Written Answers Nos. 876-895
876. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will review and advise on the required letter of recommendation for a VAT72 refund for a trust (details supplied) that is undertaking vital work in cutting edge cancer research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24492/21]
View answerWe have been advised that hospitals, or donors, may reclaim VAT incurred on the purchase or importation of new medical instruments and appliances purchased through voluntary donations. The principal conditions are that the medical instrument or appliance must be new; €25,390 or more (exclusive of VAT); designed and manufactured for use solely in medical research or in diagnosis, prevention or treatment of illness; and purchased without any funds provided directly or indirectly by the State, a State body or any public or local authority.
I advise that my Department will follow up further with the trust (details supplied) in relation to a letter of recommendation for a VAT72 refund.
877. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the reason drugs manufactured by a company (details supplied) are not funded at source under the Medicinal Cannabis Access Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24495/21]
View answer878. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to fund drugs manufactured by a company (details supplied) at source under the Medicinal Cannabis Access Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24496/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 877 and 878 together.
The products to which the Deputy refers are not manufactured by the Bedrocan company but are manufactured in the Netherlands by the dispensing pharmacy . Dutch government policy does not permit the commercial export outside the Netherlands to wholesalers or pharmacists of oil-based cannabis products, however they will allow the filling of individual prescriptions form EU citizens for collection by the patient or their representative.
Owing to the Covid 19 pandemic since April 2020 the Department has organised the collection and delivery to their homes of products prescribed by Irish-registered clinicians in possession of a licence under the Misuse of Drugs Act to treat their patients.
Owing to the Dutch export restrictions the manufacturers of the products referred to have not applied to the HPRA to have their products considered for inclusion in the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP).
Representations were made to the Dutch authorities to facilitate the export of the products to Ireland. The Dutch authorities confirmed that the export of cannabis oils to foreign pharmacies or wholesalers is not permitted and that magistral preparations may only be provided directly to patients or their representative on the basis of a prescription.
It is a requirement for patients or their families to pay the dispensing pharmacy in the Netherlands and a reimbursement application can subsequently be made to the Primary Care Reimbursement Service in the HSE.
Officials were asked to examine the matter. I was informed that pursuant to Section 10B of the Health Act 2004 the Minister for Health shall not give a direction under section 10, or specify a priority or performance target under section 10A, as respects—
(a) any function of the Executive relating to the provision of treatment or a health or personal social service to any particular person,
(b) any function of the Executive relating to a decision concerning—
(c) whether or not a particular person is eligible for a particular health or personal social service (including the payment of a grant or allowance),
(d) the extent to which and the manner in which a person is eligible for any such service.
The HSE has indicated that commencement of the MCAP will be towards the end of June 2021.
879. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when free general practitioner care will be extended to all children up to seven years of age. [24504/21]
View answerThe Government is committed to increasing access to GP care without charges for children, an important healthcare measure that will remove a potentially prohibitive cost barrier to accessing GP care and will help to improve children’s health as they develop. At present all children under six years of age are eligible for a GP visit card and therefore GP care without charges. The Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2020 provides, amongst other things, for the phased expansion of GP care without fees to all children aged 12 years and under. The initial stage of this phased expansion will be the provision of GP care without fees to all children aged between 6 and 8. The appropriate date for commencing the expansion remains under consideration in light of COVID-19 and the additional pressures the expansion might place on general practice in that context. This date will be determined following consultation with the IMO. It is important to ensure that any additional pressures placed on general practice will not limit its capacity to meet the needs of all patients in the community.
880. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the provision of a product to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24507/21]
View answerI am very sympathetic to such cases. However as Minister for Health statutorily I may not intervene in the manner as sought by the deputy.
Officials were asked to examine this issue. I was informed that pursuant to Section 10B of the Health Act 2004 the Minister for Health shall not give a direction under section 10, or specify a priority or performance target under section 10A, as respects—
(a) any function of the Executive relating to the provision of treatment or a health or personal social service to any particular person,
(b) any function of the Executive relating to a decision concerning—
(c) whether or not a particular person is eligible for a particular health or personal social service (including the payment of a grant or allowance),
(d) the extent to which and the manner in which a person is eligible for any such service.
881. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if day centres will be permitted to reopen for older persons who are vaccinated (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24512/21]
View answerIt has been a key priority for the HSE to ensure that Day Care Services for Older People can resume as soon as it is safe to do so. It is acknowledged that the Day Care Services provided across the country are a fundamental support structure for older people. Day Care Services have been closed since March 2020. The HSE has advised the Department that additional supports including home support, meals on wheels, telephone support, additional public health nursing and virtual activities have been provided for the most vulnerable older people throughout the pandemic. In addition, the Alzheimer’s Association of Ireland have been providing ‘Day Care in the Home’ across the country for individuals with Dementia.
Since November 2020, a Day Care Focus Group has been in place with representation from across the HSE and voluntary organisations to develop and drive a plan for the reopening of Day Care Services for Older People in line with the COVID Roadmap. The Group has met on a number of occasions with a focus on putting in place guidance and plans for the resumption of Day Care Services, as soon as possible. The group was originally concentrating on what services could be delivered under current guidance, and in line with the current COVID Roadmap and have now extended their approach based on the roll out of the COVID vaccination programme and the impact this can have on the reopening of services.
As a result of the vaccination programme being rolled out to persons over 70 years of age, further guidance has been sought from Public Health in relation to the provision of Day Care Services and how these can be operated safely and in line with the measures in place to ease restrictions over the next few months.
Day Care Service have also been asked to assess what can currently be delivered and the requirements to be met to reopen. A sub-group has also been established to develop an individualised risk assessment that can be carried out in respect of individuals returning to the services. Plans will be put in place in conjunction with Public Health advice by each service in relation to the resumption of services so that Day Care Services can resume as soon as it is considered safe to do so.
Areas to be focused on will include:-
- Safe transport
- Protection of carers who have not been vaccinated and the impact of this.
- Identification of individuals who are safe to return to Day Care Services. -
- Supports for individuals who will not be in a position to return to Day Care Services.
The HSE has reassured the Department that it will continue to focus on the re-opening of Day Care Services as a priority and the Focus Group in place will continue to drive a plan to resume these services as soon as possible.
It is a priority for me as Minister with special responsibility for older people for day services to resume as soon as possible and I continue to engage with senior officials within the Department and HSE on this very important matter.
882. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if he will lift restrictions on partners and supporting persons attending full maternity care services including scans, labour and post-delivery visits in view of low community transmission and full vaccination of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24513/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
883. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will be seen for an ASD and AON assessment. [24523/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
884. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) has not been accepted with CAMHS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24525/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
885. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in cases in which a general practitioner practice is unable to cope with the vaccine delivery system the HSELive portal only focuses on age-based registration, thus those persons categorised as high risk by the HSE, including those with HIV must await the relevant age cohort rather than be vaccinated earlier as intended; and his views on the need to have flexibility in the system to allow for at-risk-persons younger than the age cohort being called to register for vaccination on HSELive at a given time. [24526/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
886. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the location in which an annex three certificate can be found (details supplied). [24540/21]
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 arriving into the State in the course of duty and who hold a valid Annex 3 certificate (ensuring the availability of goods and essential services) as being exempt from mandatory hotel quarantine. More information on an Annex 3 certificate can be obtained from my colleague the Minister for Transport.
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.
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, such as for certain categories of essential workers. Public health will remain a paramount consideration.
The provisions of the Act allow for travellers to request a review of decisions relating to their quarantine; however, this can only be undertaken once quarantine has begun.
It is important to note that the list of designated states will be subject to change at short notice and passengers are required to check the list before travelling to Ireland, to be sure of their obligations.
Further information on exemptions can be accessed on www.gov.ie/quarantine.
887. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of designated centres for older persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24541/21]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2007 statutory responsibility is given to the Chief Inspector of Social Services, part of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), for the independent inspection and registration of certain categories of designated centres. Since 2009 all nursing homes - public, voluntary and private have been registered and inspected by HIQA.
There are currently 571 designated centres for older persons in operation in Ireland.
888. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the level of regulatory non-compliance with conditions for registration in designated centres for older persons in past ten years; the number of regulatory breaches found; the number of breaches resolved and unresolved; the areas and nature of breaches by centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24542/21]
View answerThe Deputy's question has been referred to the Health Information and Quality Authority. HIQA has advised the Department that it requires some additional time to process the request and I will reply to the Deputy within the next five working days.
889. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with disabilities currently placed in designated centres for older persons by age (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24543/21]
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.
890. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioner whole-time equivalents in the public primary care system; the number of general practitioners issuing services under the GMS agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24544/21]
View answerGPs play a crucial role in the provision of primary care services. While no central register exists specifically for GPs working in Ireland, all doctors in practice in Ireland must be registered with the Medical Council. As at end December 2020 there were 4,092 doctors on the Medical Council's Specialist Register in the Speciality of General Practice. However, holding registration does not necessarily mean that a medical practitioner is active in general practice.
GPs are self-employed private practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. Under the provisions of the Health (Provision of General Practitioner Services) Act 2012, a GP can enter into a State contract to provide GP services provided he/she is on the Specialist Register in the Speciality of General Practice.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently 2,534 GPs hold GMS contracts. Many GPs also hold contracts with the HSE to provide services under other state schemes, e.g. the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme, National Cancer Screening Service, Methadone Treatment Scheme etc. There are a further 522 GPs without GMS contracts who hold other such contracts with the HSE, bringing the total number of GPs contracted by the HSE at present to 3,056.
891. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of practice nurse whole-time equivalents in the public primary care system; the number of practice nurse whole-time equivalents needed to reach the health service capacity review 2018 forecast for 2031; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24545/21]
View answerIn 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.
892. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of public health nurse whole-time equivalents and vacancies by CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24546/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
893. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of physiotherapists whole-time equivalents and vacancies by CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24547/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
894. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of speech and language therapists whole-time equivalents and vacancies by CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24548/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
895. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of residential care short-term and long-term beds by area at the start of 2020 and 2021; the number estimated for year-end 2021, by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24549/21]
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.
