Written Answers Nos. 836-855
838. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the response he has given to the European Commission following its letter of concern in relation to mandatory hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24321/21]
View answerOn 16 April 2021, the Acting Director-General of the European Commission Directorate for Justice and Consumers wrote to the Irish Permanent Representative to the EU seeking information in relation to the temporary measures introduced by Ireland as part of the State’s public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including mandatory hotel quarantine.
On 5 May, a comprehensive response was provided to the Acting Director General, setting out the rationale underpinning and necessity of measures taken to protect public health and assuring Ireland's support for the work of the European Commission, the ECDC and the Health Security Committee in the context of the pandemic.
840. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that safeguarding mediation services for older persons are currently only available via online meeting; his views on the difficulties this presents for older persons who do not have the skills or know-how to engage with much needed support in this way; if he will address the difficulties this presents for persons with any kind of cognitive impairment, for example, dementia; if he will consider the type of alternatives that should be made available especially in critical safeguarding situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24324/21]
View answerAs these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
841. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the details of the plans for the development of the 200 primary care centres across the country; the status of the plans for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24327/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
842. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to or if he is being consulted by the HSE on the priority locations for new planned primary care centres; if he has met with the HSE on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24328/21]
View answerThe HSE has responsibility for the provision of Primary Care Centres (PCCs) and other primary care facilities across the country, although Department officials do of course engage with HSE colleagues to ensure effective oversight of developments in primary care.
In order to determine the priority locations for the development of PCCs, the HSE undertook an assessment of current and future primary care accommodation needs that took into consideration:
- the appropriateness of existing accommodation
- the availability of HSE lands for development of PCCs
- existing plans for procuring PCCs where they were at a very advanced stage
- the future needs such as projected population growth and GP numbers to ensure the PCCs would be fit for purpose for the foreseeable future.
On foot of this assessment, in consultation with the Department, a national prioritisation of PCC locations was then carried out by the HSE, based on:
- service need - each area manager was requested to rate the requirement to develop a PCC against competing priorities in their area
- infrastructural need - HSE estates provided a rating based on the space allocated to the PCT in their current location, the co-location of services, and the age and quality of the existing building
- deprivation - based on regional deprivation indices.
Any reconfigurations or new locations identified since the rankings were produced in 2012 have been determined locally in line with the needs of local communities, geographical location, population health needs and so on.
The expansion of community and primary care is at the heart of the Sláintecare vision, and my Department and the HSE will continue to work together to develop primary care infrastructure and services to meet the needs of patients and clients, citizens, families and carers.
843. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive an appointment for assessment for autism diagnosis; the steps that are being taken to alleviate the excessive waiting times being experienced in County Mayo for same; his views on whether such excessive waiting time for an assessment is detrimental to the well-being of the child given their age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24329/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
844. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has examined the participation of pharmacists in the vaccination programme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that up to 2,000 pharmacist vaccinators are available to participate in the programme; if drive-through vaccination, which has been done successfully in other countries, has been examined; if so, the status of plans for same; if not, the reason; if the opening of vaccination centres on a 24/7 basis is being examined; the percentage of on site personnel in centres employed by the HSE who are deferred from other HSE services; the other initiatives being examined to increase vaccination participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24331/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
845. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will report on progress to implement the carer’s guarantee as committed to in the programme for Government; if provision will be made for recurring annual funding of €5.6 million in the forthcoming budget to fully implement this important initiative for family carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24335/21]
View answerThe Government recognises that family carers provide selfless and dedicated care to their loved ones. We also recognise that the caring role can be challenging for carers, particularly in current circumstances. Our family carers deserve support to enable them to continue caring with confidence.
The Programme for Government commits to delivering a ‘Carers Guarantee’ that will provide a core basket of services to carers across the country, regardless of where they live. This commitment is consistent with the National Carers' Strategy, which seeks to support family carers to care with confidence through the provision of adequate information, training, services and supports. In line with this commitment, and as a first step towards implementing the Carers’ Guarantee, €2 million has been allocated in Budget 2021 to provide a more standard package of supports to family carers in every region, in tandem with the community and voluntary sector. Discussions are underway with the HSE to determine how this funding will be allocated.
The level of funding available for the Department of Health in 2022 and the quantum of services to be provided by the HSE will be considered as part of the Estimates and National Service Planning process.
846. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the development of a refreshed national carers strategy; the timeframe for the delivery of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24336/21]
View answerIreland’s National Carers' Strategy is designed around a core vision which recognises and respects carers as key care partners who are supported to maintain their own health and well-being, care with confidence and empowered to participate as fully as possible in economic and social life.
Under the Strategy, a range of measures have been introduced or extended by my Department to support family carers in recent years. Most recently, the Government allocated €2 million in Budget 2021 to advance the implementation of the National Carers' Strategy, with a focus on providing a more standard package of supports to family carers in every region. My Department is currently working on the details of this allocation with the HSE.
The Programme for Government contains a firm commitment to progress the review and update of the National Carers’ Strategy, and this is a priority for me, as Minister for Health. The Strategy update will involve numerous Government Departments other than Health, and my Department is committed to engaging with relevant Departments and all the key stakeholders on the development of the update.
As part of this engagement, my colleague Deputy Mary Butler, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, held a roundtable meeting in September 2020 to hear directly from family carers about their experience of caring, in particular, since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. I myself met with representative organisations late last year and further meetings have taken place this year with these organisations both at ministerial and official level. My Department will continue to progress this work during 2021.
847. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated capital cost of delivering an operating theatre; the estimated cost of equipment; and the estimated annual revenue cost. [24337/21]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of healthcare equipment, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
848. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a Covid-19 vaccine. [24343/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
849. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if his Department gave advice to a person (details supplied) setting dates for the celebration of the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24344/21]
View answer937. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if the holding of sacramental community events such as Holy Communion and Confirmation will be permitted in June 2021; if so, the conditions that will be in place on holding them; if no decision has been made, when is it planned to make such a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24683/21]
View answer938. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health his plans to review the date by which First Holy Communion ceremonies can take place to alleviate stress and uncertainty for parents and children; if a practical solution can be put in place to bring the date forward as to when first Holy Communion ceremonies can resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24697/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 849, 937 and 938 together.
There 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.
As part of these plans, in-person religious services can commence from 10th May, and the numbers attending funeral and wedding services can increase to 50. However, the public health advice remains that other religious ceremonies such as communions and confirmations should not take place at this time.
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. NPHET advise that the current phased plan to reopening over the months of May and June can be considered low to medium risk. However, they also advise that a faster reopening involving a greater level of indoor mixing would be very high risk.
While a child’s First Communion or Confirmation is a very important milestone in their lives, the health and safety of the child, their family and the wider community is the main priority for Government. It is important to acknowledge the significant engagement and solidarity from the Catholic Church and other Faiths at all stages throughout this pandemic to ensure the protection of individuals and communities from COVID-19 and this engagement will continue to form an important element of our response in the months ahead.
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.
852. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if funding will be secured for the replacement of the x-ray machine at Portiuncula Hospital. [24356/21]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of healthcare equipment, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
853. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the non-governmental organisations in receipt of funding from his Department; the amount of funding allocated to same in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24376/21]
View answerIn 2020, my Department paid funding to the following non-governmental organisations:
|
Non-governmental organisation |
2020 Amount |
|
All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care |
€15,000.00 |
|
The Institute of Public Health in Ireland |
€2,868,820.46 |
|
The International Society for Quality in Health Care |
€193,000.00 |
|
The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health |
€315,000.00 |
|
National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities |
€895,106.98 |
854. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence in relation to care in maternity units (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24385/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
855. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if he is considering providing leave to request an exemption from mandatory hotel quarantine prior to travel into the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24389/21]
View answerMandatory 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 Act 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.
With effect from 8th May, if a person has travelled abroad for unavoidable, imperative and time-sensitive medical reasons they will not be required to undergo mandatory hotel quarantine on their return to Ireland. In addition, any carer or dependent travelling with this person will also be exempted from the requirement to undergo mandatory hotel quarantine.
The Government continues to evaluate wider policy on international travel as informed by the epidemiological situation and public health advice, including the possibility of future exemptions. Public health will remain a paramount consideration.
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'.
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.
Further information can be accessed on gov.ie/quarantine.
