Written Answers Nos. 220-239
220. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the plans that exist to enable the State to purchase Covid-19 vaccines in autumn 2021 in order to respond to any variants that may materialise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13696/21]
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 Advance Purchase Agreements (APA) have been negotiated by the Commission under this process to date. Ireland has opted-in to five APAs to secure vaccine supplies: BioNTech/Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen/J&J and CureVac. Government approval has been obtained to opt-into the sixth APA (GSK/Sanofi Pasteur), subject to the outcome of future clinical trial results.
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 to approximately 6.5 million. Ireland has signalled interest in obtaining 1.64 million additional doses of the Moderna vaccine through a top-up contract.
Ireland has also indicated its intention to opt-in to additional APAs with Valneva and Novavax.
Overall, Ireland has signalled intent to opt-in to contracts for a total of 18.5m doses.
The new European bio-defence preparedness plan against COVID-19 variants called “HERA Incubator” will work with researchers, biotech companies, manufacturers and public authorities in the EU and globally to detect new variants, provide incentives to develop new and adapted vaccines, speed up the approval process for these vaccines, and ensure scaling up of manufacturing capacities.
221. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if there is an opportunity for students to avail of the HPV vaccine when the forthcoming school vaccination programme resumes given they are now in older years (details supplied). [13699/21]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. The NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.
In 2009, the NIAC recommended HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination for all 12 to 13 year old girls to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer when they are adults. In September 2010, the HPV vaccination programme was introduced for all girls in first year of secondary school.
The NIAC recommended that the HPV vaccine should also be given to boys. On foot of the NIAC’s recommendation, my Department asked the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to undertake a health technology assessment (HTA) to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of extending the current immunisation programme to include boys in the first year of secondary school.
The HIQA completed the HTA in December 2018, recommending that the HPV immunisation programme be extended to include boys. A policy decision was made to extend the HPV immunisation programme to include boys, starting in September 2019, with the introduction of a 9-valent HPV vaccine.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by the NIAC in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases. As the HPV vaccine is preventative it is intended to be administered, if possible, before a person becomes sexually active, that is, before a person is first exposed to HPV infection.
Therefore, the gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school to provide maximum coverage. All vaccines administered through the School Immunisation Programme are provided free of charge.
My Department will continue to be guided by NIAC's recommendations on any emerging evidence on this issue in the future.
Anyone not in 1st year of secondary school or age equivalent in special schools or home schooled during the 2020/2021 school year who wishes to get the HPV vaccine, must go to their GP or sexual health clinic and pay privately for the vaccine and its administration.
222. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of CHO7 funding by local team level for psychology services. [13701/21]
View answer223. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of CHO7 funding by local team level for mental health services. [13702/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 223 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
224. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of CHO7 funding by local team level for disability services. [13703/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
225. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department and the HSE will conduct anonymous exit surveys with staff to assess the reasons for staff leaving the health service and systems that could be put in place to support staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13707/21]
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.
226. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the measures his Department has put in place to support non-consultant hospital doctors from outside Europe who are working or wish to work in Ireland and who can assist in reducing staff shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13708/21]
View answerI acknowledge the significant role highly-skilled non-EEA doctors play in the Irish health system.
I was happy last November to remove barriers to accessing postgraduate training for non-EEA qualified doctors, when I signed an order commencing Sections 97 and 100 of the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020.
Since November 2020, all doctors who are currently registered in, or have established eligibility for registration in, the General Division of the Medical Council Register are now eligible for registration in the Trainee Specialist Division.
The established International Medical Graduate Training Initiative (IMGTI) provides a structured route for non-EEA doctors to gain access to clinical experience and training in Ireland, and further enables the HSE to reduce the number of non-training scheme doctors in the health system. Owing to the well-acknowledged positive impact of IMGTI, plans are currently underway to develop and expand the number of specialties and source countries participating on these programmes, to increase further the number of doctors in training. This programme provides a structured route for non-EEA doctors to gain access to clinical experience and training in Ireland.
For those NCHDs who hold an NCHD contract with the HSE, and are not enrolled in a postgraduate training programme, the HSE has put in place a number of provisions to support their professional development such as:
- Continuous Professional Development Support Scheme
The continuous professional development support scheme (CPD–SS) is funded by the HSE to facilitate NCHDs, who are not in training posts, to continue to maintain and enhance their clinical knowledge and skills, and also to maintain their professional competence in line with Medical Council requirements. Under this scheme, eligible NCHDs are able to undertake training and educational activities of up to 20 external credits or three days per annum, whichever is greatest. NCHDs who register for this scheme are provided free access to a range of clinical courses/activities provided by all Irish medical training bodies. The HSE is committed to enhancing the educational offering for NCHDs not presently enrolled in a postgraduate training programme, and are currently working with postgraduate training bodies to explore further developments which can be offered under this scheme.
- Training Support Scheme (TSS)
The Training Support Scheme (TSS), introduced in July 2019, provides a fund of up to €1,250 per annum, allowing an NCHD to apply for reimbursement for approved exams, courses, or conferences. This scheme is open to all NCHDs.
- Clinical Course Exam Refund Scheme (CCERS)
The Clinical Course Exam Refund Scheme provides funding towards an approved list of clinical courses and exams, such as membership/fellowships examinations, and Advanced Cardiac Life Suppport (ACLS). Since July 2019, the full costs of approved examination/courses are eligible for refund to NCHDs under the Clinical Course Exam Refund Scheme (CCERS) – this was previously capped at €450.
Claims under both the CCERS and TSS can now be made easily via an NCHD’s National Employment Record, which allows NCHDs to submit claims online, and provides complete transparency in terms of claims they may have made, and the balance of funds remaining.
- E-portfolio
National Doctors Training and Planning Unit in the HSE has commenced the development of an E-Portfolio/Logbook accessible to NCHDs via their National Employment Record.
The principal objective of the E-Portfolio is to allow NCHDs, who are not on a formal training scheme, access to a generic standard document in which they can record their training and career development. It will also give them the opportunity to have their experience validated by their supervising consultant, where applicable. All NCHDs will be able to access the E-Portfolio. The E-Portfolio will be launched in the coming months.
227. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the measures his Department is taking to address the mental health strain that Covid-19 is taking on health staff well-being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13709/21]
View answerThere are a number of measures in place to support staff from an occupational health and well-being perspective, and I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.
228. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to address staff fatigue as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13710/21]
View answerThere are a number of measures in place to support staff from an occupational health and well-being perspective during this challenging period. I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.
229. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if NPHET has considered if all cohorts will receive a vaccine (details supplied) if approved by the EMA; if not, if the vaccine will be limited to certain cohorts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13711/21]
View answerCOVID-19 vaccines can only be approved and used if they comply with all the requirements of quality, safety and efficacy set out in the EU pharmaceutical legislation. Any authorised vaccine will be subject to ongoing monitoring in Ireland by the Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and includes guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.
230. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if a dedicated phone and email line will be instituted by his Department to answer queries from those with serious and underlying conditions seeking clarity as to which cohort they fall under in the Covid-19 vaccination schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13712/21]
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, the 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:
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b44b2-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-vaccine-allocation-strategy/.
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 recommend that the individuals concerned discuss this with their treating physician who is in the best position to give appropriate advice.
231. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department has assessed the value of genomics and the role it can play in diagnosing rare conditions and diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13713/21]
View answerA paper which considered the potential role of genomic medicine in Ireland and which reviewed genomics strategies in other countries was presented to the Department of Health management board in January 2020. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic led to a rapid reprioritisation of the Department’s activities to manage the health and social care system’s response to the crisis. As a result of this, the matter remains under deliberation by the Department of Health
233. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the status of the review into the fair deal scheme; if his attention has been drawn to issues for farm families in cases in which land not transferred five years previous to an application is treated as income; if his attention has been further drawn to the difficulties this causes for families; if the five year rule will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13733/21]
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 should the relevant person remain in care for an extended period of many years.
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 have met with the Attorney General to discuss this legislation, and there has been an ongoing and active engagement between my officials 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. The Bill is on the priority list for the Spring legislative programme.
While developing the legislation, the Department of Health has considered that assets which have not been transferred more than five years before the owner requires nursing home care remain part of the financial assessment of means. The five-year period in respect of transferred assets has been a constant feature of the Scheme, to act as a means of protecting the Scheme, which is based on the means of those availing of it. The policy intent of the proposed Amendment is to facilitate the continued viability of family owned and operated farms and businesses by providing a degree of certainty on the cost of long term care by applying a cap on the contribution made against such an asset after three years in care. While it is not intended that the five year period in respect of transferred assets will be amended, it is intended that the 3-year cap would apply in such cases should a family successor be nominated by the relevant person.
234. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans for a continuation of long-term residential care for those whose carers pass away or are no longer able to provide this care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13737/21]
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.
235. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if an essential worker (details supplied) will be required to quarantine in a hotel after returning from abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13741/21]
View answerThe Government has introduced more stringent measures applying to international travel in order to mitigate against the risk of new variants being imported through travel and to protect the progress we are making in supressing transmission domestically.
Under the current travel regime passengers arriving into Ireland from overseas are required to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form, to present evidence of a negative pre-departure RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival and to observe mandatory home quarantine.
Arrivals from "Category 1 states" can end the quarantine period if a not-detected PCR result is obtained from a PCR test taken no less than 5 days after arrival. Arrivals from "Category 2’ states" must complete the full 14-day period regardless of any negative test result. Arrivals from "Category 2 states" are advised to contact a GP to arrange a free PCR test. Positives identified through these tests are sent to the NVRL for genomic sequencing to detect the presence of new variants in Ireland. Tanzania is currently specified as a category 2 state.
SI No. 44/2021 sets out categories of travellers who are not subject to the home quarantine requirement. These include international transport workers including aviation and maritime crew, members of An Garda Síochána or the Defence Forces who travel in the course of their duties and persons who are travelling for unavoidable and time sensitive medical reasons.
Cross-departmental work is underway as a matter of urgency to provide for designated quarantine facilities following the passing of the Health (Amendment) Bill 2021 and it is the Government’s intention to commence the operation of mandatory hotel quarantine as soon as possible.
236. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to delaying the roll-out of the second Covid-19 vaccine dose in order to increase the number of persons in the community who will have the protection of one dose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13750/21]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. The NIAC review all data relating to COVID-19 vaccines on a rolling basis.
Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and includes guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.
You can read the guidelines at:
https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf.
237. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the way that very high risk persons such as those with Down syndrome who are under general practitioner care and do not have a hospital team will be contacted for their vaccination. [13758/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
238. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the status of plans which have advanced for a disused building (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13777/21]
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.
239. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if the order of priority for vaccinations as most recently published is being maintained; if the vaccination of healthcare workers in group 6 has not commenced; if groups 3, 4 and 5 will be vaccinated prior to group 6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13780/21]
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.
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/.
