Cian O'Callaghan
Question:1653. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding access to services for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14979/21]
View answerDisability Services Provision
Questions (1653)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Healthcare Reimbursement Agreements
Questions (1654)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:1654. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he plans to extend the reimbursement of costs by the HSE of the electronic blood glucose monitoring system FreeStyle Libre to all persons with type 1 diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14980/21]
View answerWritten answers
Under 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.
HSE Data
Questions (1655)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:1655. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of premature births to date in 2021; the number in the previous ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14984/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
Hospital Staff
Questions (1656)
David Cullinane
Question:1656. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to pay student nurses and midwives; when the second review of the first report on pandemic pay will be conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14987/21]
View answerWritten answers
There are two different categories of placement for nursing and midwifery students. The first is a supernumerary placement for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students in their first semester with a healthcare provider, where students are not counted within the funded staffing allocation. Fundamentally, nursing and midwifery students, while on supernumerary clinical placements (which refers to the students being surplus to the rostered complement of nurses or midwives while on placement) are being educated. In line with Directive 2013/55/EU, this education is carried out on the frontline, as part of a team, across the wide variety of care settings and under supervision. That supervision is provided by qualified, experienced nurses and midwives called preceptors. Those student nurses and midwives can claim vouched travel and accommodation allowances to support them while undergoing such placements in line with HSE Circular 09/2004.
I fully support the continued protection of the student nurse/midwife programme of which supernumerary placements are a key component. Changing the supernumerary status of those placements to that of an employee would remove those educational protections that enable such students to learn, unencumbered by an employment contract.
The second category of placement is a 36-week internship for final-year student nurses and midwives, for which they are considered a 0.5 Whole Time Equivalent member of the workforce and for which they are already paid a salary. Following a 2% pay increase on 1 October 2020, the annualised salary for this group is now €21,749 (or €10.72 per hour) for general nursing and midwifery students and €22,229 (€10.96 per hour) for psychiatric nursing students. I also fully support the continuation of the paid work internship programme in fourth year that is in place for student nurses and midwives.
I know that the pandemic has presented challenges to student nurses and midwives to continue with such placements. In recognising this and to further assist student nurses and midwives while on clinical placement, I appointed Professor Tom Collins to carry out an independent review of clinical placement allowances and I received his report on 31 December 2020. The key recommendation in his Report is to implement a ‘Pandemic Placement Grant’ of €100 for each supernumerary placement week during the pandemic. I am keen to progress this additional support, with the agreement of key stakeholder groups involved in education, nursing, and midwifery. Engagement is ongoing with the representative unions on this matter and I am hopeful agreement can be reached shortly.
A second, longer-term review is also planned to examine the existing accommodation and travel allowances payable to student nurses and midwives on supernumerary clinical placement, and pay for 4th-year nurses and midwives on paid internship placement. Preparatory work has commenced on this review. My Department are currently engaging with the stakeholders, including the trade unions, on finalising the terms of reference for this review and I look forward to that review progressing with its work soon.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (1657, 1674, 1747, 1752)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1657. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) must wait so long to receive the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14989/21]
View answer
Catherine Murphy
Question:1674. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with the HSE in respect of vaccinating on patrol and-or front-line gardaí against Covid-19 in view of their role in enforcing regulations and by virtue of face to face and-or close contact with persons during the course of their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15097/21]
View answer
Dara Calleary
Question:1747. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health his plans to change the status of members of An Garda Síochána within the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out schedule given their important front-line role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15300/21]
View answer
Marian Harkin
Question:1752. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if he will consider prioritising members of An Garda Síochána for vaccination given a number of recent high profile breaches of Covid-19 restrictions in which members of An Garda Síochána have been on the front-line at the events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15315/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1657, 1674, 1747 and 1752 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.
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.
Health Services Provision
Questions (1658)
Cathal Crowe
Question:1658. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health when sleep apnoea clinics will reopen for screenings and assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14995/21]
View answerWritten answers
It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The HSE is currently recommending that only critical time dependent elective procedures are undertaken at this time due to the on-going and significant increased demand for bed capacity related to Covid-19.
This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
In relation to the particular query raised, concerning, when sleep apnoea clinics will reopen for screenings and assessments, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (1659, 1662)
Michael Lowry
Question:1659. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to expedite the vaccination of special educational staff who work and teach some of the most vulnerable children in the special education sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14996/21]
View answerMichael Lowry
Question:1662. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to expedite the vaccination of special educational staff who work and teach some of the most vulnerable children in the special education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15016/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1659 and 1662 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.
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (1660)
Patrick Costello
Question:1660. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the admission policy under various levels in the COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 - The Path Ahead of patients and parents to bespoke outdoor gardens and areas in hospitals with specific reference to Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15002/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Disabilities Assessments
Questions (1661)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:1661. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the circumstances regarding the assessment of needs in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15006/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Question No. 1662 answered with Question No. 1659.
Health Services Staff
Questions (1663)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:1663. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the position regarding section 56 and section 59 workers; if they will receive pay restoration in line with their section 39 colleagues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15019/21]
View answerWritten answers
The WRC agreements reached in October 2018 and December 2020 in relation to pay restoration refer only to organisations which are funded under section 39 of the Health Act 2004. This means that agencies who are funded under Section 56 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 are not part of this agreement.
Any information sought on section 56 agencies funded under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 should be directed to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Health Services Staff
Questions (1664)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:1664. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when section 39 workers at an organisation (details supplied) will receive pay restoration. [15022/21]
View answerWritten answers
An agreement was reached by parties at the Workplace Relations Commission in October 2018, in relation to a process of pay restoration for staff employed by 50 pilot section 39 agencies. Pay restoration commenced in April 2019 with an annual pay increase of up to €1,000. Any outstanding balance would be paid in two equal amounts in 2020 and 2021, if due.
The agreement reached at the WRC noted that some organisations (approximately 250) which did not form part of the pilot phase are also likely to have pay restoration issues. It stated that a process of engagement to address this would commence in 2019. It is the organisations who were identified in that initial agreement reached at the WRC in 2018 that are included in this final phase of pay restoration.
Since late 2019, there was a number of meetings between the parties at the WRC, in relation to this final phase. The HSE have been costing this next phase of pay restoration and have asked those eligible 250 organisations, who were included as part of the WRC agreement, to submit an application which will be subject to assessment and verification by the HSE.
I can confirm that following engagement at the Workplace Relations Commission in early December, the parties reached an agreement in relation to the 250 organisations. A payment arrangement consisting of three phases was agreed with the first two payments to be made in 2021.
I can confirm that Prosper Fingal is an organisation that is included in this final phase of pay restoration.
Health Services Staff
Questions (1665)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:1665. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the organisations and the number of workers in each in State-funded health and social care organisation which have not received pay restoration in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15024/21]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 1666 answered with Question No. 1354.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Questions (1667, 1668)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:1667. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of existing PrEP users attending the gay men's health service from November 2019, in 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15028/21]
View answerAengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:1668. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently registered as being eligible for free PrEP treatment; the way the HSE maintains contact with such persons during the period of the gay men’s health service being closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15029/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1667 and 1668 together.
The roll-out of the national PrEP programme was a significant landmark in the implementation of the National Sexual Health Strategy, 2015-2020. The PrEP programme was launched in November 2019 and funding of €5.4 million was secured in 2020, including allocations for the recruitment of additional staff. The roll-out of the programme continues in 2021. Whilst the PrEP programme remains fully funded, implementation has been impacted as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
All health services, including STI/HIV/PrEP services, are continuing to face constraints, resulting from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. These include attendance by appointment only, or online as a result of the need to maintain social distancing, and the necessary redeployment of personnel to diverse COVID-19 related duties, which include testing, contact tracing, vaccination and front-line patient care.
However, despite Covid-19 related restrictions, the national PrEP programme has continued to expand and over 2,000 individuals, mostly gay men, are currently registered. Phone lines, the GMHS website and other resources such as www.man2man.ie and www.sexualwellbeing.ie are regularly updated to reflect current service delivery and to signpost users to the HSE list of approved PrEP services.
Needless to say, funding remains in place for the national PrEP programme and it is hoped that this service can be delivered to its full potential and developed further, once pandemic related constraints on the health service as a whole can be reduced safely.
A phased re-opening and reintroduction of STI services, including PrEP, has been under way in the Gay Men’s Health Service (GMHS) since January, 2021. The Consultant in Infectious Diseases (GMHS and GUIDE Clinic, St James’s Hospital) and other doctors are providing virtual consultations, and PrEP service users attend GMHS for STI screening and blood testing. Those with diagnosed STIs or requiring Hepatitis and/or HPV vaccine continue to be treated in GMHS also. The recruitment of permanent staff is progressing, with administrative staff in post and IT expansion underway. In summary, GMHS is continuing to reinstate services on a phased basis in line with the HSE’s Safe Return to Work Guide.
With regard to the detailed statistical data sought, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (1669)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:1669. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of children on the waiting list for pain management treatment at the paediatric chronic pain clinic in CHI, Dublin; the average waiting time for such specialist services; if new referrals for treatment are being accepted by the service; if not, when the service ceased taking new referrals; the steps being taken to address this issue; the reason for the delay in doing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15083/21]
View answerWritten answers
I recognise that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families
The HSE is currently recommending that only critical time dependent elective procedures are undertaken at this time due to the on-going and significant increased demand for bed capacity related to Covid-19.
This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The National Waiting List Management Policy is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (1670)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:1670. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of staff members that have been recruited to the multidisciplinary pain teams in CHI, Dublin in the past three months; the number of patients that have been seen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15084/21]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (1671)
Paul Kehoe
Question:1671. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the assistance available for a person (details supplied) to access the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15092/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Cancer Services
Questions (1672)
David Cullinane
Question:1672. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of claims lodged with the CervicalCheck tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15095/21]
View answerWritten answers
Following a pause in the steps towards full establishment of the CervicalCheck Tribunal, to allow for discussions with the 221+ Patient Representative Group about the Tribunal and CervicalCheck Cases generally, the establishment of the Tribunal was finalised with the appointment of the nominated members with effect from 1 December 2020. The Tribunal has been in a position to carry out its work since that date.
I requested an update from the Tribunal with regard to the number of claims lodged to date and the Tribunal has confirmed to me that as of 22 March 2021, no claims have been lodged with the Tribunal.
Earlier this year I sought an update from the CervicalCheck Tribunal in respect of the work undertaken since its establishment. On 5 February 2021, the Tribunal Chairperson submitted a report to me setting out that a number of inquiries have been made with the Tribunal by potential claimants and legal representatives. The queries received pertained to transferring cases, time limits for the filing of claims and queries concerning online forms for the processing of claims. I understand that queries continue to be received by the Tribunal.
The Tribunal remains the most appropriate venue to hear and determine CervicalCheck claims. It has been specifically designed for that purpose. It is, of course, entirely up to eligible women as to whether or not they use it.
Cancer Services
Questions (1673)
David Cullinane
Question:1673. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of women currently involved in court cases, litigation and negotiation with the HSE regarding the alleged misreading of their smear tests from the CervicalCheck screening programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15096/21]
View answerWritten answers
The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of Delegated State Authorities including the Health Service Executive. The State Claims Agency has provided me with the following information, in respect of the Deputy's question.
The below information has been extracted from the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and is accurate as of 16/03/2020. To date, 207 claims have been received from women regarding the alleged misreading of their smear tests and a further 49 claims have been received from family members/dependents. Of the 256 claims, proceedings have been issued in respect of 190 of these claims. To date, 31 claims have been concluded.
Question No. 1674 answered with Question No. 1657.
Covid-19 Tests
Questions (1675)
David Cullinane
Question:1675. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if antigen testing was included as a cost which could be reimbursed under the Covid-19 temporary assistance payment scheme for nursing homes; if these costs will be reimbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15098/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) for nursing homes was established in April 2020 to provide financial assistance to contribute towards the costs incurred by private nursing homes in acting to suppress and manage COVID-19. €78.2m has been paid to date in respect of claims under the Scheme, which has been extended until the end of June 2021.
The TAPS Standard Assistance Payment is eligible to be spent on costs that have arisen in executing a number of measures that are specific to COVID-19. Nursing Homes are currently not reimbursed under the Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme for antigen tests. The current Health Protection Surveillance Centre guidance on this issue only provides for the use of antigen tests in certain locations, in limited circumstances and under the direction of the local Public Health Department. This guidance can be accessed by following this link:
https://www.hpsc.ie/az/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/guidanceforhealthcareworkers/publichealthguidance/
Occupational Therapy
Questions (1676)
Martin Browne
Question:1676. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the way children that are receiving CAMHS services in north County Tipperary but are unable to access occupational therapy services due to a lack of a physical room; his views on whether such a situation is acceptable; the waiting times for same in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; his views on the lack of a physical room for occupational therapy services at CAMHS in Nenagh, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15099/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Speech and Language Therapy
Questions (1677)
Martin Browne
Question:1677. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently on the waiting list for speech and language therapy by county in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; and his views on the situation of children that are in need of a multidisciplinary team approach occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and so on that cannot access them due to the Covid-19 crisis. [15100/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.