Written Answers Nos. 367-386
367. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will repeat the short-term review undertaken in December 2020 on the allowances paid to student nurses in first to third year, given the surge in Covid-19 cases in the hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3131/21]
View answerIn December 2020, I directed that a short, time limited independent review of clinical placement allowances available at the present time for student nurses and midwives be conducted by 31 December 2020. Professor Tom Collins was appointed as the independent person to conduct this review and his Report was delivered to me on time.
I have also committed to a longer-term review of student nurse and midwife allowances and arrangements are now being put in place so that it can commence by the end of this month.
368. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve the communication of the vaccination roll-out, in particular the number of persons vaccinated per week and area. [3137/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
369. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if he has considered a vaccination calculator application that would give persons an indication as to when they will be vaccinated based on data inputted. [3138/21]
View answerThe Government is committed to the timely implementation of a COVID-19 immunisation programme.
The National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy, which was prepared by the High-Level Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccination, was signed off by Cabinet on 15 December 2020.
The vaccines will be rolled out in three phases - the initial roll out, a mass ramp-up and open access. The highest priority groups, those over the age of 65 living in long-term care facilities and frontline healthcare workers in direct patient contact, will receive the vaccine first.
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. This is wholly dependent on supply lines and on candidate vaccines obtaining approval. Therefore, it is not possible at this time to determine a timeframe for the full vaccination programme.
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 Allocation Strategy can be found at:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.
370. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the reason a vulnerable incapacitated recipient of home care (details supplied) in County Dublin was not listed as a close contact to the HSE following the confirmation that four of the carers visiting the person's home had tested positive for Covid-19; if a full investigation will be carried out into the failure of the home care provider to protect its client following the client's exposure Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3145/21]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
371. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with an address based in County Tipperary who have been admitted to the department of psychiatry, St. Luke's hospital, Kilkenny, per annum since 2012. [3146/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
372. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if there is an estimated cost of works recommended to be carried out at the department of psychiatry, St. Luke's hospital, Kilkenny, following the recommendations made by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment report. [3147/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
373. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the Minister of State, Deputy Butler's statement when she met local mental health groups in Clonmel, County Tipperary in August 2020, that the department of psychiatry, St. Luke's hospital, Kilkenny, was delivering an impeccable service with facilities and procedures of an incredibly high standard after recent investment was compromised by the publication of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment report 2020. [3148/21]
View answerI am aware, from various sources, of the high standard of care provided at the Department of Psychiatry, St. Luke’s, Kilkenny. These sources include Mental Health Commission reports and the recent report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (CPT) on its visit to Ireland in late 2019.
The Mental Health Commission's report for 2019 for this facility indicates that there has been a significant improvement in compliance with regulations, rules and codes of practice from 46% in 2017, 51% in 2018 to 73% in 2019. This reflects the considerable efforts by staff and HSE management to improve the quality of services delivered. I understand that the DOP in Kilkenny achieved a compliance rate of 94% in 2020, and that the MHC will publish a detailed report on this in the near future.
My view on this facility was also borne out by my visit in recent months to the Department of Psychiatry.
The CPT 2020 report, published subsequent to the visit by the Committee, highlighted the high quality of care given overall at the Department of Psychiatry and has not resulted in any change to my view. I have asked the HSE to reply direct to the Deputy in relation to issues contained in the CPT report regarding this facility.
374. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount paid out by the State Claims Agency in damages in medical negligence cases in 2020; the top five amounts paid out; and the nature of such cases. [3162/21]
View answer375. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount paid out by the State Claims Agency in plaintiff legal costs and its own legal costs in medical negligence cases for 2020. [3163/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 375 together.
The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of Delegated State Authorities including the Health Service Executive. The State Claims Agency has provided me with the following information, in respect of the Deputy's questions relating to the amounts paid by the Agency in 2020.
The first report below shows Damages Payments made in 2020 with respect to clinical claims under the management of the State Claims Agency. The figures relate to all claims under the hazard category of clinical care only being managed by the SCA under the Clinical Indemnity Scheme (CIS) and other private healthcare schemes. The Report is correct as at 31/12/2020.
Total Damages Payment Made - 2020
Damages payments with respect to clinical care claims paid in 2020 by the State Claims Agency on behalf of all delegate healthcare enterprises amounted to €245,066,025
Top 5 Damages Payments – 2020
All of the below damages payments relate to Cerebral Palsy claims with the exception of the final claim below relating to a catastrophic non-brain injury. The amounts shown represent full and final settlements in the 5 cases.
|
Injury |
Damages Paid - 2020 |
|
Cerebral Palsy |
€22,616,271 |
|
Cerebral Palsy |
€18,400,000 |
|
Cerebral Palsy |
€14,800,000 |
|
Cerebral Palsy |
€12,000,000 |
|
Catastrophic Non-Brain Injury |
€9,400,000 |
Table 1: Top 5 Damages Payments made 2020 - Clinical Claims
The second report shows all Plaintiff legal costs and Agency costs only paid by the Agency from 01/01/2020 to 31/12/2020.
The total plaintiff legal costs and agency legal costs paid on clinical care claims in 2020.
|
Transaction Type |
Total |
|
Agency Legal Costs |
€22,674,725 |
|
Plaintiff Legal Costs |
€47,053,749 |
|
Grand Total |
€69,728,473* |
Table 2: Amount paid in plaintiff legal costs and agency legal costs on clinical claims in 2020
Note: The legal costs sums include VAT, and, in the case of plaintiffs’ costs, the sum shown also includes payments made in respect of experts retained by plaintiffs to support their cases.*Grand Total does not add due to rounding.
Definitions:
National Incident Management System (NIMS): Incidents (which include claims) are reported using the “National Incident Management System”. This is hosted by the State Claims Agency (SCA) for the HSE, other Healthcare enterprises and State Authorities. An incident can be a harmful Incident (Adverse Event), no harm incident, near miss, dangerous occurrence (reportable circumstance) or complaint.
An Incident can relate to a person, property, crash/collision, dangerous occurrence or complaint.
Damages Payments: Can includes both General Damages and Special Damages
Claim: A claim refers to notification of intention to seek compensation for personal injury and/or property damage where it is alleged the State was negligent. The application may be in the form of a letter of claim, an InjuriesBoard.ie application, or a written/oral request.
Clinical: A clinical incident on NIMS is one which falls under the Incident Hazard category of Clinical Care. This category includes incidents relating to the provision of services of a diagnostic or palliative nature. It also includes incidents relating to the provision of treatment. Incidents present in this category will be relating to clinical procedures, birth specific procedures, medication incidents, or nutrition/blood related incidents.
General: A general incident on NIMS is one which falls outside of the Clinical Care Incident hazard category. This includes all incidents relating to Exposure to Physical Hazards, Exposure to Psychological Hazards, Exposure to Chemical Hazards, Exposure to Biological Hazards, Crashes/Collisions, Property Damage/Loss (non-crash collision), dangerous occurrences and informal complaints.
Transaction Reporting Date: This refers to the date that payments were issued.
376. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the status of the cross-border healthcare directive memorandum of understanding with the UK and Northern Ireland; the progress relating to same; the issues being experienced; when the issues will be resolved; the steps being taken in the current process to address same; when the directive will proceed for administrative approval, reimbursement and surgery scheduling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3166/21]
View answer377. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the outcome of the most recent discussions that have been held with the departments of health in Northern Ireland and the UK concerning the EU cross-border healthcare directive post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3167/21]
View answer378. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the status of the cross-border healthcare directive agreement between medical assistance schemes (details supplied); the progress in moving forward same; when the directive will be back up and proceed for administrative approval, reimbursement and surgery scheduling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3168/21]
View answer432. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a scheme (details supplied) has been impacted by Brexit; if the scheme is operating as normal; if changes to the scheme are pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3316/21]
View answer435. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the status of the authorisation of medical procedures that were applied for before the end of December 2020 to be carried out in Belfast under the cross-border directive. [3323/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 376 to 378, inclusive, 432 and 435 together.
Since 1 January 2021, the provisions of the EU Cross Border Directive (CBD) no longer apply to the UK. On the 28th December 2020 the Government approved the implementation of a new Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme. The new Scheme operational from 1 January 2021 for 12 months on an administrative basis will enable persons resident in the State to access and be reimbursed for private healthcare in Northern Ireland by the HSE, provided such healthcare is publicly available within Ireland.
Furthermore, the HSE has also put in place transitional arrangements for certain patients who have a legitimate expectation of continuing to access care in the UK under the current provisions of the EU Cross-Border Directive Scheme including provision for reimbursement of healthcare costs by the HSE to persons who fall into certain categories, such as patients who can evidence that they have treatment booked prior to December 2020 for treatment in 2021. Patients are advised to contact the HSE CBD office directly with queries on individual applications and whether they are covered by the transitional arrangements or the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme.
Patients also continue to have access to health services under the EU CBD Scheme in all other remaining EU/EEA countries.
In the context of the Covid-19 Pandemic, persons seeking to utilise these schemes should review and adhere to the public health guidance and restrictions in place at any point in time.
379. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if HSE-funded fissure seal treatments are offered to all children through the school dental programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3176/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
380. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure adequate HSE dental appointments are available to children in south-western areas of County Cork. [3177/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
382. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to ensure proper organisation of times for vaccinations and checks being carried out in locations providing vaccinations (details supplied). [3179/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
383. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the inclusion of dental workers as priority 2 in the provisional vaccine allocation groups for the Covid-19 vaccine; and when such workers will be able to register for the vaccine in the HSE portal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3209/21]
View answerThe COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
Vaccine allocation is a matter for my Department and further information is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.
The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is the responsibility of the HSE.
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.
Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) in direct patient contact roles will be vaccinated in Group 2. This includes HCWs working in public, private, and voluntary settings. Other HCWs, not in direct patient contact, will be vaccinated in Group 4.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
384. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if frontline healthcare workers as defined in the national Covid-19 vaccination programme implementation plan include public nurses and HSE carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3212/21]
View answer413. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when persons working in dental practices will receive the Covid-19 vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3284/21]
View answer442. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the dental profession will be prioritised for Covid-19 vaccination given its close contact with patients and its high-risk working environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3351/21]
View answer472. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if dentists and dental staff will be considered front-line healthcare workers in the context of the Covid-19 vaccination programme; if they will be vaccinated at the beginning of the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out; the schedule of vaccination for these workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3488/21]
View answer474. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health when cancer support workers will receive Covid-19 vaccinations. [3495/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 384, 413, 442, 472 and 474 together.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
Vaccine allocation is a matter for my Department and further information is available here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.
The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is the responsibility of the HSE.
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.
Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) in direct patient contact roles will be vaccinated in Group 2. This includes HCWs working in public, private, and voluntary settings. Other HCWs, not in direct patient contact, will be vaccinated in Group 4.
385. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the group under which vulnerable persons being cared for in the home are categorised under page 9 of the national Covid-19 vaccination programme implementation plan sequencing table; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3213/21]
View answerThe COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
Vaccine allocation is a matter for the my Department and further information is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.
The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is the responsibility of the HSE.
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.
The next group to be vaccinated are those aged 70 and older.
Persons being cared for in the home are a diverse group, therefore, each individual will be vaccinated in the group that is appropriate to them.
386. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the efforts he is making to ensure that a way forward is secured on data sharing between public authorities here and in Northern Ireland in the context of cross-Border travel through ports and airports and on tackling Covid-19 in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3225/21]
View answerThere has been, and continues to be, engagement between myself and Minister Swann on data sharing from respective passenger locator forms and officials from both our Departments have met to advance discussions on this issue in recent months. The most recent meeting was on the 15th of January.
There is a commitment to finding a solution to this issue, however there are legal and data protection issues which must be addressed before a data sharing agreement can be established, while ensuring Ireland complies with its GDPR obligations. Both Departments are working to establish the purpose and method for processing the data which will allow this Department, to determine the policy and legal issues.
I am aware of the risks posed to the entire island by international travel during the pandemic and am committed to strong, effective, and appropriate co-operation in order to manage these risks.
