Written Answers Nos. 614-633
614. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if those eligible for the free flu vaccine through the HSE immunisation programme will be eligible for reimbursement after HSE procured supplies are exhausted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43462/20]
View answer1.95 million doses of influenza vaccine, including 1.35 million doses of the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (QIV) for administration to all persons in an at-risk group and 600,000 doses of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) for all children aged from 2 to 12 years old inclusive, have been made available for the current influenza vaccination programme. The amount of vaccine made available for this winter is almost double the amount of vaccine administered last winter.
Notwithstanding the large increase in available vaccine this year, the full supply of QIV may be used, representing an increase of 35% in uptake over last year. At that stage, sufficient stock will have been delivered for an uptake in excess of 80% in the targeted groups.
Not all persons eligible under the programme will avail of vaccination, and so it is not possible to know how many may still be awaiting vaccination. There are no plans at present to reimburse persons eligible under the programme who avail of vaccination on a private basis.
As of 10th December, almost 950,000 claims for reimbursement from GPs and pharmacists for the administration QIV and approximately 193,000 claims for the administration of LAIV have been received. Due to the lower than expected uptake of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine for children, I have the administration of LAIV to all children aged from 2 years to 17 years inclusive, for the remainder of 2020 only.
615. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the planned introduction of a statutory homecare scheme in Ireland; the status of the proposed timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43463/20]
View answerA high-quality, consistent home-support service, focused on keeping people well in their homes and communities for as long as possible, is a key enabler to ensuring that people across a continuum of care get the right care, in the right place, at the right time. In this regard, my Department is in the process of developing a statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home-support. Work is on-going within the Department to determine the optimal approach to the development of the statutory scheme within the broader context of the on-going reform of Ireland’s health and social care system, as envisaged in the Sláintecare Report.
In 2021, the Department and the HSE is planning to test a reformed model of service delivery for home support, the outcome of which will be used to support evidence-informed decision-making in respect of the scheme. Funding is being provided in 2021 to establish a National Home Support Office within the HSE to support the delivery of home support services and implementation of the statutory scheme.
In addition, the options for the funding of the new scheme are being examined through work with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) on the projected demand for, and cost of, home-support services in various scenarios.
The Department is also developing a regulatory framework for home-support services with the aim of ensuring that all service-users are provided with a standard, high-quality level of care, which is safe, effective, and person-centred. It is envisaged that this framework will comprise primary legislation to provide for the licensing of home support providers, minimum standards, and HIQA national standards.
The successful development of a statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home support services is an ambitious programme of reform. The Sláintecare Implementation Plan commits to the establishment of the statutory scheme by the end of 2021 and significant substantive incremental progress on key elements of the scheme will be achieved by this time. However key enablers of the scheme that were due to be progressed in 2020, such as the roll out of the standard assessment tool (interRAI), were deferred due to COVID-19 and are now occurring in 2021 and funding has been prioritised as part the 2021 National Service Plan.
616. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1470 of 3 November 2020, the number of HSE staff currently redeployed to the testing and tracing system from other areas of the health service; the number from each specialty redeployed in tabular form; the additional breakdown of specialties for those redeployed from the health and social care professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43464/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
617. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the level of compliance in filling out the passenger locator forms on a weekly basis from 26 October 2020; the number of forms which were correctly and incorrectly completed on a weekly basis, respectively; and the number of persons that refused to fill out the form on a weekly basis in tabular form. [43465/20]
View answerThere is a legal requirement on passengers arriving into Ireland to complete the passenger locator form.
There have been six incidences (totalling 11 persons) reported whereby incoming passengers have refused to complete the COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form as of 18 November.
The minority of incoming passengers who do not comply with the requirement, and any failures or refusals to complete a passenger locator form are referred to An Garda Síochána for engagement and any necessary enforcement. The table outlines the number of passenger locator forms which were completed correctly and where the data on the form was not completed correctly due to the information being invalid or illegible.
|
26 Oct – 01 Nov |
02 Nov – 08 Nov |
09 Nov – 15 Nov |
16 Nov – 22 Nov |
23 Nov – 29 Nov |
30 Nov – 06 Dec |
|
|
No. of Forms correctly completed |
23,244 |
21,828 |
20,307 |
17,815 |
19,288 |
25,636 |
|
No. of Forms NOT correctly completed -invalid or illegible |
3,613 |
4,172 |
2,701 |
2,108 |
2,158 |
1,990 |
618. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of follow-up calls made to incoming passengers on a weekly basis from 26 October 2020; and the number of calls which were successfully answered on a weekly basis in tabular form. [43466/20]
View answerIncoming travellers from countries with elevated incidence rates are contacted to verify the place of address provided on the form. Several categories of travellers are exempt from completing the COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form, such as those transiting directly to Northern Ireland and essential transport workers. Travellers receive an interactive text message requesting that they verify their place of address submitted on the COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form. Follow-up phone calls are made to those that do not respond or have changed place of address.
|
26 Oct – 01 Nov |
02 Nov – 08 Nov |
09 Nov – 15 Nov |
16 Nov – 22 Nov |
23 Nov – 29 Nov |
30 Nov – 06 Dec |
|
|
No of calls to arriving passengers |
8983 |
8998 |
6859 |
4542 |
4460 |
6238 |
|
No. of calls successfully answered by arriving passengers |
3961 |
3821 |
2546 |
1878 |
1743 |
2490 |
|
No of addresses verified by SMS (interactive text message) |
11,330 |
10,121 |
6,943 |
5,007 |
5,301 |
8,227 |
619. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of nasal spray child flu vaccines administered to date; the date of expiration for the circa 600,000 nasal spray doses bought by the HSE in 2020; the steps he will take to ensure increased uptake before their expiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43468/20]
View answer1.95 million doses of influenza vaccine, including 1.35 million doses of the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (QIV) for administration to all persons in an at-risk group and 600,000 doses of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) for all children aged from 2 to 12 years old inclusive, have been made available for the current influenza vaccination programme. The amount of vaccine made available for this winter is almost double the amount of vaccine administered last winter.
The 600,000 doses of LAIV procured will expire in mid-January or mid-February, depending on the batch. The datesspecific quantities of vaccine will expire are the 13th and 14th of January and the 12th and 15th of February.
Over 1.33 million of the 1.35 million doses of flu vaccine available this winter have been distributed to GPs, pharmacists and other vaccination sites. Deliveries are continuing and stock is expected to be depleted by the end of the year. In addition, over 460,000 doses of the LAIV for administration to children aged from 2 to 12 have been distributed.
As of 10th December, almost 950,000 claims for reimbursement from GPs and pharmacists for the administration QIV and approximately 193,000 claims for the administration of LAIV have been received.
Given the lower than expected uptake of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine for children, I have approved the expansion of the use of LAIV in all children aged from 2 years to 17 years inclusive, for the current winter period.
620. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the status of projects (details supplied) related to commitments made within Project Ireland 2040; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43469/20]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly in relation to this matter.
621. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health his plans to recruit a full-time consultant neurologist for Wexford general hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43471/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
622. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1370 of 8 September 2020, the reason there are no dedicated neuropsychology posts for children or adults in the HSE South East community healthcare organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43472/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
623. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the steps which will be taken to ensure the HSE has the capacity to process primary medical certs from 1 January 2020; the outcome of the meeting on 9 December 2020 between Minister of State with responsibility for Disability at his Department and the Department of Justice and the Secretary General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43475/20]
View answerThe Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme comes under the remit of the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners. The extent of the involvement of Health Service Executive (HSE) personnel in the Scheme relates to making a professional clinical determination as to whether an individual applicant meets the specified medical criteria for a Primary Medical Certificate. This determination is undertaken by Senior Medical Officers for the relevant HSE Community Health Organisation on behalf of the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.
The Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte TD, met with the Secretary General of the Department of Health on 9 December 2020 to discuss a number of issues, including Primary Medical Certificates. Minister Rabbitte discussed the backlog that has built up due to the temporary suspension of the assessments earlier this year.
The Deputy will be aware that following a Supreme Court decision of June 2020, the assessment process for Primary Medical Certificates was suspended at the request of the Minister for Finance. In order to allow for the Primary Medical Certificate assessments to recommence, the Minister for Finance recently brought forward amendments to the Finance Bill to provide for the existing medical criteria in primary legislation. When the Bill is enacted, this will allow for assessments to recommence in circumstances where the legal basis for such assessments is clarified.
As the assessment process for Primary Medical Certificates is a service matter, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the HSE for consideration and direct reply to the Deputy.
624. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the outcome of his meeting with the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability at his Department and the Department of Justice on developments at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe; when the construction of the new ward block will commence; when the existing CAT scan will be replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43476/20]
View answerThe Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, including the construction of the new ward block and the replacement of the existing CAT scan at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe.
The HSE has advised that it is intended to advertise for contractors for the construction of the 50 Bed Ward Block at Portiuncula University Hospital in Q1 2021 with a view to commencing works in Summer 2021, subject to the availability of funding.
The HSE has also advised that the of the CT located in Portiuncula is scheduled for replacement in 2021/ 2022, through the HSE’s Equipment Replacement Programme (ERP) subject to the availability of funding.
It is important to recognise that the delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, which can impact on the timeline for delivery.
625. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health his position on the continued farming of mink in Ireland with regard to the demonstrated decreased susceptibility to antibodies of a strain of Covid-19 in persons previously infected as cited by the Chief Medical Officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43484/20]
View answerThe ECDC has advised that there has been an extensive spread of SARS-CoV-2 in mink farms in Denmark. Mutations of the disease in mink populations may have implications for immunity, reinfections and the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, but further studies are needed to fully understand the mutations and their implications.
On 6 November 2020 Health Officials met with the Chief Veterinary Officer and colleagues from the Department of Agriculture to assess the risk to Ireland. A number of steps have been taken and the HSE has undertake serial testing of mink-farm workers.
On 16 November, the CMO recommended that all farmed Mink in the State be culled as a matter of urgency on public health grounds and wrote to the CVO in the Department of Agriculture on that basis.
I am informed that the Department of Agriculture & Marine has conducted testing on mink on all three mink farms in Ireland, with the most recent tests on 7th December, and all tests have been negative for Covid 19 (or any mutation thereof). That Department continues to engage with the farm operators in order to manage next steps in this process.
626. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of times a student nurse has been rostered to work a shift of eight hours or greater since 19 October 2020, by hospital by one hour increments in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43485/20]
View answerI would like to confirm to the Deputy that the information requested is not routinely held by either the Department or the HSE. I have asked that the HSE to consult with their colleagues in the Higher Education Institutes and reply directly to the Deputy.
627. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if section 38 and 39 service providers have to provide a first aid qualified person at each location. [43488/20]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
628. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if a training grant is provided to section 38 and 39 organisations to provide first aid services at each location. [43489/20]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
629. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if all disability day service care workers or staff that were redeployed during Covid-19 have been returned to their original day service; the number of staff by service provider and location that have not been returned to their pre-Covid-19 location; and the number of service users that have had the service curtailed as a result in tabular form. [43500/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
630. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the reason Ireland’s rate of Covid-19 deaths per 100,000 is far higher relative to the incidence rate per 100,000 than other EU/EEA states with the lowest incidence rates. [43501/20]
View answerAs of 09th December, based on ECDC data, Ireland’s Incidence of total deaths is at 42.8 deaths per 100,000. This is lower than 17 other countries in the Eu 27 & UK, See table 1 attached.
Looking at more recent deaths; as of 10th December, Ireland’s incidence at 1.4 deaths notified to the ECDC in the last 14 days per 100,000 is lower than all but 1 other countries in the EU 27 & UK. See Table 2 attached.
In spring 2020 Ireland experienced a first wave of deaths associated with COVID-19. Substantial mortality associated with COVID-19 was also observed in other countries across the EU/UK.
In comparing Ireland with other countries, it should be noted however, that individual jurisdictions employ differing methodologies for the reporting of COVID-19 deaths. From the outset Ireland reported deaths that occurred in both hospital and the community as well as associated with both probable and confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Ireland has sought to follow international guidance and advice from organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) in relation to counting deaths. This was not the case in some other countries, particularly earlier in the pandemic.
631. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if palliative care and respite beds will return to St. Brigid’s facility, Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary; and if so, the date. [43502/20]
View answerAs these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
632. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if alternative treatments provided to cancer patients are currently deemed essential; if not, if this will be reconsidered considering the mental and physical benefits offered to those suffering from a variety of illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43503/20]
View answerThe HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) advise that they would distinguish between 'alternative' treatments and 'complimentary' treatments. Generally, alternative treatments are not advised as they imply non-standard treatments. Complementary treatments can be supported under advice from the patient's oncology team.
Complementary therapies are offered in some cancer centres and in many community cancer support centres. It is important that practitioners are appropriately qualified and registered.
Psycho-oncology and social work services are available to patients in cancer centres during their cancer treatment. Community cancer support centres offer support and information to patients who have completed active treatment. This can cover a range of services, such as provision of information, peer support, counselling, physical activity and survivorship programmes.
Recognising the distress of cancer patients and their families during this time, a virtual psycho-oncology service (Together 4 Cancer Concern) was developed by the National Cancer Control Programme in conjunction with the Irish Cancer and Cancer Care West. It can be accessed through the Irish Cancer Society support line and a full range of psychological support is available.
633. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43521/20]
View answerHealthy Ireland, A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025, is the national framework for action to improve the health and wellbeing of Ireland. The Framework is now past the mid-way point for the implementation.
Since publication in 2013, there has been significant progress in implementation. This has included:
- A focus on building an enabling environment for cross-sectoral and collaborative action, supported by a stakeholder engagement and communications strategy.
- Significant cross government and intersectoral partnerships and working has been created by the Framework.
- A suite of national policies and plans to address risk factors such as obesity, tobacco and physical inactivity have been published, and policy direction across areas such as cancer, maternity care, drugs and mental health has been informed and influenced by Healthy Ireland.
Notwithstanding the progress to date, there is an urgent need to scale and expand the activity across all strands of the work from Government to local level. To support effective implementation, and to capitalise on further opportunities to involve more sectors in implementation.
In late 2019 the Health and Wellbeing Unit in my Department commenced the development of a Strategic Action Plan for the next phase of the Healthy Ireland Framework. Despite the challenges caused by Covid-19, which has caused some delays to the original timeline for this process, significant progress on the development of the Strategic Action Plan for Healthy Ireland has been made. To date the process has already completed a rapid review of previous progress, extensive stakeholder engagement, a desktop review of other jurisdictions for best practice, and a review of goals for alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Programme for Government.
Presently a set of emerging priorities is being considered in partnership with other Government Departments and internally in the Department of Health. The Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan is expected to be finalised in early 2021, for agreement across Government and subsequent publication.
