Cathal Crowe
Question:2028. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the provisions that are being made for the allocation of unused Covid-19 vaccinations. [19623/21]
View answerVaccination Programme
Questions (2028)
Written answers
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. 2029 answered with Question No. 1783.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2030)
Paul Kehoe
Question:2030. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the way in which a person (details supplied) categorised as cohort 4 without a consultant can get their Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19629/21]
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (2031)
Michael Ring
Question:2031. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the matters included in the National Pandemic Management Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19632/21]
View answerWritten answers
Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 was published by the Government on 15 September and sets out Ireland's approach to managing and living with COVID-19 in a range of areas. On 23rd February, 2021, the Government published the revised plan: Covid 19 Resilience & Recovery 2021. These plans encapsulate the national strategy for management of the COVID19 pandemic.
The Plan for Living with COVID- 19 continues to provide an appropriate mechanism to guide decision-making, is supplemented by more detailed sectoral guidance in relation to measures that apply at each level of the Framework. This 5-level framework sets out what is permitted for social or family gatherings, work and public transport, bars, hotels and restaurants, exercise activities and religious services, at that moment in time.
Covid 19 Resilience & Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead reviews the learnings from our experience to date, considers the enormous impacts our efforts to manage and suppress the disease have had on our economy and on our society and sets out a cautious and measured approach to the easing of restrictions over the coming months.
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (2032)
Michael Ring
Question:2032. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated from March 2020 to date for the National Pandemic Management Strategy; if a breakdown of the areas to which the funding was allocated will be provided in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19633/21]
View answerWritten answers
COVID-19 Funding 2020
The budget allocation for spending on COVID-19 measures by the Department of Health through the HSE in 2020 was €2,511m (comprising €2,291m current and €220m capital).
The HSE’s current allocation for COVID-19 measures in 2020 of €2,291m included: €920m for personal protective equipment; €330m for private hospital capacity; €292m for COVID-19 testing & contact tracing; €190m for acute hospitals; €140m for GP services; €80m for the Temporary Payment Assistance Scheme for private nursing homes; €76m for payment of student nurses and medical interns; €45m for accommodation and isolation facilities; and €218m for other measures including community costs, disability services, hospices, the National Ambulance Service and other miscellaneous supports.
The HSE’s capital allocation for COVID-19 measures in 2020 of €220m included: €125m for buildings and related equipment; €45m for other equipment; €32m for ventilators and €18m for ICT.
Further details of the HSE’s 2020 allocation are available in the final Letter of Determination for 2020, issued to the HSE on 29/12/2020.
COVID-19 Funding 2021
The budget allocation for spending on COVID-19 measures by the Department of Health through the HSE in 2021 is €1,831m (comprising €1,676m current and €155m capital). In addition to this allocation, a contingency fund of €240m held by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is available to be re-allocated to the HSE for COVID-related measures if required, bringing the total funding available to the HSE in 2021 to €2,071m. A further amount of €50m has been allocated to the Department of Health for non-HSE related COVID expenditure in 2021, bringing the total allocation for all COVID-related measures in 2021 to €2,121m.
The HSE’s current allocation for COVID-19 measures in 2021 of €1,676m includes: €450m for personal protective equipment; €200m for the COVID vaccination programme; €445m for testing & contact tracing (excluding €205m available from DPER contingency if required); €210m for the Access to Care Fund; €42m for the Temporary Payment Assistance Scheme for private nursing homes; and €329m for other measures including home care, mental health supports, disability services, cancer restoration services, homelessness services, GP costs, hospices and infection prevention & control.
The HSE’s capital allocation for COVID-19 measures in 2021 of €155m includes: €130m for building, equipping and furnishing of health facilities; and €25m for ICT.
Further details of the HSE’s 2021 allocation are set out in the revised Letter of Determination for 2021, issued to the HSE on 04/01/2021.
The non-HSE related allocation for COVID-19 measures of €50m held by the Department in 2021 includes: €30m for the National Treatment Purchase Fund; €10m for costs related to the ePassenger Locator Form; €5.0m for the Healthy Ireland programme; and €5.0m for HIQA’s Nursing Home Expert Review in relation to the COVID-19 response.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (2033)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:2033. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of claims made and proceedings initiated against the HSE or hospital groups by persons or groups of persons whose loved ones died after contracting Covid-19 in a hospital setting. [19636/21]
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 information contained within this report was extracted from the National Incident Management System (NIMS) according to the below criteria:
- Hospital setting is interpreted as claims notified to the SCA which relate to incidents occurring within the Acute Hospital Group.
- Claims arising could relate to the death of a service user or staff member.
The number of claims notified to the SCA which relate to the death of a family member/dependent as a result of contracting Covid-19 in the Acute Hospital Group setting is 1.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (2034)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:2034. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of claims made and proceedings initiated against the HSE by persons or groups of persons whose loved ones died after contracting Covid-19 in HSE run nursing homes or community hospital settings. [19637/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (2035)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:2035. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that contracted Covid-19 in hospitals since the start of the pandemic. [19638/21]
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (2036)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:2036. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that have died after contracting Covid-19 in hospitals since the start of the pandemic. [19639/21]
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (2037)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:2037. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if under the new regulations regarding construction of healthcare facilities will be allowed undergo renovations. [19644/21]
View answerWritten answers
Following a government decision regarding the Level 5 restrictions and the making of the Health Act 1947 (Section 31a - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10) (Amendment) Regulations 2021, the development an essential health and related project is comprehended within the exemptions to closure. Paragraph 5 of Part 2 to the Schedule to the Health Act 1947 (Section 31a - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 (as amended) details the construction and development that is included in the definition of an essential service and whereby a worker may leave his or her place of residence and attend a premises for the provision of that essential service.
The recent amendment to the Regulations significantly enhances and expands upon “Construction and Development” deemed to be an essential service under Part 2 of the Schedule to the Original Regulations.
The amending regulation can be found here http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2021/si/4/made/en/pdf.
Critical construction of essential health projects are exempt from restrictions as the development of an essential health or related project isn’t dependent on it being linked to preventing, limiting, minimising or slowing the spread of Covid-19.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2038)
David Cullinane
Question:2038. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if postnatal mothers will be considered for priority vaccination given their vulnerability and necessity to protect themselves and their newborn babies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19649/21]
View answerWritten answers
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/
Maternity Services
Questions (2039)
David Cullinane
Question:2039. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the safeguards in place to support women with postpartum depression; if additional supports will be provided considering escalation of stress and anxiety that these women are going through during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19650/21]
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.
HSE Legal Cases
Questions (2040, 2412)
David Cullinane
Question:2040. 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. [19660/21]
View answerPeadar Tóibín
Question:2412. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of claims received by the CervicalCheck Tribunal to date. [20750/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2040 and 2412 together.
The CervicalCheck Tribunal was established on 27 October 2020 under the CervicalCheck Tribunal Act 2019. Establishment of the Tribunal was finalised with the appointment of the nominated members to the Tribunal with effect from 1 December 2020.
The Tribunal has indicated to my Department that it has received three claims as at close of business on 19 April 2021. No claims have yet been heard by the Tribunal; but it is anticipated that Tribunal will be able to facilitate early hearing dates once all parties are ready.
The Tribunal is 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.
Dental Services
Questions (2041)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:2041. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an orthodontic appointment for a child (details supplied); if an appointment will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19664/21]
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (2042)
David Cullinane
Question:2042. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to develop a care pathway for those suffering from long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19667/21]
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.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2043)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:2043. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason patients with MS that are being told by their consultants that they have a low immune system are not on the list of patients being called for the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19668/21]
View answerWritten answers
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/.
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 (2044, 2116)
Gino Kenny
Question:2044. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) and their companion who are travelling abroad for vital medical reasons do not have to undergo mandatory hotel quarantining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19678/21]
View answer
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:2116. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be exempt from mandatory hotel quarantine on their return under the exemption travelling to the State for unavoidable, imperative and time-sensitive medical reasons and these reasons are certified by a registered medical practitioner or person with equivalent qualifications outside the State in circumstances in which the country they are travelling to for a certified medical treatment is added to the list. [19897/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2044 and 2116 together.
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.
Mandatory hotel quarantine is also necessary in circumstances where passengers coming from non-designated states do not provide evidence that they have a negative or ‘not detected’ result from a COVID-19 Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test carried out no more than 72 hours before arrival into Ireland.
At present, persons returning to Ireland from or transiting through high risk countries after receiving medical treatment abroad are not exempt from the requirement to enter the mandatory hotel quarantine.
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. All such decisions are to be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
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.
The safety, wellbeing and comfort of all guests quarantining in a designated facility is a priority of the mandatory quarantine system, along with the ultimate goal of protecting public health by limiting the potential spread of COVID-19 variants of concern.
All guests undergoing mandatory quarantine in a designated facility are being provided with access to a 24/7 on-site healthcare team who hold clinical responsibility for their wellbeing during their stay. The on-site healthcare team are available to address any wellbeing concerns of guests through both scheduled daily check-in calls during a guest's stay as well as through direct engagement if requested. Guests requiring any specific, urgent or emergency care which cannot be provided on-site at a hotel may also be referred to a dedicated medical facility by the on-site healthcare team.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (2045)
Pa Daly
Question:2045. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on the track and trace programme for 2020 and to date in 2021, including costs paid to third parties and spent within the HSE. [19682/21]
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (2046)
Pa Daly
Question:2046. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on the Covid-19 app for 2020 and to date in 2021, including costs paid to third parties and spent within the HSE. [19683/21]
View answerWritten answers
The COVID-19 Tracker App has been a very successful national digital tool in the continued fight against COVID-19, supporting and speeding up the test and trace services response. The Health Service Executive has operational responsibility for the COVID-Tracker App and I have asked them to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (2047)
Pa Daly
Question:2047. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the person or body that retains the legal rights to transcripts, standard operating procedures and other intellectual property developed in the course of the track and trace programme. [19684/21]
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.