Thursday, 28 Jan 2021

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (261)

Emer Higgins

Question:

261. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health when clarification will be provided to the medically vulnerable as to the category they will be included in under the vaccine roll-out programme. [4745/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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: 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.

The next group to be vaccinated are those aged 70 and older in the following order: 85 and older, 80-84, 75-79, and 70-74. Vaccination of this group will begin in February (subject to regulatory approval of the AstraZeneca vaccine).

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.

Primary Medical Certificates

Questions (262)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

262. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if general practitioners will be permitted to fill out assessment forms for primary medical certificates in view of the difficulties some are having in getting their applications in due to the pressure thatCovid-19 is putting on the health system. [4748/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The 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.

There are no plans at present for Primary Medical Certificate assessment forms to be completed by General Practitioners. The ability to hold assessments may be impacted on by, among other things, the public health restrictions in place and the role of the HSE Medical Officers in the roll out of the COVID vaccination programme. However, I understand that the HSE is considering the matter of Primary Medical Certificate assessments in the context of their revision of the HSE recovery and restoration plans, taking into account the pressures and challenges to health services presented by Covid-19.

Health Services

Questions (263)

Martin Browne

Question:

263. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the roll-out of a premises (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if the commitment to open it after Christmas has been realised; if the seven staff positions advertised have been selected and staff taken on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4776/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Questions (264)

Martin Browne

Question:

264. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if he has considered a mental health support plan aimed at business owners who face an uncertain future given the impact of the Covid-19 restrictions on their livelihoods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4777/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Covid-19 has adversely affected every person in Ireland in diverse and challenging ways. The disease itself has caused significant stress, anxiety, worry and fear. It has increased social isolation, disruption to daily life and has caused uncertainty about employment and financial security for many of us.

With the added pressure on the nations’ mental health, it is more important than ever that services are responsive to the needs of individuals.

I recognise that some business owners are facing an uncertain future and that this may increase anxiety levels.

The Government’s “In this Together” and “Keep Well” campaigns encourage, and offer practical advice on, maintaining our physical and mental health.

Access to services is central to the Government’s commitments under Sláintecare and the new national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. The Government’s commitment to continued enhancement of mental health services is shown in ongoing increases in the mental health budget. Since 2012, €365 million has been added, bringing the mental health budget in 2021 to €1.076 billion, an increase of 51%.

Covid-19 has rapidly accelerated the online delivery of mental health services. Last year the Department of Health, with the HSE, launched a number of initiatives to promote mental health and well-being, including the national Crisis Text-Line. An additional €2.2m has been provided for a mental health promotion and well-being campaign, through enhanced online supports and to support the HSE psychosocial strategy. This has enabled integrated telehealth solutions to improve existing online interventions. Examples are the free counselling sessions offered by HSE partners MyMind and a number of other providers. Details can be found on the HSE’s website yourmentalhealth.ie

These campaigns and supports are available for all citizens, including business owners, and it is important to ensure that everyone is aware of these services. The HSE has been running an awareness campaign, through radio advertisements, directing people who need services to yourmentalhealth.ie and the mental health information telephone line 1800 111 888.

In addition, there are a number of financial and practical supports that the Government has put in place for businesses since the start of the pandemic. These include:

- A cash payment through the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS)

- The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme which pays a flat-rate subsidy for each employee

- A Trading Online Voucher to assist moving the business online

- Business advice and support from Local Enterprise offices

- A Restart Grant Plus Scheme

- Rates waiver and tax measures to reduce operational costs

- Reduction of standard rate of VAT from 23% to 21%

Information on all Government supports for businesses can be found at: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/

Mental Health Services

Questions (265)

Martin Browne

Question:

265. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to ensure that a possible increase in persons developing mental health issues due to the Covid crisis is being adequately catered for given the pressure the health service is under; his views on the likelihood that there is an increased need for services at a time when the ability to provide those services is reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4778/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (266)

Marc MacSharry

Question:

266. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the reason a facility (details supplied) has not been advised to date when a Covid-19 vaccination will be available to it, has not been advised when the vaccine will be administered to residents and no contact has been made to make preliminary enquiries to secure informed consent; the date for inoculation in the facility; if the residents will be prioritised given that all fall within the most vulnerable category of persons requiring vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4789/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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: 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.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Medicinal Products

Questions (267)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

267. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health when the HSE executive management team will consider the recommendations and decide on the approval for reimbursement of the drug dupilumab; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4802/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Health Services

Questions (268)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

268. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the commitments he and the HSE have made to include patient, service user and public opinions in the design, planning and delivery of health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4805/21]

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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 (269)

Joan Collins

Question:

269. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of beds and ICU beds that make up the 30% of beds acquired from the private hospital sector. [4807/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Following the termination of the original private hospital agreement in June 2020, the Government mandated the HSE to seek to agree with the private hospitals a new arrangement which would provide the HSE with access to private hospital capacity to include a safety net arrangement in the event of a surge of Covid-19 cases.

The HSE has agreed a new safety net arrangement with all 18 private hospitals. They have signed Service Level Agreements to provide additional hospital capacity to the HSE, to deal with the current surge in Covid-19 cases and any further surges in the pandemic, if they arise within the next 12 months. The agreement provides that the HSE can access between up to 15% or 30% of the private hospitals’ capacity depending of the incidence of the disease in the community or the number of Covid-19 positive patients in general or ICU beds in public hospitals.

The HSE has confirmed to that the overall volume available to the public sector with access to 15% of private hospital capacity would be 322 beds and 644 beds at 30%. The agreement also provides that the access to bed capacity includes access to ancillary services such as ICU beds, theatres and diagnostic services.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (270)

Marc MacSharry

Question:

270. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health when front-line nursing and care staff working within residential disability services at Cregg House Sligo and Cloonamahon Sligo and community houses linked to both will be offered and receive the Covid vaccination; the date for same; the process of determining the schedule; the reason the National Immunisation Advisory Committee has not been the body determining the priority list of when and who receives vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4808/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/

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.

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 (271)

Marc MacSharry

Question:

271. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if a nurse contracts Covid-19 and consequent associated illness prevents attendance at work, that following a period of 28 days the nurse in question must offset further or continuing absence due to Covid-related illness from sick leave days prescribed in their contract; if a nurse due to non-Covid-related illness which has or may require the use and exhaustion of prescribed sick leave days will not be financially disadvantaged and penalised due to Covid-related illness causing more than the 28 days currently prescribed as the maximum supported period for such absence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4809/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform prepared an FAQ document in relation to 'working arrangements and leave associated with COVID-19'. The content of this document applies to all those employed in the Civil and Public Services, including nurses and all public health sector employees equally.

A copy of this document is available to view at this website, and section 3.1 sets out the position in relation to leave and pay for those who are absent from work due to Covid-19.

https://www.gov.ie/en/news/092fff-update-on-working-arrangements-and-leave-associated-with-covid-19-fo/

Medical Cards

Questions (272)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

272. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of persons covered under the GMS for a medical card and general practitioner card, respectively, including dependents between those under 70 years of age and those over 70 years of age; the estimated annual cost of the provision of these services by those under 70 and over 70 years of age, respectively and by general practitioner cards and medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4827/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

It should also be noted that the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service regularly publishes statistical reports on Medical Cards and GP Visit Cards on the Reporting and Open Data Area of the HSE's website.

Medical Cards

Questions (273)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

273. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of doubling the income limit for eligibility for both the full medical card and the general practitioner card for those under 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4828/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE issues income guidelines to assist in determining entitlement to medical cards/GP visit cards. Any revision to the income thresholds has regard for Government policy, increases in the Consumer Price Index and other issues which may be relevant.

With regard to the estimated cost of increasing income thresholds in the manner sought, this information is not readily available at this time. However to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, it should be noted that my Department keeps medical card issues such as existing income thresholds under regular review.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (274)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

274. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if therapeutic staff for children with complex needs will be redeployed in any capacity in relation to the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4832/21]

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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 (275, 281, 284)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

275. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the position of dialysis patients in the allocation group for Covid-19 vaccines given that they are regularly in hospital and the increased risk to them of the transmission of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4833/21]

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Denis Naughten

Question:

281. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans to review the vaccination priority for transplant and dialysis patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4852/21]

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Sorca Clarke

Question:

284. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if transplant recipients and patients undergoing dialysis are to be prioritised for Covid-19 vaccine; the vaccination group they are in; and when they can expect to receive a vaccination.. [4870/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 275, 281 and 284 together.