Written Answers Nos. 414-429
416. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses, consultants, doctors, administrators and HCAs respectively employed in Cork University Hospital from January 2020 to date by month in tabular form. [25265/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
417. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if there will be any changes to the rules not allowing music or dancing at weddings as the economy reopens and as more persons are vaccinated. [25267/21]
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 recent announcement included the following changes to the measures applying to weddings: as of May 10, there can be an increase in the number of guests attending wedding services to 50 which brings this figure in line with the numbers permitted at religious services.
This increase to 50 guests relates to the service (both religious or civil) only. The number of guests attending a wedding celebration or reception should remain at 6 guests for indoor gatherings and 15 guests for outdoor gatherings. From 7 June, subject to the epidemiological situation at the time, it is envisaged that the numbers of guests attending a wedding celebration or reception will increase to 25.
Under current guidelines, live music and dancing is not currently permitted at weddings. Further detail of guidelines for weddings can be found here: https://failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Guidelines-for-Re-opening-Hotels-and-Guesthouses.pdf
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.
418. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when it is planned to have spectators at outdoor amateur sporting events. [25270/21]
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. Further detail is available on Gov.ie: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/0bd80-new-public-health-measures-announced-the-path-ahead/
NPHET advise that this phased plan for the months of May and June can be considered low to medium risk. However, they also advise that a faster reopening, in particular involving a greater level of indoor mixing, over these months would be very high risk.
As outlined in the recent Government announcement outdoor sports matches can recommence without spectators. A number of higher-risk activities including outdoor mass gatherings and events (such as spectators at sporting events) are not part of the reopening plans for May and June, but they will be subject to further consideration towards the end of June with a view to recommencing more activities as we move through the summer.
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.
419. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if patients (details supplied) will be provided with bespoke arrangements for their Covid-19 vaccine. [25272/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
420. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; if a place in a long-term nursing home will be provided for them in Listowel or Tralee, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25277/21]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
422. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if an independent inquiry will be set up into the deaths at a nursing home (details supplied) in County Louth in view the one year anniversary of the tragic losses at the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25281/21]
View answerThe Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, is the statutory independent regulator in place for the nursing home sector, whether a HSE managed or a private nursing home. The Authority, established under the Health Act 2007, has significant and wide-ranging powers up to and including withdrawing the registration of a nursing home facility, which means that it can no longer operate as a service provider. This responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive quality framework comprising of Registration Regulations, Care and Welfare Regulations and National Quality Standards. HIQA, in discharging its duties determines, through examination of all information available to it, including site inspections, whether a nursing homes meets the regulations in order to achieve and maintain its registration status. Should a nursing home be deemed to be non-compliant with the Regulations and the National Quality Standards, it may either fail to achieve or lose its registration status. In addition, the Chief Inspector has wide discretion in deciding whether to impose conditions of Registration on nursing homes. The Deputy will be aware that the Nursing Homes Expert was established, on foot of a NPHET recommendation, to examine the complex issues surrounding the management of COVID-19 among this particularly vulnerable cohort. This Expert Panel report has added further to our knowledge and learning. This report clearly outlines the key protective measures that we must ensure are in place across our nursing homes. These actions are based on learning from our own and the international experience of COVID-19 to date. The report also recommends additional analysis and examination of the relevant public health and other data sets in order that further causal and protective factors for COVID-19 clusters are identified. Work to progress the recommendations of the Expert Panel report, particularly those recommendations requiring a priority focus in the response to COVID-19, is ongoing across all of the health agencies and stakeholders. Continued learning and understanding of progression of the disease in Ireland is an integral part of those recommendations.Within this context, the State will continue to support the families concerned by providing as much information as possible on this issue.
423. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the source of a recent HSE statement that there are 150 palliative care support beds in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25288/21]
View answer424. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the annual number of persons in south County Tipperary who require end of life care in a hospital environment; if he will provide the source of this data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25289/21]
View answer425. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health he number of palliative care support beds that a population such as south County Tipperary should have based on best practice and the policy of the HSE and his Department; if he will provide the source of this data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25290/21]
View answer426. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number and location of the existing palliative care support beds in south County Tipperary excluding Waterford or Dungarvan; if he will provide the source of this data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25291/21]
View answer427. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the details of the two palliative care support beds in Tipperary town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25292/21]
View answer428. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if the delivery of care to palliative care in-patients is to be given by homecare teams in future; if this is considered best practice; if so, the source of the practice being defined as best practice policy by the HSE and or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25293/21]
View answer429. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health his views on whether two palliative care support beds will be sufficient to meet the needs of patients in south County Tipperary in ten years’ time; if not, the areas from which the additional beds will be sourced from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25294/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 423 to 429, inclusive, together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
