Written Answers Nos. 1033-1053
1033. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a date for an operation in Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10528/21]
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.
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.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1037. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health when staff in residential centres for intellectual disabilities and those they care for with severe medical conditions will receive their vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10546/21]
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 (Group 3) 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.
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.
1038. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the measures in place to support women diagnosed with hyperemesis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10547/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1039. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will bring first-line treatments for hyperemesis under the drugs payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10548/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1040. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the measures he is considering to ensure women diagnosed with hyperemesis do not fall into financial hardship when paying for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10549/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1041. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will move kidney dialysis patients and transplant patients to priority vaccine status given this cohort of patients is particularly vulnerable to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10552/21]
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 the Department of Health, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
Vaccine allocation is a matter for the Department of Health 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 began in February.
On the 23rd of February, I announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy.
In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death.
The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.
The NIAC continues to monitor data around this disease and indeed emerging data on effectiveness of vaccines on a rolling basis.
Further details are available at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b44b2-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-vaccine-allocation-strategy/
1042. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 969 of 10 February 2021, the breakdown of the hospitals that these ventilators were destined for in tabular form. [10554/21]
View answerAs procurement of medical equipment is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE), I have requested that the HSE respond to the Deputy directly.
1043. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will allocate funding to a service (details supplied) to ensure it can operate without the need to rely on fundraising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10555/21]
View answerIrish Community Rapid Response (ICRR) is a registered charity which provides a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) in Munster in partnership with the National Ambulance Service (NAS). The Munster HEMS was established in 2019 following agreement on a proposal submitted by ICRR for a charity based, self-funding operation, and ICRR and the NAS continue to work collaboratively to provide this service within the terms of their agreement. Any proposal to provide exchequer funding would require detailed consideration of the service need and potential costs, and the decision would then be subject to public procurement rules.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19 Stability Fund was launched in 2020 to assist community, voluntary, charitable and social enterprises that are experiencing financial difficulties due to a reduction in their fund-raising or trading income as a direct result of Covid-19. Funding through this scheme is being dispersed by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
1044. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if discussions are taking place with drug alcohol task forces and projects given the commitment in budget 2021 to increase the core funding for existing drug task force services during 2021 and the widespread recognition that there will be a significant increase in demand for addiction services when Covid-19 restrictions are lifted; and if not, when these discussions will take place. [10579/21]
View answerTo support the development of the Framework for the Restoration of Drug and Alcohol Services, once-off funding of €480,00 was provided in November 2020 to support the provision of drug and alcohol services during Covid-19. The funding included the adaptation of services, premises, online meetings, and personal protective equipment. The 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.
Budget 2021 allocated €10m in new developments for drug and alcohol services and inclusion health. This includes €1m for targeted drug and alcohol initiatives through the network of drug and alcohol task forces. This money will be used to expand services, especially in areas and communities that have limited access to services.
Over the last few months, I have met with drug and alcohol task forces to discuss support for their work in identifying and responding to local needs, including the challenges for people who use drugs during Covid-19. I will announce details of the new €1m funding in due course.
1045. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy will provide for a clear and urgent response to drug related intimidation, debt and violence; and if the revised strategy will include a strong commitment to putting in place the long-term and sustainable economic initiatives that are required to address the issue. [10580/21]
View answerThe national drug strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, sets out government policy on drug and alcohol use until 2025. The strategy outlines an integrated public health approach to drug and alcohol use, focused on reducing the harms for individuals, families and communities and promoting rehabilitation and recovery.
The strategy contains 50 actions for delivery between 2017 and 2020. The implementation of the actions is monitored though the national oversight structures, supported by the coordinated system of monitoring, research and evaluation set out in the strategy.
The strategy is a dynamic process and provides the flexibility to introduce new measures after four years to address issues that emerge during that period. The Department is currently undertaking a mid-term review of the 50 actions contained in the strategy.
The strategy contains a number of actions to address the impact of drug-related crime and intimidation on communities, involving An Garda Síochána and community and voluntary groups. Action 42 is to strengthen the effectiveness of the Drug-Related Intimidation Reporting Programme. The Programme, developed by the National Family Support Network and An Garda Síochána, provides a framework to allow reporting of an incident of intimidation to a nominated inspector. Additional resources have been provided to raise public awareness of the programme. The Department of Health has supported the National Family Support Network to fund a Drug Related Intimidation (DRI) Training Coordinator. As well as providing training, the coordinator will undertake an analysis of supports available to service users who have been impacted by DRI nationally.
The Department of Health is also supporting the Drug-Related Intimidation & Violence Project (DRIVE) with the Drug and Alcohol Task Forces and the HSE to establish the nature and extent of intimidation and build the capacity of service providers in communities to understand and explore options available to services users.
I am very aware that criminal activity and an active illicit drug market can create an intimidating and frightening environment for families and communities. I expect the mid-term review of the strategy will consider whether further measures are required to address this problem.
1046. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the way in which the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy will address the limitations of the health diversion programme that is currently being developed by his Department and which will continue to criminalise possession of drugs for persons caught more than once or twice in some circumstances, that is, those persons with the most serious drug problems. [10581/21]
View answerThe national drugs strategy provides an integrated public health response to substance use. It contains 50 actions to be delivered over the four year 2017-2020. The strategy is a dynamic process, with the flexibility to introduce new measures to address issues that emerge.
Action 36 in the strategy is to consider alternative approaches to the possession of drugs for personal use and to make recommendations on policy options. The action was completed in 2019 with the publication of the report of the working group. On foot of the report, the Government agreed to adopt a health-lead approach to drug use, known as the health diversion programme. There are two components to the programme whereby a person in possession of drugs, determined by An Garda Síochána to be for personal use, on the first occasion would be referred by An Garda Síochána on a mandatory basis to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for a health screening and brief intervention. On the second occasion, An Garda Síochána would have discretion to issue an Adult Caution.
The Programme for Government states that the health diversion programme is an important step in developing a public health approach to drug use. The programme will connect people who use drugs with health services and a pathway to recovery, avoiding a criminal conviction, which can have far-reaching consequences for people, particularly younger people. A review of the programme will take place following the first full year of implementation to ensure that it is meeting all of its aims.
I intend to make the implementation and review of the health diversion programme a key action in the national drugs strategy for the period 2021-2025. I expect to shortly announce the commencement of the programme on an administrative basis in a number of locations. I encourage all stakeholders to work with me and the Department to implement and to review this public health approach.
1047. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the facilities available in his Department to facilitate breastfeeding breaks in accordance with WHO guidelines of two years for women in the workplace and as part of the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9365/21]
View answerThe Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has overall responsibility for the implementation of the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020.
Section 9 of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 has provision for certain women in employment who are breastfeeding to take time off work, or a reduction in working hours for breastfeeding.
The provision applies to all women in employment who have given birth over the previous 26 weeks, who are breastfeeding and who have informed their employer of such.
My Department operates from 71 locations nationwide, including five HQ offices and a wide range of regional locations.
With respect to the provisions above and any potential requirements arising with respect to breastfeeding breaks, the overwhelming majority of staff in my Department have access to facilities which would cater appropriately for such needs.
1048. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of notified status applications (details supplied) with the biocide control section of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9396/21]
View answerBiocidal products may only be marketed and used in Ireland once they are registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and are entered on the Product Register in accordance with Regulation 20 of Statutory Instrument 427 of 2013.
On 13th January 2021, the Pesticide Control Division (PCD) of the Department received applications for the biocidal products mentioned.
On 26th January 2021, officials from PCD acknowledged receipt of the applications and requested further information from the applicant to allow for invoicing of the product registration fees. Applications are only processed once the relevant fees are received by PCD.
The applicant was also informed of data requirements, including technical aspects, which must be submitted for biocidal products as part of the application process. To date, the requested information has not been received and it is therefore not possible to process the applications further at this time.
1049. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeframe following the appointment of a national food ombudsman for a consultation with an organisation (details supplied) in regard to the formation of this role, the powers, scope and remit of the ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9411/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to:
Ensure fairness, equity, and transparency in the food chain by establishing a new authority called the National Food Ombudsman (NFO) to enforce the Unfair Trading Practices Directive. This new authority will enforce EU-wide rules on prohibited unfair trading practices in the food supply chain and will have powers to enforce this Directive, penalising those who breach regulations. The NFO will have a specific role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland.
My Department is taking a two step approach to the establishment of the NFO. Firstly, a statutory instrument will be drafted to transpose the UTP Directive by the deadline of 1st May 2021. This will provide for an Enforcement Authority which will have the powers as currently provided for in the Directive. The legislative and operational requirements for establishing a new Office of a Food Ombudsman or equivalent that might provide for functions other than those provided for in the UTP Directive are being examined. Primary legislation will be required both to establish this new authority, and to provide for any further powers which may be given to that office. My Department is giving this matter full priority.
It is intended that there will be a national consultation process on the functions of the NFO prior to the primary legislation being enacted.
1050. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision with regard to a tree felling licence application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9428/21]
View answerAn application for a tree felling licence from the person named was received in September, 2020 and the site was inspected in December.
Following that inspection, the person named was requested to resubmit the harvest plan, showing all relevant water courses and a significant badger sett located in the south eastern section of the site.
The final assessment of the application cannot be made without this amended harvest plan.
1051. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in a BEAM, beef exceptional aid measure, scheme appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9527/21]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department.
I have been advised that the records of the Agriculture Appeals Office indicate that an appeal in relation to the BEAM scheme was received from the person named in February 2020. The Appeals Office requested the file and a statement on the grounds of appeal from my Department and all relevant documentation was forwarded to the Appeals Office.
I am advised that the appeal has been assigned to an Appeals Officer for examination and determination and the case will be dealt with in due course. The Appeals Office regrets the delay in dealing with the appeal, this is due to an increase in the number of appeals submitted to the Office in 2020.
1052. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount paid out to shell fish aqua farmers in 2020 to support them through the Covid-19 crisis; the number of successful applicants for these support schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9581/21]
View answer1053. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received for the Covid-19 support scheme for shell fish farmers in 2020; the number of successful applicants; the main reasons applications were rejected for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9582/21]
View answer1055. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the scale of the drop in current farmed oyster prices compared to 2019; the steps he plans to take to support the aquaculture farmers affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9584/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1052, 1053 and 1055 together.
I am advised by Bord Iascaigh Mhara that latest Eurostat data indicates the overall value of exports from Ireland of live fresh oysters was down 31% in 2020 to a value of €24m, with the volume of exports down 42%. This points to an actual increase in the price per kilo being achieved, but I understand that this is a result of sales being found for high grade premium stock rather than an uplift in the market.
My Department's European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme 2014-2020 provides financial supports for the sustainable development of our seafood sector. Supports to aquaculture producers under the EMFF Programme, including for capital investment, innovation, professional advisory services and organic certification have continued to be available throughout the Pandemic and demand from producers for these grants has remained strong.
On 22 October 2020, I announced a COVID-19 Aquaculture Support Scheme under the EMFF Programme, to be administered by BIM, and designed to compensate oyster and rope mussel producers for the reduction in sales and production in 2020, compared to 2019, arising from the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Scheme closed in November with 181 aquaculture enterprises applying. Payments ranged from €6,800 to €16,300 for oyster producers and from €1,300 to €9,000 for rope mussel producers. Details of the status of these applications are set out in the below table:
|
Category |
No. |
|
Applications Received |
181 |
|
Applications in receipt of support to date |
135 |
|
Applications currently under assessment/processing |
21 |
|
Applications deemed ineligible |
25 |
|
Value of payments processed in 2020 |
€1,169,175.72 |
The terms and conditions of the Scheme provided that it was available only to those producers who were compliant with certain legal obligations that apply to all aquaculture producers, namely compliance with their aquaculture and foreshore licences and with the requirement in law to submit economic data on their operations to Bord Iascaigh Mhara through an annual Aquaculture Production and Employment Survey. The Scheme required that applicants must have complied with the economic data requirements for each of the three previous years, unless they were a recent entrant to the sector who would not have been in production for those three years.
I am advised by BIM that the principal reasons for applications being unsuccessful related to applicants being unable to satisfy these mandatory conditions of the Scheme, relating to their obligations in law. In addition, some applicants had submitted multiple applications and the Scheme allowed only one application per producer.
As the Pandemic continues and its impacts on markets continue to evolve and change, I am keeping the range of supports under review, in the context of the suite of Government horizontal supports that continue to be available.
