Written Answers Nos. 596-615
596. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the number of amplification cycles, cycle threshold currently being used in laboratory PCR testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22976/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
597. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the data that is being utilised to justify the continued restrictions on outdoor activities including sports given the HSPC data that 0.1% of overall Covid-19 cases have been traced to outdoor activity to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22977/21]
View answerThere has been considerable progress in reducing infection levels since the peak of the wave of infection in late 2020/early 2021 because of the widespread commitment and adherence by the public to the public health measures in place. While there is still a high level of infection nationally, the situation is considered reasonably stable and significant progress is being made in relation to the roll-out of our vaccination programme.
In recognition of the improving situation, the Government announced a roadmap on the 29 April for the gradual lifting of some restrictions over the next two months, with a particular focus on allowing more outdoor activities. A range of measures will be eased in May, with a further easing of measures in June subject to the epidemiological situation at the time.
The Government announcement focused in particular on permitted additional outdoor activities, outdoor work and outdoor training. As of May 10, 3 households or 6 people can meet in a private garden while 15 people can meet for organised outdoor gatherings and training. From 7 June, subject to the public health situation at the time, outdoor sport matches can be played with no spectators and outdoor hospitality services can recommence.
As the Deputy may be aware, the NPHET 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 recent Government decisions in relation to easing public health measures. 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 here (https://www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/health-technology-assessment/activities-or-settings-associated-higher-risk.)
In relation to the data published by the HPSC, the HSE has clarified that this data is limited and will not reflect all cases associated with outside activities. Firstly, it only relates to outbreak data and it is not possible to link every case to a particular outbreak setting. A proportion of cases will also be considered community transmission or are under investigation when the source isn’t known. As such, the surveillance data would not capture all cases potentially associated with an outdoor environment/activity. Secondly, there may be outbreak settings that wouldn’t be considered as “outdoor” environments but where transmission amongst some cases associated with such outbreaks may have occurred outside (e.g. while congregating/socially interacting outside a building and not maintaining physical distancing etc.). Thirdly, there are indoor ancillary activities associated with outdoor activities as set out above (eg travel to/from activity, changing rooms etc.) that won’t be classified as linked to an outdoor event.
It is important to note that while there is now scope to ease a range of public health measures, this approach must continue to be cautious, gradual and on a phased basis, with sufficient time between any easing of measures to assess the impact. This will be critical to ensuring the protection of the gains of recent months, the protection of those most vulnerable, and the protection of health and social care, education, and childcare services.
Significant progress has been made on suppressing the virus over recent months due to the huge effort of people across the country. 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 continue to avoid the virus spreading and to support the safe reopening of activities over the coming months.
598. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the current wording used in HSE administrative and patient forms provided to guardians of children, adult patients and advocates of adults with disabilities on the sharing of personal information with other services and Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23000/21]
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.
599. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when persons in cohort 7 will receive their Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23022/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
600. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the lack of funding available to Ballynanty health centre, Limerick for the provision of a reclining wheelchair for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23027/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
601. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1103 of 31 March 2021, when the final report (details supplied) will be published. [23028/21]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
602. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of adults with type 1 diabetes who have been treated with insulin pump therapy by hospital in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23035/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
604. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on making a medication for morning sickness related to pregnancy (details supplied) eligible under the drugs payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23044/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
605. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that a person (details supplied) undergoing treatment for a severe eating disorder will receive the healthcare they require; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23045/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the deputy as soon as possible.
606. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide some of the anticipated 2021 cost savings from the recent HSE Medicines Management Programme Preferred Blood Glucose Strips for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes evaluation to fund the provision of the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23063/21]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
607. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the status of a vaccine (details supplied) in the European Union; if it is being considered for authorisation by the EMA; when persons vaccinated with the vaccine will be officially considered vaccinated for the purposes of mandatory hotel quarantine and other such restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23064/21]
View answer636. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if he is considering exemption from mandatory hotel quarantining for those fully vaccinated with a vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23175/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 607 and 636 together.
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 |
Fully vaccinated travellers are still required to have a negative pre-departure RT-PCR test and complete a period of self-quarantine at home or wherever specified in their passenger locator form.
Ireland supports the EU Procurement Process, the purpose of which is to secure safe and efficacious vaccines for EU citizens.
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).
The delivery of vaccines under APAs that the Commission has negotiated on behalf of Member States are predicated upon a CMA being obtained from the Commission (on the basis of a positive recommendation being awarded by the EMA).
The awarding of a CMA provides a high level of assurance that a vaccine has undergone rigorous testing and has met the requirements of the independent regulatory process as regards demonstrating its safety and efficacy.
The Sinopharm vaccine has not been awarded a CMA to date.
608. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the allocation of a Covid-19 testing centre for Midleton, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23069/21]
View answer609. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the relocation of the Midleton Covid-19 testing centre to Youghal, County Cork following a community outbreak of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23070/21]
View answer610. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the use of a pop-up Covid-19 testing facility in Youghal, County Cork following a community outbreak of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23071/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 608, 609 and 610 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
611. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 to allow for 0.3% THC specifically for the cultivation of industrial hemp in Ireland in line with other states such as the United States of America and Canada; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23076/21]
View answerCannabis and its derivatives are controlled by virtue of the Misuse of Drugs framework. Under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, cannabis means any part of the plant of the genus cannabis but excludes the mature stalk and fibre produced from it and the seeds after separation from the rest of the plant. Any other part of the plant not explicitly excluded under the Act is cannabis for the purposes of the Act and should be destroyed by the licensee.
Under current legislation the Minister for Health can issue a licence for the growing of hemp from seed varieties specified by the Commission of the European Communities, as being eligible for the purposes of Article 1 of Regulation (EU) No. 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 (OJ No. L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 608.). The cultivation of certain varieties of hemp for industrial purposes is permitted in Ireland provided the entity cultivating the hemp is in possession of a licence issued under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, as amended.
In October 2020 amendments adopted by the European Parliament on 23 October 2020 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the Common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Amendment 8 states “As regards the areas used for the production of hemp, in order to preserve public health and to ensure the coherence with other bodies of legislation, the use of hemp seeds varieties with tetrahydrocannabinol content below 0,3 % should be part of the definition of eligible hectare”. This is a proposed amendment, Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 has not been repealed.
The HPRA (Health Products Regulatory Authority) administers the hemp licencing process on behalf of the Department of Health. Further information regarding the hemp licencing process for the above purposes is available from the HPRA at controlleddrugs@hpra.ie.
612. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health when a frontline worker (details supplied) in vaccination category 2G will receive an appointment for a vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23077/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
613. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health when a frontline worker (details supplied) in vaccination category 2G will receive an appointment for a vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23078/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
614. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that presented at the accident and emergency department of Portlaoise Regional Hospital in each of the years of 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [23092/21]
View answer615. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that presented at the accident and emergency department of Tullamore Regional Hospital in each of the years of 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [23093/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 614 and 615 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
