Written Answers Nos. 1528-1552
1528. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the clinical data that underpins and has been relied upon in the design, roll-out and implementation of the progressive disability services to schools which cater for children with severe and profound intellectual disabilities and complex needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14577/21]
View answer1529. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if a child psychologist experienced with dealing with children with severe and profound intellectual disabilities has signed off on the new progressive disability services model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14578/21]
View answer1530. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if a risk assessment was carried out to identify the risks to children with severe and profound intellectual disabilities and complex needs arising from changing the disability services they receive on site at school to the progressive disability services model and its off-site model of delivery of services; the outcome of any such risk assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14579/21]
View answer1531. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if the National Disability Authority was consulted or requested to advise on the new progressive disability services model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14580/21]
View answer1532. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the reason the national policy on progressive disability services has been designed at variance with the recommendations contained at pages 48 and 49 of the working reference group document 2009 and international best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14581/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1528 to 1532, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1533. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health when he plans to announce changes to the number that can be permitted at weddings given these events require considerable advance planning (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14584/21]
View answer1534. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the amount of notice that will be given regarding the number of persons that will be permitted at weddings during Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14585/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1533 and 1534 together.
The public health restrictions at level 5 of the Government's Framework Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 will remain in place until 5th April 2021, when a further review will be conducted. The Framework continues to provide an appropriate mechanism to guide decision-making, and it will continue to be supplemented by more detailed sectoral guidance in relation to measures that apply at each level of the Framework.
Last month, the Government published COVID-19 Resilience & Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead. This three part plan reviews the learnings from our experience to date, considers the enormous impacts our efforts to manage and suppress the disease have had on our economy and on our society and sets out a cautious and measured approach to the easing of restrictions over the coming months.
At Level 5, 6 guests may attend the wedding and wedding ceremony irrespective of venue. This does not include the persons getting married or persons attending in a professional capacity. The various limits at all levels in the Government's Plan are all designed to reduce the number of households mixing with each other and cut down the virus’s chances of spreading into more homes. It seeks to balance the risks of different types of gatherings against the desire to allow normal activities to proceed in so far as possible. The COVID-19 Resilience & Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead Appendix 1, Social and Family Gatherings/Weddings outlines wedding numbers permissible at different levels of the plan.
COVID-19 spreads when individuals and groups come into close contact with one another, enabling the virus to move from one person to another. COVID-19 is infectious in a person with no symptoms, or for the period of time before they develop symptoms. In certain settings, such as weddings, higher noise levels due to music, can force people into close proximity, requiring them to raise their voices or shout to communicate thus increasing the risk of spreading the virus to others.
It is not possible to say what public health measures will be in place in the future. The public health advice relating to Covid-19 is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), by my Department and by the Government. The measures in place and the public health advice have been adapted to the changing circumstances and this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future.
You may also wish to note that Fáilte Ireland has provided guidelines for the hospitality industry which includes guidance on weddings and is available at: - https://failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Guidelines-for-Re-opening-Hotels-and-Guesthouses.pdf
1535. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 239 of 18 February 2021, the number of patients discharged home with general practitioner follow up; the number of patients referred to community psychiatric services of the 1,059 patients referred to psychiatry for assessment in 2020 who had presented to the accident and emergency department in Tallaght Hospital; the number of patients admitted to inpatient services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14587/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1536. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if vulnerable persons who are unable to attend a general practitioner or vaccination centre will receive their Covid-19 vaccine at home; if further information will be provided in relation to this process; the way such persons can make arrangements for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14589/21]
View answer1709. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the specific provisions that have been made for the vaccination of housebound persons; when such vaccinations will take place in line with the wider vaccination groupings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15188/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1536 and 1709 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1537. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14591/21]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised I have asked CORU (the Health and Social Care Professional Council) to respond to the Deputy directly.
1539. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the engagement he has had with the HSE regarding the inclusion of the FreeStyleLibre flash glucose monitoring system on the HSE reimbursement list; the analysis that has been carried out by the HSE into the possible reimbursement of the device; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14598/21]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1541. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter relating to refunds under and access to a scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14602/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1542. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if the European health insurance card can be used in relation to the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out if a person resident here does not have a PPS number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14604/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1543. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the average length of wait time in each hospital for amniocentesis results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14606/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1544. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations carried out in 2020 or the most recent full year for which such data exists in cases in which a fatal foetal abnormality was detected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14607/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under section 20 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, a notification of each termination of pregnancy carried out under the legislation must be sent to the Minister for Health within 28 days of it being carried out. Section 20, subsections (3) and (4), require the Minister to prepare a report on the notifications received in a given year not later than 30 June the following year and thereafter to lay it before the Houses of the Oireachtas. This report may then be published.
In line with section 20 of the Act, therefore, the Annual Report on Notifications 2020 will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on or before 30 June 2021. No information on notifications received under the Act will be released until after that report has been laid.
All the information permitted to be published under the Act for terminations of pregnancy carried out in 2019 was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 30 June 2020 and subsequently published the same day in the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 - Annual Report on Notifications 2019. The Annual Report on Notifications 2019 indicates that a total of 100 terminations of pregnancy were carried out under the grounds set out in section 11 of the Act in 2019.
For the Deputy’s further information, the full Annual Report on Notifications 2019 is available on the Department of Health’s website
1545. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the number of cases in 2020 or the most recent full year for which such data exists in which pregnant women were referred by a hospital to an Irish hospital in the UK or elsewhere abroad for further medical intervention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14608/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1546. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the level of funding made available to Cork University Maternity Hospital, CUMH, to help women in the aftermath of a traumatic pregnancy; if the hospital provides aftercare services such as bereavement counselling for women who have had to travel for care in the UK following consultation in CUMH; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14609/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1547. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the best practice procedures in hospitals when dealing with a fatal foetal abnormality or in circumstances in which a referral is made to an overseas hospital; if Irish hospitals liaising with UK hospitals are obliged to share information such as obstetrics reports and other relevant medical information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14610/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1548. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the status of the resources available for persons with ongoing symptoms of long Covid given that many with this condition are suffering from fatigue; if he will consider establishing multidisciplinary clinics throughout the country to help those with long Covid and other fatigue conditions such myalgic encephalomyelitis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14612/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1549. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he has considered implementing a bonus for front-line workers either financially or in terms of additional days of annual leave in view of their work fighting Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14625/21]
View answerIt is widely recognised that our dedicated health care workers have played a key role in our national effort against Covid-19 over the past year. Their determination and commitment to assisting our sick and vulnerable to get the medical treatment they need, has and continues to be, very much appreciated.
Government is considering when, and how best to honour the role of frontline workers, including those working in the health services, noting that the pandemic is still currently in effect.
1550. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if concerns have been raised in Ireland following Denmark pausing the use of a vaccine (details supplied) after reports of blood clots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14626/21]
View answerOn Sunday, 14 March, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommended the temporary deferral of the administration of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca following a report from the Norwegian Medicines Agency of cases of serious, rare thromboembolic (clotting) events, including some complicated by low platelet counts.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA), through its safety committee conducted and urgent review of all blood clotting events occurring with the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca to determine if there is a possible safety risk.
The EMA’s preliminary report, concluded on 18 March, reported that the benefits of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca in combating the threat of COVID-19 continue to outweigh the risk of side effects. The EMA also concluded that the vaccine is not associated with an increase in the overall risk of blood clots in those who receive it.
The NIAC convened and reviewed the EMA statement in relation to COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca and, following discussion with representatives from the HPRA, the National Coagulation Centre and counterparts across the EU, recommended that the administration of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca should be recommenced.
The HSE recommenced vaccinations with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca on Saturday, 20 March.
1551. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will report on his recent engagement with his EU counterparts; if the EU Covid-19 vaccine distribution system was discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14627/21]
View answerOn 1 March I met with my EU counterparts to discuss the impact of variants on Member States, national testing strategies, and the need for information sharing on the national rollout of COVID-19 vaccination plans. The EU health ministers were joined on the videoconference by representatives from the European Commission, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
It is imperative that the companies deliver on the commitments made to facilitate the much-anticipated significant increase in supply throughout this quarter.
Ireland is taking part in a Procurement Exercise being operated by the European Commission (EC) on behalf of Member States to procure suitable, safe and effective vaccines, in sufficient quantities, to combat COVID-19. 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.
1552. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to address the rise in anxiety, stress and loneliness being reported throughout Ireland due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14628/21]
View answerWhile there is no doubt that Covid-19 has posed significant challenges for people, including isolation, bereavement, anxiety and loss of income and work for many, we do not yet fully understand the impact of Covid-19 on mental health and subsequent demand on mental health and wellbeing services.
However, a negative mental health outcome for our population from this pandemic is not inevitable if we set about responding to the challenge in a cohesive manner.
The HSE has a range of proactive responses for any rise in mental health service need, including additional acute care capacity, as well as online and other telehealth psychosocial supports. The Department and HSE continue to plan for any surge in demand as it arises.
The HSE Psychosocial Framework, published in Jan 2021, builds on a range of supports introduced last year in response to Covid, including self- help and psychological first aid supports for staff.
The Framework acknowledges the impact of the pandemic on mental health in all areas of society and identifies priority groups, including health care workers and people bereaved due to Covid.
The framework provides a cohesive, coordinated, consistent and collaborative whole-of-population approach to the provision of mental health services and supports across 5 key levels from mental health promotion to specialist supports.
Telehealth services are fully established including YourMentalHealth.ie, which offers a wealth of information on mental health supports and coping with difficult situations during Covid; the information line 1800 111 888, the crisis textline, 50808 and NGO online supports such as MyMind, Turn2Me, Jigsaw and many others. ALONE, in collaboration with the Department of Health and HSE, is also running a national support line which is open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm at 0818 222 024.
I would also like to draw your attention to the Government well-being campaigns, including Keep Well to promote physical and mental wellbeing in the safest possible ways.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions have challenged society, especially in the area of human interaction and connectedness. As part of our response to these challenges, the Department of Health has provided guidance and support for people to manage both their physical and mental wellbeing and to stay connected. This guidance has been provided through public health information campaigns, such as our In This Together Campaign, and through information networks including key organisations working with vulnerable people.
Following on from the “In This Together”, campaign, in November of last year the Department of Health launched the “Keep Well” campaign, which is aimed at supporting our citizens through the difficult winter months ahead. Significant funds are being invested into this new initiative, with €7 million to support the delivery of a range of actions and support services, which will be rolled out over the coming months.
This campaign encourages us all to do something that is good for us each day or week, like going for a walk, connecting safely with friends or family, engaging in a hobby or reaching out for the supports that we may need. By doing so, we are more likely to create balance, routine and resilience. The campaign is focused on five main themes, which include Minding your Mood and Staying Connected.
Under the Minding your Mood theme, people will be equipped with information on where to go if they need support. This will also be linked with the local community helpline to ensure that people can access the help they need. The HSE has launched a series of “Minding Your Wellbeing” online videos, which provides an opportunity for people to learn more about key elements of mental wellbeing such as mindfulness, gratitude, self-care and resilience. Additionally, the Children and Young Peoples’ Services Committees are rolling out supports for children, young people and families.
The Staying Connected theme addresses isolation, supporting volunteerism and initiatives that support person-to-person connection which is important to our wellbeing. Isolation of people of all ages is a significant risk during the COVID pandemic, particularly during periods of tight restrictions on movement and social interaction. The Community Call programme was introduced in mid-2020 to provide local helplines through Local Authorities for practical supports, information sharing and befriending. As part of the “Keep Well” campaign, this programme will be significantly expanded to be proactive in outreach to potentially isolated persons. Working with partner organisations, including An Garda Síochána, NGOs and Volunteer Ireland, there will be a particular emphasis on identifying and supporting those most at risk of isolation.
The clear message is that, whatever people are going through in terms of reduced social contacts, loneliness or isolation, we should all stay as connected and as healthy as possible, helping to strengthen community and individual resilience, restoring hope that we can and will recover, and make it through this, together.
The current restrictions in place are no doubt be challenging for all of us, but particularly those living alone. With this in mind, measures include a 'social bubble' to support those who risk isolation.
People in certain categories can form a support bubble with one other household. Those who can form a support bubble include: those alone with children under the age of 18, those living alone, those sharing parenting or custody arrangements, those living with an adult to whom they provide care, and those who live alone and have a carer or carers who supports them.
Furthermore, it is envisaged that all aspects of mental health services will be improved and developed, through implementation of the national mental health policy Sharing the Vision (launched June, 2020).
Sharing the Vision aims to enhance the provision of mental health services and supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, during the period 2020-2030.
The NIMC Steering Committee, tasked with overseeing the implementation of Sharing the Vision and chaired by Mr John Saunders was established in December. The work of Steering Committee is progressing.
