Written Answers Nos. 966-993
966. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if third-year children's and general nursing students of University College Cork, UCC, will receive their vaccinations before commencing their placement in Cork University Hospital, CUH, on 8 March 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11959/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
967. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 686 of 27 January 2021, the rationale for the decision not to allocate funding for a service (details supplied); if this will be appealed; the time frame for funding to be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11960/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
968. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the cohort or group in which persons with hypertension fall in the Covid-19 vaccination schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11965/21]
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/.
969. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if he will request the national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC, to examine if persons aged 17 years who are working in front-line vaccination environments, such as pharmacy assistants who are currently designated as category 2D workers in terms of the vaccination programme and at high risk of contracting Covid-19, can be given the vaccine given NIAC's approval of vaccinations for persons aged 16 years of age and older who are at high risk from Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11966/21]
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/.
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 6.
The HSE has published a document on the sequencing of COVID-19 vaccination of frontline healthcare workers, which provides more detail. It is available at the following link:
https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/covid-19-vaccine-materials/sequencing-of-covid-19-vaccination-of-frontline-healthcare-workers.pdf.
971. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the lack of a pre-registration examination system, PRES, 3 examination for foreign doctors means that many doctors working under temporary registration are not being considered for vacancies that arise given they do not have the permanent registration required; and his plans to ensure that the exams can go ahead and these doctors can get permanent registration. [11974/21]
View answerDoctors who have qualified in another jurisdiction and whose qualifications do not entitle them to automatic recognition are required to pass or be exempt from the Medical Council’s pre-registration exam, the PRES, which has two components -the PRES 2 which is a computer based exam and the PRES 3 which is primarily a test of clinical skills in the main clinical disciplines of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Surgery, and Medicine/General Practice. The exam is in two parts, a written exam and an objective structured clinical examination to access the doctors communication, interpretation and practical skills. These exams form an important part of the registration and validation of qualifications and experience, carried out by the Medical Council to ensure doctors applying for registration meet the required standards for registration in Ireland and are an important means of protecting patients.
The PRES 3 exams were cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions and unfortunately, it has not been possible to reschedule as of yet due to the ongoing impact of these restrictions. The Medical Council have been in contact with the medical schools to explore the possibility of holding the PRES 3 exams as soon as is possible but a date cannot be set due to the ongoing impact of these restrictions. The Medical Council is keeping the matter under constant review and is keen to progress with the exams once it is safe for all participants to do so.
972. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the specific numbers of tests that are being measured given that it has been mentioned that three tests are being evaluated to ease restrictions, that is, community transmission, hospital and intensive care unit occupancy and progress of the vaccine programme; if a definition of success has been established by the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, or others in relation to these numbers; and if so, if he will publish the definition. [11975/21]
View answerAs has been the case throughout this pandemic, NPHET considers a range of different indicators of disease and compliance, and considers those indicators in context, when making its recommendations to Government. There is not one indicator or one specific number which signals that it is safe to ease restrictions, and this will continue to be the case in the coming weeks and months.
The Government's updated plan for managing COVID-19, The Path Ahead, states that the “situation will be subject to ongoing review taking account of the evolving epidemiological situation and available evidence in relation to vaccine deployment, uptake and effectiveness”. The document states that the focus of assessment, based on public health advice, will be on achieving much lower levels of disease prevalence (case numbers/incidence) that can be managed and controlled by public health; that the R number is such that we can be confident we can continue to suppress the disease (e.g. at or below 1); low levels of hospital and critical care occupancy allowing the safe resumption of non-Covid care; ongoing and steady progress with the vaccine rollout such that the most vulnerable are protected and emerging information regarding variants of concern.
The Path Ahead is available online: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c4876-covid-19-resilience-and-recovery-2021-the-path-ahead/.
973. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the reasoning behind a change in narrative in the HSE national service plan with the addiction services section now referred to as drug and alcohol services and no commitment for any measures to address behavioural addictions; and if he or any of his Ministers of State were involved in this decision. [11977/21]
View answerAs per the Health Act 2004 (as amended), the Health Service Executive's National Service Plan 2021 sets out the type and volume of health and personal social services to be provided in 2021. This includes the provision of drug and alcohol addiction treatment services.
The improvement of health outcomes for socially excluded groups in society is a key priority in the service plan. The HSE seeks to meet government commitments set out in the national drugs strategy Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery – A health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025, and the health-led approach to drug use in the Programme for Government.
The Department of Health is providing additional funding of €9m to support and enhance drug and alcohol services in 2021:
- Continue the roll-out of specific harm reduction approaches including support for the additional 700 people brought into opioid substitution treatment during COVID-19 and increase naloxone provision.
- Develop community based drug and alcohol services and family support services, including the Dublin North East Inner City initiative and the Galway alcohol service and services for pregnant and post-natal women.
- Expand services for women who use drugs and alcohol in a harmful way.
- In line with a health-led approach to drug use, co-lead on the phased implementation of the Health Diversion Programme with the DoH including the targeted expansion of SAOR screening and brief intervention and the roll-out of a national drug awareness campaign.
- Expand the capacity and availability of the HSE Drug and Alcohol Helpline.
- Establish a medically supervised injecting facility in Merchants Quay Ireland, subject to confirmation of planning permission.
- In agreement with DoH, support the development of an area-based approach to community health and wellbeing improvement with a particular focus on areas of deprivation with the implementation of a new community-based integrated alcohol services across primary and acute settings.
I believe the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted significant challenges for socially excluded groups, particularly those with complex health, addiction and mental health problems. I strongly support the commitment of the HSE to improve access to health services for people living with addiction, people who are homeless, and other vulnerable groups.
974. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to prioritise teachers and school staff in the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11980/21]
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/.
Group 11 provides for 'Those who are essential to education and who face disease exposure - primary and second level school staff, special needs assistants, childcare workers, maintenance workers, school bus drivers etc.'.
975. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health when the area of counselling and psychotherapy will be fully regulated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11986/21]
View answerThe Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (the Act) provides for the protection of the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct and professional education, training and competence through statutory registration of health and social care professions designated under the Act.
A profession for regulation is either designated in the Act, or can be designated by means of an Order made by the Minister for Health under the Act where, after a consultation process, the Minister considers that it is appropriate and in the public interest that the profession be so designated.
Arising from such a consultation process, Simon Harris TD the then Minister for Health decided to designate two distinct professions, counsellors and psychotherapists, each with its register, under one registration board.
Regulations to designate the two professions under the Act and to establish the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board were made in 2018. The Registration Board was duly appointed in February 2019 and held its inaugural meeting in May 2019.
While the Board has begun working towards regulation of these professions, a substantial body of work requires to be undertaken before a register may be opened. The work of this Board is significantly more challenging than for registration boards for some of the more established professions, owing to the different and complexity of entry paths into the counsellor and psychotherapist professions, variety of titles used, and the variety and number of courses and course providers.
Owing to the significant body of preparatory work the that Registration Board is required to undertake; it is not possible to say with any degree of accuracy when the professions will be fully regulated. I would anticipate that the Registration Board will require a number of years to complete its work.
976. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE staff who have been vaccinated by community healthcare organisation, CHO; the number of outstanding staff to be vaccinated by CHO; the number of vaccinated staff that are not patient facing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11987/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
977. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of late, delayed or missed vaccine deliveries from the HSE to hospitals, general practitioner practices and other vaccination administration locations by county; the quantity of doses delayed; the length of delay for each occurrence in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11995/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
978. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report undertaken on the impact of hospital car park charges on those undertaking a sustained level of treatment; his views on policies which put a cap on such charges for patients; and his further views on whether a national protocol could be developed to address same. [11997/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government makes a commitment to introduce a cap on the maximum daily charge for patients and visitors at all public hospitals, where possible and to introduce flexible passes in all public hospitals for patients and their families. My Department and the HSE are currently engaging on this issue in order to achieve this new Programme for Government commitment.
979. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if his Department has issued guidance on discretionary medical cards in respect of providing temporary cover during periods of intense care, such as for cancer patients in order that the stress of medical bills would be relieved for a period. [11998/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
980. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if hospitals have protocols in place governing the activity of debt collectors pursuing outstanding medical bills in order that there would be reasonable practices respecting the stress that some patients are under. [11999/21]
View answerPatient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the annual National Service Plan.
These charges typically include:
- Out-patient charges;
- Emergency Department charges;
- Daily in-patient charges; and
- Long-term stay charges.
There are cohorts of people who are exempt from these charges, including, but not limited to persons with full eligibility, women receiving services in respect of motherhood, children up to the age of six weeks, children suffering from diseases prescribed under section 52 (2) of the Act, and persons receiving services for the diagnosis or treatment of infectious diseases.
In addition, patients who opt for private in-patient services in public hospitals are liable for a range of private accommodation charges. There are no exemptions from these charges.
Non collection of debts owed directly impacts on the affordability of services provided by the Health Service Executive in any year. It is therefore incumbent on the HSE to take all reasonable steps to pursue amounts owed for services delivered. Debt collection agencies are engaged when normal billing arrangements have been unsuccessful.
The operational detail of this question is a matter for the HSE and I have asked them to respond to you directly in relation to that detail.
981. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will reconsider the current vaccination programme and place carers who look after vulnerable persons in their own home as a priority. [12000/21]
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/.
The ongoing review process will continue to look at the other priority groups yet to be vaccinated, along with the competing needs of those working or living in high-risk situations, carers who deliver essential services to highly dependent individuals in the home setting, and those who are socially vulnerable/disadvantaged.
982. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to meet the previously committed funding requirements of a facility (details supplied) in order to alleviate the concerns of staff, patients and families connected to this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12007/21]
View answerThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has been designated by the Minister for Health pursuant to Section 40 of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 as a body authorised to negotiate with proprietors of non-HSE registered nursing homes to reach agreement in relation to the maximum price(s) that can be charged for the provision of long-term residential care services to NHSS residents.
It will be appreciated that particulars of all such negotiations are a matter between the nursing home and the NTPF. Accordingly, the NTPF does not discuss publicly the details of negotiations with individual nursing homes. The NTPF has statutory independence in the performance of its function and negotiates with a nursing home on an individual basis. Ministers do not have any role in this regard.
I met with the board of St Joseph’s Shankill on Friday 22nd January, at which we discussed their concerns regarding finances and agreed to keep working together on this issue, whilst noting the statutory independence of the NTPF and the price-setting process. I recognise that this is a time-sensitive matter for the St Joseph's Board therefore I have requested that officials identify any other options available and assess their viability as a matter of priority.
983. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if issues raised can be covered in new legislation being brought forward on IVF in Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12028/21]
View answerDrafting of a bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research, based on the published General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill, is ongoing by officials in my Department, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. The publication of the AHR Bill is a priority for my Department and the Government, and a commitment to enact this legislation is included in the Programme for Government, “Our Shared Future”.
Part 5 of the General Scheme provides for PGD and sex selection (for medical purposes) in the context of AHR treatment, which are permitted provided certain criteria are fulfilled. The AHR Regulatory Authority will be responsible for creating and maintaining a list of diseases for which PGD and sex selection will be permitted.
Separately, and in the context of funding for PGD, as raised by the Deputy, a commitment to introduce the model of care for infertility, which was developed by officials in my Department in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme, is included in the Programme for Government, “Our Shared Future”. This model of care will ensure that infertility issues will be addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.
It comprises of three stages, starting in primary care (i.e., GPs) and extending into secondary care (i.e., Regional Fertility Hubs) and then, where necessary, tertiary care (i.e., IVF and other advanced AHR treatments). Structured referral pathways will be put in place and patients will be referred onwards for further investigations or treatment as required and as clinically appropriate. It is intended that, in line with available resources, this model of care for infertility will be rolled out on a phased basis over the course of the coming years.
984. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the status of the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out across nursing homes and long-term care facilities in an area (details supplied); the number of residents who have received their first dose of the vaccine in these facilities; the number who have received their second dose of the vaccine in these facilities; and the number who have not yet received a vaccine. [12029/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
987. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of screenings conducted by each of the national screening programmes in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and in January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12042/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
988. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health when clear information on Covid-19 vaccination availability and dates, including for the over 70s cohort, will issue widely to general practitioners and particularly to practices in north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12043/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
989. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the policy for administering the Covid-19 vaccine to persons who are homebound and cannot attend a clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12047/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
990. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the status of the additional €10 million funding announced on 23 February 2021 to mental health services; the amount of this allocation that will go towards mental health supports in schools; if funding has specifically been allocated to CAMHS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12053/21]
View answerI am, in collaboration with the Department of Health, currently giving consideration to the Government's announcement of an additional €10 million in funding to be made available to meet the increase in demand for mental health supports.
991. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 670 of 3 February 2021, the status of a site (details supplied). [12054/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
992. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) must wait until late March or April 2021 for a Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12063/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
993. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if there is a plan for an emergency assessment under the primary medical certificate in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12064/21]
View answerThe Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme is underpinned by statute and comes under the remit of the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.
The extent of the involvement of Health Service Executive (HSE) personnel in the Scheme relates to making a professional clinical determination as to whether an individual applicant meets the specified medical criteria for a Primary Medical Certificate, which is a requirement for the Scheme. This determination is undertaken by Community Medical Doctors for the relevant HSE Community Health Organisation on behalf of the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.
The Deputy may be aware that following a Supreme Court decision of June 2020, the assessment process for Primary Medical Certificates was suspended at the request of the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe T.D. Following the approval of the Finance Act 2020 which provides for the medical criteria in primary legislation, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, T.D., issued an instruction to the Chief Executive Officer of the HSE to the effect that Primary Medical Certificate assessments can recommence with effect from 1st January, 2021.
In the context of the national effort to suppress and manage the impact of COVID, the ability to hold assessments is impacted by, among other things, the public health restrictions in place and the role of the HSE Medical Officers in the roll out of the COVID vaccination programme. The HSE has confirmed that the Community Medical Doctors and their teams are predominately deployed to the COVID vaccination rollout in residential care facilities and other health care settings.
I have been informed that the HSE is considering the matter of Primary Medical Certificate assessments in the context of their revision of the HSE Recovery and Restoration Plan, taking into account the pressures and challenges to the health services presented by COVID.
As the specific case raised by the Deputy is a service matter, I have arranged to have the question referred to the HSE for consideration and direct reply to the Deputy.
