Wednesday, 13 Jan 2021

Written Answers Nos. 1008-1032

Drugs Payment Scheme

Questions (1010)

Chris Andrews

Question:

1010. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health if CBD medicinal cannabis will be made available under the drugs payment scheme. [1365/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

In June 2019, the Minister for Health signed legislation to underpin the operation of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP). This is a 5-year pilot programme, restricted to prescribing of cannabis-based products by medical consultants, for patients with certain medical conditions who have exhausted all other available medical treatment options.

Those conditions are:

- Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis

- Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy

- Severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy.

For more information relating to the MCAP, including FAQs, please see the Department of Health’s website at the following link.

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/90ece9-medical-cannabis-access-programme/

Commercial suppliers whose cannabis products have been reviewed and are considered to have met the specified requirements set out in the legislation and are in line with the clinical guidance for the MCAP, will have their products added to Schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations 2019. Once the products are listed in Schedule 1 of these Regulations the suppliers will be permitted to supply these products to the Irish market, in line with legal and regulatory requirements. Cannabis products will only be listed in Schedule 1 of the Regulations once they have been assessed as suitable for medical use under the MCAP.

To date four products have been added to Schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations 2019. The four products are:

1. Aurora High CBD Oil Drops

2. CannEpil ™

3. Tilray Oral Solution THC10:CBD10 25ml

4. Aurora Sedamen Softgels.

The HSE has engaged in discussions with the suppliers of these products, regarding pricing and supply information. The HSE will consider such information, in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

The programme will not become fully operational until pricing and supply matters are agreed. 

Once the Medical Cannabis Access Programme commences the HSE will establish and maintain a Register to facilitate the enrolment and recording of certain data including patient identifiers (in anonymised format), prescribers enrolled in the Programme, as well as prescribed / supplied medical cannabis products. The Department can advise that while the MCAP register is not currently operational, engagement is ongoing with the HSE in regard to progressing same.

Pending full operation of the MCAP and for medical indications not included in the MCAP, doctors may continue to utilise the Ministerial licensing route to prescribe medical cannabis for their patients, should they wish to do so.

In line with the Chief Medical Officer's advice, the granting of a licence for cannabis for medical purposes must be premised on an appropriate application being submitted to the Department of Health, which is endorsed by a consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient and who is prepared to monitor the effects of the treatment over time. This information can be found at the following links:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/1a5c4e-applying-to-the-minister-for-health-for-a-medical-cannabis-licence/

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/e35cb4-ministerial-licence-application-process/

It is important to note that the medical decision to prescribe or not prescribe any treatment, including cannabis treatment, for an individual patient is strictly a decision for the treating clinician, in consultation with their patient. The Minister for Health has no role in this clinical decision-making process.

Question No. 1011 answered with Question No. 792.

HSE Staff

Questions (1012)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1012. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address the case of a person (details supplied) regarding job opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1379/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1013)

Joan Collins

Question:

1013. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if the situation regarding the closure of construction sites to stop the spread of Covid-19 will be clarified; the reason social housing and public infrastructure sites are being kept open (details supplied); and his views on whether all building sites should be closed to limit the transmission of the virus. [1380/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As you aware, Ireland is at level 5 of the Government's medium-term Strategy Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19. This 5-level framework sets out what is permitted for social or family gatherings, work and public transport, bars, hotels and restaurants, exercise activities and religious services, at that moment in time.

The public health measures recognise the need to reduce congregation and interactions between people to reduce the transmission of Covid-19. The number of people allowed to gather in different scenarios in the plan is 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. The measures in place for each level reflect the prevailing disease situation and recognise that we can and must prioritise some activities over others.

Information in relation to the current public health measures for essential services and construction at level 5 is available at:

-  https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/ and:

- https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/#construction

The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (NO. 10) Regulations 2020 Regulation (S.I. 701 of 2020), sets out the relevant businesses or services under the current public health measures, which are deemed essential.

SI No. 4 of 2021 also provides information on what are essential construction and developments.

Statutory Instruments related to the Covid-19 pandemic are available here:- https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/

You may wish to note that my Department does not have sectorial responsibility for construction which is a matter for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1014)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1014. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if elderly residents in Ireland originally from the UK or other jurisdictions who are not registered with a general practitioner here will be able to access the Covid-19 vaccination; the way in which this group will be organised for vaccination by the HSE if they are not registered with a general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1385/21]

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 (1015)

Matt Shanahan

Question:

1015. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the clinical protocols observed that required the South/Southwest Hospital Group to provide vaccination to front-line staff in its Cork city-based elective only hospitals some with no Covid-19 patients, while deferring vaccination to front-line staff in the second largest acute hospital in the group, University Hospital Waterford, in addition to acute settings in University Hospital Kerry and South Tipperary General Hospital, all with Covid-19 cases; the transparent equitable analysis the hospital group will be offering in a real time and ongoing basis to demonstrate fair allocation of vaccine resources and roll-out among the hospital group concerned and HSE South community sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1398/21]

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 Facilities

Questions (1016)

Matt Shanahan

Question:

1016. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the remaining timeline and steps outstanding to a grant of build tender award given that the Tánaiste has confirmed that the main contractor tenders along with sub-contract tenders for mechanical and electrical works have been received by the capital procurements office regarding a build tender award of new cathlab at University Hospital Waterford; the completion date for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1399/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The preferred option for development of a second Cath laboratory at UHW is for a lab on the roof of the existing Cardiology Department, which will operate five days per week and provide diagnostic services only.

Funding was allocated in the Capital Plan for the provision of a second Cath lab at UHW. Planning permission was received from Waterford City and County Council in January 2020.  The Disability Access certificate was granted in April 2020. The Fire certificate was granted in June 2020.  Preparation of contract documentation commenced, and contractor selection is complete subject to a cooling off period.  The project went to tender on the 30th September 2020. The Tender process being used is a 2 Stage process which normally takes about 4 months to complete. Tenders for the main Contractor were received on the 24th November, while the tenders for the mechanical and electrical sub-contractors were received in on the 21st December. The tenders are now being reviewed by the design team.

Works to the new Cath laboratory are due to commence in Q1 of 2021 with a proposed 12-month build.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1017, 1018, 1035, 1036, 1047, 1080, 1085, 1086, 1091)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

1017. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when nurses in general practitioner practices will receive the Covid-19 vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1404/21]

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

1018. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if nurses working in ICU will receive the Covid-19 vaccination in round one (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1405/21]

Matt Carthy

Question:

1035. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if persons who work in Covid-19 testing centres will be prioritised to receive vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1544/21]

Matt Carthy

Question:

1036. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health when the Covid-19 vaccination programme will be provided to those who work in education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1545/21]

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

1047. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health when he expects the vaccine to be made available to residents and staff of services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1614/21]

Dara Calleary

Question:

1080. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will consider prioritising undertakers and their staff for Covid-19 vaccination given the importance of their work and their ongoing potential exposure to Covid-19 and Covid-related illnesses at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1753/21]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

1085. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if he will classify general practitioners as front-line healthcare workers within the second vaccine allocation group under the Covid-19 vaccine allocation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1767/21]

Colm Burke

Question:

1086. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if pharmacists and pharmacy staff will be considered front-line healthcare workers in the context of the Covid-19 vaccination programme and will be vaccinated at the beginning of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout; the schedule of vaccination for these workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1771/21]

Dara Calleary

Question:

1091. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health when the Covid-19 vaccine will be rolled out to members of An Garda Síochána; and if he will increase the priority given to the force in the text of the challenges facing it in its daily duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1777/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1017, 1018, 1035, 1036, 1047, 1080, 1085, 1086 and 1091 together.

The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to ensure, over time, that vaccine will become available to vaccinate all of those for whom the vaccine is indicated. Given that there will be initially limited vaccines available, it will take some time for all to receive those vaccines and that has necessitated an allocation strategy to ensure that those most at risk of death and serious illness receive the vaccine first.

The priority is to first vaccinate and protect directly the most vulnerable amongst us, that is, those most likely to have a poor outcome if they contract the virus. The priority is to directly use vaccines to save lives and reduce serious illness, hence the focus on the over 65 year old cohort in long term residential care facilities, and healthcare workers in frontline services often caring for the most vulnerable.

All of the groups will be covered as further vaccine supplies become available and the immunisation programme is rolled out nationally.

The evidence will be kept under review and the allocation groups may be updated, where necessary, in light of new evidence.

Further information on the Strategy can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.

Question No. 1019 answered with Question No. 798.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1020)

Johnny Guirke

Question:

1020. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health if it is safe for persons aged under 16 years and women who are pregnant to receive a vaccine for Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1445/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Ireland is taking part in a Procurement Exercise being operated by the European Commission on behalf of Member States to procure suitable, safe and effective vaccines, in sufficient quantities, to combat COVID-19.

Covid 19 vaccines can only be approved and used if they comply with all the requirements of quality, safety and efficacy set out in the EU pharmaceutical legislation. Any authorised vaccine will be subject to ongoing monitoring in Ireland by the Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA).

On 6 January, the EU Commission granted approval for conditional marketing authorisation for the COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Moderna, to prevent COVID-19 in people from 18 years of age following recommendation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

On 21 December, the EU Commission granted approval for conditional marketing authorisation for the vaccine Comirnaty, developed by BioNTech and Pfizer, to prevent COVID-19 in people from 16 years of age following recommendation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

No vaccine is currently indicated for those under 16 years of age.

There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccine is unsafe if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

Pregnant women should talk to their obstetrician or GP when the time comes to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Further information is available here:

https://www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/covid-19-vaccine-and-pregnancy.html

Hospital Staff

Questions (1021, 1022, 1048, 1066, 1074, 1078)

Patrick Costello

Question:

1021. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health his plans for a supplementary payment to student radiographers in view of plans to issue a payment and-or grant to student nurses. [1450/21]

Cathal Crowe

Question:

1022. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to pay or provide travel and accommodation allowances to student radiographers to bring them in line with other trainee medics. [1451/21]

Robert Troy

Question:

1048. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will address the issues regarding the payment of allowances to student radiographers (details supplied). [1615/21]

Seán Haughey

Question:

1066. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will restore payment to four fourth year student radiographers for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1685/21]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1074. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding student radiographers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1730/21]

Steven Matthews

Question:

1078. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a campaign led by student radiographers seeking greater supports similar to those provided to student nurses to reflect their ongoing care of the Covid-19 patients and front-line status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1746/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1021, 1022, 1048, 1066, 1074 and 1078 together.

Radiography students do not receive an allowance to support time spent on placement as part of their course and there are no plans to change this.  

I can also confirm that in 2020, assistant radiographers were employed on a 3 month contract following completion of their final year clinical placement, subject to the needs of the Health Service.  As their skills were identified as being required during the COVID-19 response and subject to the needs of each acute hospital, they were offered a temporary 3 month assistant radiographer role following successful completion of their 7 week final year clinical placement. The 3-month period commenced on 18 May 2020. 

It should be noted that across the health and social care disciplines, there could be over 8,000 students on placement in hospital and healthcare settings.  Of this number, around a third are final year students.  The length of placements and the activities performed during these placements vary between the disciplines. These students are not employees and in many cases the nature of the placement can, in the main, be limited to participation in an observing and a learning capacity.

Uniquely for student nurses and midwives there is, in the final year, a paid salary when they are specifically employed on an internship placement. Student nurses and midwives’ final year internship placement consists of a continual 36-week rostered clinical placement, including annual leave. The internship placement is a paid placement as the student nurses and midwives take a reduced caseload. During these placements, students are under supervision and are considered as 0.5 WTE of the workforce. In addition, Intern students can be allocated across all shift patterns including nights, weekends and 12-hour days.

Student nurses and midwives undertaking unpaid supernumerary clinical placement as students are currently in receipt of an allowance. Again, given the unique requirements of these training programmes attendance at many placement sites is required, some of which are at a distance to base training hospital and the current allowance is to contribute to the cost of alternative accommodation/travel.

Palliative Care Services

Questions (1023)

David Cullinane

Question:

1023. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels by staff group for the new palliative care centre in University Hospital Waterford; if there will be specialists in paediatric palliative care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1453/21]

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.

Question No. 1024 answered with Question No. 904.

Medical Cards

Questions (1025)

Mark Ward

Question:

1025. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the possibility for PaediaSure in the powdered form to be added to the list for medical card holders (details supplied). [1464/21]

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 Services Provision

Questions (1026)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

1026. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if reflexology treatments can continue under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1465/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Deputy is aware, the situation regarding COVID-19 has been, and continues to be, an evolving situation. COVID-19 is still having a major impact both here in Ireland and elsewhere.

 On Tuesday 15 September the Government published ‘Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19’. This Plan outlines our medium-term strategy for COVID-19 and sets out a Framework of 5 Levels which outline the broad measures which will apply depending on the level of the virus at any given time. It will be possible for different regions and counties to be at different levels, depending on prevailing epidemiological situation. The Plan is designed to help everyone – individuals, organisations and sectors – to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures that might be introduced to contain transmission of the virus. The intention is that Departments and sectors will provide guidance for specific sectors and activities in line with the 5 level framework. 

At Level 5 of the Plan, only essential retail outlets and essential services are allowed to open to the public. The list of essential services that can remain open during Level 5 includes therapy services provided by a member of a designated profession within the meaning of section 3 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (No. 27 of 2005).  There are seventeen professions designated under the 2005 Act, which are encompassed in the list of essential services. These are: Dietitians, Dispensing Opticians, Medical Scientists, Occupational Therapists, Optometrists, Physiotherapists (which includes Physical Therapists), Radiographers, Radiation Therapists, Social Workers, Speech and Language Therapists, Clinical Biochemists, Counsellors, Orthoptists, Podiatrists, Psychologists, Psychotherapists and Social Care Workers.

The public health advice relating to Covid-19 is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and it provides advice to Government in line with the current epidemiological position. The latest public health advice on these matters is available at the links below and is updated on a regular basis:

https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-health/

https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/

https://www.gov.ie/en/

Question No. 1027 answered with Question No. 911.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (1028)

Steven Matthews

Question:

1028. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the partial postponement of the primary school immunisation programme 2020-2021; and if this will be prioritised when sufficient staffing levels are available to accommodate this vaccination programme. [1478/21]

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 Tests

Questions (1029)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

1029. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if his Department is advising doctors to refer teachers for a Covid-19 test who show only one symptom of the virus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1512/21]

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 (1030)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

1030. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the actions his Department is taking to improve the track and trace operation in relation to Covid-19 in view of recent case numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1513/21]

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 Expenditure

Questions (1031)

Pa Daly

Question:

1031. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will consider prioritising local suppliers when issuing tenders for a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1514/21]

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.

Care of the Elderly

Questions (1032)

Marian Harkin

Question:

1032. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the number of boarding out facilities for the elderly by county, in tabular form. [1519/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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