Paul McAuliffe
Question:2180. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding pay restoration for staff. [20046/21]
View answerHealth Services Staff
Questions (2180)
Written answers
In October 2018, an agreement was reached by the parties at the Workplace Relations Commission in relation to a process of pay restoration for staff employed in a pilot group of 50 section 39 organisations who are funded by way of a Service Level Agreement (SLA). A further WRC agreement followed in December 2020 in relation to a final phase of 250 SLA funded organisations who were identified as part of the earlier agreement.
Only organisations who received in excess of an agreed, specified amount from the HSE by way of the Service Level Agreement process were included in this section 39 pay restoration exercise. Grant aid organisations were not included in this process. Pay restoration is absolutely limited and only applicable to those included in the WRC agreement.
I can confirm that there is no scope to revisit the eligibility criteria for the process. Any further discussion will relate solely to those organisations identified in the WRC agreement.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2181)
Michael Ring
Question:2181. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have been vaccinated at a location (details supplied) from the date the centre opened to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20047/21]
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.
Palliative Care Services
Questions (2182)
Mattie McGrath
Question:2182. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the private nursing homes in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary that have agreed to provide palliative care beds to the HSE if required following the closure of a nursing home (details supplied). [20048/21]
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.
Substance Misuse
Questions (2183)
Thomas Gould
Question:2183. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a situation in which communities in County Clare are finding one hit kit packages with needles; if he will instruct his Department to contact the relevant pharmacies to discuss the issue; and if funding is available for equipment and training for local community groups such as tidy towns to clean the needles up. [20051/21]
View answerWritten answers
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2184)
Robert Troy
Question:2184. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will prioritise SNAs in the vaccine roll-out programme alongside all healthcare workers. [20053/21]
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; and 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/
Abortion Services
Questions (2185)
Carol Nolan
Question:2185. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the details of the payments issued to date to each of the 352 general practitioners providing termination of pregnancy services within the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20058/21]
View answerWritten answers
In Ireland, termination of pregnancy is available in certain circumstances: women in early pregnancy (up to 12 weeks); if there is a risk to life or health; if there is risk to life or health of a pregnant woman in an emergency situation; or any condition likely to lead to the death of the foetus.
Under Section 20(3) of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, the Minister for Health is required to prepare a report on the notifications of terminations of pregnancy received during the immediately preceding year, and lay it before the Houses of the Oireachtas not later than 30 June. Material published on information contained in notifications is restricted in order to limit the risk of identification in what is a private, confidential matter between patients and their doctors.
The first annual report which was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 30 June 2020 shows that during the period 1 January to 31 December 2019, 6,542 medical procedures were carried out in early pregnancy under the grounds set out in Section 12 of the Act.
Terminations of pregnancy at 9 weeks and under are provided in a community setting by participating General Practitioners, Family Planning Clinics and Women's Health Clinics. In 2019, €2.9m was paid in fees to all providers of termination of pregnancy services in a community setting.
The second annual report on the notifications of terminations of pregnancy received during the period 1 January and 31 December 2020 will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas by end-June 2021. I believe that in the light of this statutory requirement, it would not be appropriate to pre-empt the annual report by publishing data, the effect of which would be to place in the public domain information of a type intended by the Oireachtas to be addressed in the annual report.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (2186, 2287)
Seán Haughey
Question:2186. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will amend Statutory Instrument No. 168 of 2021 in order that those who have had Covid-19 can meet with others who have had Covid-19 from one other household indoors without wearing a mask or staying two metres apart in the same way as those who have been fully vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20060/21]
View answer
Richard Bruton
Question:2287. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if persons who have immunity from having had Covid-19 will be able to enjoy the benefits of reductions in restrictions for those who have been vaccinated. [20446/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2186 and 2287 together.
As of 30 March, current Government advice states that fully vaccinated people may meet with other fully vaccinated people from one other household indoors without wearing a mask or staying 2 metres apart and the HPSC has developed guidance in this regard. This change was made on the basis of the strong evidence showing the protection that is provided by vaccination and also in recognition that individual benefits derived from vaccination are important incentives to maintain momentum in the ongoing vaccination programme. Fully vaccinated people must continue to follow all other public health restrictions along with the rest of the population.
The duration of protective immunity (protection from reinfection) following SARS-CoV-2 infection is kept under review by the NPHET. In its most recent advice to the NPHET on this matter earlier this month, HIQA advised that the period of presumptive immunity should continue to be regarded as six months post infection. The implications of this advice is under review and will be considered by the NPHET in the coming weeks, including in relation to the application of certain public health measures.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (2187, 2188)
Matt Carthy
Question:2187. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of the P1 variant of Covid-19 identified in Ireland by week in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20066/21]
View answerMatt Carthy
Question:2188. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of the P1 variant of Covid-19 identified as part of the ongoing serial testing in meat processing plants by week in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20067/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2187 and 2188 together.
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 (2189)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:2189. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if the national immunisation advisory committee advisory group on cardiovascular patients has considered the HSE national heart programme submission which recommends that patients under 70 years of age waiting for cardiovascular surgery be placed in the vaccine allocation group four; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20083/21]
View answerWritten answers
The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, was endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and approved by Government on 8th December 2020.
The aims of the vaccination programme are to ensure equitable access to safe and effective vaccines with the goals of limiting severe disease and death from COVID-19, protecting healthcare capacity and enabling social and economic activity.
The NIAC is an independent expert group that provides evidence-based advice to my Department on vaccines, immunisation and related health matters to inform health policies in Ireland. The general approach taken by the NIAC for prioritisation to help with planning for vaccine implementation is based on:
- disease burden and severity in risk groups
- impact on society
- vaccine specific information
- moral equality of the person, minimising harm, fairness, and reciprocity.
Given that vaccine supplies were initially going to be limited, a number of groups were prioritised for receipt of vaccine on the basis of the epidemiology of COVID-19, preliminary information on vaccines, and in line with the ethical principles set out in my Department's Allocation Framework for Equitable Access to COVID-19 Vaccine(s).
In line with the primary objective of the vaccination programme, to reduce mortality and morbidity as a consequence of COVID-19, those aged 65 and older residing in long-term residential care facilities (LTCFs) were prioritised, as were frontline healthcare workers. Increasing age is the clearest risk factor associated with hospitalisation, ICU admission and death. This risk is amplified for older persons living in long-term residential care as they have a higher risk of exposure to infection. Frontline healthcare workers are also at high risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and are vital to maintaining the delivery of healthcare services.
The provisional vaccine allocation strategy contained a commitment that the priority groups would be kept under review and would be updated and adapted where necessary considering any new evidence and/or a changing epidemiological situation. Since the publication of the provisional priority listing at the beginning of December, Ireland has experienced increasing disease incidence with extremely elevated case counts reported through late December 2020 onwards. Concurrently, there has been the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, including the B.1.1.7 variant which is the predominant circulating strain in Ireland currently.
In the initial vaccine allocation strategy, the NIAC listed several medical conditions associated with an increased risk of serious illness and death. In the interim, additional national and international evidence has become available which enables a more detailed examination of specific underlying medical conditions which increase the risk of developing severe disease or death following infection with SARS-CoV-2. This has allowed the NIAC to sub-divide those with specific medical conditions into those at very high-risk and those at high risk of serious disease and death. The list of conditions considered is not exhaustive and will need to be further informed by clinical discretion.
The NIAC has completed a review of the epidemiology of COVID-19 disease, as well as an extensive literature review, and deliberations have also been informed by submissions from HSE clinical programme as well as submissions from a wide variety of stakeholders. The NIAC recommendations have also been informed by my Department's Vaccine Allocation Framework for Equitable Access to COVID-19 vaccines.
The updated allocation strategy is presented below in order of priority.
|
1 |
People aged 65 years and older who are residents of long-term care facilities (likely to include all staff and residents on site) |
|
2 |
Frontline healthcare workers |
|
3 |
People aged 70 and older |
|
4 |
People aged 16-69 with a medical condition that puts them at very high risk of severe disease and death |
|
5 |
People aged 65-69 whose underlying condition puts them at a high risk of severe disease and death |
|
6 |
Other people aged 65-69 and key workers essential to the vaccine programme |
|
7 |
People aged 16-64 who have an underlying condition that puts them at high risk of severe disease and death |
|
8 |
Residents of long-term care facilities aged 16-64 |
|
9 |
People aged 64 years and younger, and people aged 16-64 living or working in crowded settings (in parallel) |
Question No. 2190 answered with Question No. 1581.
Health Services
Questions (2191)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:2191. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position of a person (details supplied) on a waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20087/21]
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.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2192)
Matt Shanahan
Question:2192. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the expedited vaccine pathway that can be provided for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20090/21]
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.
Hospital Staff
Questions (2193)
Paul Donnelly
Question:2193. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time consultant paediatric transplant and hepatobiliary surgeons with a special interest in kidney transplantation at CHI Temple Street, Dublin 1; and if this number will be increased. [20100/21]
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.
Hospital Staff
Questions (2194)
Paul Donnelly
Question:2194. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of staff by job title working in the radiology intervention suite at Connolly Hospital, Dublin 15. [20101/21]
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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (2195)
Paul Donnelly
Question:2195. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of staff by job title working in Corduff and Blanchardstown primary care centres, Dublin 15. [20102/21]
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.
Nursing Home Accommodation
Questions (2196)
Paul Donnelly
Question:2196. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if the HSE is involved in the closing and sale of a nursing home (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and the future plans for the site. [20103/21]
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.
Question No. 2197 answered with Question No. 1742.
Speech and Language Therapy
Questions (2198)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:2198. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for a primary care speech and language therapy appointment by CHO, LHO, age and time waiting. [20110/21]
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.