Written Answers Nos. 1428-1453
1429. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with representatives of student radiographers (details supplied) to allow same to put forward a request for the development of standardised allowances, placement grants and payment for work carried out while on student placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14187/21]
View answerRadiography students do not receive an allowance to support time spent on placement as part of their course. There are no plans to change this.
I can confirm that in 2020, assistant radiographers were employed on a 3 month contract following completion of their final year clinical placement, subject to the needs of the Health Service. As their skills were identified as being required during the COVID-19 response and subject to the needs of each acute hospital, they were offered a temporary 3 month assistant radiographer role following successful completion of their 7 week final year clinical placement. The 3-month period commenced on 18 May 2020.
It should be noted that across the health and social care disciplines, there could be over 8,000 students on placement in hospital and healthcare settings. Of this number, around a third are final year students. The length of placements and the activities performed during these placements vary between the disciplines. These students are not employees and in many cases the nature of the placement can, in the main, be limited to participation in an observing and a learning capacity.
Uniquely for student nurses and midwives there is, in the final year, a paid salary when they are specifically employed on an internship placement. Student nurses and midwives’ final year internship placement consists of a continual 36-week rostered clinical placement, including annual leave. The internship placement is a paid placement as the student nurses and midwives take a reduced caseload. During these placements, students are under supervision and are considered as 0.5 WTE of the workforce. In addition, Intern students can be allocated across all shift patterns including nights, weekends and 12-hour days.
Student nurses and midwives undertaking unpaid supernumerary clinical placement as students are currently in receipt of an allowance. Again, given the unique requirements of these training programmes attendance at many placement sites is required, some of which are at a distance to base training hospital and the current allowance is to contribute to the cost of alternative accommodation / travel.
Unfortunately, due to my busy schedule, I am not in a position to meet with representatives of student radiographers at this time.
1430. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health when persons in their 70s with chronic diseases, for example diabetes or COPD, and those in that age group recovering from lymphoma will be vaccinated; when their general practitioners will be informed of the plan for their vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14194/21]
View answerThe vaccination of those aged 70 and older (in the following order: 85 and older, 80-84, 75-79, and 70-74) began in February.
1432. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if persons transiting through an airport in a category 2 country, for example, Dubai International Airport in the UAE, will be required to quarantine in a hotel on their arrival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14197/21]
View answerThe new Health (Amendment) Act 2021 enacted on 7th March will now require any travellers who have been in or transited through ‘designated states’ to undergo a 14 day mandatory quarantine in a designated facility, which can be reduced if a not-detected COVID test is taken after ten days. This would include passengers who have transited through the UAE in the 14-days prior to entry to Ireland. The current list of 33 states designated by the Minister for Health and published on www.gov.ie/quarantine.
1433. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the areas in which he plans to utilise the €20 million additional funding for mental health services announced in February 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14198/21]
View answerIn February, an Taoiseach announced that €10 million in funding will be made available to meet the increased demand for mental health supports. An additional allocation of €10 million was also allocated to the Covid Stability Fund for eligible organisations in the community and voluntary sector, to enable continuity of critical service delivery to vulnerable groups. This aspect is being progressed by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
I have met with the Mental Health Unit and the Health & Wellbeing teams within the Department to discuss and scope out various options, following the Government's announcement of additional funding to be made available to meet the projected increase in demand for mental health supports arising from Covid-19.
1434. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the cost of treating hypertension and high blood pressure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14200/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1435. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the cost of the operation of the State’s agreement with private hospitals which ran from the beginning of April to the end of June 2020; and the amount paid to each participating private hospital under the agreement for each of the three months in tabular form. [14206/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have referred this to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1436. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if it will be ensured that a supply of the Covid-19 vaccine is ring-fenced for those over 80 years of age with underlying conditions who are facing long-term hospital stays, for example, cancer patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14208/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1437. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of their network first payment which has been abruptly ended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14214/21]
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.
1438. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the pay entitlement for a HSE worker who is out of work as a close contact of a positive Covid-19 case but whose work cannot be done remotely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14217/21]
View answerThe Department of Public Expenditure and Reform prepared an FAQ document in relation to 'working arrangements and leave associated with COVID-19'. The contents of this document apply to all those employed in the Civil and Public Services, including all public health sector employees.
A copy of this document is available to view at this website, and section 3.1 sets out the position in relation to leave and pay for those who are absent from work due to Covid-19.
The quick guide on Page 37 may be of particular interest (scenarios 7).
https://www.gov.ie/en/news/092fff-update-on-working-arrangements-and-leave-associated-with-covid-19-fo/
1439. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if cataract procedures under the Cross-Border Directive can continue under level 5 Covid-19 restrictions. [14218/21]
View answerIn the context of the Covid-19 Pandemic, persons seeking to utilise the Cross Border Directive (CBD), should review and adhere to the public health guidance and restrictions in place at any point in time. The current guidance, S.I. No. 701 of 2020 as amended, provides that a person may not leave his or her place of residence to go to an airport or port for the purpose of leaving the State without reasonable excuse. Such reasonable excuse includes to attend a medical or dental appointment, or accompany, to such an appointment, any other person residing with the person, or a vulnerable person, and to seek essential medical, health or dental assistance for the person, for any other person residing with the person, or for a vulnerable person.
1440. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the numbers of staff within each grade position within the Cavan and Monaghan hospital group that have received vaccinations for Covid-19 as of 9 March 2021; the number within each grade that have yet to be vaccinated in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14225/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
1441. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of administrative and management staff at each grade in the Cavan and Monaghan hospital group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14226/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
1442. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure each graduating doctor from the six Irish medical schools in 2021 is given the chance to stay and work in Ireland; the way in which he plans to retain the 16 newly qualified doctors currently working at Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14238/21]
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.
1443. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 295 of 18 February 2021, the number of in-person or virtual meetings he has had with persons who identified themselves as either women affected by the CervicalCheck scandal or family members of such women. [14243/21]
View answerAs indicated in my answer to PQ 295 of 18 February 2021, I do not intend to provide information in respect of engagements with individuals or their families and will confine my response to details of formal engagements with representatives of the 221+ CervicalCheck Patient Support Group, whom I met virtually on three occasions: Wednesday, 2 September 2020, Friday, 23 October 2020 and Monday, 26 October 2020. The Group’s representatives at these meetings included women impacted by the issues in respect of CervicalCheck and family members of women affected.
However, without providing detail in respect of meetings other than the formal engagements referred to above, I can confirm that such meeting(s) with women affected by the issues in respect of CervicalCheck and/or their family members have taken place.
1444. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he spoke to or engaged in correspondence with either the HSE, CervicalCheck, the Taoiseach or the Department of the Taoiseach about a matter regarding CervicalCheck raised in Dáil Éireann by this Deputy during Leaders Questions on 8 December 2020; and if he will provide detail regarding those engagements or instances of correspondence.. [14244/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being collated by Department officials and a deferred reply will be submitted within ten working days.
1445. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the national cervical screening laboratory which was due to commence construction in January 2021; if delays in construction have been encountered; when the laboratory will open; if he plans to cease the outsourcing of CervicalCheck smears and slides to foreign laboratories when the new laboratory is opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14245/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1446. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the additional supports being considered for implementation in respect of nursing home staff, surviving residents and relatives of residents who died from Covid-19 who will require psychological help after the trauma of the pandemic given the recent press release from HIQA in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14248/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1447. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a full list of the contracts entered into for the purchase of PPE and medical equipment as part of the Covid-19 response in 2020; the amount spent; the contracting companies that the HSE bought the PPE through; if any of this PPE was unused; if so, if it is currently in storage; the amount being spent on storage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14254/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1448. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health when persons with bullous emphysema stage 3 can expect to be vaccinated against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14256/21]
View answer1491. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the cohort a person with late-stage bullous emphysema falls under within the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14401/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1448 and 1491 together.
On 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.
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 they discuss this with their treating physician who is in the best position to give you appropriate advice.
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.
1449. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the instruction that has issued to general practitioners and specialists as to which group decides the severity of disease for vaccination classification, given that some patients are being referred by general practitioners to specialists and from those specialists back again to general practitioners in the pursuit of such classification of severity and consequent vaccination placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14257/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1450. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical practice (details supplied) has not received a supply of Covid-19 vaccine despite ordering same; when it will receive such a supply; if the practice will receive sufficient supplies to vaccinate all the over 70 year old cohort and those on the medical priority list under that age with a first vaccine immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14259/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1452. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the percentage of the adult population by county who are not registered with a general practitioner. [14276/21]
View answerGeneral Practitioners are private contractors. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
The majority of GPs provide services on behalf of the HSE to people with medical cards and GP visit cards. As of 1 February, over 2.1 million people, or almost 43% of the population, now have access to free GP care and are registered with a GP.
People who do not hold either a medical card or a GP visit card access GP services on a private basis. The State does not prescribe the number of private patients that may be registered with a GP; this is a matter for individual GP practices.
Information on the percentage of the population who are not registered with a GP is not collected by my Department or the HSE.
1453. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will address issues in the roll-out of vaccines to dental practice staff as a matter of urgency; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that employees in many practices signed up to the portal more than three weeks ago and have not had communication since (details supplied); and the actions being taken to ensure this cohort of front-line healthcare workers are vaccinated without further delay. [14277/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
