Written Answers Nos. 1762-1780
1762. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce regulations to ensure that all persons working in the mandatory Covid-19 detention facilities will be regularly tested for the virus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18910/21]
View answerAll service provider staff or contracted personnel working on the Mandatory Quarantine System will be offered both vaccination and regular COVID-19 testing to help minimise any risk in their working environment.
In addition, the HSE has provided persons working in mandatory quarantine facilities extensive training via webinars and video presentations on a number of key quarantine protocols. This training was provided to promote risk reduction in the environment at the facility for both guests and staff.
The training included Infection Prevention and Control principles, proper use of personal protected equipment, disinfection and cleaning requirements relating to COVID-19, practical information about maintaining Infection Prevention and Control in a working environment, COVID-19 transmission, COVID-19 testing procedures, ventilation requirements for rooms, vaccination information and measures for transferring guests to a facility.
1763. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health the consultations he has had with communities from migrant backgrounds here when drawing up lists of countries subject to mandatory quarantine in detention centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18911/21]
View answer1764. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health the rationale for the inclusion of San Marino, Andorra and Monaco on the list of countries requiring mandatory Covid-19 detention while not including Italy, France, Spain or neighbouring regions in those countries which face similar epidemiological situations as the countries on the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18912/21]
View answer1780. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the grounds upon which Israel was included in the list of countries from which mandatory quarantine is required on arrival here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18957/21]
View answer1824. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised regarding quarantine regulations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19071/21]
View answer2060. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the criteria used to determine a designated state for mandatory hotel quarantines; the process for choosing a designated state; if consultation takes place with those states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19706/21]
View answer2061. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health when designated states for mandatory hotel quarantines will be reviewed; the criteria that will be used to remove states from the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19707/21]
View answer2068. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the basis upon which Italy was added to the mandatory quarantine list of countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19732/21]
View answer2102. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the criteria and process for adding and removing countries from the mandatory quarantine list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19838/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1763, 1764, 1780, 1824, 2060, 2061, 2068 and 2102 together.
Countries are designated for the purposes of mandatory hotel quarantine under section 38E of the Health Act 1947 in my capacity as Minister for Health following consultation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and other Minister(s) as appropriate having regard to the functions of that Minister(s).
An Expert Advisory Group on Travel to the CMO (EAGT) was established on 1 March 2021 to develop a method of risk assessing countries and to consider broader issues of travel and COVID-19. The EAGT considers factors including:
- Countries with prevalence or suspected prevalence of known variants of concern/ variants of interest.
- Countries with a very high 14-day incidence (500/100,000).
- Countries with a high 14-day incidence (greater than 2.5 times Ireland’s 14-day incidence but <500/100,000).
The Chief Medical Officer considers recommendations of the EAGT and in turn makes recommendations to the Minister for Health who makes the final decision regarding the designation of states.
1765. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if he plans to alter the mandatory Covid-19 detention system in order to comply with any EU regulation that facilitates travel within the EU on the basis of testing or vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18913/21]
View answerAt present there is no EU regulation or programme which facilitates non-essential travel in a way that requires alteration to the Mandatory Quarantine System.
The EU is looking at this issue at the moment and Ireland is engaging with the process.
The list of designated states under the Health Act 1947 will be reviewed in line with the advice provided by the Expert Advisory Group on Travel to the Chief Medical Officer. The Chief Medical Officer considers EAGT recommendations and in turn makes recommendations when considering the designation of individual states.
Quarantine of persons arriving from areas with a high incidence of variants of concern is considered a deterrent against the emergence of such variants in the state and as such all persons arriving from those designated states are required to undergo mandatory quarantine in a designated facility unless otherwise exempt.
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.
1766. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if all persons employed as vaccinators will be fully vaccinated in advance of being deployed to administer vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18914/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1767. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the reason there is a discrepancy between grades of staff within the National Ambulance Service and the grades of paramedic and advanced paramedic (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18915/21]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this operational matter, as soon as possible.
1768. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he has sought advice from the Chief Medical Officer or NPHET regarding the position of fully vaccinated persons and mandatory hotel quarantine; if so, if he will publish this advice immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18920/21]
View answer1853. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if inbound travellers who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and have proof will have to take part in quarantine measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19141/21]
View answer2238. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health his plans to accept fully vaccinated passengers from the US or other countries into Ireland without the need to quarantine provided that they can show proof of vaccination and a negative Covid-19 test upon arrival. [20241/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1768, 1853 and 2238 together.
It is not yet fully understood whether available vaccines prevent vaccinated persons from being infected or transmitting the disease to others. As such, the impact vaccinations will have on travel policies internationally is yet to be determined. The WHO continues to caution governments against introducing immunity passports at this time.
The Government has decided, on the advice of the CMO, that fully vaccinated persons arriving from designated states are exempted from Mandatory Hotel Quarantine. These travellers remain subject to mandatory requirements on pre-departure testing and home quarantine.
The Government gives continuing consideration to travel policy informed by the epidemiological situation internationally and public health advice.
1769. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will set up a full independent investigation into revelations of secret dossiers on autistic children in his Department; if all affected persons will be informed as to whether their data was misused and shared without their consent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18922/21]
View answerI take the allegations made in recent media reports including the RTÉ Investigates broadcast of 25 March extremely seriously. I know that the headlines generated will have caused distress for some families.
The Report of the Department of Health team set up to establish the facts in respect of specific allegations by RTÉ Primetime Investigates Programme was published this morning. This report deals with each of the allegations made in the programme and related articles on the website.
This Report is clear that the Department of Health has never gathered sensitive medical and educational information on children involved in court cases in the manner portrayed in recent media reports.
There is no evidence that the Department of Health was secretly compiling dossiers on children with autism involved in Special Educational Needs litigation as alleged.
I welcome an inquiry by the Data Protection Commission (DPC), which is currently investigating data collection practices regarding the cases. My Department looks forward to the findings of this review and, where necessary, will make improvements based on their recommendations?
The Department of Health has appointed an Independent Support Liaison Officer to engage directly with the 29 families involved in open Special Educational Needs litigation related to these allegations. These families are being contacted through the solicitor on file offering the opportunity to engage directly with the Independent Support Liaison Officer.
1770. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 630 of 16 June 2020 and 766 of 8 December 2020, the position regarding appointments for a child (details supplied) in Dublin 11; the reason for the ongoing long delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18923/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
1771. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of procedures carried out at a new purpose built maternity theatre (details supplied) in each of the years 2004 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18932/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1772. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when the gay men's health service will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18936/21]
View answerThe Gay Men's Health Service is a community STI service, managed through HSE Community Healthcare East (CHO6). The GMHS was, in fact, reopened in January 2021 on a phased basis, in line with Government and HSE Guidelines, and this phased re-opening is ongoing.
Existing PrEP users are being seen in the GMHS. The Clinic’s 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 temporary closure of the GMHS in 2020 resulted from the pressures arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and related primarily to the necessary redeployment of increasing numbers of personnel to diverse COVID-19 related duties. Staff in the Gay Men’s Health Service (GMHS) were reassigned, by reason of necessity, to other HSE services. During the GMHS closure, significant efforts were made to maintain service provision through other locations, including the GUIDE Clinic in St. James’ Hospital.
Prior to the pandemic, the GMHS was staffed by 97% agency staff; this is no longer the case. Funding for the PrEP programme allowed pro-rata recurring funding to be allocated to GMHS in 2020. As a result of pandemic related pressures on staffing, recruitment in 2020 was initially focussed on the services required to support the Covid-19 pandemic. However, a recruitment campaign to fill the posts for the GMHS PrEP programme commenced in the latter part of 2020 and is progressing, with administration staff in post and IT improvements and expansion underway.
In summary, a phased reintroduction of STI services is currently under way in GMHS. The GMHS will continue to reinstate services on a phased basis and in line with the HSE’s Safe Return to Health Services Plan and in accordance with all current Public Health COVID guidelines. Officials from the Department of Health and HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme are in regular contact with CHO6 to monitor progress on the phased reopening of the GMHS.
HSE Community Healthcare East advises that they have made every effort to restore and maintain services as far as is possible, given current pandemic related pressures on resources. It is envisaged that the current phased re-opening will continue, subject to demand for health services, arising pandemic related pressures and available resources.
Further, it is hoped that GMHS and wider STI services can be delivered to their full potential and developed further, once pandemic related constraints on the health service as a whole can be safely reduced.
1773. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the additional costs incurred by the HSE in being forced to reschedule vaccination appointments as a result of the error that saw messages informing patients of their vaccination appointment delivered the day after the appointment date, that is, messages delivered on 2 April 2021 for appointments scheduled for 1 April 2021 at the a vaccination centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18941/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1774. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if the proposed new development of 96 bed units at University Hospital Limerick will result in a net overall increase of 96 beds for the hospital; the number of additional staff that will be provided to operate the new unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18944/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1775. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health when the new paediatric rheumatologist will commence in Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18945/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1776. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to improve the IT system for the vaccination roll-out; if he will improve logistical communication and prevent scam messages for appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18948/21]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has operational responsibility for the ICT systems supporting the vaccination programme. As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1777. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if spina bifida and hydrocephalus are classified as high risk with respect to the Covid-19 vaccination programme.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18949/21]
View answerThe COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
On the 23rd of February, 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.
On the 30th of March, the Government approved a further update to the COVID-19 Vaccination Allocation Strategy. Based on clinical, scientific and ethical frameworks produced by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee and my Department, following the vaccination of those most at risk, future groups will be vaccinated by age, in cohorts of 10 years (i.e., 64-55; 54-45, etc.).
The move to an age-based model better supports the programme objectives by:
- protecting those at highest risk of severe disease first, which benefits everyone most;
- facilitating planning and execution of the programme across the entire country;
- improving transparency and fairness.
Further details are available here: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/93f8f-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-irelands-vaccination-prioritisation-list/.
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 the individuals concerned discuss this with their treating physician who is in the best position to give appropriate advice.
1778. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if persons that own holiday homes and mobile homes within their county will be permitted to stay in same once the five kilometre travel limit is extended to county boundaries. [18951/21]
View answer2070. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if restrictions on non-essential travel will remain in place for travel beyond the new limits in the context of persons now being allowed to travel within their county of residence or up to 20km if travelling across a county boundary. [19740/21]
View answer2204. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if fully vaccinated persons will be allowed to visit mobile home parks within the allowable travel distance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20117/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1778, 2070 and 2204 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 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.
With regard to domestic travel, persons can now travel within their county or within 20km of their home if crossing county boundaries. Further information on current Domestic Travel restrictions can be viewed at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/#travel-restrictions.
The current public regulations S.I. 168 of 2021, Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) Regulations 2021 came into effect on 12th April 2021 and can be viewed at: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/.
Information on the current public health measures, together with a guide for the new changes is available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/.
1779. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18954/21]
View answerIt 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.
On 23 March the HSE published the “Safe Return to Health Services Plan”. This plan outlines a three phased approach for the proposed restoration of services across Community Services, Acute Hospital Operations, Cancer Services and Screening Services. It sets target times for their safe return and details the conditions and challenges that will have to be met.
Every phase of the plan has been informed by clinical guidance and putting patient and staff safety first.
Decisions in relation to the type and volume of activity will be made at site level based on local COVID-19 numbers, available capacity and guidance from national clinical leads.
The schedule outlined in the plan for resumption of services will be regularly monitored by the HSE and updated as appropriate, dependant on public health advice and healthcare capacity.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
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.
