Written Answers Nos. 1029-1047
1029. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of community intervention teams in each CHO as of 19 April 2021; the number of whole-term equivalent staff in each team on that date; and the corresponding data for the same dates in 2019 and 2020, in tabular form. [21982/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1030. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of child psychologists employed in County Meath in 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and the number of vacant posts. [21983/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
1031. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if an outbreak of Covid-19 in the workplace is a criterion that is applied in respect of applications by healthcare workers to avail of the temporary accommodation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21987/21]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible, in relation to this operational matter.
1032. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to applications submitted by healthcare workers for the temporary accommodation scheme to be administered by the HSE directly with the healthcare worker and not the local line manager in order to obviate recurring administrative and communication errors which are creating confusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21988/21]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible in relation to this operational matter.
1033. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1075 of 31 March 2021, if consideration has been given to extend the term of the temporary accommodation scheme as long as Ireland is in a Covid-19 environment as opposed to the current system which requires healthcare workers and their line managers to complete and submit forms on at least a bi-weekly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21989/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1034. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if each CHO area operates the same system for healthcare workers to access and avail of the temporary accommodation scheme; if each CHO area requires healthcare workers to complete the same form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21990/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1035. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if all contact information for persons applying for the temporary accommodation schemes to CHO regions, hospital groups and National Ambulance Service on the HSE website is up to date; the procedure in place to ensure such information is up to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21991/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1036. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to providing self-catering accommodation rather than non-self-catering accommodation to healthcare workers availing of the temporary accommodation scheme to ensure such workers have access to cooking facilities including refrigeration facilities and are not reliant on for example take-away food; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21992/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1037. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if evidence from other jurisdictions has been examined in cases in which outdoor hospitality has remained open throughout tight restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21994/21]
View answerNPHET has consistently advised that outdoor settings are considerably safer than indoor ones based on national and international evidence. This was a key informing principle in the development of the 5 level framework of public health measures last September and in the Government decision last month to commence the easing of some measures over April which are focused specifically on outdoor activities.
It is important to note, however, that while outdoors is safer, it is not risk-free. It is important to continue to practice social distancing and other safe behaviours when meeting people outdoors and masks should be worn in crowded outdoor spaces.
HIQA undertook an evidence review on higher-risk environments and activities for the NPHET in November 2020, drawing on national and international evidence. The Review found that while there is consistent evidence that the risk of outdoor transmission of COVID-19 is substantially lower, there is still evidence of transmission occurring in outdoor environments. This is particularly the case when there are large gatherings, where social distancing or the use of face coverings are neglected, and where there is dense congregation and mixing among groups. There are also risks linked to what might precede and follow outdoor gatherings including associated events and activities and shared travel to or from events or activities. The review is available at:
https://www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/health-technology-assessment/activities-or-settings-associated-higher-risk
The public health advice relating to Covid-19 is kept under continuing review by the NPHET. HIQA, at the request of the NPHET, is undertaking a regular review of the public health measures and strategies that are in place internationally to limit the spread of COVID-19. These reviews are available online at:
https://www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/health-technology-assessment/public-health-measures-and-strategies-limit.
In its most recent review which was considered by NPHET on 22 April, hospitality remains restricted to take-away and delivery services in the majority of countries examined.
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 later this week and it is anticipated that a roadmap for the further easing of measures over the coming months will be agreed.
1038. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to moving factory workers providing an essential product from cohort 9 to cohort 6 given they are based in crowded environments and supplying essential retail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22008/21]
View answerThe 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 23 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 30 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/
Vaccination of Group 4 (people aged 16-69 with a medical condition that puts them at very high risk of severe disease and death) began in March. Vaccine registration for Group 5 (people aged 65-69 whose underlying condition puts them at a high risk of severe disease and death) began on 15 April.
1039. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that the HSE paid for to receive eating disorder care in the United Kingdom; the cost of this care annually in each of the years 2014 and 2020, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22020/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1040. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will restore funding to the community based non-profit counselling services to 2011 levels with adjustments for inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22021/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1042. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking in response to the plans to sell off facilities for persons with physical and intellectual disabilities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22023/21]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1043. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a Cork school that provides in-school support for students with a facility for deaf children retains a speech and language therapist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22024/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1044. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the method or system used by the HSE to decide on the amount of speech and language, physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions a child with a severe or profound learning disability should receive per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22027/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1045. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the HSE budget allocated per child diagnosed with needs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22028/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1046. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if patients with a psychiatric illness will be vaccinated according to groups 4 and 7 or by age; if some patients have already been vaccinated under group 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22037/21]
View answerThe 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 23 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 30 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/
Vaccination of Group 4 (people aged 16-69 with a medical condition that puts them at very high risk of severe disease and death) began in March. Vaccine registration for Group 5 (people aged 65-69 whose underlying condition puts them at a high risk of severe disease and death) began on 15 April.
1047. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if amusement parks are included in the reopening subject to prevailing public health situation of outdoor visitor attractions such as zoos, open pet farms and heritage sites on 26 April 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22038/21]
View answerLevel 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 well-being 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.
From 26th April, outdoor visitor attractions can reopen (for example: zoos, open pet farms, heritage sites). The regulations specify that amusement parks are not included in the relevant recreational premises that are permitted to reopen. The regulation providing for these measures is S.I. No. 193 of 2021 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 which can be viewed at:
https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/
Further information on level 5 public health restrictions can be viewed at:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/
Significant progress has been made on suppressing the virus due to the huge effort of our citizens. By working together, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland. We all must continue to do everything possible to avoid the virus spreading.
