Written Answers Nos. 782-806
782. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the HIV and STI public testing services that are currently in operation under level 5 Covid-19 restrictions in County Dublin; his plans to restore services which have been suspended due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12682/21]
View answerThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented interruptions to normal healthcare activity, with all services affected. In 2021, all health services continue to face restrictions, as the health system continues to need to prioritise testing, contact tracing and treating those with COVID-19 and rolling out the vaccination programme.
With regard to sexual health services, phone lines, the GMHS website and other resources such as www.man2man.ie and www.sexualwellbeing.ie are regularly updated to reflect current service delivery and to signpost users to the HSE list of approved STI and PrEP services.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
783. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the Covid-19-related challenges faced in delivering both clinical and community-based sexual health services in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12683/21]
View answerThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented interruptions to normal healthcare activity, with all services affected. In 2021, all health services continue to face restrictions, as the health system continues to need to prioritise testing, contact tracing, treating those with COVID-19 and rolling out the vaccination programme.
With regard to sexual health services, phone lines, the GMHS website and other resources such as www.man2man.ie and www.sexualwellbeing.ie are regularly updated to reflect current service delivery and to signpost users to the HSE list of approved STI and PrEP services.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
784. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health his plans to facilitate the vaccination of those who due to medical conditions are housebound or do not have anyone available to bring them to their general practitioner or vaccination centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12686/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
785. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the value to each hospital of the car parking charges system in tabular form; the amount raised from car parking charges if the system is under hospital control; and the amount made in payment from a private operator if the system is privatised. [12687/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
786. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of car parking charges systems in each hospital which are run by the hospitals and private companies; the status of the contractual agreement with the private companies; and when these contracts lapse. [12688/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
787. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he has considered abolishing car parking fees for cancer patients in hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12689/21]
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.
788. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the cost the HSE pays for debt collection services for non or late payments of hospital fees. [12690/21]
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.
789. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount collected in parking charges at Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin in each of the years of 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [12706/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
790. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the roll-out of age-appropriate Safe Talk training for pupils in secondary schools. [12710/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
791. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review correspondence from a person (details supplied); if he will address the concerns raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12713/21]
View answerAll day service locations with the exception of those being utilised as COVID-19 isolation or testing centres have reopened since August. Service users that usually received their supports from these locations are now either receiving supports at another location or receiving outreach or home-based supports.
Day services re-opened at 39% capacity at service locations throughout August and early September of 2020, and by end of January 2021 this had increased to 51%. The combination of supports in the location, outreach supports, and remote supports provides an overall quantum of support to service users of over 60% at the end of January. For the duration of the COVID-19 emergency day service capacity is reduced, this is due to the physical limitations of the buildings available, the lack of mainstream community activities, and the continued restrictions imposed by social distancing guidance. Many people with disabilities have underlying health conditions, and as the threat of COVID-19 remains, unfortunately so too does the need for these restrictions.
Guidance published by the HSE on 6 January 2021 confirms that day services continue to be prioritised and delivered subject to a revised Risk Assessment, Public Health Guidance and direction. People with complex medical/ clinical related needs are to remain at home and where possible, to receive the same number of hours support in the home as they had been in receipt of pre-Christmas in day service locations. Providers have been asked to reduce contacts via hubs/bubbles, with dedicated staff for dedicated service users, where possible. Where families are uncomfortable with allowing their family member to return to a day service location, a package of support within available resources will be agreed with the service user and family.
Additional funding of €30 million has been provided in Budget 2021 for day services to increase capacity in buildings and provide extra staff. This will provide an increase in day services by an average of one day a week for 14,940 people against September 2020 service levels.
With regard to the COVID 19 vaccine, the COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and the Department of Health, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
Vaccine allocation is a matter for the Minister for Health 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, Stephen Donnelly TD, Minister for Health 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/.
It is important to emphasise that vaccination is only one part of our response to the prevention of COVID-19 infection. People who are vaccinated need to continue with all the public health measures that have been proven to reduce the risk of infection, i.e., limiting social contacts, physical distancing, wearing a mask, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and avoiding non-essential travel, until a sufficiently large proportion of the population are immune.
As the question also pertains to a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly in relation to the individual case, as soon as possible.
792. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of tricuspid valve replacement procedures carried out at St. James's Hospital in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [12715/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
793. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the capital works that were carried out at National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the estimated cost of each project; and the duration of each of the capital works projects in tabular form. [12716/21]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
794. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Meath seeking an intensive home care package. [12717/21]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
795. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant cardiothoracic surgeon posts that have been advertised since 2016; and the number of these posts that have been filled to date. [12718/21]
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.
796. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) cannot attend a centre; when such centres will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12731/21]
View answerAll day service locations with the exception of those being utilised as COVID-19 isolation or testing centres have reopened since August. Service users that usually received their supports from these locations are now either receiving supports at another location or receiving outreach or home-based supports.
Day services re-opened at 39% capacity at service locations throughout August and early September of 2020, and by end of January 2021 this had increased to 51%. The combination of supports in the location, outreach supports, and remote supports provides an overall quantum of support to service users of over 60% at the end of January. For the duration of the COVID-19 emergency day service capacity is reduced, this is due to the physical limitations of the buildings available, the lack of mainstream community activities, and the continued restrictions imposed by social distancing guidance. Many people with disabilities have underlying health conditions, and as the threat of COVID-19 remains, unfortunately so too does the need for these restrictions.
Guidance published by the HSE on 6 January 2021 confirms that day services continue to be prioritised and delivered subject to a revised Risk Assessment, Public Health Guidance and direction. People with complex medical/ clinical related needs are to remain at home and where possible, to receive the same number of hours support in the home as they had been in receipt of pre-Christmas in day service locations. Providers have been asked to reduce contacts via hubs/bubbles, with dedicated staff for dedicated service users, where possible. Where families are uncomfortable with allowing their family member to return to a day service location, a package of support within available resources will be agreed with the service user and family.
Additional funding of €30 million has been provided in Budget 2021 for day services to increase capacity in buildings and provide extra staff. This will provide an increase in day services by an average of one day a week for 14,940 people against September 2020 service levels.
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly in relation to the individual case, as soon as possible.
797. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the status of the paediatric diabetes service in the Regional Hospital, Mullingar (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12732/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
798. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of ambulance services for the Connemara region, particularly in view of an incident (details supplied); the number of ambulances currently serving the Connemara region; the locations from which these ambulances are dispatched when requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12733/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
799. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the process through which a formal grievance submission by a staff member of the HSE can be made to a manager; the responsibility on the HSE manager to arrange a grievance hearing; the recourse a member of staff has if a grievance hearing is not arranged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12735/21]
View answerI note that the HSE have publicly published their Grievance Policy which is available to view at the link below, however I have also asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter. www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hrppg/grievance-and-disciplinary-procedure-for-the-health-service-2004.html.
800. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the capacity available to administer the Covid-19 vaccine as one million doses per month are received; and if there is a contingency plan to scale up capacity if more doses become available. [12739/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
801. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on the Austrian led First-Movers vaccination group. [12740/21]
View answerIreland is participating in a Procurement Exercise being operated by the European Commission on behalf of Member States to procure suitable, safe and effective vaccines, in sufficient quantities, to combat COVID-19. Six APAs have been negotiated by the Commission under this process to date.
Government approval has been obtained to opt-into a sixth, but this is conditional on certain trial progression criteria being met.
Ireland has opted-in to pro rata allocation of BioNTech / Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Ireland has also secured additional doses of the BioNTech / Pfizer vaccine via options and top up contracts, which will bring the current total of BioNTech / Pfizer doses secured to approximately 6.5 million doses. Ireland has also signalled interest in obtaining 1.64 million additional doses of the Moderna vaccine. Ireland now expects to receive a total of 1.1 million doses of the three approved vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca) from the start of the vaccination programme to the end of March.
Ireland has signalled its solidarity with the EU approach and has, through its participation, gained access to a broad range of vaccines that it might not otherwise have access to, and at the cost agreed collectively by the EU.
802. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health if medical consultations in the public system have become virtual consultations; and if it is planned to continue this practice beyond the pandemic. [12741/21]
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.
The HSE continues to identify ways to improve access to care, for example through modified pathways to care in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, the use of telemedicine, private hospitals, community facilities and atypical outpatient settings.
The work of the HSE to improve access to elective care and reduce waiting times for patients is supported by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), who in 2020 reviewed strategies to maximise activity and benefit for patients. This included increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations, funding hybrid services where public and private hospitals contribute to the treatment of patients, virtual clinics and clinical validation.
Innovative use of technology benefited Outpatient appointments in 2020 and between March and December 2020, more than 650,000 patients attended a virtual outpatient appointment.
In relation to the specific query raised regarding current levels of virtual consultation in the public system and plans to continue this practice beyond the pandemic, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
803. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health when ninety persons in the over-85 years of age category who had appointments for Covid-19 vaccination cancelled without notice in Ballyfermot recently will receive vaccinations; if his attention has been drawn to the distress and confusion this has caused to the older persons that have been waiting patiently for their vaccinations and stuck rigidly to the public health restrictions for almost a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12760/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
804. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health his plans to deal with the issue of pay awards arising from Report No. 42 of the Review Body of Higher Remuneration in Public Service regarding payment being withheld from serving and retired HSE senior managers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12766/21]
View answerYou may be aware that the new Public Service Agreement 2021 - 2022 was recently ratified by the parties. I understand that the issue of Report No. 42 is a matter that may be suitable for prioritising in the context of the sectoral bargaining process that is provided for within that agreement. It will be a matter for the parties to the agreement to decide what issues they wish to prioritise for advancement within that process.
805. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health when the Covid-19 vaccinations will commence for the over-65 years of age group given the anxiety of so many persons to be vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12789/21]
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.
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.
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/.
806. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) with regard to vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12790/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
