Written Answers Nos. 210-234
210. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the position of school bus escorts for children with special educational needs on the vaccination schedule; and when school bus escorts who are back working in school settings can expect to receive the vaccine. [12285/21]
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 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: 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.
211. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a primary medical certificate will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12286/21]
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.
212. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if a family (details supplied) will be permitted to have a kitchen fitted in their home given that they are currently without a kitchen. [12289/21]
View answerThe public health restrictions 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 5th 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 the revised Plan 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/.
Details of the public health measures currently in place for construction can be found at:- https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/#construction
The Regulations in effect providing for the current public health restrictions are the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 701 of 2020) as amended by both S.I. No. 4 of 2021 and S.I. No. 29 of 2021. These Regulations set out what are essential construction and developments.
Part 2 of the Schedule to the Principal Regulations, paragraph 5.(i) provides for "the supply and delivery of essential or emergency maintenance and repair services to businesses and homes (including electrical, gas, oil, plumbing, glazing and roofing services) on an emergency call-out basis. "
Statutory Instruments related to the Covid-19 pandemic are available here: www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/.
You may wish to note that my Department does not have responsibility for the construction sector. The shutdown of the construction sector (including the construction and developments permitted to continue), was confirmed by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage by press release on the 6 January, 2021. Further information on these projects is available here: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/53a69-minister-obrien-confirms-shutdown-in-construction-activity/.
214. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a front-line worker who is unable to take a vaccine (details supplied) as advised by their general practitioner will be prioritised for another vaccine. [12293/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
215. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if appropriate measures will be taken to facilitate women who have had their smear tests misinterpreted and who have since been diagnosed with cervical cancer in order that they can avoid High Court actions to be considered for compensation; the position regarding the scheme for compensation for these women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12300/21]
View answerA number of measures have been taken to facilitate the women affected by the CervicalCheck issues without having to make a claim in the Courts, including:
- Establishment of the CervicalCheck Tribunal based on the recommendations of Mr. Justice Meenan’s Report on an Alternative System for Dealing with Claims Arising from CervicalCheck
- Establishment of an ex-gratia scheme for those affected by the non-disclosure issues
The CervicalCheck Tribunal Arising from the issues relating to CervicalCheck and in particular the impact on affected women of having to pursue their claims in Court, the Government of the time asked Mr. Justice Charles Meenan to review, in the case of women affected, mechanisms which avoid, wherever possible, women and their families having to give evidence in court.
In October 2018 Mr. Justice Meenan submitted his Report on an Alternative System for Dealing with Claims Arising from CervicalCheck, which proposed that a statutory tribunal be established for the purpose of hearing and determining claims arising from CervicalCheck.
In his report Mr. Justice Meenan explained the limitations of the screening process and the implications that these limitations have for the issue of liability with regard to CervicalCheck claims, outlining that ‘…where a woman develops cervical cancer following a false negative, this is not, of itself, sufficient to prove negligence.’
Mr. Justice Meenan also considered the appropriateness of a redress scheme for CervicalCheck cases and referenced other such schemes including the statutory Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal. A feature of those schemes was that it was not necessary to prove negligence or breach of duty for compensatory damage. Mr. Justice Meenan advised that such a scheme was not appropriate for CervicalCheck cases given the issues of liability involved. Accordingly, the format for the CervicalCheck Tribunal which gives effect to Mr. Justice Meenan’s recommendations recognises the issues of liability involved in CervicalCheck cases and allows them to be determined by the Tribunal.
Mr. Justice Meenan’s recommendations were accepted and have been implemented with the establishment of the CervicalCheck Tribunal on 27 October 2020, under the CervicalCheck Tribunal Act 2019. Following a pause in the steps towards full establishment to allow for discussions with the 221+ Patient Representative Group about the Tribunal and CervicalCheck Cases generally, establishment of the Tribunal was finalised with the appointment of the nominated members to the Tribunal with effect from 1 December 2020.
The Tribunal remains the most appropriate venue to hear and determine CervicalCheck claims. It has been specifically designed for that purpose. It is, of course, entirely up to eligible women as to whether or not they use it.The CervicalCheck Ex-Gratia Scheme In his report on an alternative system for dealing with claims arising from CervicalCheck, Mr. Justice Meenan recognised that the issues of liability on non-disclosure may legally be of a ‘less contentious nature’ and that any liability for non-disclosure appeared to rest with the State, having no involvement of third parties i.e. the laboratories.
Judge Meenan recommended that in cases where liability is not being contested, e.g. in claims relating solely to non-disclosure, such claims should be “fast tracked” through the statutory Tribunal which he proposed.
Following consideration of Judge Meenan’s report, the Government recognised that setting up and establishing a statutory Tribunal would take some time and proposed an alternative process that would facilitate the women affected in addressing the non-disclosure issue without delay. On 11 March 2019 the Government agreed to the establishment of an ex-gratia scheme for those affected by the non-disclosure of the CervicalCheck audit. The Scheme is designed to provide an alternative, non-adversarial and person-centred option for those affected by the CervicalCheck non-disclosure issue.
The Independent Assessment Panel, chaired by Justice Aindrias Ó Caoimh, has determined that €20,000 is the appropriate amount for the ex gratia payment. All women, or their next of kin, in the 221-cohort identified from the clinical audit as having discordance in their smear test result are eligible to participate in the Scheme.
To date, 170 applications have been received and payments of €20,000 have been made in 169 of those cases, amounting to a total of €3,368,000. The latest application received is currently being considered by the Panel. The scheme remains open.
As applications to the Scheme are not intended to be adversarial, it is not envisaged that the Applicant will require legal representation. Nevertheless, an applicant may wish to consult a solicitor and take legal advice and assistance in applying for payment under the Scheme. Accordingly, each individual invited to participate is advised of an allowance of €1,500 plus VAT, payable on a vouched basis, for legal advice, both in connection with the decision to participate, and for on-going engagement.
The establishment of the ex-gratia scheme ensured that the women affected could have the impact of non-disclosure addressed without recourse to court.
Participation in the Scheme does not preclude the women from continuing (or indeed commencing) a claim in respect of CervicalCheck. However, any award for non-disclosure against the State should take account of the amount paid under the ex-gratia scheme. To date Court awards relating to non-disclosure have not exceeded €10,000.
216. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health when the legislation that will reform the nursing home support scheme or fair deal will be introduced; the reason for the ongoing delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12306/21]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme, commonly referred to as the Fair Deal Scheme, has been in operation for over 10 years and there is broad agreement that the Scheme operates well and continues to provide appropriate financial assistance where it is required.
However, it is recognised that the Act, in its current form, does not place caps on the financial assessment of family owned and operated farms or businesses when calculating the means to pay for nursing home care. This places a potentially onerous burden on family successors and could challenge the future viability of these productive assets.
Therefore, the Department of Health has proposed a policy change to the Scheme, to cap contributions based on farm and business assets at three years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset. The stated policy objective of the legislation is to introduce additional safeguards in the Scheme to further protect the viability and sustainability of family farms and businesses that will be passed down to the next generation of the family to continue to work them as productive assets to provide for their livelihood.
This change was approved by Government and underwent pre-legislative scrutiny in the last Dáil. Progress on the development of the Bill was negatively impacted by the dissolution of the last Dáil and by the COVID-19 pandemic. The response to the pandemic has been and continues to be a national and public health priority. However, work on this legislation has continued to progress. I requested a waiver to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny from the Business Committee, given this was already undertaken in the previous Dáil, and this waiver was granted on 4th February 2021. I have met with the Attorney General to discuss this legislation, and there has been an ongoing and active engagement between the Department of Health and the Office of the Attorney General on the development of the legislation, which will be brought to the Houses of the Oireachtas at the earliest possible opportunity. It is on the priority list for publication in the Spring legislative session. The Bill will be enacted upon completion of all stages in the Oireachtas and signed into law by the President.
217. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the status of the appointment of an advanced nurse practitioner in the diabetes clinic at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise; if there has been progress on an adult diabetic pump clinic at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12329/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
218. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the date vaccination of the over 70 years of age cohort will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12333/21]
View answerThe Government is committed to the timely implementation of a COVID-19 immunisation programme.
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.
219. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the supports in place for persons with rare diseases in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12334/21]
View answerA National Rare Disease Plan for Ireland (2014 – 2018) was launched by the Minister for Health in July 2014. This is a generic policy framework for rare diseases. The scope of the plan is broad given that there are approximately 8,000 rare diseases affecting millions of EU citizens; and consequently, there can be a dearth of expertise and knowledge about some rare diseases, simply because they are so rare.
Many of the major recommendations of the plan have already been implemented including the establishment of a National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases and a Rare Disease Office. Building on this progress, themes for inclusion in a roadmap for the coming period were agreed, with the Rare Disease Task Force, which comprises the main rare disease advocacy groups; Rare Disease Ireland, the Medical Research Charities Group (MRCP), and the Irish Platform for Patient Organisations, Science and Industry (IPPPOSI).
Meetings, to ensure that the input and the voice of the patient is represented in the continuing work ongoing in relation to Rare Diseases, have taken place with the Rare Disease Task Force, the HSE National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases and the Rare Disease Office. A number of key themes were identified for progression and agreed with the RDT – Patient Awareness; European Reference Networks; Research & Registries; Access to Services; Access to Medicines; Diagnosis; Education & Training and Legislation & Policy. This will form the basis for work in this area in the time ahead.
In late 2020, the National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases was operationalised and incorporated into the National Rare Disease Office. So, from 01 September 2020, the NRDO became the main contact point and driver for national HSE rare disease projects and initiatives. The work of the NRDO is overseen and governed by HSE Acute Operations under the governance of the Office of the Chief Clinical Officer, where the National Rare Disease Plan is firmly embedded.
The following benefits and schemes that can help with healthcare costs are available.
Under the Health Act 1970, eligibility for a medical card is based primarily on means. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without undue hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure. The issue of granting medical cards based on having a particular disease or illness was examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
Under the Drugs Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €114 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
The Long Term Illness Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the LTI are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.
Under the Long Term Illness Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.
Further information is available at https://www2.hse.ie/costs-schemes-allowances/.
As this question also relates to service matters, I have also asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
220. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the meetings his officials have had with the Department of Social Protection relating to financial supports for persons with rare diseases in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12335/21]
View answerI understand that no meetings have taken place between officials from my Department and the Department of Social Protection relating to financial supports for persons with rare diseases in Ireland.
221. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes that were late submitting NFO1 forms in 2020; the number of serious incidents that were reported to HIQA in 2020; if HIQA included serious incidents in its reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12353/21]
View answerHIQA have informed me that the Chief Inspector is notified by persons in charge of nursing homes of many issues pertaining to the care and welfare of residents. Registered providers or persons in charge of a designated centre, are legally required to notify the Chief Inspector within certain timeframes about incidents, events or changes affecting the wellbeing of residents within 72 hours of the event happening. In 2020, the Chief Inspector received over 8000 notifications of incidents, 1833 of these were NF01 notifications. A NF01 notification covers an unexpected death of any resident, including the death of any resident following transfer to hospital from the designated centre.
It is not possible to retrieve data on the number of these notifications which were submitted late. The Chief Inspector can retrieve the forms submitted, however the system does not capture when notifications are submitted outside of the 72 hour timeframe, but where there are delays the Chief Inspector works with services on a case by case basis.
Notifications HIQA receives from nursing homes are reported in the annual overview report on the regulation of designated centres for older persons.
222. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes that were late submitting NFO1 forms in 2020; the number of facilities that submitted forms later than three days after the death of a resident in 2020; the way in which HIQA was keeping track of deaths and infection in nursing homes during Covid-19 if forms were not submitted in time, that is, three days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12354/21]
View answerHIQA have informed me that during 2020, while many private and statutory nursing homes were managing COVID-19 outbreaks, multiple nursing homes did not return NF01s within the 72 hour timeframe. This was expected and understandable, as their primary focus was on outbreak management and providing care. HIQA is in constant contact with nursing homes and works with them during outbreaks.
It is not possible to retrieve data on the number of forms submitted late. The Chief Inspector can retrieve the forms submitted, however the system does not capture when notifications are submitted outside of the 72 hour timeframe. When there are delays of NF01s, the Chief Inspector works with services on a case by case basis.
223. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if the nursing home referred to in minutes of a meeting (details supplied) is a particular nursing home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12355/21]
View answerAs this was a HSE operational meeting , I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
224. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if RCSI hospital staff provided assistance in a nursing home (details supplied) on 13 April 2020. [12357/21]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
225. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes he directly requested the CEO of the HSE to support and to examine the support needed in March and April 2020. [12358/21]
View answerSustained communication and interagency cooperation has been central to the response to COVID-19. Extensive, ongoing and problem-solving collaboration between stakeholders, the HSE, the NTPF, HIQA and the Department continues. The State’s responsibility to respond to the public health emergency created the need for the HSE to establish a structured nursing home support system in line with NPHET recommendations in March 2020. This has been a critical intervention in supporting the resilience of the sector in meeting the unprecedented challenges associated with COVID-19. Guidance, PPE, staffing, serial testing, infection prevention and control training, accommodation and financial support have been provided to the nursing home sector, both public and private. In addition, multi-disciplinary clinical supports are in place at CHO level through 23 COVID-19 Response Teams.
In the context of the collaborative arrangements, through engagement with registered providers through inspections, check ins and review of notifications and other information, the Chief Inspector of HIQA notifies actual or potential risk when appropriate to the HSE for the purpose of identifying service providers that may require additional external support such as IPC and public health advice, PPE, clinical input etc. This support, where possible and appropriate, is typically provided by the HSE COVID-19 response teams. In accordance with the regulatory framework, irrespective of the availability, or not, of additional HSE support to providers, nursing home operators retain legal responsibility for delivering safe care in accordance with regulation, and the regulatory oversight is provided by HIQA. Where the Department, including through the Ministers Office receives information regarding a nursing home requiring support, where appropriate, details are provided to the HSE and/or HIQA for appropriate follow up in line with the established structures.
226. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the details of the HSE provision to co-respond to certain medical emergencies with the fire service in cases in which the ambulance service is occupied; the number of times co-responding has been utilised in County Kerry in 2020 and 2021 in cases in which the fire service has not been called on to co-respond in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12364/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
227. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the HPV vaccine programme in view of ongoing school closures; the plans in place to ensure its continuation for first years in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12365/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
228. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the development and delivery of the world leading newborn screening program promised by the Minister and his predecessor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12373/21]
View answerThe National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) was established in 2019 with the remit to advise the Department of Health and the Minister for Health on all new proposals for screening and on revisions to existing programmes. The expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening programme remains a priority work programme for the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC).
In July 2020, the NSAC approved the application to add ADA-SCID (adenosine deaminase deficiency-severe combined immunodeficiency) to the list of conditions screened under the programme. As Minister I approved this recommendation and the HSE are now preparing for the addition of ADA-SCID to the Programme which will bring the number of conditions that are screened for from eight to nine. The HSE 2021 National Service Plan states:
‘Ensure the long-term management and implementation processes are in place to support expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme, including Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (ADA-SCID). ’
Across Europe, the approach taken with blood spot screening programmes does vary, with no consensus across countries as to what conditions should or should not be included. Significant variation exists in the number of conditions included for screening, both between countries and between regions within individual countries. For example, the United Kingdom currently screens for nine conditions while Italy recommends over 40 conditions be included in screening. My Department has noted that, historically, the expansion of blood spot screening programmes internationally has occurred following ad hoc consideration of conditions rather than following a structured and transparent approach.
I am committed to ensuring that any expansion of the programme will be safe, ethically robust and evidence based. I have been informed by my Department that the NSAC are currently examining the international evidence in terms of the conditions screened for in existing blood spot screening programmes; the decision making processes that lead to the inclusion of a condition in an individual country’s newborn bloodspot screening programme; and the role of emerging technologies in programme expansion. I am determined to see the foundations laid for the continuous expansion of the programme that maximises health outcomes for newborn babies.
I have requested that the NSAC provide an update on progress and I expect to receive this update in the near future.
229. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the status of a full-time podiatrist position in Wexford General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12385/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
230. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if statistical information in relation to CHO 2 will be provided (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12386/21]
View answerAs these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
231. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12387/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
232. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with disabilities in receipt of home support hours in each LHO area as of 1 March 2021 or the latest date available; the number of persons on the waiting list for same in each LHO area; and the number waiting 0 to 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 12 and 12 months plus in tabular form. [12392/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
233. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with disabilities in receipt of personal assistance hours in each LHO area as of 1 March 2021 or the latest date available; the number of persons on the waiting list for same in each LHO area; and the number waiting 0 to 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 12 and 12 months plus in tabular form. [12393/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
234. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of residential places for persons with a disability currently being provided as of 1 March 2021 or the latest date available by CHO in tabular form. [12394/21]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
