Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:742. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if there are special circumstances in which a person (details supplied) can obtain a Covid-19 vaccine for travel purposes. [3895/21]
View answerWritten Answers Nos. 742-762
742. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if there are special circumstances in which a person (details supplied) can obtain a Covid-19 vaccine for travel purposes. [3895/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
743. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when home help will be accommodated and put in place in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3904/21]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
744. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list to see a dietitian by community healthcare organisation, CHO, and age category; and the breakdown by the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form. [3929/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
745. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list to see an allergist or get an allergy test by community healthcare organisation, CHO, and age category; and the breakdown by the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form. [3930/21]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the HSE endeavoured to optimise access to care, including allergy testing, through alternative work practices such the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities, and alternative outpatient settings.
One such initiative took place at City West Convention Centre over a period of six weeks starting early September 2020. Children's Health Ireland, in conjunction with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), arranged day case procedures for 474 long waiting patients on the CHI Clinical Immunology Waiting List to undergo Food Challenges at City West.
The HSE is currently recommending that only critical time dependent elective procedures are undertaken at this time due to the on-going and significant increased demand for bed capacity related to Covid-19.
This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.
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 NTPF have advised my Department that as of the end December 2020 there were 2,911 patients on outpatient clinical immunology waiting lists in Ireland and 311 patients on inpatient clinical immunology waiting lists. This data, broken down by age category and hospital, is provided in the attached tables.
Outpatient Clinical Immunology Waiting List as of 23/12/2020 by Age Profile, by time-band
Sum of Amount |
Column Labels |
||||||||
Row Labels |
0-3 Months |
3-6 Months |
6-9 Months |
9-12 Months |
12-15 Months |
15-18 Months |
18 Months + |
Small Volume Timebands |
Grand Total |
Beaumont Hospital |
57 |
57 |
|||||||
18-36 Years |
14 |
14 |
|||||||
36-54 Years |
27 |
27 |
|||||||
54-72 Years |
16 |
16 |
|||||||
Galway University Hospitals |
99 |
51 |
100 |
70 |
67 |
75 |
52 |
514 |
|
0-18 Years |
8 |
5 |
13 |
10 |
10 |
5 |
51 |
||
18-36 Years |
36 |
19 |
31 |
27 |
25 |
34 |
19 |
191 |
|
36-54 Years |
34 |
18 |
33 |
23 |
15 |
26 |
25 |
174 |
|
54-72 Years |
16 |
9 |
23 |
10 |
17 |
10 |
8 |
93 |
|
72+ Years |
5 |
5 |
|||||||
48 |
48 |
||||||||
Small Volume Hospitals |
13 |
13 |
|||||||
0-18 Years |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
18-36 Years |
27 |
27 |
|||||||
72+ Years |
7 |
7 |
|||||||
Small Volume Age Group |
|||||||||
St. James's Hospital |
204 |
136 |
50 |
56 |
63 |
48 |
99 |
656 |
|
0-18 Years |
13 |
11 |
24 |
||||||
18-36 Years |
65 |
56 |
14 |
23 |
25 |
17 |
37 |
237 |
|
36-54 Years |
65 |
55 |
23 |
21 |
26 |
21 |
35 |
246 |
|
54-72 Years |
48 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
12 |
10 |
21 |
130 |
|
72+ Years |
13 |
6 |
19 |
||||||
Children's Health Ireland |
145 |
77 |
42 |
110 |
116 |
120 |
1026 |
1636 |
|
0-18 Years |
145 |
77 |
42 |
116 |
120 |
1008 |
1618 |
||
18-36 Years |
18 |
18 |
|||||||
Grand Total |
505 |
264 |
192 |
236 |
246 |
243 |
1177 |
48 |
2911 |
IPDC Immunology Waiting List as of 23/12/2020 by Age Profile, by time- band
Sum of Amount |
Column Labels |
||||||||
Row Labels |
0-3 Months |
3-6months |
6-9 Months |
9-12 Months |
12-15 Months |
15-18 Months |
18+ Months |
Small Volume Timebands |
Grand Total |
Beaumont Hospital |
63 |
22 |
85 |
||||||
18-36 Years |
28 |
15 |
43 |
||||||
36-54 Years |
22 |
7 |
29 |
||||||
54 + Years |
13 |
13 |
|||||||
Small Volume Hospitals |
17 |
17 |
|||||||
0-18 Years |
5 |
5 |
|||||||
18-36 Years |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
36-54 Years |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
54+ Years |
9 |
9 |
|||||||
St. James's Hospital |
58 |
58 |
|||||||
18-36 Years |
14 |
14 |
|||||||
36-54 Years |
30 |
30 |
|||||||
54+ Years |
14 |
||||||||
Children's Health Ireland |
46 |
16 |
15 |
26 |
18 |
15 |
14 |
||
0-18 Years |
46 |
16 |
15 |
26 |
18 |
15 |
15 |
151 |
|
15 |
15 |
151 |
|||||||
Grand Total |
109 |
38 |
15 |
26 |
18 |
15 |
73 |
17 |
311 |
746. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list to see a community ophthalmic physician by community healthcare organisation, CHO, and age category; and the breakdown by the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form. [3931/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
747. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for a drug or alcohol detox bed by community healthcare organisation, CHO, and age category; and the breakdown by the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form. [3932/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
748. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for mental health services by community healthcare organisation, CHO, and age category; and the breakdown by the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form. [3933/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
749. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for counselling services by community healthcare organisation, CHO, and age category; and the breakdown by the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form. [3934/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
750. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for physiotherapy in primary care by community healthcare organisation,CHO, and age category; and the breakdown by the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form. [3935/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
751. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for occupational therapy by community healthcare organisation, CHO, and age category; and the breakdown by the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form. [3936/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.
The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
752. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information on a HSE pilot scheme (details supplied); the budget for the scheme; the timeframe allowed for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3940/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
753. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if a detailed breakdown of the vaccine groups will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3942/21]
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, including the Provisional Vaccine Allocation Groups, is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/ .
The roll-out 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.
754. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the definition of a key worker in the vaccine roll-out plan and their priority in the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3943/21]
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.
Key workers in Group 6 are those who are providing services essential to the vaccination programme.
Key workers in Group 10 are those workers in essential jobs who cannot avoid a high risk of exposure to COVID-19. They include workers in the food supply system, public and commercial transport and other vital services.
755. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if clarification will be provided on the definition of a direct patient contact with reference to the vaccine roll-out plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3945/21]
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.
756. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if clarification will be provided on the vaccination plans for mental health nurses and general staff in the mental health services in CHO 3, especially County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3946/21]
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.
757. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the position of carers (details supplied) on the vaccination allocation sequencing under the national Covid-19 vaccination programme; if they fall under group 2, 4, 6 or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3947/21]
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.
Family carers are a diverse group, therefore, each individual will be vaccinated in the group that is appropriate to them.
758. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the priority that will be given to recovering cancer patients in the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine; when it is likely they will receive the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3950/21]
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.
759. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to ensure there will be no reduction in the level of cancer diagnosis, care and necessary surgery during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3951/21]
View answer760. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to issuing a directive to each public hospital group to cease charging parking charges for cancer patients as these can become a considerable financial burden for them during such a vulnerable period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3952/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government makes a commitment to introduce a cap on the maximum daily charge for patients and visitors at all public hospitals where possible, and to introduce flexible passes in all public hospitals for patients and their families.
My Department and the HSE are currently engaging on this issue.
761. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the number of vaccine dosages supplied by the Saolta University Health Care Group to hospitals; the number of personnel who have received their first shot of vaccine; the decision process to determine the number of dosages to be supplied to each hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3954/21]
View answer762. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the number of vaccines supplied to CHO West; the breakdown of these numbers supplied to counties Mayo, Galway and Roscommon; the number of personnel who have received their first shot of vaccine within the primary care, mental health and well-being settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3958/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 761 and 762 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.