Mark Ward
Question:249. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the inpatient perinatal facilities available for mothers and babies for mental health supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7463/21]
View answerMaternity Services
Questions (249)
Written answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Epilepsy Incidence
Questions (250)
Neale Richmond
Question:250. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to implementing an awareness campaign on epilepsy and the way to address seizures due to the prevalence of epilepsy in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7466/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Questions (251, 252, 253)
Mark Ward
Question:251. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will commence specialist mental health services for the deaf community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7469/21]
View answerMark Ward
Question:252. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if a consultant psychiatrist was appointed for specialist mental health services for the deaf community; if so, the date of the appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7470/21]
View answerMark Ward
Question:253. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the date on which consultation will commence for patients of specialist mental health services for the deaf community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7471/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 to 253, inclusive, together.
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 (254)
Brendan Smith
Question:254. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the request by a union (details supplied) to have access to a vaccine for community pharmacists to enable them to vaccinate front-line health care workers in line with the vaccine programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7477/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (255)
Matt Carthy
Question:255. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time and number of persons waiting for a primary care clinical psychology appointment nationally and by CHO region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7487/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Questions (256)
Matt Carthy
Question:256. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of clinical staff employed in primary care clinical psychology by CHO region in each of the years 2010 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7488/21]
View answerWritten answers
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 (257)
Robert Troy
Question:257. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if dental hygienists are included in the proposed roll-out of vaccines to dentists, reported to be commencing on 8 February 2021 (details supplied). [7494/21]
View answerWritten answers
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 (Group 3) 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.
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.
The HSE has published a document on the sequencing of COVID-19 vaccination of frontline healthcare workers, which provides more detail. It is available at the following link:
https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/covid-19-vaccine-materials/sequencing-of-covid-19-vaccination-of-frontline-healthcare-workers.pdf
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (258)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:258. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason cerebral palsy it is not included in group 7 of the vaccination plan given that the condition is listed on the HSE website as a high-risk condition with regard to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7496/21]
View answerWritten answers
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, including certain medical conditions in group 7, where necessary, in light of new evidence.
Health Services
Questions (259)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:259. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his plans for mental health and disability services in south Dublin (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7503/21]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, St. John of God Community Services has served the Health Service Executive (HSE) with 12 months’ notice of its intention to terminate the provision of services under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004 with a view to transferring responsibility for disability and mental health services and supports to the State by 1st October 2021.
The primary concern of the Government at this time is to ensure the continuity of supports and services provided by St. John of God Community Services for people with disabilities, those with mental health issues and their families.
It is important to note that St. John of God Community Services will continue to be responsible for providing disability and mental health services during the 12 months’ notice period.
Under the Service Arrangement, the HSE and the Provider are expected to make interim arrangements in respect of those receiving services on the effective date of termination or expiry to minimise disruption or distress to service users.
The Provider is required to provide services from the effective date of termination or expiry until such time as any new arrangements are effective, whichever is earlier.
I am aware that the HSE is fully committed to continuing engaging with St John of God Community Services to ensure stability and continuity of service provision for those who rely on these vital services in the period ahead.
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Ophthalmology Services
Questions (260)
Cathal Crowe
Question:260. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health his plans to expand the provision of glasses for children under the medical card system (details supplied). [7524/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Ministerial Correspondence
Questions (261)
Niall Collins
Question:261. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health his views on matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) regarding advance notice of any new safety requirements reflected in the tourism sectoral guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7531/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is acutely aware of the need to support the Tourism sector through these challenging times. I understand that my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and her officials have been in regular and sustained contact with a broad range of stakeholders over the past weeks and months. In addition to bilateral engagements with a wide range of stakeholders and agencies under the aegis of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, a number of taskforces and consultative fora for the tourism sector have been established. This includes:
- The Tourism Recovery Taskforce;
- The Tourism Hospitality Forum;
These involve a broad range of stakeholders with experience and insight to develop sustainable roadmaps for the recovery of these sectors.
Any further guidance on this matter should be sought from the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media who has sectoral responsibility for the hospitality sector.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Questions (262)
Matt Shanahan
Question:262. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 749 of 3 February 2021, the basis or agreed service schedule on which this decision was made (details supplied); if the specification of the new laboratory is equal in all capital equipment to the recently refurbished main cath lab at UHW; the status of new and additional cardiologist appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7532/21]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
A Vision for Change
Questions (263)
Catherine Connolly
Question:263. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if the minutes of meetings of the two independent monitoring groups for A Vision for Change which were held between 2006 and 2012 were published; if he will provide a copy of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7538/21]
View answerWritten answers
In January 2006, the Government adopted the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy A Vision for Change as the basis for the future development of mental health services in Ireland.
In March 2006, the then Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Mr Tim O’Malley, T.D., with special responsibility for mental health services, in line with the recommendation in A Vision for Change, established the First Independent Monitoring Group for a three-year period to monitor progress on the implementation of the report's recommendations.
The term of the first Independent Monitoring Group ceased in April 2009 and in June 2009 the then Minister for Equality, Disability and Mental Health, Mr John Moloney, T.D. appointed the Second Independent Monitoring Group for a further three-year period. The Second Independent Monitoring Group delivered its final report in 2011 and subsequently Ms. Kathleen Lynch T.D., the then Minister for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People dissolved the group as the three-year term had come to an end.
The Terms of Reference for the Independent Monitoring Group stated that the role of the Group was:
- To monitor and assess progress on the implementation of all the recommendations in ‘A Vision for Change’
- To make recommendations in relation to the manner in which the recommendations are implemented
- To report to the Minister annually on progress made towards implementing the recommendations of the Report and to publish the report.
As the Terms of Reference of the Independent Monitoring Group made no provision for the publication of the Minutes of the Group, consequently these were not made publicly available.
The six annual reports from 2007 to 2011 of the Independent Monitoring Group can be found at the below link, included for the Deputy's convenience.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/cgi/search/archive/typex/?screen=Search&dataset=archive&_action_search=Search&titlex_merge=ALL&titlex=A+vision+for+change&subjectx_merge=ALL&subjectx=&q_merge=ALL&q=&satisfyall=ALL&order=-date%2Fbrowse_by%2Ftitle
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (264)
Martin Browne
Question:264. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the locations identified to vaccinate persons over 70 years of age in counties Tipperary and Limerick. [7539/21]
View answerWritten answers
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 (265)
Gino Kenny
Question:265. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health his plans to expedite the roll-out of vaccines in nursing homes and hospital settings (details supplied); if the matter will be clarified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7567/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Drugs Payment Scheme
Questions (266, 267)
Colm Burke
Question:266. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if the drug patisiran, or Onpattro, which was recently reviewed by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, will be available under the drugs payment scheme to those who have been identified as requiring the medication for their care; and if he will make a statement on the matter [7588/21]
View answerColm Burke
Question:267. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the reimbursement status of patisiran; when the treatment will be made available for eligible patients in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7589/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together.
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.
Rare Diseases
Questions (268)
Colm Burke
Question:268. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if a list of the rare disease technology review committee recommendations in 2020 will be made available in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7590/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.