Written Answers Nos. 1649-1668
1649. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list for home support hours in County Wexford; the breakdown of length of wait time in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18555/21]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1650. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the recruitment of a psychologist for Wexford South CAMHS; the various recruitment steps which have been completed to date; the timeline by which the post is expected to be filled; when associated services will be operational; the position regarding the recruitment of a dietician for Wexford South CAMHS; the various recruitment steps which have been completed to date; the timeline by which the post is expected to be filled; when associated services will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18559/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1651. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health when a motorised wheelchair will be made available to a person (details supplied); if a risk assessment has been carried out as part of the process to provide same given the multiple, severe, comorbid medical conditions of the applicant; if not, when a risk assessment will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18561/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1652. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the way a person (details supplied) who is in the vulnerable category and aged in the 18 to 64 years of age cohort can secure their Covid-19 vaccination appointment. [18562/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1653. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the allocation to a group (details supplied) in order that it can meet the demand for essential orthotics and footwear; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18568/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1655. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health when clarity will be provided to couples planning weddings in May 2021 as to their guest numbers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18577/21]
View answer1663. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend up to 25 the number of persons who can attend weddings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18592/21]
View answer1782. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the date on which a minimum of 25 persons will be allowed to attend weddings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18960/21]
View answer1873. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health his plans for weddings under the phased easing of restrictions that have recently been announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19195/21]
View answer1912. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health when restrictions will be lifted for weddings; and the numbers that will be allowed. [19280/21]
View answer1921. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to correspondence and proposals by a person (details supplied) in relation to weddings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19298/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1655, 1663, 1782, 1873, 1912 and 1921 together.
Level 5 restrictive measures currently remain in place. Any measures introduced at any level of the Plan are aimed at limiting the spread and damage of COVID-19 and are necessary to protect our key priorities of supporting and maintaining health and social care services, keeping education and childcare services open and protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities.
The Government announced a slight easing of restrictions from 12 April in recognition of the significant impact that the extended period of Level 5 restrictions is having on people. The focus of this easing of measures is on enabling more outdoor activities in order to improve the health and wellbeing of society. The situation will be subject to ongoing review taking account of the evolving epidemiological situation, the impact of the reopening of priority services, and available evidence in relation to vaccine deployment, uptake and effectiveness. The NPHET and the Government will consider the position again at the end of this month and it is anticipated that a roadmap for the further easing of measures over the coming months will be agreed, including in relation to weddings.
Significant progress has been made on suppressing the virus due to the huge effort of our citizens. By working together, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland. We all must continue to do everything possible to avoid the virus spreading.
The Government's guidelines for weddings at all levels of the Framework are available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/resilience-recovery-2020-2021-plan-for-living-with-covid-19/
1656. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will offer the HPV vaccine to all second-level students in 2022 who have not availed of it previously to ensure maximum take-up of the vaccine and that issues caused by Covid-19 do not result in long-term drop off in vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18578/21]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The Committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. The NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.
In 2009, the NIAC recommended HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination for all 12 to 13 year old girls to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer when they are adults. In September 2010, the HPV vaccination programme was introduced for all girls in first year of secondary school.
The NIAC recommended that the HPV vaccine should also be given to boys. On foot of the NIAC’s recommendation, my Department asked the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to undertake a health technology assessment (HTA) to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of extending the current immunisation programme to include boys in the first year of secondary school.
The HIQA completed the HTA in December 2018, recommending that the HPV immunisation programme be extended to include boys. A policy decision was made to extend the HPV immunisation programme to include boys, starting in September 2019, with the introduction of a 9-valent HPV vaccine.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by the NIAC in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases. As the HPV vaccine is preventative it is intended to be administered, if possible, before a person becomes sexually active, that is, before a person is first exposed to HPV infection.
Therefore, the gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school to provide maximum coverage. All vaccines administered through the School Immunisation Programme are provided free of charge.
My Department will continue to be guided by NIAC's recommendations on any emerging evidence on this issue in the future.
Anyone not in 1st year of secondary school or age equivalent in special schools or home schooled during the 2020/2021 school year who wishes to get the HPV vaccine, must go to their GP or sexual health clinic and pay privately for the vaccine and its administration.
It is important to note that the schools-based immunisation programme for the 2019/2020 academic year has been completed and the uptake rates for the HPV vaccine in that academic year are 82% for the first dose of the vaccine and 77% for the second dose.
The uptake rate for the first dose of the HPV vaccine in the 2020/2021 academic year, as at the 15th of April, is 63% and this figure is expected to increase because data input on vaccine uptake is ongoing.
Plans are now being developed by the HSE for the recommencement of the schools-based vaccination programmes. Some areas have already recommenced these programmes or are in the process of arranging school visits.
1657. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the guidelines that have been provided to community pharmacies allowing them to prepare for their part in the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18579/21]
View answer1658. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the arrangements in place to prepare community pharmacies for their role in the delivery of the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18584/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1657 and 1658 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1659. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if provisions will be made to ensure that Irish students in receipt of SUSI grant supports who are studying abroad and will be returning home for the summer break will not have to pay re-entry costs for mandatory quarantines. [18585/21]
View answerThe Health Act 1947, as amended, provides that all persons arriving in Ireland from a designated state, or having travelled through a designated state in the previous 14 days, are required to undergo mandatory quarantine in a designated facility unless they are an exempted traveller under the Act. All applicable travellers must reserve and pay for a place in mandatory hotel quarantine.
The Health (Amendment) Act 2021 identifies those who are exempt from mandatory hotel quarantine and a full list of exemptions can be accessed on gov.ie/quarantine. This now includes persons fully vaccinated with a European Medicines Agency approved vaccine.
The provisions of the Act also allows for travellers to request a review of decisions relating to their quarantine; however this can only be undertaken once quarantine has begun.
I understand that my colleague the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is establishing a refund mechanism for students returning from Erasmus programmes who are required to undergo mandatory quarantine in a designated facility.
The Government continues to evaluate wider policy on international travel as informed by the epidemiological situation and public health advice, including the possibility of future exemptions.
Neither I as Minister for Health nor my Department have a role in decisions relating to whether individual persons must enter mandatory quarantine or whether individual persons are exempted travellers.
1660. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the criteria used to define the groups of persons in group 9 who are living or working in crowded settings; and the proposed arrangements to verify the eligibility of such persons when booking and receiving the Covid-19 vaccine. [18586/21]
View answerIn its latest review, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has considered, with the support of a HIQA evidence review, those who meet the criteria of living and/or working in conditions which make social distancing difficult and have identified certain groups who are at higher risk of severe disease
The composition of this cohort, on the basis that the NIAC has advised that there is an established higher risk of infection and severe disease for these groups, has been confirmed as follows:
1. Travellers;
2. Roma Community; and
3. Addiction Service Users.
The Vaccine Allocation Strategy will be kept under review and may be amended as a result of changes to existing evidence and/or the epidemiological situation. The HSE is currently considering how best to rollout the COVID-19 vaccination programme to reach these groups.
1661. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the status of birthing partners and their access to prenatal appointments as well as the birth of the child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18588/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1662. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he has considered extending exemptions for mandatory hotel quarantine to those who are receiving medical care abroad due to terminal illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18591/21]
View answerThe Health Act 1947, as amended, provides that all persons arriving in Ireland from a designated state, or having travelled through a designated state in the previous 14 days, are required to undergo mandatory quarantine in a designated facility unless they are an exempted traveller under the Act.
At present, persons returning to Ireland from or transitioning through high risk countries after receiving medical treatment abroad are not exempt from the requirement to enter the mandatory hotel quarantine.
The Government continues to evaluate wider policy on international travel as informed by the epidemiological situation and public health advice. In this context, regulations have been introduced to allow fully vaccinated persons arriving from designated states to be exempt from Mandatory Hotel Quarantine. However, this only applies to persons who are fully vaccinated with an EMA-approved vaccine and there will still be a requirement for them to quarantine at home following arrival into the State.
1664. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he has been in contact with a group (details supplied); and if he has given consideration to the request by the group that the HSE and hospital HR departments offer non-trainee doctors on a critical skills employment permit two years in multisite roles. [18594/21]
View answerIn 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.
1665. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the amounts paid by the HSE or other public bodies to a hospital (details supplied) in each of the years 2010 to 2020 and to date in 2021 for any services under the National Treatment Purchase Fund or other scheme to provide medical services for public patients. [18597/21]
View answerThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) procures capacity for high-volume acute hospital procedures in order to reduce waiting times for patients. Such procedures may be procured in both private hospitals (outsourcing), or public hospitals (insourcing). In order to ensure competitive pricing as part of their outsourcing programme, the NTPF works with private hospitals from a panel agreement and engages in procurement processes through e-tender.The HSE may also procure additional capacity and activity from private hospitals. Neither the HSE nor the NTPF publish details regarding individual private hospitals, as such information is commercially sensitive. The payments made to individual private hospitals or private hospital groups under agreements made in response to the Covid-19 pandemic are also commercially sensitive, therefore are confidential and the details of the individual payments will not be published. I am therefore not in a position to publish the amounts paid to the hospital the Deputy refers to.
1666. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if preparations for a successor to the National Sexual Health Strategy are underway; if a successor strategy will be published; if the strategy will have a focus on HIV addressing the 90:90:90 ambition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18599/21]
View answerThe National Sexual Health Strategy, 2015-2020 was launched in October 2015, and has been extended to the end of 2021 to allow for the effects of pandemic related delays on implementation. It takes a life course approach, acknowledging the importance of developing a healthy attitude to sexuality in young people and of building on that foundation for positive sexual health and wellbeing into adulthood and older age.
It also recognises the importance of challenging stigma and discrimination and creating positive cultural change to promote open communication about relationships, sexuality, and sexual health and wellbeing.
The goals of the Strategy are:
- Everyone in Ireland to receive comprehensive and age-appropriate sexual health education/information and to have access to appropriate prevention and promotion services;
- Equitable, accessible and high-quality sexual health services, which are targeted and tailored to need, to be available to everyone; and
- Robust and high-quality sexual health information to be generated to underpin policy, practice, service planning and strategic monitoring.
Since its publication in 2015, very significant progress has been made in implementing the objectives of the Strategy. Key achievements to date include:
1. The rollout of a national treatment programme of Pre – Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP);
2. Ireland’s membership of the Fast-Track Cities HIV global partnership project which is driving the response to HIV/Aids across 300 cities;
3. Establishment of the National Condom Distribution Service which distributes free condoms and lubricant sachets to high-risk groups;
4. A wide range of educational and promotional work with the education system, parents, children and young people to ensure that they receive the information and resources they need to support their needs in terms of relationship and sexuality education
5. An ongoing programme of research to provide the evidence base needed to ensure robust policy development.
6. Responding to the challenges posed by the Covid 19 pandemic in the maintenance of vital HIV/STI services. All health services, including STI/HIV services are continuing to face service restrictions due to the current impact of Covid-19 on the hospital system and social distancing requirements. Public STI clinics are prioritising those with symptoms or requiring treatment, and this includes anyone who may be referred for confirmation HIV testing.
7. The HSE SHCPP is currently piloting a free home STI/HIV testing service, supported by the Sláintecare Integration Fund, in Dublin, Cork and Kerry. The first phase of tests were made available in early January. Tests are being made available in a phased manner to ensure there is sufficient capacity in local clinics for service users who may need follow-up treatment or support. The results of the pilot programme will be used to inform future planning.
As detailed above, HIV prevention, prompt diagnosis and treatment are key priorities under the Strategy. The “90-90-90” targets for HIV diagnosis, treatment and viral suppression and the U=U principle; ‘Undetectable equals untransmissible’ (patients taking daily antiretroviral therapy for HIV, and who can achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load, cannot sexually transmit the virus to an HIV-negative partner) are key elements in terms of controlling HIV transmission at population level.
The current National Sexual Health Strategy will remain relevant beyond its original timeframe; the progress made as part of its implementation will continue to be funded and maintained. Moreover, it is intended to review and refresh the Strategy; work was postponed due to the onset of the pandemic but work on this is getting underway.
It is envisaged that, as part of the review process, focus group meetings with key stakeholders, including clinical and public health staff, the SHCPP team, those working in the STI clinics, the Education sector, the Department of Health and Women’s Health Taskforce, the research and academic sector and organisations representing the LGBTI+ community will be held to inform the future direction of the next iteration of the strategy. Planning for this is currently underway.
HIV prevention, diagnosis and treatment will remain core elements of future sexual health service provision and will be included in future policy.
1667. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the latest estimate of the number of patients living with hepatitis C in the State for each of the past five years; the progress made towards making hepatitis C a rare disease; the targets that must be met to reach the 2030 elimination target; his plans to reverse the trend in decreasing numbers availing for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18600/21]
View answer1668. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he is developing a hepatitis C treatment programme strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18601/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1667 and 1668 together.
The HSE established a National Hepatitis C Treatment Programme (NHCTP) in 2015 and began the process of providing treatment for Hepatitis C using Directly Acting Antivirals (DAA’s) to patients prioritised according to clinical need. The HSE in its National Service Plans has committed to the continued implementation of a multi annual public health plan for the therapeutic treatment of hepatitis C. The NHCTP goal is to make hepatitis C a rare disease in Ireland by 2026. In order to achieve this, the Programme is allocated funding of €25m each year by my Department.
In 2014 studies indicated that Ireland had a prevalence of 20,000-30,000. However, this is an estimate of the prevalence and the true prevalence rate in Ireland is unknown. There is no general screening of the population to determine prevalence rates. To date, a national sero-prevalence study has not been undertaken. However, the NHCTP has observed a marked decline in numbers of newly diagnosed infections in recent years and a significant increase in the numbers of patients successfully completing treatment which suggests that the treatment as prevention may be working.
The NHCTP aims to make hepatitis C a rare disease in Ireland and to achieve the WHO elimination targets. Achieving this will require identification and treatment of the majority of chronically infected individuals in the community. In this regard the NHCTP are currently engaged in a formal epidemiological study to determine the prevalence and to facilitate informed decisions regarding screening. This study has received ethical approval and commenced in St. Vincent's hospital. It is currently submitted for ethical approval in a number of hospitals throughout the country with the aim of getting a robust national prevalence figure.
In relation to plans to reverse the trend in decreasing numbers availing of treatment, it should be noted that with the outbreak of COVID-19 hepatitis C clinics were significantly impacted. However, clinics are returning to normal and the NHCTP is confident that the programme is on target to make hepatitis C a rare disease in Ireland by 2026, and in alignment with the WHO goal, to fully eliminate the disease in Ireland by 2030.
To year end 2020 the total number of cases of registrations in the National Hepatitis C Disease Registry (NHCDR) is 6,695 with treatment uptake rates close to or in excess of 90% of all cases registered with the NHCDR annually. Treatment provided is by the use of DAA medication with cure rates in excess of 95%.
The HSE is committed to the evolving needs in treating hepatitis C patients, these include screening, testing, integration of treatment etc. and not just simply provision of treatment - case finding and implementing national hepatitis C screening guidelines are key. To ensure that the NHCTP meets the WHO elimination target the NHCTP has implemented the following:
1. The Community Prescribing Project
2. The Irish Prison Service Treatment Programme
3. Extending the Seek and Treat Approach to the People who are non-methadone dependant
A programme of work to refresh the National Hepatitis C Treatment Programme Strategy and Planning Document 2020-2026 is nearing completion. This will set a clear direction for the further expansion of the programme.
