Written Answers Nos. 1819-1837
1819. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he needs to produce legislation in order to provide an ehealth system that will provide health information on every resident in Ireland; and if so, when he plans same. [19053/21]
View answerExisting data protection legislation, based on GDPR, provides for the health system to collect and process data for direct provision of care and for the management of the health service. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to consider if further legislation is required to support eHealth in specific areas such as patient registers and to clarify the basis upon which private, voluntary and public healthcare providers can share patient data necessary to ensure safe provision of healthcare, whilst at the same time safeguarding patient rights in terms of data privacy. This matter will be kept under review by my Department.
1820. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of vaccine doses that will be delivered here by companies (details supplied) by month and vaccine provider in tabular form. [19054/21]
View answerThe information set out in table below is based on current information available and represents a forecast estimate for Ireland in Q2 based on EU aggregate level information yet to be formally confirmed at national level.
The forecast estimate is subject to change based on manufacturers yield outputs and final confirmed delivery schedules
|
Manufacturer |
Apr-21 |
May-21 |
June-21 |
Projected Q2 Total |
|
AstraZeneca |
224,000 |
262,000 |
327,000 |
813,000 |
|
Pfizer BioNTech |
546,000 |
738,000 |
844,000 |
2,128,000 |
|
Moderna |
118,000 |
118,000 |
147,000 |
383,000 |
|
Janssen |
40,800 |
132,000 |
432,000 |
605,000 |
|
Total |
929,000 |
1,250,000 |
1,750,000 |
3.9m |
1822. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the options available to a person (details supplied). [19061/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1823. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the impact of tobacco plain packaging on levels of smoking and the health benefits resulting from that policy; and the estimated number of lives that are saved per year as a result of the policy. [19063/21]
View answerIn September 2017 Ireland became the fourth country in the world to introduce plain packaging for all tobacco products. From September 2018 all tobacco products sold in Ireland must have a standardised plain packaging with the brand name in the correct font size and colour, and prominent standardised health warnings about the dangerous effects of smoking. These measures were introduced to reduce the appeal of tobacco products to both current and potential users and to remove a source of advertising and visibility for tobacco brands. The legislation also increased the prominence of health warnings and prevented packaging from misleading consumers about the harmful effects of tobacco.
The two most recent Healthy Ireland surveys in 2018 and 2019 asked participants their opinions on tobacco packaging. 73% of those surveyed in 2019 approved of plain packaging with 63% of smokers voicing their approval. In terms of the impact of the measure on smokers’ desire to quit, in 2019 25% of smokers said that the health warnings on packs increased their motivation to quit.
The introduction of plain packaging is one of a large number of tobacco control measures that have been introduced with the objective of reducing smoking prevalence in Ireland; other measures include the workplace smoking ban, a ban on point of sale display and advertising of tobacco products, a ban on smoking in cars where children are present, the ongoing development of cessation services and annual excise duty increases on tobacco products.
While it is not always possible to quantify the impact of a single measure on smoking prevalence we can say that, combined, these measures have contributed to a decline in the number of people who smoke from 29% of the population in 2009 to 17% in 2019. Between 2015 and 2019 there was a 6% fall in smoking prevalence resulting in 165000 fewer smokers.
1825. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if the bed capacity of a hospital (details supplied) is being reduced in order to increase storage for wheelchairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19072/21]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1826. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be seen for a hip replacement. [19079/21]
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.
1827. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the progress made under the national eating disorder treatment plan launched in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19080/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1828. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding that was allocated to the national eating disorder treatment plan since its launch in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19081/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1829. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health when he hopes to have all 16 treatment hubs established for eating disorder treatment as per the national eating disorder treatment plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19082/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1830. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the number of public beds here earmarked for the treatment of eating disorders and by individual hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19083/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1831. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation and the progress being made to amend the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 and the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill as recommended by the Special Rapporteur for Children to ensure that children born through assisted human reproduction have their rights and best interests legally protected in Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19086/21]
View answer1835. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to consider a report (details supplied) and amend the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill and the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 in accordance with the proposed amendments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19095/21]
View answer1836. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied); his plans to implement the recommendations contained in the report; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19096/21]
View answer1848. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health when he will amend the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 and redraft the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill as recommended by the Special Rapporteur for Children to ensure that children born through assisted human reproduction have rights such as family life, identity and non-discrimination and best interests legally protected in Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19125/21]
View answer1924. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if he will re-draft the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill and if his Department will support the amendment of the Children and Family Relationships Act as recommended by the Special Rapporteur for Children (details supplied) in order that children born through AHR have rights and best interests legally protected in Irish law. [19301/21]
View answer2016. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health his views on the recommendations made by a person (details supplied) to update the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill and amendments to the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19582/21]
View answer2112. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health when he will amend the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 and redraft the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017 as recommended by the Special Rapporteur for Children to ensure that children born through assisted human reproduction have their rights, family life, identity and non-discrimination and best interests legally protected in Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19887/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1831, 1835, 1836, 1848, 1924, 2016 and 2112 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, drafting of a bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research, based on the published General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill, is ongoing by officials in my Department, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. Publication of this legislation is a priority for my Department and the Government, and a commitment to enact this legislation is included in the Programme for Government, “Our Shared Future”.
This comprehensive legislation encompasses the regulation of a wide range of practices, including gamete (sperm or egg) and embryo donation for AHR and research; domestic surrogacy; pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of embryos; posthumous assisted reproduction; and embryo and stem cell research. The Bill also provides for the establishment of an independent regulatory authority for AHR.
The recently published report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection comprises issues relating to parentage and the right to identity in donor-assisted human reproduction and surrogacy in this jurisdiction and abroad.
The area of AHR, including the use of donor gametes and surrogacy, gives rise to complex legal, ethical and social issues, and concerns many areas of law that intersect across the remits of several Government Departments. The findings and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur’s report are being considered in the ongoing refinement of the AHR legislation, as appropriate. My Department will also continue to liaise with colleagues in other Departments where the issues intersect.
Overall, the provisions outlined within the Bill will ensure that AHR practices and related areas of research are conducted in a more consistent and standardised way and with the necessary oversight. The aim of the AHR legislation is to promote and ensure the health and safety of parents and others involved in the process while, most importantly, consideration of the welfare and best interests of children born as a result of AHR is the key principle underpinning all legislative measures in this area.
1832. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address the issue of orthodontic services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19087/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1833. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when full-time residential care will be made available to a person (details supplied). [19091/21]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1834. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason funding for full-time residential care has been denied to a person (details supplied). [19092/21]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1837. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of patients that have presented to the accident and emergency department in Tallaght Hospital with suicidal ideation; the number of the patients that voluntarily left the hospital after triage without being seen by a psychiatrist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19099/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
