Wednesday, 21 Apr 2021

Written Answers Nos. 1991-2008

Vaccination Programme

Questions (1991, 2312)

Bríd Smith

Question:

1991. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if clarification will be provided on the new criteria for vaccine roll-out; the dates on which those in the 65 to 69 years of age cohort are likely to be treated; if they or any other cohort with concerns can be facilitated in the choice of the vaccine available; if a refusal of a particular vaccine will result in an extended delay; if such concerns will be facilitated going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19524/21]

Brendan Griffin

Question:

2312. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if clarification will be provided on a matter (details supplied) in relation to recent reports in the media regarding the refusal of persons to take a vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20551/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1991 and 2312 together.

The 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:

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/93f8f-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-irelands-vaccination-prioritisation-list/

People aged 65 to 69 can now register for their vaccine online or by phone. Vaccination of this cohort has commenced.

It is recommended that you accept the COVID-19 vaccine when it is offered to you. It is not intended to give a choice of vaccines. Provision of one or other authorised COVID-19 vaccine(s) during the immunisation programme will be based on clinical expert guidance, including from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, to ensure the optimal stewardship of scare resources and equitable access to safe and effective vaccine(s) for a given population.

Further information on COVID-19 vaccines can be found here:

https://www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/getting-covid-19-vaccine.html

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Medicinal Products

Questions (1992)

Gerald Nash

Question:

1992. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health his views on the campaign by an organisation (details supplied) to make first-line treatments available under the medical card and drug payment scheme; his plans to include cariban on the medical card or on the drug payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19526/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Alcohol Pricing

Questions (1993, 1994, 2229, 2284, 2285, 2291)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

1993. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if advice will be provided on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the continuation of below cost selling of alcohol as a loss leader by supermarkets and other symbol groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19527/21]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1994. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the practice of below cost selling of alcohol (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19528/21]

Seán Sherlock

Question:

2229. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the commencement of section 11 of the Public Health Act 2018. [20194/21]

David Cullinane

Question:

2284. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when he plans to commence section 11 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20428/21]

David Cullinane

Question:

2285. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with his counterpart in Northern Ireland to implement common public health measures relating to the minimum unit pricing of alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20429/21]

Brendan Griffin

Question:

2291. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the advice which can be provided in relation to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20454/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1993, 1994, 2229, 2284, 2285 and 2291 together.

In 2013, my Department commissioned Sheffield University to examine the potential impact of a range of alcohol pricing policies in order to reduce public health harms from alcohol. As part of that research, Sheffield University analysed the impacts of a ban on below cost selling of alcohol products and of excise fiscal measures (taxation). Both of these approaches were found to be less effective than the introduction of a minimum unit price for alcohol products in addressing alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm.

The Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 provides for the introduction of minimum unit pricing. Section 11 of the Act prohibits the advertising or sale of alcohol products below a set minimum price of 10 cent per gram of alcohol. This is a targeted measure designed to prevent the sale of alcohol at very cheap prices and aimed at those who drink in a harmful and hazardous manner.

The introduction of minimum unit pricing is currently subject to a Government Decision which envisaged that it would be introduced in Northern Ireland and in the Republic simultaneously. Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann recently set out that he and his Department do not have capacity to implement minimum unit pricing in Northern Ireland during his mandate. On that basis I intend to explore alternative approaches to the introduction here of this very important public health measure.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1995)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

1995. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on the points raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to mandatory hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19530/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Mandatory hotel quarantine has been introduced as one element of Ireland’s public health measures to combat the transmission of COVID-19 and to protect the population when there is a high risk of importation of infection from COVID-19 and from challenges posed by new variants of concern.

The 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.

The criteria used by the Expert Advisory Group to identify designated states include sustained human transmission of Covid-19 or any variant of concern or from which there is a high risk of importation of infection or contamination with Covid-19 or any variant of concern by travel from that state.

Arriving passengers (with limited exemptions) to the State from overseas from non-designated states, must observe a 14-day home mandatory quarantine at the address given on their Passenger Locator Form. A second ‘non-detected’ PCR test result taken no less than 5 days after arrival can end the quarantine period and this must be retained for a period of 14-days.

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 (EAGT) to the Chief Medical Officer. The Chief Medical Officer considers EAGT recommendations and in turn makes recommendations to me when considering the designation of individual states.

The Act allows for travellers to request a review of decisions relating to their quarantine, provisions for leaving quarantine under exceptional circumstances (such as medical emergencies or for humanitarian reasons). The legislation does not prescribe a specific set of humanitarian reasons, the independent appeals officers will assess each application on its own merits and taking the prevailing public health guidance into account. Decisions in relation to reviews of quarantine are taken by a panel of independent appeals officers.

This process can commence once the passengers are in the designated mandatory quarantine facility and only for the limited reasons set out in the relevant legislation. The State Liaison Officer (Irish Defence Forces) in the hotel provides passengers with information on how to apply.

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.

Neither myself or my Department have any role in deciding which persons must enter mandatory quarantine or which persons are exempt from entering mandatory quarantine. All such decisions are to be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

The Government continues to advise against all non-essential international travel.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1996)

Robert Troy

Question:

1996. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason persons that have been identified as a Covid-19 close contact do not have to restrict their movements and can continue to travel to work and school. [19536/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 (1997)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

1997. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the expected cost of the contract for pharmacists to roll out the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19537/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

GPs and pharmacists are private practitioners, and as such require the setting of fees payable for the administration of vaccines against Covid-19; whereas practice nurses are employed by GPs and paid by their employer. Where fees are paid to GPs, these are intended to include the full costs of scheduling and administering the vaccine and must cover not only GP pay, but also the additional payments to practice nurses and practice administrators who will be involved in providing vaccinations outside of normal clinic hours, as well as the additional costs of cleaning surgeries. Public healthcare workers are remunerated on a salary basis under the terms of their employment.

The fees payable to GPs and pharmacists were set following consultation with the Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish Pharmacy Union.

The fee structure agreed by government provides for a payment of €25 per dose of vaccine administered, plus a once-off administration fee of €10 per patient. Thus, in the case of vaccines requiring two doses the total cost per patient will be €60, while if a single-dose vaccine becomes available the cost per patient would be €35.

While the Government believes that these rates reflect both the level of resources necessary for GPs and pharmacists to administer the vaccine to large numbers of patients in a safe manner they also reflect a significant financial commitment on the part of the State. Thus, they will be reviewed within six months in order to ensure that the Vaccination Programme is being delivered as efficiently and economically as possible in keeping with the requirements of public health considerations.

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 (1998)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

1998. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the details of his engagement with an organisation (details supplied) in terms of the vaccine roll-out both within pharmacies and mass vaccination centres and agreements to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19538/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 1999 answered with Question No. 1581.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (2000)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

2000. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to vaccine prioritisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19545/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The 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: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/93f8f-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-irelands-vaccination-prioritisation-list/

There is no evidence to show a significantly increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease, independent of age and other comorbidities, in any occupational group to prioritise them for vaccination above their age-cohort.

Disability Services Data

Questions (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

2001. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the number of clinicians inCHO 9 who have been redeployed from early intervention and school age disability teams into assessment of needs posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19546/21]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

2002. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health when the children's disability network teams will be set up inCHO 9; the location of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19547/21]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

2004. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the number of school age disability teams in CHO 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19549/21]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

2005. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times for children to commence accessing services in speech and language therapy, primary care occupational therapy, school age disability teams and psychological therapy in CHO 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19550/21]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

2006. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the average age of children on the waiting lists to commence accessing services in each of speech and language therapy, primary care occupational therapy, school age disability teams and psychological therapy in CHO 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19551/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2001, 2002 and 2004 to 2006, inclusive, together.

As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.

Disability Services Data

Questions (2003)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

2003. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the number of speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and psychologists working with children directly employed by the HSE and by section 38 organisations in CHO 9 in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19548/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.

Questions Nos. 2004 to 2006, inclusive, answered with Question No. 2001.

Mental Health Services

Questions (2007)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

2007. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on waiting lists for Jigsaw; the average waiting time in CHO 9 in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19552/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Questions (2008)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

2008. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on waiting lists for CAMHS; the average waiting time in CHO9 in each of the years 2017 to 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19553/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.