Written Answers Nos. 654-688
654. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals received for counselling in primary care in County Roscommon; the number of counselling sessions offered in the county in 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5189/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
655. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost including staffing of providing five additional ICU beds at Roscommon University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5190/21]
View answerThere are no ICU beds at Roscommon University Hospital. I am advised by Saolta University Health Care Group that, as Roscommon University Hospital is a Level 2 Hospital undertaking a lower complexity of care, there are no plans at this point to install ICU beds there.
656. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 393 of 3 June 2020, if HR circular 037/2019 has been fully implemented; if the review to examine whether it has been applied to all affected individuals has been completed; if so, the findings of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5194/21]
View answerI have asked the HSE to further respond to the Deputy on this matter.
657. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 394 of 3 June 2020, if HR circular 027/2019 has been fully implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5195/21]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy on this matter in relation to the implementation of this circular.
658. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the reason PCRS is insisting on medical card applicants obtaining documentation that cannot be provided (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5196/21]
View answer659. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the checks and processes in place to ensure that information that is submitted is acted on (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5197/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 658 and 659 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
660. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if measures will be put in place to protect taxi drivers from Covid-19 who are carrying patients and samples from hospitals and between hospitals given that they are not being provided with PPE; the position of taxi drivers who are providing patient transfers on the vaccination programme list in terms of priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5199/21]
View answerIssues relating to the measures that should be taken by taxi operators to protect themselves and their customers is not a matter for the Department of Health. Taxi regulation is a matter for the National Transport Authority who have published a range of support materials on their website.
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 this month.
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.
In relation to the use of taxi services to transport patients and samples, as this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly on this part of the question, as soon as possible.
661. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will consider bringing forward legislation to make period products such as sanitary pads and tampons available for free to persons that need them similar to that signed into law recently by the Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5201/21]
View answer662. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will support the passage of opposition legislation similar to that signed into law recently by the Scottish Parliament to make period products such as sanitary pads and tampons available for free to persons that need them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5202/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 661 and 662 together.
The National Strategy for Women and Girls (NSWG) Strategy Committee, now led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, established a sub-committee on period poverty in 2019, chaired by the Department of Health.
In line with the recommendations of Oireachtas motions passed in early 2019, its remit included establishing the extent of period poverty in Ireland and population cohorts most at risk. The Terms of Reference also included giving due consideration to the circumstances of young people under the age of 25, targeting of high-risk groups, stigma reduction and mainstreaming period poverty mitigation measures across all relevant Government Departments and public bodies.
In addition, the Programme for Government 2020, makes the following specific commitment under ‘Better Opportunities through Education and Research’ - “Provide a range of free, adequate, safe, and suitable period products in all educational publicly-funded settings (including schools, colleges and HEIs), to ensure that no students are disadvantaged in their education by period poverty.”
The NSWG Sub-Committee on Period Poverty submitted a report of its work at the most recent meeting of the NSWG Strategy Committee, held on December 9th, 2020. The Report is at design stage and it is envisaged that it will be launched in February. The report considers the need to legislate in Ireland for this matter.
Two Private Members Bills on Period Poverty have been proposed recently. The Free Provision of Period Products Bill 2021 (Bill 4) has been proposed by Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee and sponsored by Senators Catherine Ardagh and Mary Fitzpatrick. An additional Bill, the Period Products (Free Provision) Bill, 2021 (Bill 2) has also been proposed, by Senators Rebecca Moynihan, Ivana Bacik, Annie Hoey, Marie Sherlock and Mark Wall.
Bill 4 seeks to make period products available to everyone who needs to use them, free of charge. The Bill also proposes that the Minister for Health may, by regulation, make a scheme to set out and regulate access to free period products by those who need access to such products. Bill 2 has similar aims, seeking to make period products freely available across all public facilities and through publicly funded services.
A debate on the Free Provision of Period Products Bill, 2021, is currently scheduled in Seanad Éireann on 8th February, 2021.
663. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the status of the promised elective hospital for Cork; and if this will include an accident and emergency department. [5203/21]
View answerThe National Development Plan stated that, “New dedicated ambulatory elective only hospital facilities will be introduced in Dublin Galway and Cork. These facilities will provide high volume, low complexity procedures on a day and outpatient basis, together with a range of ambulatory diagnostic services. The high volume of demand for such services in these major urban centres is sufficient to justify the construction of dedicated ambulatory centres.”
The introduction of these dedicated elective/ambulatory sites is also in line with the recommendations of the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review and the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy (August 2018).
In 2019 the Sláintecare Programme Implementation Office (SPIO) established an Elective Hospitals Oversight Group, under the joint governance of the Health Service Executive, Department of Health and Sláintecare, to guide the development of the elective/ambulatory sites, as outlined in the National Development Plan (February 2018).
The Elective Hospitals Oversight Group has the following terms of reference:
1. To develop the elective hospital capacity with a ten-year horizon of need, which facilitates the separation of scheduled and unscheduled care.
2. To provide quicker, higher quality, safer care for selected, elective patients.
3. To create capacity for acute hospital sites and reduce/eliminate outlier boarding (trolleys).
4. To drive down waiting lists, both outpatient and inpatient/day case.
5. To reduce cancellations.
6. To reduce acute hospital footfall.
The provision of accident and emergency services is not within its terms of reference.
The Oversight Group is following the process outlined in the Public Spending Code. As required under the Code, a Strategic Assessment Report has been drafted for the development of Elective Hospital facilities. This sets out the rationale for investment, the alignment of the programme with strategic requirements of Government, some initial options and potential costs, and the governance of the programme. This document is complete and is currently going through the approval channels.
A high-level facilities spatial brief, including costs, a functional description and process flow, a site options appraisal and a Preliminary Business Case (PBC) in accordance with the public spending code is also under preparation. The site option appraisal was carried out to explore indicative sites and was not a site selection process.
664. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the actions he has taken to support the HSE to reopen SouthDoc Blackpool and Listowel. [5204/21]
View answerIn response to the Covid-10 pandemic, to help prevent the spread of the virus for the protection of staff and patients, SouthDoc Management informed the HSE of their decision in March 2020 to close a number of treatment centres. All treatment centres, other than Blackpool and Listowel, have since reopened.
SouthDoc Management previously advised the Chief Officer of HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare that both the Blackpool and Listowel treatment centres were to reopen from 18 January. However, SouthDoc Management subsequently made the decision to maintain the closure of these centres.
SouthDoc out-of-hours GP services provider is a private organisation which is partly funded by the HSE. The Chief Officer of HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare has discussed this matter with the Chairman of SouthDoc, and the HSE are actively pursuing the reopening of these centres. A meeting with SouthDoc Management is in the process of being arranged. SouthDoc have previously assured the HSE that every possible effort has been made and will continue to be made to avoid or minimise any impact on patients as a result of the closures. The HSE has put arrangements in place with all Out of Hours GP service providers nationally since the beginning of the pandemic to provide them with financial support in order to ensure that services could be maintained.
665. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if further Covid-19 funding will be provided to local and regional drug and alcohol taskforces. [5213/21]
View answerThe Government plan for living with Covid-19 details how non-Covid health and social care services will be resumed, especially during the challenging winter months. This includes planning for the safe resumption of drug and alcohol services, including community-based services, residential programmes and recovery support groups.
In July 2020 the Department set up a working group with drug and alcohol service providers to develop a 'Framework for the Restoration of Drug and Alcohol Services', in a planned and appropriate manner in line with public health advice. The working group has identified issues on which guidance and supports are required. The Framework document is being updated to reflect the latest level 5 plus restrictions.
In response to the issues identified by the working group, the Department provided once-off funding of €480,00, in November 2020. This funding was aimed at supporting the restoration of drug and alcohol services including the adaptation of services, premises, online meetings and personal protective equipment.
This funding was allocated to the network of 24 Drug and Alcohol Task Forces for distribution to community and voluntary drug and alcohol services in their areas. Each task force could apply for up to €20,000 in once-off funding to meet Covid-19 related costs.
The working group will report on the impact of this funding on drug and alcohol services in the near future. The report will help to assess if further funding is required.
I have asked officials to keep me informed on progress on this important issue. I will be advised by the working group, in due course, on whether further financial supports are required on this issue.
666. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the services funded to support those with alcohol-related brain injury. [5214/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
667. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports of a breach of Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions at a residential care facility (details supplied) in County Cork, which has allegedly resulted in a cluster of cases arising from the event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5230/21]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
668. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of reported Covid-19 cases found in meat plant workers between 1 January 2020 and 26 January 2021, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5241/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
669. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the most recent national treatment purchase fund figures show that 5,545 persons were on the University Hospital Limerick outpatient eye care waiting list which is an increase of over 1,000 since the end of 2019 and 2,754 are now waiting more than 18 months at the hospital, an increase from 2,191 at the end of 2019; if he will extend the successful Sligo scheme in the north west to UHL in view of these extremely long waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5245/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
670. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information on a matter (details supplied). [5248/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
671. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will consider reviewing the prioritisation of the 1,100 persons with cystic fibrosis under the National Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Implementation Plan sequencing table, page 9, due to their high risk of susceptibility to respiratory infection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5249/21]
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.
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.
672. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some general practitioners are charging medical card holders a fee for blood tests; the steps the HSE is taking to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5250/21]
View answerPersons who are eligible for GP care without charge under the Health Act 1970 are not subject to any co-payments or other charges in respect of such services. There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition and the HSE has advised GPs accordingly. This has been advised to GPs by the HSE.
The GP chronic disease management programme which is being phased in, having commenced last year, will involve the ongoing monitoring of patients’ condition and any blood tests required in this context will be covered by the fees payable for this care.
If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office. The local management, upon being notified of potential inappropriate charging of GMS patients, carry out an investigation into each complaint and will, where appropriate, arrange for a refund of charges incorrectly applied by the GP.
673. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will review arrangements in relation to medical cards in post-operative situations such as in the case of a person (details supplied); if an extension of the medical card will be considered in such circumstances; if the management of such cases will be improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5252/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
674. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of speech therapists and occupational therapists in the HSE who are redeployed to contact tracing or other Covid-19-related posts; the details of all other HSE staff redeployed from their usual post for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5253/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
675. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for a refund of phlebotomy charges incorrectly incurred by medical card patients in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; the number that were approved and refused, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5258/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
676. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if his Department will provide regular updates to the public on vaccination numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5267/21]
View answerVaccine administration figures are now being added to Ireland's COVID-19 Data Hub.
https://covid19ireland-geohive.hub.arcgis.com/
The HSE are actively working to deliver daily vaccine administration figures on the Vaccination Rollout Programme.
677. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health the position of veterinary staff on the schedule for Covid-19 vaccination; if they will be given greater priority given their essential services and engagement with the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5268/21]
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.
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.
678. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health the vaccination plan for those in residential care facilities such as a facility (details supplied) whose residents may be under the age of 65; if it is envisaged they will be vaccinated when the vaccination team is on site; when the vaccination team will be on site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5269/21]
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 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.
679. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if he will consider giving greater priority to high-risk persons with cystic fibrosis for vaccination such as the UK which has categorised high-risk persons with cystic fibrosis fourth on its priority and all others with cystic fibrosis sixth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5270/21]
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.
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.
680. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals of adults and children that have been made to community specialist eating disorder teams from 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5276/21]
View answer681. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children who were referred to community specialist eating disorder teams from hospital medical or community mental health teams from 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5277/21]
View answer682. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children by gender who were referred to community specialist eating disorder teams from 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5278/21]
View answer683. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who were referred to community specialist eating disorder teams from 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5279/21]
View answer684. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children who were assessed and had case consultations on community specialist eating disorder teams from 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5280/21]
View answer685. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children referred to community specialist eating disorder teams that had other mental health conditions who had self-harmed and who had a medical diagnosis from 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5281/21]
View answer686. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children referred to acute hospital who were referred for inpatient mental health care from community specialist eating disorder teams from 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5282/21]
View answer687. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children referred to community specialist eating disorder teams who were assessed within one, four and eight weeks from 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5283/21]
View answer688. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children referred to community specialist eating disorder teams who had waiting times from assessment to treatment started within four and eight weeks from 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5284/21]
View answer690. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of specialist eating disorder staff and community eating disorder staff employed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5286/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 680 to 688, inclusive, and 690 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
