Written Answers Nos. 798-825
798. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the proposed vaccination roll-out programme for those over 85 years of age living on the offshore islands in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11327/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
799. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when Covid-19 vaccines will be provided to general practitioners in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11330/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
801. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have been waiting for podiatry appointments in County Cork for six, 12 and more than 24 months, respectively. [11333/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
802. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have been waiting for oncology appointments in County Cork for six, 12 and more than 24 months, respectively. [11335/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
803. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of cancer screenings carried out by cancer type in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively, in County Cork. [11336/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
804. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of persons it is expected that general practitioner and pharmacy services in County Cork will be able to vaccinate daily; and the number expected to be vaccinated in each vaccination clinic in the city and county. [11337/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
805. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if Ireland will be participating in the World Health Organisation co-led COVAX scheme; if not, the reason; if so, the number of vaccines Ireland is committing to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11340/21]
View answerIreland is participating in a Procurement Exercise being operated by the European Commission on behalf of Member States to procure suitable, safe and effective vaccines, in sufficient quantities, to combat COVID-19.
Three vaccines have been authorised by the EU, and a number of vaccine candidates are still to be fully assessed. Ireland fully supports efforts by the international community, including as an EU Member State, to ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines for all. If, and when, it is determined that Ireland has an excess of vaccine doses to successfully achieve the goals of the vaccination strategy, Ireland will utilise the sharing mechanisms available through the EU procurement structure. It is expected that COVAX will be central to this sharing mechanism. As significant uncertainty remains around the vaccination environment in Europe, it is too early to quantify or schedule the potential sharing of vaccines.
807. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 788 and 789 of 17 February 2021, the status of the evaluation currently underway of the sugar-sweetened drinks tax; when details of the tax are due to be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11347/21]
View answerThe Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tax was introduced on 1 May 2018, and has thus now been in operation for nearly three years. The introduction of the tax was an important action in the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, with the aims of reducing consumption of added sugar in drinks and encouraging reformulation of products by the drinks industry.
Initial indications are that the tax has had a positive impact, particularly in terms of encouraging drinks producers to reduce the sugar content in their products. However, a more comprehensive analysis of the impact of the tax is needed.
The first step in this process was to look at existing examples that could inform the methodology to assess the impacts of the tax. This work is underway. Allied to this, information has been gathered on existing datasets that could be analysed as part of the assessment of the impact of the tax. The literature review and data scoping exercise will enable the Department to make an assessment of the potential approaches to evaluate the impact of the tax and the timelines and resources required for the evaluation.
808. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 788 and 789 of 17 February 2021, when the obesity policy and action plan will be reviewed in 2021; the process for same; if his Department will be meeting stakeholders or undertaking a consultation process in relation to same; the timeline for the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11348/21]
View answerA Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 as part of the Healthy Ireland Framework. The OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. The Plan contains a total of 60 actions organised under the themes of “Ten Steps Forward”. The final action, Action 10.11, is to “Conduct a mid-term review of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan”.
There are a number of pieces of work which will inform the mid-term review of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan. An Implementation Progress Report on the actions within the Plan was published in February 2021. A Strategic Action Plan for the wider Healthy Ireland Framework, covering the years 2021-2025 is nearing completion and is expected to be finalised in Q1 2021. The development of the Strategic Action Plan involved an extensive consultation process with stakeholders. An evaluation of the OPAP is also being carried out by the Health Research Board Centre for Health and Diet Research, University College Cork and it is expected that this will be available in the second quarter of 2021. All of these will feed into and inform the process of the review, and the Obesity Policy Implementation and Oversight Group will also provide input. It is expected that the review will be completed before the end of 2021.
809. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will consider allowing couples getting married that are choosing, for health and safety reasons not to have a reception and instead to limit their celebration to their church service, to have ten guests at their service as per funerals. [11349/21]
View answer936. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he will clarify the position regarding weddings in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11839/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 809 and 936 together.
As you will be aware, the public health restrictions at level 5 of the Government's Framework Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 will remain in place until 5 April 2021, when a further review will be conducted. The Framework continues to provide an appropriate mechanism to guide decision-making, and it will continue to be supplemented by more detailed sectoral guidance in relation to measures that apply at each level of the Framework.
On 23 February, 2021, the Government published COVID-19 Resilience & Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead which sets out how in-school education and childcare services will be reinstated in a phased manner from 1 March, with staggered return throughout March to be concluded after the Easter break on 12 April. Information on the revised plan is available here – https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c4876-covid-19-resilience-and-recovery-2021-the-path-ahead/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/ThePathAhead/ Details of weddings numbers at each level of the plan can be found at Appendix 1 of the COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead under Social and Family Gatherings/Weddings.
At Level 5, 6 guests may attend the wedding and wedding ceremony irrespective of venue. This does not include the persons getting married or persons attending in a professional capacity. The various limits at all levels in the Government's Plan are all designed to reduce the number of households mixing with each other and cut down the virus’s chances of spreading into more homes. It seeks to balance the risks of different types of gatherings against the desire to allow normal activities to proceed in so far as possible. The COVID-19 Resilience & Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead Appendix 1, Social and Family Gatherings/Weddings outlines wedding numbers permissible at different levels of the plan.
As I'm sure the Deputies can appreciate, COVID-19 spreads when individuals and groups come into close contact with one another, enabling the virus to move from one person to another. COVID-19 is infectious in a person with no symptoms, or for the period of time before they develop symptoms. In certain settings, such as weddings, higher noise levels due to music, can force people into close proximity, requiring them to raise their voices or shout to communicate thus increasing the risk of spreading the virus to others.
It is not possible to say what public health measures will be in place in the future. The public health advice relating to Covid-19 is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), by my Department and by the Government . The measures in place and the public health advice have been adapted to the changing circumstances and this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future.
Details of the public health measures currently in place for weddings can be found at:- https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/#weddings
You may also wish to note that Fáilte Ireland has provided guidelines for the hospitality industry which includes guidance on weddings and is available at: - https://failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Guidelines-for-Re-opening-Hotels-and-Guesthouses.pdf
The Deputies may wish to note that there are a wide range of supports available to help businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis including financial supports, training and guidance to help business's mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and work safely. Further information on the supports available can be found at: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/ which outlines Government supports for COVID-19 impacted businesses.
810. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if cases of Covid-19 of the so-called Brazilian variant have been detected or confirmed in meat plant workers since January 2021; if so, the location of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11351/21]
View answerOn 19 February 2021, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre was notified of three cases of a new variant of COVID-19 (‘P1’), first identified in Brazil. All of the cases identified are understood to be directly associated with recent travel from Brazil. All cases are being followed up by public health teams and enhanced public health measures have been put in place, in line with guidance. This was notified to my Department on the same date.
My Department cannot comment on the specific circumstances of the individual cases which have arisen in this case as to do so would breach the duty of confidentiality to the individuals concerned.
811. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the category An Post workers come under in the Covid-19 vaccination allocation strategy; when they will be offered a Covid-19 vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11353/21]
View answer854. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when members of An Garda Síochána are scheduled to receive the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11536/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 811 and 854 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: www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.
The roll out 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 front line 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 23 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: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b44b2-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-vaccine-allocation-strategy/.
All of the groups will be covered as further vaccine supplies become available and the immunisation programme is rolled out nationally.
815. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will consider extending the five=kilometre travel limit for those seeking to exercise and who will not be engaging or interacting with anyone during this exercise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11364/21]
View answerAs you will be aware, the public health restrictions at level 5 of the Government's Framework Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 will remain in place until 5 April 2021, when a further review will be conducted. The Framework continues to provide an appropriate mechanism to guide decision-making, and it will continue to be supplemented by more detailed sectoral guidance in relation to measures that apply at each level of the Framework.
On 23 February, 2021, the Government published COVID-19 Resilience & Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead which sets out how in-school education and childcare services will be reinstated in a phased manner from 1 March, with staggered return throughout March to be concluded after the Easter break on 12 April. Information on the revised plan is available here – www.gov.ie/en/publication/c4876-covid-19-resilience-and-recovery-2021-the-path-ahead/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/ThePathAhead/.
The public health advice in relation to Covid-19 is kept under continuous review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), by my Department and by the Government, taking account of the evolving epidemiological situation and available evidence in relation to vaccine deployment, uptake and effectiveness. However, public health advice is that it is too early to say how and when other restrictions should be eased given current uncertainties.
At level 5, people are asked to stay at home as much as possible unless they have a "reasonable excuse" for leaving, which includes for exercise with 5 km of home. Further information is available here - www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/#travel-restrictions.
S.I. No. 701 of 2020 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 and S.I. No. 4 of 2021 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 10) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (as amended by S.I. No. 29 of 2021) sets out the current public health restrictions at level 5. Statutory Instruments relating to the Covid pandemic are available here - https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/
816. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if the vaccination priority list will be updated to include cancer patients who have had their treatment halted due to the risk of contracting Covid-19. [11366/21]
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: www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.
The roll out 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 front line 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 23 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: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b44b2-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-vaccine-allocation-strategy/.
817. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the latest list of underlying conditions which will qualify persons for access to the Covid-19 vaccination programme currently group 7 on the vaccination list; and if this list of underlying conditions will include ME or CFS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11367/21]
View answer956. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the cohort group that those with bronchiectasis fall into under the vaccination schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11928/21]
View answer959. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the cohort or group in which persons with cystic fibrosis fall under in the Covid-19 vaccination schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11940/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 817, 956 and 959 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: www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.
The roll out 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 front line 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 23 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: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b44b2-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-vaccine-allocation-strategy/ .
818. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the details of contracts of €25,000 or more that have been awarded by his Department or bodies under his aegis that were found to be non-compliant with procurement guidelines in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; the value and nature of the contact work carried out in each case; the year of each contract in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11379/21]
View answerIn relation to contracts that were found to be non-compliant with procurement guidelines for the indicated years, the table below outlines the value, nature of the contact work carried out in each case.
|
Year |
Value |
Nature of Contract |
|
2018 |
€74,322 |
This contract related to mobile and telephony services. It was intended that a new competitively tendered agreement would be in place. However, this tender competition was delayed due to competing priorities following my Department's move to Miesian Plaza. My officials had been liaising with the OGP in relation to this tendering process and this has since been put in place. |
|
€31,763 |
This contract related to translation services. This spend was incurred throughout my Department with individual units procuring translation services. There was no individual unit that incurred a spend in excess of €25,000. A tender competition was subsequently undertaken and a dedicated translation service is now in place. |
|
|
Total |
€106,085 |
|
|
2019 |
€76,646 |
This contract related to mobile and telephony services where it had been expected that a new competitively tendered agreement would be concluded in 2019. This has since been put in place. |
|
€26,224 |
This contract related to translation services as noted above. A tender competition was undertaken and a contract for this dedicated translation service is now in place. |
|
|
€310,451 |
This contract related to electricity services provided in Miesian Plaza. My Department is now signed up under the OGP Framework for the “Supply of electricity to Government Departments and the Security Sector,” such that this area of expenditure is now compliant. This is a shared tenancy expense of which the proportion charged to my Department was €182,731. My Department recouped €88,696 from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and €39,024 from the Department of Finance / Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. |
|
|
Total |
€413,321 |
|
|
2020 |
In respect of 2020, this information is currently being collated as part of the annual audit of the Department’s Appropriation Account and is not yet available. |
|
|
2021 |
In respect of 2021, this information will not be available until after the annual audit of the Department’s 2021 Appropriation Account. |
819. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of healthcare assistant posts for each CHO; the number of posts funded, filled and vacant, respectively; 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. [11388/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter, as soon as possible.
820. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant posts for each CHO; the number of posts funded, filled and vacant, respectively; 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. [11389/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter, as soon as possible.
821. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of registrar posts for each CHO; the number of posts funded, filled and vacant, respectively; 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. [11390/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter, as soon as possible.
822. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of SHO and interns for each CHO; the number of posts funded, filled and vacant, respectively; 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. [11391/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter, as soon as possible.
823. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of medical, dental and other posts for each CHO; the number of posts funded, filled and vacant, respectively; 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. [11392/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter, as soon as possible.
824. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing and midwifery posts for each CHO; the number of posts funded, filled and vacant, respectively; 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. [11393/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter, as soon as possible.
825. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of health and social care posts for each CHO; the number of posts funded, filled and vacant, respectively; 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. [11394/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter, as soon as possible.
