, established a sub-committee on period poverty in 2019, chaired by the Department of Health.

In line with the recommendations of Oireachtas motions passed in early 2019, its remit included establishing the extent of period poverty in Ireland and population cohorts most at risk. The Terms of Reference also included giving due consideration to the circumstances of young people under the age of 25, targeting of high-risk groups, stigma reduction and mainstreaming period poverty mitigation measures across all relevant Government Departments and public bodies.

In addition, the Programme for Government 2020, makes the following specific commitment under ‘Better Opportunities through Education and Research’ - “Provide a range of free, adequate, safe, and suitable period products in all educational publicly-funded settings (including schools, colleges and HEIs), to ensure that no students are disadvantaged in their education by period poverty.”

The NSWG Sub-Committee on Period Poverty has drafted a report of its work, which will be considered at the next meeting of the NSWG Strategy Committee, which is currently scheduled for early December, 2020. Period poverty provisions in other jurisdictions, including Scotland, are discussed in the report and have therefore also been submitted for consideration.

Disability Services Provision

Questions (741)

Neale Richmond

Question:

741. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the reason for a delay in accessing urgent residential care for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40244/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (742)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

742. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter in relation to the ongoing health care needs of persons twho contracted Covid-19 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40258/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

I have asked the HSE to examine the matters raised by the Deputy and respond directly to him as soon as possible.

Occupational Therapy

Questions (743)

Dara Calleary

Question:

743. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of new staff have been taken on in the children's occupational therapy sector to deal with the backlog in County Mayo in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40266/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.

The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 744 answered with Question No. 739.

Health Promotion

Questions (745)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

745. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide free contraception to all women; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40281/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

A Working Group was established in April 2019 to consider the range of policy, regulatory and legislative issues arising in relation to improving access to contraception in Ireland. The Group’s report, which was published in October 2019, identified the barriers that exist to accessing contraception and the mechanisms available to overcome those barriers.

Following the report, it was clear that a sizable body of work would need to be addressed in order to develop and finalise the policy approach, bring forward the necessary legislative proposals and ensure the implementation of service delivery arrangements. Unfortunately, the need to focus on and prioritise the response to the current pandemic has delayed progress on this issue during 2020.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to expand access to free contraception for women aged 17-25. The Minister is committed to promoting Women’s Health and Wellbeing, and significant funding to promote women’s health was announced as part of Budget 2021, including investment in the maternity strategy, gynaecology services, screening services and the Women’s Health Taskforce.

Nursing Home Inspections

Questions (746)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

746. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a reply will issue to correspondence regarding a care home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40289/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I thank the Deputy for bringing the matter to my attention. The individual’s concerns in respect of the nursing home referred to in the correspondence has been referred to the Health Information and Quality Authority. As a regulator the Chief Inspector has no formal legal role in examining individual complaints, however, the Authority does take into account all information it receives, including complaints from the public, when carrying out inspections. If a concern is raised about a nursing home, HIQA reviews all information received to inform its on-going risk-based regulation activities.

If the Deputy could forward on details of the name, address and date of birth of the person seeking home support I will arrange to have this information referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Defence Forces Medical Services

Questions (747)

Duncan Smith

Question:

747. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if funding has been requested from his Department for supporting or improving military healthcare facilities or for training Defence Forces personnel in medical areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40310/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

Funding has not been requested from the Department of Health for supporting or improving military healthcare facilities or for training Defence Force personnel in medical areas.

Hospital Services

Questions (748)

David Cullinane

Question:

748. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans for moving the outpatient services at Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar to a private facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40318/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Promotion

Questions (749, 750)

Colm Burke

Question:

749. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he, Ministers of State within his Department or other officials in his Department have met third party groups in relation to promoting breastfeeding in Ireland; if so, the persons or bodies in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40319/20]

Colm Burke

Question:

750. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if there are internal working groups, committees or other relevant bodies in his Department examining the issue of low breastfeeding rates in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40320/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 749 and 750 together.

Breastfeeding is important for the health of both mother and infant, and this has been highlighted in national health policy, including the Healthy Ireland Framework and the National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026. These both emphasise the importance of supporting mothers who breastfeed, as well as taking action to increase breastfeeding rates in Ireland.

I would like to assure the Deputy that encouraging mothers to breastfeed is a priority for the Department of Health. To deliver on this priority, a National Breastfeeding Committee has been established in the HSE and it developed the “Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland – HSE Action Plan 2016-2021”. This Committee is working to achieve the aims and objectives of this Action Plan. The National Breastfeeding Coordinator role previously within my Department has transferred to the HSE to support the implementation process.

My Department links with the HSE in supporting the breastfeeding agenda through ongoing communications between the National Breastfeeding Coordinator and the Health Promotion Advisor in Health and Wellbeing in my Department.

I can assure the Deputy that breastfeeding will remain a priority, and that the Department of Health and the HSE will continue working to achieve the aims and objectives of the Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland Action Plan.

Departmental Funding

Questions (751, 752, 753)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

751. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be announced regarding the funding of a project (details supplied). [40331/20]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

752. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the work done by a project (details supplied) and the central role it has played in protecting vulnerable persons from the impacts of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40332/20]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

753. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact the that existing Sláintecare innovative fund projects are nearing the end of their 12-month grant agreement in December 2020 and have received no indication as to when they will receive their 2021 funding and grant aid agreement; and if he will clarify the matter. [40333/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 751 to 753, inclusive, together.

Budget 2020 provided €20 million for the establishment of a ring-fenced Sláintecare Integration Fund to test new models of health service delivery. 122 projects were approved under the Fund. These projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, are currently undergoing a mid-term review by the Sláintecare Programme Implementation Office to assess their progress. No decision on future funding will be made until that review process is complete.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (754)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

754. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for follow-up cancer treatment and procedures in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40342/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Dental Services

Questions (755)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

755. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if emergency dental treatment is available at the dental department, Letterkenny University Hospital, County Donegal, for cancer patients undergoing cancer treatment; if so, the process in place to access such treatment; the timeframes involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40346/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (756)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

756. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment at Letterkenny University Hospital; if the referral is routine or urgent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40347/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.

Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.

The HSE continues to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The National Waiting List Management Policy is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (757)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

757. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if it is considered necessary to travel to the UK under the cross-border directive for consultations during the Covid-19 crisis; if it is permitted during the Covid-19 crisis to accept an offer of an online video consultation by a UK consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40349/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (758, 760)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

758. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with religious leaders in relation to putting plans in place regarding the way in which worship can take place safely and securely during the Christmas period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40350/20]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

760. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with religious leaders in relation to the way in which baptisms can take place safely and securely during varying levels of Covid-19 guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40352/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 758 and 760 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 sets out Ireland's approach to managing and living with COVID-19 in a range of areas over the next 6 - 9 months.

The Plan sets out five levels of response, each with a number of measures designed to help us all lower COVID-19 transmission and setting out what is permitted at that moment in time. It aims to allow society and businesses to be able to operate as normally as possible, while continuing to suppress the virus. The Plan is framed to account for periods during which there is a low incidence of the disease, with isolated clusters and low community transmission, through to situations where there is a high or rapidly increasing incidence, widespread community transmission and the pandemic is escalating rapidly in Ireland and globally. It recognises the need for society and business to be allowed to continue as normally as possible and is designed so that either national or county level restrictions can be applied. Each level outlines what is permitted for social or family gatherings, work and public transport, bars, hotels and restaurants, exercise activities and religious services.

As I am sure the Deputy can appreciate, COVID-19 spreads when individuals and groups come into close contact with one another, enabling the virus to move from one person to another. COVID-19 is infectious in a person with no symptoms, or for the period of time before they develop symptoms. For this reason, we are all asked to be extra careful when socialising and working with others. For now, we must act like we have the virus to protect those around us from infection.

The number of people allowed to gather in different scenarios in the Government Framework are based on a review of international practice and the judgment of public health experts. It seeks to balance the risks of different types of gatherings against the desire to allow normal activities to proceed in so far as possible.

It is advised to socialise safely and within the capacity limits. These various limits in the Levels are all designed to reduce the number of households mixing with each other and cut down the virus’s chances of spreading into more homes.

The Deputies should note that the numbers should not be considered a target - they are the maximum recommended number. It’s always safer to meet less people, less often, for less time. If we do this, we have a better chance of keeping to the lower Levels in the Framework, and continuing to keep businesses, schools, and healthcare services open, while also protecting the most vulnerable.

Ireland is now on level 3 of the framework Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19. Details of the public health measures in place for places of worship from 1 December can be found at:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/ad569-level-3/#measures-in-place-from-1-december.

Details of the public health measures in place for the Christmas period can be found at:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/ad569-level-3/#measures-in-place-from-18-december

Guidance for religious services can be found at:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/7ba40-guidance-for-religious-services/

I and my Cabinet colleagues recognise the immense sacrifices that are being made by people across the country at this difficult time. I know that includes many people who are affected by their inability to attend church in the way they have been used to. However, there has been significant engagement and solidarity from the Catholic Church and other Faiths at all stages throughout this pandemic to ensure the protection of individuals and communities from COVID-19. Indeed, as the Deputies will be aware, the Taoiseach recently met with the leaders of the Catholic Church recently to consider the range of issues relating this matter.

Disabilities Assessments

Questions (759)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

759. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if the standards for assessments of needs for persons with disabilities has been updated; and if not, the timeline for the finalisation of the standards. [40351/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.

The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 760 answered with Question No. 758.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Questions (761)

Robert Troy

Question:

761. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if there are grants available to a person who has to get hearing aids (details supplied). [40354/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Patient Deaths

Questions (762)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

762. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the actions taken to investigate the death of a person (details supplied) by his Department or the organisations that report to his Department. [40374/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As Minister I am not in a position to comment on the details of an individual case. However I can confirm that I am aware of this case and that my Department is examining the most appropriate action and follow up in relation to the information provided.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Questions (763)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

763. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the status of the release of the findings of the review of the FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring system undertaken by his Department in 2019; and if he will consider extending the availability of the FreeStyle Libre to all persons with type 1 diabetes [40375/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The review referred to by the Deputy is a HSE review. Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Nursing Staff

Questions (764)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

764. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if consideration would be given to paying student nurses €14 as opposed to €10.70; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40392/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Earlier this year, the Health Care Assistant initiative (whereby student nurses and midwives were offered temporary contracts as Health Care Assistants) began in April 2020 and ceased in August 2020.

This was in response to the Covid19 outbreak and was only ever intended as a temporary measure to provide additional support of to the national effort, it also offered some protection to the ongoing education of student nurses and midwives as their clinical placements had ceased. Student nurses and midwives who took part in this initiative received payment of the first point of the Health Care Assistant salary scale, €28,493. The rate was also temporarily applied to those 4th year nurses and midwives on paid work placements.

The regular pay for 4th year student nurses on paid internship increased by 2% on 1st October this year. The annualised salary for this group is now €21,749 (or €10.72 per hour) for general nursing and midwifery and €22,229 (€10.96 per hour) for psychiatric nursing.

My Department is currently engaging with the nursing unions on matters of concern for student nurses at the present time.