Written Answers Nos. 178-203
178. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of student nurses and midwives from each county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42396/20]
View answerThe Higher Education Authority (HEA) is responsible for collecting, analysing and disseminating student and graduate data from all HEA-funded higher education institutions.
Data below is for 2018/2019 Republic of Ireland enrolments in bachelor nursing training courses by course year. Data in relation to enrolments in the 2019/2020 academic year is currently being returned by institutions to the HEA for collation and audit. This process has been delayed due to the impact of COVID-19. The data will be published on the HEA's website: www.hea.ie when available.
2018/19 ROI enrolments in bachelor nursing training courses by course year
179. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will request SUSI to specifically deal with the issue of estrangement in Article 21(3)(b) of the student grant scheme 2020 to more accurately reflect the reality for many families. [42465/20]
View answerThe decision on eligibility for student grant applications is a matter for the centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland).
For student grant purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students.
A student may be assessed as an independent student (i.e. assessed without reference to parental income and address) if he/she has attained the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry to an approved course, and is not ordinarily resident with his/her parents from the previous 1st October. Otherwise, he/she would be assessed as a dependent student, i.e. assessed with reference to parental income and address.
The assessment of a case of estrangement is carefully considered but the current position is, only in exceptional cases, where compelling evidence of estrangement from parents/guardians is provided,
can candidates who are under 23 be assessed without reference to their parents/guardians income or address.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board.
In relation to the Student Grant and in line with the Programme for Government, I recently announced plans to review the SUSI scheme. It is intended that the Review will commence before the end of 2020, and will report in Summer 2021. Stakeholders will be consulted as part of the Review process, and it is intended that the future direction of the SUSI scheme will be guided by the outcome of the Review.
I would invite the Deputy to write to me with any further detail of individual cases or issues of concern which may be known to her so that I could have my officials examine them.
180. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the bodies under the aegis of his Department; and the composition of their respective board memberships, disaggregated by appointments through the Public Appointments Service or ministerial appointments in tabular form. [42480/20]
View answerDetails of the bodies under the aegis including the criteria for appointments to each Board that falls under the remit of my Department are available in the attached table. The details are also available on the Department of Education’s website at the following link;
https://www.education.ie/en/The-Department/Agencies/Details-of-Membership-of-State-Boards/
As the Deputy will be aware, individuals may be nominated for appointment by various organisations arising from the terms in the relevant legislation regarding the Body concerned and accordingly board appointments, made by me, are not in all cases made at my discretion.
In line with the guidelines for appointments to State Boards, which can be viewed on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's website www.per.gov.ie the process for filling vacancies on State Boards under the aegis of the Department, is now normally managed by the Public Appointments Service (PAS), whereby applications are made through the dedicated website www. Stateboards.ie . An assessment process is undertaken by PAS leading to the creation of a list of candidates suitable for appointments to Boards.
181. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Justice if she will report on the steps being taken to ensure family contact for prisoners continues during all levels of the Covid-19 plan. [42286/20]
View answerAt the outset I would like to take this opportunity to commend the management and staff of Irish Prison Service (IPS) for the assured and safe management of our prisons during this pandemic.
The Deputy will be aware that the IPS has put in place a range of measures to protect our prison population from Covid-19. Prisoners are a recognised vulnerable group for a number of reasons and an outbreak of Covid-19 in a prison could have potentially devastating consequences.
I understand that every effort has been made by the IPS to continue physical visits during this pandemic however, following Government and NPHET advice it was necessary to suspend physical visits to prisons, firstly in March and more recently in October. The Service is acutely aware of the need for prisoners to maintain contact with their families and in that regard a new video visit system was introduced which has allowed families to continue to support those in custody during this time.
All prisoners are entitled to one 20 minute video visit per week to nominated family and friends. The feedback from prisoners has been very positive as the visit allows people to connect with their families in their homes. The feedback from families has also been positive as it allows families to continue to support prisoners without having to make long journeys to prison to avail of a visit. The IPS introduced a support line to provide information to families on how to connect to the video visit and assist with any connection difficulties.
A number of other initiatives include:
- Useful guides and videos, in a number of languages, and these are available on the Prison Service website.
- New methods for the electronic transfer of money making it much easier for families to provide monies to family members for Tuck shops.
- Additional phone calls to allow prisoners to keep in contact with loved ones, with an additional daily phone call to all those in custody during the Christmas period.
I recognise that physical visits are hugely important to prisoners and their families and I am pleased to advise that the IPS has announced that arrangements have been made to allow all those in custody to book a physical family visit between the 16th December and the 6th of January.
Each prisoner will be entitled to one physical visit during the period, which will be 15 minutes in duration. In order to ensure that visits are conducted as safely as possible, visits will be limited to two people of which one may be a child. The risk posed by Covid-19 still remains therefore in order to prevent the potential spread of infection all visits will be behind clear screens and visitors and prisoners will be required to wear a face mask at all times. No physical contact between prisoners and family members will be permitted.
The normal security screening procedures will be in place however, all visitors will also be subject to the Covid-19 screening procedure including having their temperature taken. Visitors are asked not to attend the prison if they have any Covid-19 symptoms, have been in contact with a person who has gone for testing for the virus or is a confirmed case and have to yet to cleared by a doctor, or have been abroad in the proceeding 14 days.
182. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to concerns recently reported by the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. [42287/20]
View answerI welcome the recent publication of the report from the Council of Europe Committee on the Prevention of Torture (CPT), together with the responses returned by Ireland in respect of the issues raised by the Committee.
This report is perhaps the most positive account on Ireland since the process began in 1987 in that it recognises the progress which has been made on long standing issues such as health care and overcrowding in prisons. However, I fully accept that there are still a number of important long standing issues which need more work to be resolved and I understand this is where the focus must be.
One area highlighted by the Committee for immediate attention is how the complex needs of people with mental health difficulties who come into contact with the criminal justice system are provided for. The whole area of how criminal justice and public health, especially mental health, intersect and how to best provide the most appropriate service is a priority for the Government.
It's priority status is acknowledged in the Programme for Government in that it commits to establishing a high-level cross-departmental / cross-agency taskforce to consider the mental health and addiction challenges of those imprisoned, and primary care support on release. I met with my colleague the Minister for Health in September to lay the foundations for advancing work on this commitment. Collaboration with the Department of Health on the development of Terms of Reference and structure for the establishment of the Task Force is now at an advanced stage and work is now underway to identify a Chair and put in place other administrative details.
A range of other matters have also been raised by the Committee in the report and I am pleased to say that a significant amount of work is underway to address the concerns raised.
The IPS will be implementing a new prisoner complaints system before the end of 2020 which, when bedded down, will include an oversight role for the Ombudsman.
In relation to the use of Close Supervision Cells and Safety Observation Cells, the IPS has already commenced, in conjunction with officials working on the development of penal policy in my Department, a review of the Prison Rules taking account of the most recently published Council of Europe European Prison Rules which includes the operation, management and governance of these cells.
On the issue of overcrowding, the Deputy may wish to note that my Department is undertaking a number of actions regarding the consideration of the greater use of alternatives to imprisonment. The DG of the IPS is committed to ensuring that any person committed to custody is, in so far as possible, provided with a permanent bed in a prison cell. A Prison Population Management Plan was developed in 2019 to maximise capacity, increase the use of open centres and the use of back door strategies including structured temporary release.
The Prison Service’s Capital Strategy 2016-2021 outlines plans for the complete replacement of the outdated accommodation in Limerick and Portlaoise prisons as well as improvements across a number of other prisons. On completion of these projects, “slopping out” will be completely eliminated across the prisons estate.
The Prison Service is committed to ensuring that the use of force by staff is restricted to situations or circumstances where is it deemed reasonable and necessary and that a number of safeguards are in place to ensure staff operate within the necessary procedures and rules. I understand that staff regularly receive updated training on de-escalation and the use of physical force as part of their annual training.
I am pleased to say that we have committed in the programme for Government to ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) before the end of 2021. In that regard, a single National Preventative Mechanism for the Justice Sector will be introduced and a General Scheme of the Places of Detention Bill is being drafted with a view to securing Government approval in early 2021.
Finally, I would like to reassure the Deputy that while there is unlikely to be quick fix solutions to some of the issues highlighted by the CPT, we will continue to work intensively together to ensure all people get the care and support they need from our system.
183. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice if she will review the current national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42294/20]
View answerThe response to Domestic, Sexual Violence and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue. Policy is coordinated by the Department of Justice. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV.
I am pleased that my Department has been able to allocate additional funding of €4.7 million to Tusla to support DSGBV services across the country in 2021. A total of €30 million will be made available by DCEDIY to Tusla to fund DSGBV services. This includes a €2.7 million increase in core funding, bringing core service provision to €28 million, with an additional €2 million of one-off contingency funding being made available to help services cope with the ongoing effects of COVID-19. This increase in funding reflects my personal commitment on this issue. I am hopeful that these additional resources will enable services to continue their valuable supports for victims and their families at a very vulnerable time in their lives.
It is important to note that not all funding to this sector issues via my Department. The Department of Justice allocates funding to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and support victims of crime, including victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Many voluntary organisations in the DSGBV sector have also received capital funding via the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), which is administered by local authorities on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
While funding will be crucial to our success, it is imperative that we have the right structures in place to respond as effectively as possible to DSGBV. Under the Programme for Government, we have committed to undertaking an audit of responsibility for DSGBV across Departments and State agencies. The procurement process to secure the expertise to conduct this audit is under way, in conjunction with my colleague the Minister for Justice. We expect that the audit will be completed early next year, and the Government will act on the basis of that audit.
184. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 174 of 24 November 2020, the reason there are no intervention programmes for females; her views on whether the failure to provide such programmes for women in need of the service is discriminatory in view of the fact that it is nearly impossible to access such supports elsewhere; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42295/20]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that my Department has agreed with the Central Statistics Office that it will conduct a major National Sexual Violence Prevalence Study, which will look in detail at the experience of women and men victims of sexual violence and abuse in Ireland, with repeat large scale surveys every decade. This will be a key element in ensuring that we develop an informed understanding of domestic and sexual violence that takes into account the range and indices of the types of violence and abuse that occur; including where females are perpetrators.
The overwhelming majority of sexual offences are committed by males and that is why the perpetrator programmes currently funded by the Department concentrate on male offenders, but if applications are made to my Department to fund female perpetrator programmes, they will certainly be considered.
To ensure we have the right framework in place that will enable the Government to respond effectively and comprehensively to these matters, the Programme for Government commitment to conduct an audit of how responsibility for Domestic, Sexual and Gender based Violence (DSGBV) is segmented across different government agencies will be undertaken by an external consultant with meaningful involvement from relevant NGOs and service providers, as well as input from Departments and agencies.
The terms of reference for the audit have been finalised, and very shortly the Department will commence a procurement process to engage an independent person to undertake the audit. It is intended that the audit will be completed within 3 months of commissioning.
185. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the process by which a person can seek to have a historical conviction overturned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42459/20]
View answerI understand that the Deputy is enquiring about the process of a granting a Presidential pardon for historical convictions.
Given the rarity and the importance of the awarding of a Presidential Pardon, as well as the importance of obtaining an unbiased expert opinion, where an initial consideration of a case by officials in the Department of Justice forms the view was that there was a potential miscarriage of justice in the conviction, it has been previous practice to engage an external expert to give an opinion on the case in question.
As Minister, I then consider the independent expert opinion on any individual and make a decision on whether or not to advise Cabinet that the President should be advised to award a Presidential Pardon, pursuant to Article 13.6.
It is then a matter for the President to decide, following advice from Government, as to whether to grant the pardon, as that power lies solely with the President.
186. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the bodies under the aegis of her Department; and the composition of their respective board memberships, disaggregated by appointments through the Public Appointments Service or ministerial appointments in tabular form. [42483/20]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of the composition of board memberships of the bodies under the aegis of my department is set out below in tabular format.
187. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if the time-frame for applicants who have been granted refugee status to be notified of the decision of her Department to their request for family reunification visas can be reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42492/20]
View answerMy Department recognises the critical importance of beneficiaries of international protection being reunited with their family members as soon as possible.
Family reunification visa applications are processed by the Immigration Service of my Department on an expedited basis where they are accompanied by the family reunification grant letter.
Such applications are typically processed within 2-3 weeks of being received by the Dublin Office with all the appropriate supporting documentation. This timeframe has not always been possible to achieve this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions in relation to visa processing.
However, I can confirm to the Deputy that, at present, these visa applications are being processed within the 2-3 week timeframe.
188. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if additional resources will be provided in 2021 for An Garda Síochána in the Border region in view of the unique policing demands in Garda divisions in the region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42519/20]
View answer189. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if adequate resources will be provided for Garda divisions in the Border region in view of the unique policing demands in Border areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42520/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 189 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for generally controlling, managing, administering and carrying on the business of An Garda Síochána.
An Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021. The significant level of funding provided over recent years is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As a result, there are now some 14,600 Garda members and over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide.
Budget 2021 will allow for the recruitment of up to 620 new Gardaí and an extra 500 Garda staff. The Budget allocation also provides for an increase in supervisory ranks at Sergeant and Inspector level.
More Garda recruits and more Garda staff means extra members of the service on the frontline and in specialist units battling organised crime groups, supporting victims, and keeping people safe.
Insofar as the Cavan/Monaghan Division, which services a large part of the border region, is concerned, I am pleased to that that there were 384 Garda members of all ranks in the Division as of the end of October 2020. This represents over a 14% increase in Garda numbers since the end of 2017 in the Division, demonstrating An Garda Síochána's commitment to the communities along the Border.
190. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health if Covid-19 restrictions for weddings will remain constant in relation to specifics, for example, music and dancing at the various levels (details supplied). [42376/20]
View answer194. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the public health rationale for the reason wedding bands had previously been allowed under level 3 restrictions but are not allowed currently under level 3 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42206/20]
View answer225. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to allowing live music at weddings under level 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42403/20]
View answer244. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review correspondence (details supplied); his plans to review the matters raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42497/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 190, 194, 225 and 244 together.
Ireland is now at level 3 of the Government's medium-term Plan Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19, which sets out Ireland's approach to managing and living with COVID-19 in a range of areas over a period of 6 – 9 months.
The Plan aims to allow society and businesses to operate as normally as possible, while protecting our key priorities of supporting and maintaining health and social care services, keeping education and childcare services open and protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities.
The various limits at all levels in the Government's Plan 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. 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.
As I'm sure you 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. In certain settings, such as weddings, higher noise levels due to music, can force people into close proximity, requiring them to raise their voices or shout to communicate thus increasing the risk of spreading virus to others. Dancing is not permitted given the close contact involved. Such activities present a higher risk of transmission of Covid-19.
Details of the public health measures in place for weddings at level 3 can be found at:- https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/ad569-level-3/
Guidance for religious services can be found at:- https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/7ba40-guidance-for-religious-services/
You may also wish to note that Fáilte Ireland has provided guidelines for the hospitality industry which includes guidance on weddings and is available at: - https://failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Guidelines-for-Re-opening-Hotels-and-Guesthouses.pdf
191. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the restoration of salary cuts made in 2008 to section 39 workers in the remaining 250 organisations that have been affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42387/20]
View answerAn agreement reached at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in October 2018 provided for pay restoration in relation to 50 pilot organisations in the first instance. Pay restoration for these bodies commenced in April 2019 with further payments due in October 2020 and October 2021 as appropriate.
The agreement recognised that some of the remaining Section 39 organisations were also likely to have pay restoration issues and a process to address these issues commenced in 2019 under the auspices of the WRC. Despite the engagement which took place, it has not yet been possible to reach agreement.
The HSE are currently costing this next phase of pay restoration and are expected to complete the exercise shortly. Funding options are currently being explored and engagement will take place with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Health sector management remain committed to the process.
192. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a personal assistance service for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42406/20]
View answerThe area of disability services is a priority area for this Government. To support people with a disability, significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services, and the Government has ensured that an additional €100 million is being provided for new disability measures next year under Budget 2021. These measures will include an additional 80,000 personal assistant hours. The 2020 national service plan details that the HSE is seeking to deliver 1.67m hours of Personal Assistant Hours to over 2,550 people.
The Government is working to ensure that People with Disabilities be allowed to live an independent life of their own choosing, the same as any other person, and this is consistent with the disability reform policy - “transforming lives”.
The HSE provides a range of assisted living services including Personal Assistant (PA) services to support individuals to maximise their capacity to live full and independent lives.
Personal Assistance Services are accessed through an application process or through referrals from public health nurses or other community based staff. Individual’s needs are evaluated against the criteria for prioritisation for the particular services and then decisions are made in relation to the allocation of resources.
Resource allocation is determined by the needs of the individual, compliance with prioritisation criteria, and the level of resources available. It is important to note that the level of service delivered is varied to ensure that each client’s needs are reflected. Therefore there is no average agreed number of PA hours per person. PA and Home Support Services are provided either directly by the HSE or through a range of voluntary service providers. The majority of specialised disability provision (80%) is delivered through non-statutory sector service providers.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
193. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health his future plans including projected time-frames for a more comprehensive provision of personal assistants for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42522/20]
View answerThe area of disability services is a priority area for this Government. To support people with a disability, significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services, and the Government has ensured that an additional €100 million is being provided for new disability measures next year under Budget 2021. These measures will include an additional 80,000 personal assistant hours. The 2020 national service plan details that the HSE is seeking to deliver 1.67m hours of Personal Assistant Hours to over 2,550 people.
The Government is working to ensure that People with Disabilities be allowed to live an independent life of their own choosing, the same as any other person, and this is consistent with the disability reform policy - “transforming lives”.
The HSE provides a range of assisted living services including Personal Assistant (PA) services to support individuals to maximise their capacity to live full and independent lives.
Personal Assistance Services are accessed through an application process or through referrals from public health nurses or other community based staff. Individual’s needs are evaluated against the criteria for prioritisation for the particular services and then decisions are made in relation to the allocation of resources.
Resource allocation is determined by the needs of the individual, compliance with prioritisation criteria, and the level of resources available. It is important to note that the level of service delivered is varied to ensure that each client’s needs are reflected. Therefore there is no average agreed number of PA hours per person. PA and Home Support Services are provided either directly by the HSE or through a range of voluntary service providers. The majority of specialised disability provision (80%) is delivered through non-statutory sector service providers.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
195. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if medication (details supplied) will be made available for patients through the HSE as this treatment has been available for some years in Northern Ireland through the NHS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42221/20]
View answer202. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the status of his work to ensure accessibility to the drug dupilumab for persons suffering with severe atopic eczema; and if he will reimburse patients who have had to incur personal costs to access the drug. [42275/20]
View answer241. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the status of the assessment for approval process of dupilumab; when this will be completed; if he will consider prioritisation of completion of this assessment given the impact this could potentially have on the lives of persons with eczema; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42471/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 195, 202 and 241 together.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In line with the 2013 Health Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list.
Reimbursement is for licenced indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). The NCPE conducts health technology assessments (HTAs) for the HSE and makes recommendations on reimbursement to assist HSE decisions.
The HSE has advised that it has received pricing and reimbursement applications for two indications of Dupilumab (Dupixent®):
- For the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy.
- For the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adolescents 12 years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy.
The HSE received an application for pricing / reimbursement of Dupilumab in November 2017 from the manufacturer for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy. The HSE commissioned a full HTA on 29 November 2017 as per agreed processes. This assessment was completed on 12 December 2019 with the NCPE recommending that Dupilumab be considered for reimbursement if cost-effectiveness could be improved relative to existing treatments.
Subsequently, the HSE received an application for the pricing / reimbursement of Dupilumab on 13 December 2019 for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adolescents 12 years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy.
The HSE commissioned the rapid review process on the 17 December 2019. Following receipt of a rapid review dossier, the NCPE advised the HSE on the 17 January 2020 that a HTA was not recommended and that Dupilumab not be considered for reimbursement for this indication at the submitted price.
The HSE engaged in commercial negotiations with the company in February 2020 regarding both the adult and adolescent populations.
The final HTA report concerning Dupilumab was reviewed by the HSE Drugs Group, along with the outputs of commercial negotiations, and the patient group submission received during the HTA process. The HSE Drugs Group considered all the evidence and gave a recommendation to the HSE Executive Management Team (EMT) not to support reimbursement of Dupilumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in both adults and adolescents 12 years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy.
The HSE has confirmed that the applicant company was issued with notice of the proposed decision of the HSE EMT not to support reimbursement on 21 August 2020. On 18 September 2020, the applicant company submitted representations with respect to this application.
The HSE reviewed these representations, as is required in such circumstances under the 2013 Act, and has engaged in a meeting in November 2020 with the applicant company to discuss the submission. The HSE advises that Dupilumab will be included on the agenda for the December HSE Drugs Group meeting at which the two applications and the submitted representations will be considered.
Dupilumab remains under consideration with the HSE and a final decision will be made in line with the 2013 Health Act.
196. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will include community first responders' volunteers as with frontline workers as a priority for the Covid-19 vaccine when it rolls out. [42225/20]
View answerThe COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional priority list of groups for vaccination once a safe and effective vaccine(s) has received authorisation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and Department of Health, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
The Allocation Framework was developed to consider how to prioritise different groups. It is based on (1) ethical principles and (2) epidemiological considerations, and takes account of the current and evolving understanding of distinctive characteristics of COVID-19 disease, its modes of transmission, the groups and individuals most susceptible to infection and the characteristics of the candidate vaccines. The primary aim of the allocation strategy is focus on the prevention of sickness and mortality, and to preserve the health of people, by prioritising those at highest risk.
The Strategy is a further component to the State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will evolve and adapt with more detailed information on the vaccines and their effectiveness.
With the benefit of the Vaccine Allocation Strategy approved by Government, the HSE, in conjunction with immunisation experts, is evaluating the further stratification and sequencing of cohorts for vaccination.
Further information on the Strategy can be found at:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/
197. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health when the Sligo scheme for cataract treatment will be rolled out to the rest of the country; the time-frame for same given that it was committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42233/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
198. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to a pharmacy becoming a supplier for the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42251/20]
View answerAs the HSE has responsibility for this matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue.
199. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the way in which social prescribing is delivered for those presenting to general practitioners with no acute mental health problems such as anxiety and depression; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42252/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
200. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the options available for adults with anorexia to receive inpatient treatment; and the way in which they avail of same. [42271/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
201. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if Covid-19 restrictions will be reduced for couples who are expecting a baby as at present the partners may be allowed to attend for an hour during the pre-delivery but not for birth [42272/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
203. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a procedure will be expedited for a person (details supplied) who is waiting for a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42278/20]
View answerIt 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.
