Written Answers Nos. 1378-1402
1378. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the details of plans to work through the backlog of cancer diagnostics work that has been on hold due to Covid-19; the amount of additional resourcing dedicated to this area in budget 2021; and the exact processes that have restarted in terms of procedures used to diagnose cancer. [14083/21]
View answerThe National Action Plan on Covid-19 identified the continued provision of cancer care as a priority. Cancer services continue to operate in line with guidance issued by the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).
The principles underpinning cancer care delivery during the pandemic remain key to efforts to mitigate the impact on services. These include the continuation of diagnostic services, particularly patients referred to Rapid Access Clinics (RACs) for breast, lung and prostate cancers. Hospitals have indicated that patients are being triaged in advance of their appointments, including through utilisation of virtual/telephone clinics where appropriate.
The total number of patients seen across all RACs in 2020 (44,233) amounted to 88% of the 2019 figure (50,249). Considering the huge impact that Covid had on attendances in March/April 2020, this represents a significant recovery. Also, GP e-referrals to RACs for weeks 2-10 this year stand at111% of the activity in the corresponding weeks in 2020.
The NCCP’s work with RACs continues, with a focus on ensuring that patient numbers do not fall off due to concerns about attending clinics in hospitals. The NCCP is also emphasising the importance of diagnosing cancers other than breast, lung and prostate (covered by RACs), and has emphasised to hospital CEOs the importance of maintaining access to diagnostic imaging and biopsy services.
Funding of €12m has been allocated specifically for the restoration of cancer services in the context of Covid-19. This funding will provide support packages to hospitals to address backlogs, extend clinic times, provide additional clinics, increase diagnostic capacity and provide locum/temporary support. It will also support virtual clinics and more accurate triage, and facilitate infrastructure and minor equipment purchases to increase capacity across Rapid Access Clinics and medical oncology, radiation oncology and surgical oncology services.
Also, as part of Budget 2021, an extra €20m has been allocated for the continued implementation of the National Cancer Strategy this year. This funding will facilitate developments across prevention, diagnosis, treatment and patient supports.
1379. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health when retail workers and supermarket workers will be vaccinated; if they will be considered as part of the key worker category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14084/21]
View answerOn the 23rd of February 2021, 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/
The next cohort to be vaccinated (Cohort 4) are those aged 16-69 and at very high risk of severe illness and death. Vaccination of this group began in March.
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.
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 our 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.
1380. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if the HSE plans to cut in half the number of positions for newly qualified doctors in University of Limerick with the hospital set to lose 44 of its current 89 intern doctors in July 2021; his views on this proposal by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14089/21]
View answerOver the past number of weeks, my Department and the HSE have been reviewing the option to increase the number of medical intern places for July 2021.
I have announced an increase of 120 medical intern posts for July 2021. The increase in the number of intern places will be supported with accompanying increases in postgraduate training places, to ensure these doctors can avail of the next step in the training pathway following completion of an internship.
The six Intern Training Networks, that organise and oversee intern training in Ireland, are responsible for the allocation of intern posts within their particular networks. The networks have now been informed of the additional intern posts for July 2021, and will allocate the additional posts appropriately.
1381. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the measures that are being put in place for the healthcare of transgender young persons in Ireland with the exit of the UK-based Tavistock clinic from Crumlin children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14093/21]
View answer1382. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when the multidisciplinary team will be in place as per the HSE final report of the steering committee on the development of HSE transgender identity services, February 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14094/21]
View answer1383. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the resources that have been made available in order that the HSE service development model of care is implemented and accessible to support transgender young persons to include the provision of appropriate mental health services at primary and specialist services in line with objective 13 of the LGBTI+ national youth strategy to improve the physical and mental health of transgender young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14095/21]
View answer1384. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if a policy has been developed to ensure all health programmes take account of young persons who have transitioned, such as immunisation programmes, HPV in line with WPATH or other appropriate professional transgender health guidelines, in line with Objective 13 of the LGBTI+ national youth strategy to improve the physical and mental health of transgender young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14096/21]
View answer1385. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if clear guidelines have been furnished to health practitioners on referral pathways for transgender young persons and their families to specialised services in line with objective 13 of the LGBTI+ national youth strategy to improve the physical and mental health of transgender young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14097/21]
View answer1386. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the work that has been undertaken with parents and young people seeking to access healthcare outside the State under the provisions of the cross-border directive and treatment abroad scheme to ensure the available options for access to care are communicated effectively, in line with objective 13 of the LGBTI+ national youth strategy to improve the physical and mental health of transgender young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14098/21]
View answer1387. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the additional specialised staff who have been recruited in this area including endocrinologists, social workers, speech and language therapists, senior psychologists, clinical nurse specialists and administrative support officers, in line with action 19.1 of the national LGBTI+ inclusion strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14099/21]
View answer1388. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the steps that have been taken to develop transgender health services for children and adults with a clear transition pathway from child to adult services, in line with action 19.2 of the national LGBTI+ inclusion strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14100/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1381 to 1388, inclusive, together.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1389. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for periods (details supplied) for access to residential rehabilitation or detoxification treatment from March 2019 to date. [14107/21]
View answer1458. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the average wait time, by facilities, for residential rehabilitation or detoxification treatment in March 2020 and 2021, in tabular form. [14284/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1389 and 1458 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
1390. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the planned reopening date for Southdoc Blackpool, County Cork. [14108/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1391. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of out-of-hours doctors facilities closed in Dublin, Limerick or Galway from March 2020 to date; and the date for reopening of same. [14109/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1392. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if the clinical lead appointed to the HSE dual diagnosis programme has commenced in the role. [14110/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1393. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the status of the investigation by the Minister for State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy into the possibility of abolishing assessment fees for rehabilitation treatment. [14111/21]
View answerUnder 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. This includes the provision of addiction services.
In the HSE national service plan 2021, additional resources are provided for the provision of residential treatment programmes.
Treatment episodes purchased by the HSE include the full continuum of service and are free of charge. The HSE has advised that Tier 4 services generally waive or reduce the fee if a service user finds it difficult financially.
An assessment fee is charged by some service providers to cover service costs in conducting the assessment. However, not all clients are offered a treatment place as they may not be suitable for treatment.
The HSE has suggested that rather than addiction assessment fees being abolished, they could be applied based on an individual’s ability to pay basis, and necessary adjustments made depending on financial circumstances.
It is important that the views of organisations who charge fees are also taken into consideration. Accordingly, officials in the Department of Health will consult with voluntary drug and alcohol service providers on this matter in the coming weeks.
I am of the view that no person should be denied access to drug and alcohol services because of financial factors.
1394. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if vaccinations will be completed in each cohort before moving on to the next excluding the cohort of over-75s given the clinical decision that such persons cannot receive a particular vaccine (details supplied). [14116/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1395. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he has continued conversation with a person (details supplied); and the status of the inclusion of the products of a company in the medical cannabis access programme. [14117/21]
View answerThe Department does not comment on individual cases.
A prospective supplier of cannabis-based products can apply to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), on behalf of the Minister, to have a cannabis-based product considered for inclusion in the Medicinal Cannabis Access Programme.
Cannabis-based products that can be used in the Medicinal Cannabis Access Programme are defined as ‘specified controlled drugs’ in legislation (SI 262/2019) and the definition outlines the specific requirements for those products.
The criteria that cannabis-based products must meet in order to be considered by the Minister for inclusion on the schedule are set out in the legislation and can be found in the operator guidance issued by the HPRA.
The manufacturers of the prescribed cannabis-based products availed of by patients (whose clinicians are licenced under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977-2016) from a pharmacy in the Netherlands have not sought to have their products included in the Medicinal Cannabis Access Programme.
Due to current Netherlands government policy, the prescribed cannabis-based oil formulations are not permitted to be commercially exported from the Netherlands but are only supplied in the Netherlands to Irish patients on an individual basis on foot of a valid medical prescription when presented to the appropriate pharmacy.
Representations were made to the Dutch authorities to facilitate the export of the products to Ireland. The Dutch authorities confirmed that the export of cannabis oils to foreign pharmacies or wholesalers is not permitted and that magistral preparations may only be provided directly to patients or their representative on the basis of a prescription.
In April 2020, as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic the Department initiated a collection and delivery process of cannabis-based products form the Netherlands to patients homes for patients of clinicians licenced under Section 14 of the Misuse of Drugs Acts to prescribe controlled substances to their patients and this was confirmed as a permanent measure in December 2020.
On commencement of the access programme clinicians and their patients can continue to avail of the licence pursuant to the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977-2016.
1396. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Tevere Day Hospital, County Limerick, is seeing no new patients except for emergencies and no review patients in addition to cancelling occupational therapy, social work, phlebotomy and psychology services; his views on the situation; the steps he will take to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14120/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1397. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists in County Tipperary participating in the dental medical card scheme; and his plans to address the number of dentists leaving the scheme, which has left medical card patients in many areas with no access to dental treatment. [14122/21]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. These services are provided by independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible regarding the number of dentists in Co Tipperary participating in the Scheme.
I met with representatives of the dental profession towards the end of last year when I had an opportunity to hear first-hand the challenges which they face under Covid, and the enormous efforts of their members in continuing to provide services in the current environment. I accept that the profession has concerns about the current contract, which dates back to the nineties, and that one of those concerns relates to the fee structure under the DTSS.
I want to ensure the sustainability and viability of that contract and that all eligible persons can continue to receive the services that they deserve from their local dentists. In that respect, I have asked my officials and the HSE to bring forward proposals to address the immediate concerns of the dental community. In the longer term, my commitment to the profession and to the public is for a fundamental review of the contract, in keeping with Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy.
1398. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the inflated running costs for dental practices, which are a significant factor in forcing many dentists out of the medical card scheme. [14123/21]
View answer1399. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to review the dental medical card scheme in the lifetime of the Thirty-third Dáil. [14124/21]
View answer1555. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, due to a perceived inadequate dental medical card scheme, dentists are leaving the scheme and are refusing to take on additional patents under the scheme; when a review of the scheme will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14638/21]
View answer1600. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when there was last an increase in the fees paid to dentists holding contracts under the dental treatment services scheme; and if the fee cuts introduced under FEMPI will be reversed in a manner comparable to that which applied for doctors treating medical card patients. [14812/21]
View answer1892. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if discussions are ongoing with stakeholders from the independent dental sector to address concerns regarding accepting medical card patients for dental treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15824/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1398, 1399, 1555, 1600 and 1892 together.
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. These services are provided by independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE.
I met with representatives of the dental profession towards the end of last year when I had an opportunity to hear first-hand the challenges which they face under Covid, and the enormous efforts of their members in continuing to provide services in the current environment. I accept that the profession has concerns about the current contract, which dates back to the nineties, and that one of those concerns relates to the fee structure under the DTSS.
I want to ensure the sustainability and viability of that contract and that all eligible persons can continue to receive the services that they deserve from their local dentists. My commitment to the profession and to the public is for a fundamental review of the contract, in keeping with Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the roll-out of that Policy to be delayed and the proposed contract review to be deferred. I have, however, asked my officials and the HSE to bring forward proposals to address the immediate concerns of the dental community and to ensure that eligible persons continue to have access to vital dental services.
1400. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if retail staff in health stores who provide health advice to customers on a personal basis and have remained open throughout the pandemic will be considered essential workers under the vaccination schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14125/21]
View answerOn the 23rd of February 2021, 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/
The next cohort to be vaccinated (Cohort 4) are those aged 16-69 and at very high risk of severe illness and death. Vaccination of this group began in March.
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.
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 our 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.
1401. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if Covid-19 vaccination priority strategy level 2 includes members of the dental team; the measures implemented to ensure that all patient-facing workers in dental practices have been vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14130/21]
View answerOn the 23rd of February 2021, 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/
The next cohort to be vaccinated (Cohort 4) are those aged 16-69 and at very high risk of severe illness and death. Vaccination of this group began in March.
Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) in direct patient contact roles are being vaccinated in Cohort 2. This includes HCWs working in public, private, and voluntary settings. Other HCWs, not in direct patient contact, will be vaccinated in Cohort 6.
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 our 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 second part of the question is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1402. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of personnel from dental practices who have received their first and second vaccination for Covid-19 as of 9 March 2021, by county, in tabular form; the estimated number, by each county, who have yet to receive a vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14131/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
