Written Answers Nos. 714-741
714. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the number of extra posts, taking into account temporary vacancies and maternity leave, that would be needed in Ballymun, Dublin 11, to eliminate the waiting lists for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10990/21]
View answerAs this question relates to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
715. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the number on the waiting list in Ballymun, Dublin 11, for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10991/21]
View answerAs this question relates to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
718. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of the works to upgrade St. Anthony’s unit in Clonmel, County Tipperary; the capacity, role and specifications of the upgraded unit; the purpose the original building will serve once patents are transferred to the upgraded facility; if the establishment of the new unit will have any impact on service provision at St. Theresa’s in Clogheen, County Tipperary; and if there are plans to centralise services to St. Anthony’s. [10997/21]
View answerAs these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
719. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of a statutory home care scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11010/21]
View answerA high-quality, consistent home-support service, focused on keeping people well in their homes and communities for as long as possible, is a key enabler to ensuring that people across a continuum of care get the right care, in the right place, at the right time. In this regard, my Department is in the process of developing a statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home-support.
Work is on-going within the Department to determine the optimal approach to the development of the new scheme within the broader context of the on-going reform of Ireland’s health and social care system, as envisaged in the Sláintecare Report. This work encompasses the development of the regulatory framework for the new scheme; the examination of the options for the financing model for the scheme; and the development of a reformed model of service-delivery.
The Sláintecare Implementation Plan commits to the establishment of the statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home support services by the end of 2021. Work planned in 2020, including the planned testing of a reformed model of service delivery, was adversely affected due to the impact of COVID-19 on delivery mechanisms for home support and the requirement for the diversion of resources to deal with COVID-19. This has had an impact on the final timeline.
The successful development of this scheme is an ambitious programme of reform and is a key priority for me and the Minister for Health. In order to accelerate this work, the Department is working closely with the HSE to ensure that the required resourcing including personnel, governance structures and other requisite resources are scaled up to ensure that significant progress is achieved by the end of 2021.
Within this context funding was secured in 2021 for the HSE to progress the roll out of InterRAI as the standard assessment for care needs in the community, the testing of a reformed model of service delivery for home support services and the establishment of a National Office for Home Support Services. All of the work throughout 2021 will progress the development of a reformed model of service delivery to underpin the statutory scheme.
In parallel, the increased investment in home support services in 2021 will contribute to meeting the Programme for Government commitment to providing equitable access to home care
720. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if all persons over 85 years of age have been vaccinated in counties Galway and Mayo; if not, the number outstanding; when it is expected that all persons over the age of 85 years will be vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11012/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
721. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the current waiting time for delivering home care packages for those with an address in County Meath; the way in which this compares to those with an address in County Louth; the number of persons currently waiting on home care packages in counties Meath and Louth, respectively; the way in which these figures compare to the national average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11023/21]
View answerAs these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
722. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the way in which older person integrated care team services are not being offered to persons in County Meath as in other neighbouring counties; his plans and the timeline to provide this service in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11024/21]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
723. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the status of the breakdown of the community intervention team, CIT, in County Meath; the way in which it compares to the national service being delivered nationally; the measures he is taking to provide additional staff to the CIT service in County Meath, including occupational therapists and physiotherapists, which are required as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11025/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
724. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will address the case of a person (details supplied). [11026/21]
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 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/
725. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when healthcare staff in a nursing home (details supplied) will be vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11027/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible
726. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health when the residents of a facility (details supplied) and day centre users will be vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11031/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
727. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to approve medicines for the treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum for medical card patients and the drug payment scheme (details supplied). [11034/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
728. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when BreastCheck clinic services will resume in Mullingar, County Westmeath (details supplied). [11038/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
729. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of Irish patients that have availed of the EU cross-border directive in the UK; and the breakdown by year for the past five years of the number of patients that availed of the EU cross-border directive in the UK. [11042/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
730. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if the application process for the new Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme will be the same as the EU cross-border directive; and if the refund amounts by the HSE to patients availing of the scheme will be on the same guideline pricing as the EU cross-border directive. [11043/21]
View answerSince 1 January 2021, the provisions of the EU Cross Border Directive (CBD) no longer apply to the UK. On the 28th December 2020 the Government approved the implementation of a new Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme. The new Scheme operational from 1 January 2021 for 12 months on an administrative basis will enable persons resident in the State to access and be reimbursed for private healthcare in Northern Ireland by the HSE, provided such healthcare is publicly available within Ireland. Patients are required to pay upfront for treatment under the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme and claim for reimbursement from the HSE. Such healthcare will be reimbursed at the cost of providing that treatment in the State or the cost of same in Northern Ireland, whichever is the lesser. Patients are advised to contact the HSE CBD office directly for further information on how to make individual applications for reimbursement under the NI Planned Healthcare Scheme.
Furthermore, patients also continue to have access to health services under the EU CBD Scheme in all other remaining EU/EEA countries. In the context of the Covid-19 Pandemic, persons seeking to utilise these schemes should review and adhere to the public health guidance and restrictions in place at any point in time.
731. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he plans to extend the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme beyond January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11044/21]
View answerSince 1 January 2021, the provisions of the EU Cross Border Directive (CBD) no longer apply to the UK. On the 28th December 2020 the Government approved the implementation of a new Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme. The new Scheme operational from 1 January 2021 will enable persons resident in the State to access and be reimbursed for private healthcare in Northern Ireland by the HSE, provided such healthcare is publicly available within Ireland. It is intended that the scheme will operate for 12 months on an administrative basis initially, with a view to developing a general scheme to provide a statutory basis for the scheme.
Furthermore, the HSE has also put in place transitional arrangements for certain patients who have a legitimate expectation of continuing to access care in the UK under the current provisions of the EU Cross-Border Directive Scheme including provision for reimbursement of healthcare costs by the HSE to persons who fall into certain categories, such as patients who can evidence that they have treatment booked prior to December 2020 for treatment in 2021. Patients are advised to contact the HSE CBD office directly with queries on individual applications and whether they are covered by the transitional arrangements or the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme.
Patients also continue to have access to health services under the EU CBD Scheme in all other remaining EU/EEA countries.
In the context of the Covid-19 Pandemic, persons seeking to utilise these schemes should review and adhere to the public health guidance and restrictions in place at any point in time.
732. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if the drug Cariban, which is prescribed for patients with hyperemesis gravidarum, will be covered by the drugs payment scheme in view of the high cost of the medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11060/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
733. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the costs associated with the new top table being used during NPHET briefings at his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11069/21]
View answerThe new desks supplied to Miesian Plaza are in the shared Town Hall, available for use for internal and external events from all building occupants, including the Department of Health, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform (DPER), the Department of Finance and other Government briefings as appropriate.
The desks were supplied on an Office of Public Works (OPW) framework, procured through e-Tenders.
Requirement Specifications:
- Desk to allow for up to 5 people at one time
- 2m distancing between personnel essential
- Modular/ multi-purpose configuration
- Efficient storage (fold away)
- Discreet and safe Cable Management
- Wipe-Clean/ hygienic surface
- Removable and Interchangeable modesty panels to house relevant Departmental Logos, etc
Supplied:
- 5 x Fold-Away Desks [2000mm wide x 600mm deep @ 595mm high]
- 5 x Double sided front graphic panels [Side 1: Dept. Health Logo. Side 2: Government of Ireland Logo]
- Design, production, delivery & installation included
- Cost: €745 per desk / Total cost: €3,725.
734. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the status of the recruitment of new staff and the expansion of the medical assessment unit at Ennis hospital; the details of any expansion of services; if consideration will be given by his Department and the HSE for a further expansion of services provided at the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11070/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
735. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the details of expenses claimed by members of NPHET since its first meeting was convened on 6 March 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11071/21]
View answerThere have been no expenses claimed by members of NPHET since its first meeting was convened on 6 March 2020.
736. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will request the chair of the national immunisation advisory committee, the chair of the high-level task force on Covid-19, the Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE and the relevant parties to prioritise those who are very high risk and extremely vulnerable for vaccination by adding transplant recipients, immunosuppressed persons and the very high risk to group 1 as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11083/21]
View answer737. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to reprioritise those who are very high risk and extremely vulnerable, including transplant recipients and immunosuppressed persons, to be included in group 1 of the Covid-19 vaccination schedule; his views on whether those in the category have a high mortality rate if they contract Covid-19 and as a result have been reprioritised in the UK and are high on the Northern Ireland vaccination schedule; if he will provide immediate clarification to such groups that they will be included in group 1 of the vaccination roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11087/21]
View answer744. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if the current Covid-19 vaccination allocation groupings will be reassessed to prioritise those who have serious medical concerns; if a reconfiguration of the vaccination roll-out will consider those who have medical conditions that require them to undergo treatments or urgent procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11109/21]
View answer746. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) to prioritise very high risk and extremely vulnerable persons for vaccination immediately by adding transplant recipients and those that are immunosuppressed and the very high risk to group one. [11111/21]
View answer750. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will prioritise those who are very high risk and extremely vulnerable for vaccination by adding transplant recipients, immunosuppressed persons and very high risk persons to group 1 of the Covid-19 vaccination priority list as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11118/21]
View answer755. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider prioritising those who are immunosuppressed, those who are transplant recipients and those who are classified as high risk and vulnerable on the vaccine priority list. [11126/21]
View answer769. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if the vaccine allocation strategy will be reviewed to give consideration to prioritising immunosuppressed persons who are extremely vulnerable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11200/21]
View answer800. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the changes he plans to make to a strategy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11332/21]
View answer814. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to higher Covid-19 risk rates among immunosuppressed patients; if the vaccination allocation plan has been reviewed in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11359/21]
View answer836. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the consideration being given to the reprioritisation of immunosuppressed persons in the Covid-19 vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11451/21]
View answer868. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the reason persons on immunosuppressive drugs were not included in the revised group 5 of the Covid-19 vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11598/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 736, 737, 744, 746, 750, 755, 769, 800, 814, 836 and 868 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 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/
738. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when the psychologist position will be filled at the Phoenix Centre, County Longford, to allow for diagnostic assessments to be carried out for children. [11089/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.
The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
739. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if further appointments will be arranged in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11091/21]
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.
740. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the strategies the HSE has for community management of fatigue and ME and CFS clinics particularly in view of long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11092/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
741. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the prevalence of cases of long Covid by health area; the services and clinics that are available to persons experiencing long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11093/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
