Written Answers Nos. 732-756
732. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice the amount spent across her Department on advertising in relation to Covid-19, by month and by media outlet (details supplied), from 1 March 2020 to 1 March 2021. [13563/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has been working closely with all government departments to support the national COVID-19 effort. My Department has contributed to, and participated in, the large scale cross-Government communications programme which has been running since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has involved supporting and amplifying Government and public health messaging through both our internal and external communications channels. There has been no spending by my Department on advertising directly related to COVID-19 during the period in question.
While not specifically a campaign to raise awareness of COVID-19, since March 2020 my Department has been running the important ‘Still Here’ campaign. This purpose of this campaign is to reassure victims of domestic abuse that support services from State agencies and the voluntary sector are still available and accessible during the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of what level of restrictions are in place.
In addition to reminding victims of domestic abuse that help is ‘Still Here’, the campaign also reminds anyone concerned for their safety that the restrictions on movement do not apply to people at risk or who are removing themselves from a domestic abuse situation.
To date the Department has spent €397,944.36 on the Still Here campaign. The campaign so far has included two major media bursts, 16 April – 3 May 2020 and Oct 26 to Nov 8 2020. As requested by the Deputy, I have provided further breakdown of that spend by TV and Radio media outlet for both bursts. It is not possible to break down these figures per month as requested, but as both bursts were less than a month, I trust this information will be of value to the Deputy.
Still Here - TV Burst 1
|
Media Outlet |
Total Spend |
|
RTÉ |
€23,510.04 |
|
Virgin |
€17,890.76 |
|
TG4 |
€556.27 |
|
Sky |
€9,558.22 |
|
4 Digital |
€3,020.20 |
Still Here - Radio Burst 1
|
Media Outlet |
Total Spend |
|
RTÉ |
€20,731.83 |
|
Newstalk |
€12,951.37 |
|
Media Central |
€6,201.74 |
|
Urban Media |
€9,771.93 |
|
Cork’s Red FM |
€1,403.77 |
|
IRS+ |
€9,899.73 |
Still Here - TV Burst 2
|
Media Outlet |
Total Spend |
|
RTÉ |
€44,683.92 |
|
Virgin |
€17,068.09 |
|
TG4 |
€1,054.26 |
|
Sky |
€16,838.27 |
|
4 Digital |
€4,116.04 |
Still Here - Radio Burst 2
|
Media Outlet |
Total Spending |
|
RTÉ |
€21,872.54 |
|
Newstalk |
€8,493.85 |
|
Media Central |
€12,811.88 |
|
Urban Media |
€18,352.16 |
|
IRS+ |
€7,574.59 |
733. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the status of the speech and language and occupational therapists in a school (details supplied); if the school will lose the services in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13384/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible
734. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure age appropriate treatment can be provided to a person (details supplied). [13407/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
735. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12478/21]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The HSE is currently recommending that only critical time dependent elective procedures are undertaken at this time due to the on-going and significant increased demand for bed capacity related to Covid-19.
This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
736. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he has considered introducing a 24-7 helpline for follow-up care for those who have received the Covid-19 vaccine who may experience some adverse effects and require assistance out of hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12486/21]
View answer737. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the out of hours facilities available for those who have received the Covid-19 vaccine who may experience some adverse side effects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12487/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 737 and 736 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
738. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if a family (details supplied) can be permitted to complete construction works on their house by putting in windows and doors in order that the property can be made secure to prevent any further damage to their belongings. [12489/21]
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 23rd February, 2021, the Government published the revised plan: Covid 19 Resilience & Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead. This three part plan reviews the learnings from our experience to date, considers the enormous impacts our efforts to manage and suppress the disease have had on our economy and on our society and sets out a cautious and measured approach to the easing of restrictions over the coming months.
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 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.. 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: https://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:- https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/53a69-minister-obrien-confirms-shutdown-in-construction-activity/
739. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in receiving a cataract surgery appointment in the case of a person (details supplied) at Nenagh General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12492/21]
View answerI fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled, particularly for clinically urgent procedures. While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the HSE has advised that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
740. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting a long time for a scan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12493/21]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The HSE is currently recommending that only critical time dependent elective procedures are undertaken at this time due to the on-going and significant increased demand for bed capacity related to Covid-19.
This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
741. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when adults with intellectual disabilities living in residential facilities will receive the Covid-19 vaccination; if there are plans to move them up the priority list from phase 8 given the particular vulnerabilities involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12494/21]
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.
Vaccination of those aged 70 and older (in the following order: 85 and older, 80-84, 75-79, and 70-74) 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.
In relation to the categories of very high risk and high risk conditions, this list is not exhaustive. It may also include people who have been classed as at very high risk, based on clinical judgement and an assessment of need. It is recommended that people discuss this with their treating physician who is in the best position to give appropriate advice.
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/
742. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding deployment of HSE speech and language therapists as contact tracers; if they will be returning to their pre-Covid-19 roles as speech and language therapists; when this is likely to occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12497/21]
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.
743. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the date the HSE placed the order for the two oxygen generators for University Hospital Galway in response to Covid-19; and the date the units were delivered to the hospital. [12503/21]
View answer744. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the specific details of the elements of the installation of the two oxygen generators at University Hospital Galway that are still ongoing. [12504/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 743 and 744 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
745. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of funding for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12505/21]
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.
746. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if the HSE plans to study or sanction the use of Ivermectin in the treatment of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12506/21]
View answerThe Deputy is advised that, at the request of the NPHET, the HIQA conducted a rapid evidence review to identify studies on the effectiveness of (i) pharmaceutical and (ii) non-pharmaceutical interventions, in the ambulatory setting, aimed at reducing progression to severe disease in individuals with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. This evidence review included a review of relevant studies in relation to Ivermectin.
Low certainty or very low certainty evidence was identified in relation to a small number of interventions. However, the HIQA noted the low quality of the evidence available including the high risk of bias, small sample sizes and short durations of follow-up different trials and advised that results from these studies should not be used to inform decision-making with respect to effectiveness.
The HIQA’s overall finding was that there is currently insufficient evidence of either effectiveness or safety to support the use of any pharmaceutical intervention in the community setting to reduce the risk of progression to severe disease in patients who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 unless as part of an ongoing monitored clinical trial. Furthermore, no evidence was identified for the effectiveness or safety of any non-pharmaceutical intervention in the community setting.
As confirmed by the HIQA’s COVID-19 Expert Advisory Group: (https://www.hiqa.ie/sites/default/files/2021-02/Interventions-to-prevent-progression_Advice.pdf), evidence regarding the effectiveness of pharmaceutical treatments intended for systemic use, must be subject to the highest standards of rigour. Where a pharmaceutical intervention is recommended in the absence of appropriate supportive evidence, there is a significant potential for harm to the patient. Whereas this risk of harm may be justified in certain circumstances (e.g. the intervention poses minimal risk, or the setting involves patients with high potential to gain due to almost certain risk of severe adverse consequences in absence of any intervention) this is less likely to be the case in the setting of mild disease, where a great number of otherwise well patients would potentially receive the intervention.
The HIQA has also advised my Department that several international health technology assessment or guideline development organisations have specifically reviewed the evidence to date on ivermectin in COVID-19 and have cautioned or advised against the use of ivermectin outside the setting of clinical trials on the basis of the current evidence. The HIQA has also advised that the pharmaceutical company MSD (Merck, USA), which holds a license in the USA for the use of ivermectin as an antiparasitic agent, on 4th February 2021 published a statement including the following:
“It is important to note that, to-date, our analysis has identified:
- No scientific basis for a potential therapeutic effect against COVID-19 from pre-clinical studies;
- No meaningful evidence for clinical activity or clinical efficacy in patients with COVID-19 disease, and;
- A concerning lack of safety data in the majority of studies.
We do not believe that the data available support the safety and efficacy of ivermectin beyond the doses and populations indicated in the regulatory agency-approved prescribing information.”
I trust that the above information satisfactorily addresses your question.
747. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have contracted Covid-19 in nursing homes, other long-term residential care facilities, palliative care settings and in hospital; the mortalities for same, by patient and by worker, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12511/21]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
748. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when Covid-19 vaccines will be administered to psychiatric nursing staff at a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12515/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
749. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the funding provided for in the Health Service Executive National Service Plan 2021 to implement new models of care, including the provision of wraparound supports for homeless persons with complex and multiple needs as part of an integrated housing and health policy response in line with the Housing First National Implementation Plan 2018-2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12520/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
750. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when an appointment for access to mental health services will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12533/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the deputy as soon as possible.
751. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will exempt those travelling abroad to New Zealand to be with a terminally ill parent from mandatory quarantine on their return to Ireland; if this constitutes travelling for unavoidable and time sensitive medical reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12538/21]
View answerTravellers arriving to Ireland from overseas are required to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form, to present evidence of a negative pre-departure RT-PCR test and to observe mandatory quarantine.
Limited exemptions to quarantine requirements are set out in SI No. 44/2021.
The Government gives continuing consideration to policy on international travel informed by the international situation and by public health advice.
752. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if changes are to be made to the strategy of providing updated public health guidelines with regard to the national framework for living With Covid-19 in consideration of the confusion created by utilising multiple sources and the effect that conflicting information has on public understanding and morale. [12544/21]
View answerIn line with best practice international advice and guidance provided by the WHO and the ECDC, communications has been a cornerstone of my Department and wider Government’s response to Covid-19 from the outset of this pandemic. My Department has invested in significant public health communications campaigns to ensure that all members of the community are aware of the public health guidelines, and the significant work carried out by the NPHET.
Weekly press briefings regarding Covid-19 are provided to ensure that experts in public health are to the fore when informing the public of the latest guidelines in place and the suggested behaviours to adhere to in order to ensure safety within our society. These briefings give journalists from a broad cross section of the media, the opportunity to ask key health figures such as the Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Chief Medical Officer questions on a regular basis, in order to counter the potential spread of misinformation which may lead to confusion amongst the public.
Staff within my Department continue to work hard in order to ensure the public are informed appropriately of the dangers of the virus, ensuring awareness on the matter through the Government website, information booklets and social media avenues where informative videos are regularly posted. The pattern of the disease is changing regularly and the methods used to communicate the Framework for Living With Covid-19 are under constant review and will be updated accordingly.
753. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if there is a roadmap to resume speech and language therapy and occupational therapy services in County Clare; when the relevant therapists who normally carry out this service and who have been redeployed to carry out contact tracing or other duties will return to their posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12546/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
754. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if there is a roadmap for Shannon Doc services to resume to a full service once level 5 restrictions are eased; if an updated schedule will be provided of opening and closing times of each clinic; if this information is represented correctly on the relevant HSE website; if there are plans to permanently close any of the clinic locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12547/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
755. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12549/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
756. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the progress made since 27 June 2020 to establish exclusion zones around medical facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12553/21]
View answer761. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of the promised legislation to establish exclusion zones around medical facilities to ensure that women have safe access to reproductive healthcare facilities, as set out in the programme for government; and the timeline for the introduction and passage of same. [12570/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 756 and 761 together.
It was originally intended to provide for safe access to termination of pregnancy services in the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. However, a number of legal issues were identified which necessitated further consideration. Since services under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 commenced in January 2019, there has been a limited number of reports of protests or other actions relating to termination of pregnancy. This is an extremely positive development, suggesting that termination of pregnancy services have bedded in relatively smoothly to date and are becoming a normal part of the Irish healthcare system, in line with Government policy.
However, where problems do arise with protests outside health care services, there is existing public order legislation in place to protect people accessing services, employees working in the service and local residents. The Department of Health has previously liaised with An Garda Síochána around safe access to termination of pregnancy services, and the Garda National Protective Services Bureau issued a notice to all Garda Stations raising awareness about the issue. The notice directed that any protests be monitored, and breaches of existing law dealt with.
The Department has provided information on existing public order and other relevant legislation to the HSE for appropriate distribution.
