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Wednesday, 28 Apr 2021

Written Answers Nos. 910-930

Cross-Border Co-operation

Questions (910)

Mark Ward

Question:

910. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that have availed of the cross border directive for each service (details supplied) 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. [21378/21]

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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.

Cross-Border Co-operation

Questions (911)

Mark Ward

Question:

911. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if persons in Ireland can obtain treatment for eating disorders under the cross-border directive; the treatments available; the way in which they access them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21379/21]

View answer

Written answers

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

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (912)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

912. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the cost of the pop-up walk-in Covid-19 test centres by test centre; the locations they are or have been in operation; the way in which the locations are selected; the number that have been tested in each test centre; the number of positive tests found in each test centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21380/21]

View answer

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.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (913)

Richard Bruton

Question:

913. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if a person returning from a country on the red list who is returning to care for a critically ill relative can be allowed complete their quarantine other than in a mandatory hotel. [21383/21]

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Written answers

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. All applicable travellers must reserve and pay for a place in mandatory hotel quarantine.  

The list of designated states 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. A full list of designated states can be accessed on gov.ie/quarantine.

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.  

A person in quarantine is entitled to apply for review of their quarantine. 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. One of the permissible grounds for appeal is ‘for medical or other exceptional reasons, including the necessity of providing care for any vulnerable person’.  Requests for review are submitted to the State Liaison Officer present in each designated facility and are considered by independent appeals officers. Decisions on requests for review are provided within a 24-hour period. 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 be a requirement to quarantine at home following arrival into the State. Passengers who are fully vaccinated are also required to provide a negative pre-departure RT-PCR test taken in the 72 hours pre-departure and to complete a period of self-quarantine at home or wherever specified in their passenger locator form.

The following table sets out the definition of ‘fully vaccinated’;

Type of Vaccine

You are regarded as fully vaccinated after

Pfizer-BioNtech

7 days after 2nd dose

Moderna

14 days after 2nd dose

Oxford-AstraZeneca

15 days after 2nd dose

Johnson & Johnson/Janssen

14 days after single dose

 

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

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (914, 941, 945, 947, 954, 963, 981, 982, 983, 984, 988, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1041, 1069, 1078, 1083, 1087)

Michael Lowry

Question:

914. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he is considering exemptions from mandatory hotel quarantine for persons who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 with Russian and Chinese manufactured vaccines; if the matter has been discussed with NPHET; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21386/21]

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David Cullinane

Question:

941. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to recognising on the basis of currently existing evidence some as-of-yet non-approved Covid-19 vaccines which are being administered in other states for exemption from mandatory hotel quarantine or if the evidence does not support this; if the HPRA has analysed the evidence of the effectiveness of these vaccines not in the context of approval for use here but in the context of reducing transmission and in considering exemptions from hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21478/21]

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Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

945. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if a vaccine (details supplied) will be added to the list of approved vaccines for home quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21498/21]

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David Stanton

Question:

947. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the recognition of the vaccination of persons who have been fully vaccinated with a vaccine (details supplied) and who plan to enter the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21501/21]

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Brendan Griffin

Question:

954. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a vaccine (details supplied) will be accepted as a vaccine to exempt visitors from mandatory hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21535/21]

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Paul Kehoe

Question:

963. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if he will consider an exemption from mandatory hotel quarantine for a traveller from Abu Dhabi who has been fully vaccinated with a vaccine (details supplied), provides a not-detected PCR test and provides an antibody test proving sufficient immunity against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21590/21]

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Kathleen Funchion

Question:

981. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if his Department is considering allowing international travellers that have a vaccine (details supplied) an exemption from hotel quarantine. [21670/21]

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Seán Sherlock

Question:

982. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding a Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21672/21]

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Seán Sherlock

Question:

983. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding a vaccine. [21674/21]

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Neale Richmond

Question:

984. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he has considered expanding the exemptions from mandatory hotel quarantine to include those that are fully vaccinated but not from vaccines that are approved by the European Medicines Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21682/21]

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Brendan Smith

Question:

988. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if persons travelling home to Ireland that have been fully vaccinated with a vaccine other than those approved to date in the European Union and have clear tests pre-departure and on arrival in Ireland will be exempt from mandatory hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21688/21]

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Catherine Murphy

Question:

1002. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to Irish educators based in Abu Dhabi that have received Covid-19 vaccines and wish to avail of a waiver from mandatory hotel quarantine; and the progress he has made to date to introduce a reciprocal travel arrangement with other states in this regard. [21751/21]

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Catherine Murphy

Question:

1003. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the position in respect of Irish citizens that have received vaccines abroad and their requirement to go into mandatory hotel quarantine; and the rationale for this requirement. [21752/21]

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Cathal Crowe

Question:

1004. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health his plans to remove the necessity to undertake a hotel quarantine upon arrival in Ireland for Irish citizens living in the United Arab Emirates that have been fully vaccinated with a vaccine (details supplied). [21755/21]

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Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

1005. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a vaccine (details supplied) will be added to the list of vaccines already considered for exemption to the mandatory hotel quarantine given the efficacy of this vaccine is at approx. 73%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21766/21]

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Holly Cairns

Question:

1041. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if persons that have received a vaccine (details supplied) will have to mandatory quarantine if they are arriving form a country on the quarantine list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22022/21]

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Mattie McGrath

Question:

1069. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason those who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 with an alternative vaccine (details supplied) to those currently available in the EU are obliged to undertake mandatory hotel quarantine; the reason they will not be accepted in Ireland if these vaccines which have been approved by their country of residence and are approved by the WHO; if he has evidence that such vaccines do not work to suggest that they are not being accepted in the exclusions to mandatory hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22124/21]

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Niamh Smyth

Question:

1078. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can enter Ireland without having to quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22201/21]

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Steven Matthews

Question:

1083. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding Irish citizens returning home after residing abroad who received a non-EMA approved Covid-19 vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22226/21]

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Joe Carey

Question:

1087. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the work ongoing to recognise the Covid-19 vaccine sinopharm as an approved vaccine; the timeframe with regard to same; if approved, if persons in receipt of the vaccine will be eligible to avoid mandatory hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22240/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 914, 941, 945, 947, 954, 963, 981 to 984, inclusive, 988, 1002 to 1005, inclusive, 1041, 1069, 1078, 1083 and 1087 together.

Mandatory hotel quarantine has been introduced as one element of Ireland’s public health measures to combat the transmission of COVID-19 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. All applicable travellers must reserve and pay for a place in mandatory hotel quarantine.

The Health (Amendment) Act 2021 identifies those who are exempt from mandatory hotel quarantine and a full list of exemptions can be accessed on gov.ie/quarantine.

The provisions of the Act also allow for travellers to request a review of decisions relating to their quarantine; however this can only be undertaken once quarantine has begun.

The Government continues to evaluate wider policy on international travel as informed by the epidemiological situation and public health advice.

As of 17th April, passengers who are fully vaccinated and have the documents to confirm this are no longer required to complete mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival in Ireland. Dependents, including children, will also be exempted from the requirement to complete mandatory hotel quarantine in this instance.

Please note that the 4 EMA approved vaccines currently accepted have specific definitions for when a person would be considered fully vaccinated.

The following table sets out the definition of ‘fully vaccinated’;

Type of Vaccine

You are regarded as fully vaccinated after

Pfizer-BioNtech

7 days after 2nd dose

Moderna

14 days after 2nd dose

Oxford-AstraZeneca

15 days after 2nd dose

Johnson & Johnson/Janssen

14 days after single dose

Passengers who are fully vaccinated and exempt from hotel quarantine are still subject to other travel restrictions, such as the need to provide a negative pre-departure PCR test and complete a period of self-quarantine at home or wherever specified in their passenger locator form.

Covid 19 vaccines can only be approved and used if they comply with all the requirements of quality, safety and efficacy set out in the EU pharmaceutical legislation. No vaccine will be used until Market Authorisation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is obtained and any authorised vaccine will be subject to ongoing monitoring in Ireland by the Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA).

At present, neither the Sinopharm or Gam-COVID-Vac Covid-19 vaccines have received EMA approval.

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

Health Services

Questions (915)

David Cullinane

Question:

915. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the entitlements of persons with endometriosis to medical treatment here and abroad; the extent to which this is covered by the public system; the extent to which this is covered by private health insurance and rights to treatment under same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21390/21]

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Written answers

The commitment to promoting women's health is highlighted within the Programme for Government. This includes a specific commitment to supporting "the work of the Women’s Health Taskforce, including the development of a Women’s Health Action Plan, to tackle a wide range of issues impacting women’s health outcomes in Ireland". A number of initial priority areas for action were determined by the Taskforce, with the issue of endometriosis recognised and included as part of a priority workstream on improving gynaecological health for women and girls.

The endometriosis workstream identified a number of potential actions in this area, including enhanced services and supports such as the establishment of a centre of excellence for endometriosis surgery and optional access to psychologists in women’s health settings, and enhanced information including a clear patient flow for period/pelvic pain and excessive bleeding and a communications and education strategy to raise awareness of endometriosis and the supports and treatments available.

Budget 2021 has provided a dedicated €5million ‘Women’s Health Fund’ to progress a programme of actions arising from the work of the Women’s Health Taskforce. On 21 April I announced the first two areas to be funded from the Fund: two community-based Ambulatory Gynaecology Services in Tallaght and Limerick/Nenagh and the expansion of the endometriosis service at Tallaght University Hospital.

The expansion of the endometriosis service at Tallaght University Hospital, with an associated cost of €641k, will deliver a specialist endometriosis centre for the management and treatment of all forms of endometriosis, with particular focus on advanced and complex cases for which there is no ready access in Ireland. Endometriosis is estimated to affect 1 in 10 women and represents one of the top four categories of symptoms that comprise approximately 80% of gynaecology referrals. The provision of a secure, supported, expanded and specialist service in Tallaght University Hospital will help to improve both clinical outcomes and overall care experience for women suffering from this debilitating condition.

In addition, the Deputy may wish to note that the  HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme has advised that the best way to help the majority of patients with endometriosis is to improve access to gynaecology services.  As such, the Programme has developed a plan to increase capacity and reduce waiting times for women awaiting general gynaecology, which includes patients with endometriosis. The plan aims to re-orient general gynaecology services to an ambulatory, or see and treat, model, rather than the traditional outpatient referral model.  An ambulatory care model is a more efficient and effective use of resources.  It is also better for the patient as it reduces the requirement for multiple outpatient appointments.

The roll out of Phase One of the new Model of Care commenced in 2020, and the first three clinics were established under the governance of the Rotunda Hospital, Cork University Maternity Hospital, and University Hospital Galway and are providing services. Development funding has been provided in 2021, which will accelerate the implementation of the Model of Care, through the establishment of additional ambulatory gynaecology clinics this year.  Subject to available resources, it is envisaged that up to 19 such clinics will be rolled out in the coming years.

The Deputy has also asked about treatment abroad for endometriosis. The HSE operates a Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled under EU Regulation 883/04.  The TAS is a consultant lead scheme and allows for an Ireland-based public consultant to refer a public patient who is normally resident in Ireland for treatment in the public healthcare system of another EU member state, the UK or Switzerland. Subject to the EU Regulations and Guidelines, the TAS provides for the cost of approved public treatments in another EU/EEA member state, the UK or Switzerland through the issue of form S2 (IE) where the treatment is:

- Among the benefits provided for by Irish legislation,

- Not available in Ireland,

- Not available within the time normally necessary for obtaining it in Ireland, taking account of the patient's current state of health and the probable course of the disease. medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs;

- a proven form of medical treatment and not experimental or test treatment;

- provided in a recognised public hospital or other institution that will accept EU/EEA form S2 (IE) and;

- is under the control of a registered medical practitioner.

As Minister for Health I do not have a role in directing insurers to provide coverage for treatments beyond those prescribed in the minimum benefit regulations. The minimum benefit regulations provide that all health insurance contracts must provide cover for a broad range of in-patient hospital services, and these include laparoscopy for diagnosis and/or treatment of endometriosis. I would advise any health insurance customer seeking treatment for endometriosis to consult their table of benefits and contact their insurer to determine what treatments their health insurance contract covers.

When it comes to treatment abroad via health insurance for endometriosis, again this differs depending on the health insurance contract in question. The minimum benefit regulations do not provide that health insurers must provide cover for treatment abroad, but many plans do where a treatment is medically necessary and the required procedure is not available in Ireland. Again, I would advise a health insurance customer seeking treatment abroad for endometriosis or any other condition to consult the table of benefits for their health insurance contract and to contact their insurer when planning treatment abroad.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (916, 955, 1086)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

916. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the speed with which the legislative changes to exempt vaccinated persons from a mandatory hotel quarantine upon arrival in Ireland will take effect; and if an approximate date can be given for same. [21396/21]

View answer

Richard Bruton

Question:

955. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if a system for exempting persons who have been vaccinated from quarantine requirements has been worked out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21536/21]

View answer

Joe Carey

Question:

1086. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will report on preparations to facilitate fully vaccinated persons from entering mandatory hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22239/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 916, 955 and 1086 together.

Mandatory hotel quarantine has been introduced as one element of Ireland’s public health measures to combat the transmission of COVID-19 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. All applicable travellers must reserve and pay for a place in mandatory hotel quarantine.  

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.    

The Government continues to evaluate wider policy on international travel as informed by the epidemiological situation and public health advice.

 As of 17th April, passengers who are fully vaccinated and have the documents to confirm this are no longer required to complete mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival in Ireland. Dependents, including children, will also be exempted from the requirement to complete mandatory hotel quarantine in this instance.  

Please note that the 4 EMA approved vaccines currently accepted have specific definitions for when a person would be considered fully vaccinated.

The following table sets out the definition of ‘fully vaccinated’;

Type of Vaccine

You are regarded as fully vaccinated after

Pfizer-BioNtech

7 days after 2nd dose

Moderna

14 days after 2nd dose

Oxford-AstraZeneca

15 days after 2nd dose

Johnson & Johnson/Janssen

14 days after single dose

 

Passengers who are fully vaccinated and exempt from hotel quarantine are still subject to other travel restrictions, such as the need to provide a negative pre-departure PCR test and complete a period of self-quarantine at home or wherever specified in their passenger locator form.

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

Maternity Services

Questions (917)

Seán Canney

Question:

917. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that an ad hoc approach is not being taken by different hospitals to allowing partners to access antenatal appointments and attend at births to ensure that women across the country can have clarity on their partners being able to attend maternity appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21397/21]

View answer

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. 918 answered with Question No. 889.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (919)

Michael McNamara

Question:

919. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the position regarding children travelling with applicable travellers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21401/21]

View answer

Written answers

Mandatory hotel quarantine has been introduced as one element of Ireland’s public health measures to combat the transmission of COVID-19 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. All applicable travellers must reserve and pay for a place in mandatory hotel quarantine.

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.  

Unaccompanied minors who have travelled from or through a designated state in the 14 days prior to arrival in Ireland will not be permitted to enter a mandatory quarantine facility alone. To board a flight/ferry to Ireland, an unaccompanied minor must produce a negative RT-PCR test within the last 72 hours and their passport.

Their adult guardian can enter mandatory hotel quarantine with them, however, if this is not possible a responsible adult collecting the unaccompanied minor must sign a guardian release letter undertaking in writing the legal responsibility for ensuring that, the unaccompanied minor, will complete the mandatory 14-day quarantine at a specified address and that it is possible to effectively isolate at the said address.

In instances where an unaccompanied minor is arriving in Ireland to attend boarding school, a school representative must present themselves to Irish Immigration authorities with proper identification and on arrival, they will fill in, sign and return the Guardian Release Letter to the Irish immigration official. It is a criminal offence to give misleading or fraudulent information to an Irish immigration official.

As of 17th April, passengers who are fully vaccinated and have the documents to confirm this are no longer required to complete mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival in Ireland. Dependents, including children, will also be exempted from the requirement to complete mandatory hotel quarantine in this instance.  

Please note that the 4 EMA approved vaccines currently accepted have specific definitions for when a person would be considered fully vaccinated.  

The following table sets out the definition of ‘fully vaccinated’;

Type of Vaccine

You are regarded as fully vaccinated after

Pfizer-BioNtech

7 days after 2nd dose

Moderna

14 days after 2nd dose

Oxford-AstraZeneca

15 days after 2nd dose

Johnson & Johnson/Janssen

14 days after single dose

Passengers who are fully vaccinated and exempt from hotel quarantine are still subject to other travel restrictions, such as the need to provide a negative pre-departure PCR test and complete a period of self-quarantine at home or wherever specified in their passenger locator form.  

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

Vaccination Programme

Questions (920)

Mark Ward

Question:

920. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not received their Covid-19 vaccine; when they will receive same; and if this can be arranged as a matter of urgency. [21402/21]

View answer

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.

Child Protection

Questions (921)

Michael McNamara

Question:

921. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the training regarding child protection provided to staff supervising the hotels in which mandatory hotel quarantine is carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21403/21]

View answer

Written answers

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. All applicable travellers must reserve and pay for a place in mandatory hotel quarantine.  

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.    

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.

Unaccompanied minors who have travelled from or through a designated state in the 14 days prior to arrival in Ireland will not be permitted to enter a mandatory quarantine facility alone. To board a flight/ferry to Ireland, an unaccompanied minor must produce a negative RT-PCR test within the last 72 hours and their passport.

Their adult guardian can enter mandatory hotel quarantine with them, however, if this is not possible a responsible adult collecting the unaccompanied minor must sign a guardian release letter undertaking in writing the legal responsibility for ensuring that, the unaccompanied minor, will complete the mandatory 14 day quarantine at a specified address and that it is possible to effectively isolate at the said address.  

In instances where an unaccompanied minor is arriving in Ireland to attend boarding school, a school representative must present themselves to Irish Immigration authorities with proper identification and on arrival, they will fill in, sign and return the Guardian Release Letter to the Irish immigration official. It is a criminal offence to give misleading or fraudulent information to an Irish immigration official.

 All guests undergoing mandatory quarantine in a designated facility are being provided with access to a 24/7 on-site medically qualified healthcare team who hold clinical responsibility for their wellbeing during their stay. The on-site health team are available to address any wellbeing concerns of guests through both scheduled check-ins during a guest's stay as well as through direct engagement if requested.

The State Liaison Officer (SLO) will have staff onsite 24/7 at each designated facility to liaise between guests and the service provider if required.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (922)

Michael McNamara

Question:

922. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the number of those reported to Deputies as having died with Covid-19 at a HSE mid-west briefing on 26 March 2021, that had Covid-19 recorded as the disease or condition directly leading cause of death; and, in the said number of cases in which Covid-19 was recorded as the disease or condition directly leading to death, the number that had other significant conditions contributing to the death recorded. [21405/21]

View answer

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.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (923)

David Cullinane

Question:

923. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the acute hospitals that have been contacted for lists of heart failure patients with regard to the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21407/21]

View answer

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.

Crisis Pregnancy Services

Questions (924)

Emer Higgins

Question:

924. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the status of his plans to regulate rogue crisis pregnancy agencies that seek to delay and misinform those seeking information on abortion services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21408/21]

View answer

Written answers

The State-provided My Options information service is the first port of call for someone with an unplanned pregnancy seeking information and support. Professional counsellors can provide information on all options, including continued pregnancy supports and abortion services.  

The HSE recommends that people should only visit a HSE-funded unplanned pregnancy counselling agency. A list of HSE-funded unplanned pregnancy agencies is available at https://www2.hse.ie/services/unplanned-pregnancy-support-services/find-a-face-to-face-unplanned-pregnancy-counselling-service.html

The HSE continuously monitors the situation and promotes the My Options service through a number of channels, including by posting unplanned pregnancy support messages across social media channels, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to signpost the My Options website, and radio advertisements delivered during the year.  

The HSE has advised that as the My Options website (myoptions.ie ) is now well-established, the organic search performs exceptionally well for keywords relating to unplanned pregnancy and abortion. My Options Google search advertisements also perform well, with a high impression share.  

The Deputy may recall that in 2019, a disingenuous agency began using ‘My Options’ in the name of their website, causing confusion and putting people at risk of attending a disingenuous service. To counteract this, the HSE issued a statement to the media, reminding people to only visit a HSE-funded unplanned pregnancy counselling agency, and to check for the HSE logo or name if looking for information online. A High Court Case was also taken against the owner of a website, which was settled in favour of the HSE.  

The HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme has produced guidelines to assist HSE funded counselling service providers in responding to complaints in this area.  

In addition, the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 provides for the protection of the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct and professional education, training and competence through statutory registration of health and social care professions designated under the Act. The professions of counsellor and psychotherapist were designated for regulation by the Minister under the Act and will be regulated by CORU.  

Regulations to designate the two professions under the Act and to establish the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board were made in 2018. The Board was appointed in February 2019 and held its inaugural meeting in May 2019. The work of the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board is significantly more challenging than for registration boards for some of the more established professions, owing to the different and complex entry paths into these professions, the variety of titles used, and the variety and number of courses and course providers.    

The Board is now undertaking the substantial work required to open the registers for counsellors and psychotherapists. This work includes the scoping of professions and titles and the consideration of the minimum qualifications to be required of existing practitioners and for future graduates.   

When the Board has opened the register and the transitional period to allow existing practitioners to register is completed, it will be an offence for anyone not registered to use any protected titles. All registrants will also be subject to the fitness to practice process in CORU which provides for sanctions against registrants when complaints are proven.

Mental Health Services

Questions (925)

Mark Ward

Question:

925. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide a multi-agency mental health crisis de-escalation team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21409/21]

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Written answers

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

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (926)

Denis Naughten

Question:

926. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting an urgent general practitioner referral x-ray in each acute hospital; the waiting time for such an x-ray in each acute hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21411/21]

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Written answers

As the referral of patients by General Practitioner's for urgent x-ray to Acute Hospitals is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Maternity Services

Questions (927)

Gino Kenny

Question:

927. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will provide clarity and an update in relation to partners of pregnant person’s attendance at prenatal appointments, labour and delivery (details supplied); if he will allow this vital support to resume as the gradual relaxation of public health restrictions commences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21412/21]

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Written answers

I would like to assure the Deputy that I fully appreciate how restrictions across the health system are impacting service users and I acknowledge that restrictions in maternity hospitals have been particularly difficult for expectant mothers and partners. However, it is important to recognise that the challenges our maternity hospitals face vary considerably between hospitals and that significant variations in case load, complexity and infrastructure exist throughout the system. In that regard local flexibility is required to account for the different circumstances that may arise in different maternity units and decisions on restrictions are therefore made, implemented, and reviewed at hospital level.

The National Women’s & Infants Health Programme has advised that as the situation regarding community transmission continues to improve, and as the immunisation of frontline workers begins to take effect, the Programme is engaging with the clinical leads in each maternity network to support the phased relaxation of restrictions and provide advice on any areas of particular challenge.

In that context I have asked the National Women’s and Infants Health Programme, HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Admissions

Questions (928)

Barry Cowen

Question:

928. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an admission date to the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin. [21413/21]

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Written answers

The 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.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (929)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

929. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for the seven additional isolation rooms in the bone marrow unit at St. James's Hospital, Dublin; when this project will commence; and the estimated timeframe for completion. [21417/21]

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Written answers

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.  

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Questions (930)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

930. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of STI clinics nationally; the staffing numbers at each; the vacancy numbers at each; and the length of time the vacancies have existed. [21418/21]

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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.

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