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National Public Health Emergency Team

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Questions (1688)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

1688. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if the Minister of State with responsibility for disability has made representations to the NPHET committee in terms of her role; if the Minister of State has made representations to request that the NPHET vulnerable groups sub-committee be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15146/21]

View answer

Written answers

With regard to the NPHET Vulnerable People Subgroup, the Deputy is advised that the subgroup was established on 3rd March 2020 to support the NPHET in its work by providing oversight and assurance with regard to the specific preparedness measures and actions required to be taken to protect vulnerable groups and individuals in society as part of the COVID-19 response. An integrated cross-Government approach was taken by the Subgroup with the responsibility for the implementation of actions remaining with the relevant Department/Agency. Central to the evolution of NPHET processes is the recognition that health and social care services and, indeed, the wider cross-government COVID-19 response, have to become embedded and 'mainstreamed' in the usual operational response of organisations, as society adapts to the reality of living for the foreseeable future in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In July 2020, as part of a process examining the work of all the subgroups of the NPHET, the Subgroup on Vulnerable People undertook a review of its work. A paper was submitted to the NPHET on 8th July, outlining the view that the Subgroup had met its Terms of Reference regarding preparedness plans being in place across government for vulnerable groups. The Subgroup on Vulnerable People was accordingly stood down and its work was realigned into the appropriate policy and operational functions of the Department of Health or other relevant Departments, organisations, or bodies. The group's final meeting was on 24th June. While the NPHET sub-group has completed its work, NPHET continues to monitor the impacts of the pandemic on vulnerable groups and reports in relation to disability services were submitted to NPHET for its meetings on 17th December and 21st January.

Recognising that vulnerable groups can be disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and as set out in Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19, the Department of the Taoiseach established a Senior Officials Group and sub-groups as needed, to drive implementation of the Plan. This includes a Sub-group on higher risk groups to monitor the spectrum of issues that need to be addressed in relation to groups at higher risk of COVID-19. These groups support the COVID-19 Oversight Group and the Cabinet Committee on the Government Response to COVID-19. The Subgroup on higher risk groups meets on a regular basis.

Furthermore, there are a broad range of mechanisms at both local and national level for disability representative groups, disability services and disability service users to feed into and inform the public health response to COVID-19 in this sector. A series of oversight arrangements in relation to COVID-19 in disability services are in place which involve close working relationships between HSE Disability Services at national and local level, HIQA, disability umbrella bodies, and individual providers. The Department of Health meets regularly with HSE and HIQA to discuss preparedness in disability services.

The Minister of State with responsibility for Disability has discussed several issues, including in relation to the NPHET vulnerable persons sub-group, with a number of members of the NPHET directly, including the Chief Medical Officer, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, and the Assistant Secretary – Social Care Division. In addition, the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability has discussed numerous issues relevant to her brief with the Minister for Health, these have been raised in writing and during in-person meetings.

I trust that the above information satisfactorily addresses your question.

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