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Wednesday, 5 May 2021

Written Answers Nos. 636-655

Vaccination Programme

Questions (637)

Réada Cronin

Question:

637. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the prevalence of the already used incidence of PPS numbers in the vaccination schedule which is causing dismay to persons with the reasonable expectation of using their own PPS number for their own vaccination; the measures in place to protect persons’ PPS numbers and prevent such misuse; the reason PPS numbers are required for vaccination when they are not required for testing; if PPS numbers were required and used for vaccines delivered inappropriately such as outside of the schedule, for example, at hospitals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23176/21]

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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.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (638)

David Cullinane

Question:

638. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when refurbishment works on Fermoy Community Hospital will be completed; the estimated cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23177/21]

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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.

Hospital Staff

Questions (639)

David Cullinane

Question:

639. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels of each department in Roscommon University Hospital in each of the past four years; the patient numbers in each department in the hospital in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23178/21]

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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.

Hospital Funding

Questions (640)

David Cullinane

Question:

640. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount provided to South Tipperary General Hospital under capital works in each of the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23179/21]

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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.

HSE Data

Questions (641)

David Cullinane

Question:

641. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of companies contracted to provide personal assistant care of behalf of the HSE in CHO8 in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23180/21]

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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.

Health Services

Questions (642)

David Cullinane

Question:

642. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the resources that are available in CHO7 for persons suffering from Parkinson's disease; his plans to expand services in this area in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23181/21]

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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.

Hospital Funding

Questions (643)

David Cullinane

Question:

643. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on the maintenance and refurbishment of Killybegs Community Hospital, County Donegal in each of the years of 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23182/21]

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Written answers

As these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Data

Questions (644)

David Cullinane

Question:

644. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of gall bladder removal operations that took place in each of the past five years; the hospitals in which this procedure is carried out in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23183/21]

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Written answers

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

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Questions (645)

David Cullinane

Question:

645. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies by job title in south Wexford CAMHS services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23184/21]

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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.

Nursing Staff

Questions (646)

David Cullinane

Question:

646. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time paediatric diabetes clinical nurse specialists at CHI, Temple Street and Crumlin in each the years of 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23185/21]

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Written answers

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Dental Services

Questions (647)

David Cullinane

Question:

647. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time dental staff employed by the HSE in County Leitrim in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23186/21]

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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.

Medicinal Products

Questions (648)

John McGuinness

Question:

648. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health his views on making the drug epidiolex available to patients on medical cards when prescribed by a consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23187/21]

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Written answers

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Care of the Elderly

Questions (649)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

649. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the status of a sustainability plan for a centre (details supplied) in County Dublin; if the HSE will consider expediting this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23189/21]

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Written answers

The Minister for Health and I met with representatives from St Joseph’s on Friday 22nd January. Following this meeting, St Joseph’s has raised further concerns about the ongoing operations of the service.

As Ministers, we must have regard to the legislative and policy framework regarding the funding of private and voluntary nursing homes, including the statutory independence of the National Treatment Purchase Fund, as set out in the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act 2009.

I recognise that St Joseph’s performs an important service to the local area as a nursing home with a focus on dementia care. I also am conscious of the fact that Saint Joseph’s is a not-for-profit nursing home that also provides voluntary services to the HSE such as respite and day care.

On that basis, I have requested that the HSE engage directly with St Joseph’s on this matter and I understand that initial engagement between the HSE and St Joseph's has commenced.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (650)

Neale Richmond

Question:

650. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if there are currently waiting lists in maternity hospitals throughout Dublin for women seeking perinatal care; if so, the length of the waiting lists; the number of persons waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23196/21]

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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.

Treatment Abroad Scheme

Questions (651)

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

651. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the funding available for treatment abroad in circumstances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23198/21]

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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.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (652)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

652. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the amount of medical aid being supplied to India in tabular form; his plans to increase same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23201/21]

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Written answers

Ireland is committed to global solidarity in combatting the spread of Covid-19. In recent weeks Ireland has responded rapidly to mobilise assistance to India in response to the worsening COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

To-date Ireland has sent two consignments of life-saving equipment to India:

- An emergency donation of 700 oxygen concentrators sent on 28th April arrived in Delhi last week.

- A further donation of two oxygen generators, 365 ventilators, 60 mask ventilators and an additional 548 concentrators has arrived in India on 4th May.

Both donations were made using stocks originally purchased by the HSE as part of pandemic preparations.

This support is part of the coordinated effort by EU Member States currently underway to provide a collaborative response following India’s request for assistance. Ireland was one of the first countries in the EU to provide practical support in response to the request for assistance.

The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage) is coordinating Ireland’s aid effort, through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, working with the Department of Health, the HSE, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Irish Aid, the Department of Transport, the Revenue Commissioners and others.

Ireland is committed to continuing to contribute to the global fight to combat Covid-19.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (653)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

653. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the criteria used to confirm whether persons in group 9 who are living or working in crowded settings includes prisons; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23204/21]

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Written answers

In its latest review, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has considered, with the support of a HIQA evidence review, those who meet the criteria of living and/or working in conditions which make social distancing difficult and have identified certain groups who are at higher risk of severe disease.

The composition of this cohort, on the basis that the NIAC has advised that there is an established higher risk of infection and severe disease for these groups, has been confirmed as follows:

1. Travellers;

2. Roma Community; and

3. Addiction Service Users.

The Vaccine Allocation Strategy will be kept under review and may be amended as a result of changes to existing evidence and/or the epidemiological situation. The HSE is currently considering how best to rollout the COVID-19 vaccination programme to reach these groups.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (654)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

654. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a child under the age of 16 years must enter mandatory hotel quarantine if coming into the country from a designated country and accompanied by fully vaccinated parents or guardians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23218/21]

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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.

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.

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.

Any unaccompanied minor who requires state care will be taken into the care of Túsla and complete their mandatory quarantine at a separate facility.

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

In this context, 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.

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 at the address 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.

Further information can be accessed on www.gov.ie/quarantine.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (655)

Matt Shanahan

Question:

655. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the scheduled completion date for the handover of the new mortuary building at University Hospital Waterford; the programme of commissioning and certifying equipment on site; the expected commission approved dates; the expected commencement of full schedule daily activity on site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23235/21]

View answer

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.

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