Written Answers Nos. 921-942
921. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he or the HSE have considered alternative drugs and treatment plans for patients in the absence of the approval of a drug (details supplied). [9998/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
923. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the breakdown by location for the transmission of the Covid-19 virus listed as community transmission; if a more detailed breakdown of the locations in which the virus is spreading in the community will be provided; and if the spread of the virus is too rapid, the areas transmission is occurring. [10004/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
925. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the way in which pharmacists will be used in the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10012/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
926. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health when family carers will be vaccinated for Covid-19. [10018/21]
View answer1007. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if family carers will be prioritised for Covid-19 vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10338/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 926 and 1007 together.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
Vaccine allocation is a matter for my Department and further information is available here: 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 started in the week beginning the 15th of February.
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.
927. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if his Department in conjunction with the Health Service Executive can ensure that family carers receive appropriate quantities of personal protective equipment, PPE; and if he will consider introducing a subvention scheme to alleviate the cost burden associated with the purchasing of same. [10019/21]
View answerThe HSE currently supplies PPE to Acute Hospitals, the National Ambulance Service, Long Term Residential Settings, Public Home Care, Primary Care-based clinics, Testing Centres, Community Assessment Hubs, Public Dentists, and GP/ Out of Hours Practices, in the interests of both staff and patient safety in both preventative and therapeutic usage settings through the PPE supply chain established at local level.
At this time, the provision of PPE to family carers has not been indicated by Public Health or the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and therefore the HSE has no plans to introduce a subvention scheme. The HSE acknowledges the valuable role of carers and families, home support workers and providers across the services in supporting older people and their care groups throughout this challenging period’.
Relevant HPSC Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for family and friends (informal carers) who support people in their own homes is available at; https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/infectionpreventionandcontrolguidance/visitorsvisiting/
Family carers should operate in support bubbles and there is guidance in this regard on the Government website here; https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3516d-support-bubbles/
928. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if persons that have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will be obliged to quarantine when travelling to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10024/21]
View answerIt is not yet understood whether available vaccines prevent vaccinated persons from being infected or transmitting the disease to others. As such, the impact vaccinations will have on travel policies internationally is yet to be determined. The WHO continues to caution governments against introducing immunity passports at this time.
At present, vaccinated persons are required to observe the mandatory quarantine that is in place after travelling to Ireland from overseas.
The Government gives continuing consideration to travel policy informed by the epidemiological situation internationally and public health advice.
929. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if a company (details supplied) will be involved in the vaccination roll-out process; if so, if the contract went through the public tendering programme; and the specific responsibilities and roles the company will have. [10035/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
930. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has issued guidelines to methadone dispensaries regarding takeaway methadone; and, if so, if the guidance issued will be provided. [10036/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly
931. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons eligible each year for the human papillomavirus, HPV, vaccination programme in schools since 2015; the number who did not take this opportunity, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10051/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
932. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the cost of administering the human papillomavirus, HPV vaccination programme in schools each year since 2015 by cost type, that is, administration, vaccine cost and so on; the average cost per person for those who availed of the vaccine; the estimated cost had there been 100% uptake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10052/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
933. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of persons in the State who have and have not received a human papillomavirus, HPV, vaccine, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10053/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
934. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the means of availing of a human papillomavirus, HPV, vaccine for free; his plans for expanding this access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10054/21]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. The NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.
In 2009, the NIAC recommended HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination for all 12 to 13 year old girls to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer when they are adults. In September 2010, the HPV vaccination programme was introduced for all girls in first year of secondary school.
The NIAC recommended that the HPV vaccine should also be given to boys. On foot of the NIAC’s recommendation, my Department asked the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to undertake a health technology assessment (HTA) to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of extending the current immunisation programme to include boys in the first year of secondary school.
The HIQA completed the HTA in December 2018, recommending that the HPV immunisation programme be extended to include boys. A policy decision was made to extend the HPV immunisation programme to include boys, starting in September 2019, with the introduction of a 9-valent HPV vaccine.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by the NIAC in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases. As the HPV vaccine is preventative it is intended to be administered, if possible, before a person becomes sexually active, that is, before a person is first exposed to HPV infection.
Therefore, the gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school to provide maximum coverage. All vaccines administered through the School Immunisation Programme are provided free of charge.
My Department will continue to be guided by NIAC's recommendations on any emerging evidence on this issue in the future.
Anyone not in 1st year of secondary school or age equivalent in special schools or home schooled during the 2020/2021 school year who wishes to get the HPV vaccine, must go to their GP or sexual health clinic and pay privately for the vaccine and its administration.
936. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of funded consultant posts by discipline and speciality for each hospital by hospital group; the number of posts funded, filled and vacant; the basis on which they are filled, that is, permanent, temporary, agency and locum by whole-time equivalent in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10056/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
937. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of funded registrar posts by discipline and speciality for each hospital by hospital group; the number of posts funded, filled and vacant; the basis on which they are filled, that is, permanent, temporary, agency and locum by whole-time equivalent in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10057/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
938. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of funded senior house officer, SHO, interns posts by discipline and speciality for each hospital by hospital group; the number of posts funded, filled and vacant; the basis on which they are filled, that is, permanent, temporary, agency and locum by whole-time equivalent in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10058/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
939. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of funded medical dental posts by discipline and speciality for each hospital by hospital group; the number of posts funded, filled and vacant; the basis on which they are filled, that is, permanent, temporary, agency and locum by whole-time equivalent in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10059/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
940. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of funded nurse and midwife manager posts for each hospital by hospital group; the number of posts funded, filled and vacant; the basis on which they are filled, that is, permanent, temporary, agency and locum by whole-time equivalent in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10060/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
941. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of funded nurse and midwife specialist and AN-MP posts for each hospital by hospital group; the number of posts funded, filled and vacant; the basis on which they are filled, that is, permanent, temporary, agency and locum by whole-time equivalent in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10061/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
942. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of funded staff nurse and midwife posts for each hospital by hospital group; the number of posts funded, filled and vacant; the basis on which they are filled, that is, permanent, temporary, agency and locum, by whole-time equivalent in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10062/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
