Written Answers Nos. 431-445
431. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health when he expects a national approach to the easing of restrictions in maternity hospitals will be applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26368/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
432. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of neurology services at the Mercy Hospital Cork; if the consultant of neurology is moving to Cork University Hospital; if infusions for MS patients will continue at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26370/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
433. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have been identified as eligible for Covid-19 vaccination aged 16 to 69 years who are at very high-risk cohort 4; and the number in the cohort who have not yet received a vaccine. [26371/21]
View answer“As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
435. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health when Covid-19 guidelines will be issued to organisations on the management and operation of summer camps (details supplied) during the summer months in 2021; if such activities can proceed in 2021; if he will discuss this matter at his earliest convenience with public health officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26376/21]
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 adherence by the public to the public health measures in place, and this progress has been sustained during recent phases of reopening in April and May. 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.
On 28 May, Government decided to move ahead with the process of lifting restrictions further and a range of measures were eased in June. The Government has indicated that a further easing of measures will be considered from 5 July subject to the epidemiological situation at the time and Government will next week consider whether this further easing can proceed as planned.
Summer camps may proceed however camp organisers must ensure adherence to the public health measures in place at the time of the summer camp. The public health measures in place will, for example, guide the numbers permitted in pods for both indoor and outdoor activities and whether indoor catering is permitted. Details of public health measures can be found online: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/7894b-post-cabinet-statement-resilience-and-recovery-the-path-ahead/#what-you-can-do-in-july-subject-to-the-public-health-situation-at-the-time.
While there has been scope to continue with the easing of public health measures, our 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 ensure that our progress in controlling the virus is maintained.
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. To protect the gains of recent months we must continue to practice basic preventative behaviours and to follow public health guidelines.
436. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure 10-week transitional nursing home funding is provided for a person (details supplied). [26389/21]
View answer“As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
437. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that all maternity hospitals put in place safe procedures for nominated support partners to attend the 12-week dating and booking scan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26398/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
438. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that all maternity hospitals put in place safe procedures for a nominated support partner to attend for all appointments in which the pregnant person is attending an early pregnancy unit and attending for pregnancy loss or has been classified as a high-risk pregnancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26399/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
439. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that all maternity hospitals put in place safe procedures for nominated support partners to attend for all stages of labour including induction of labour and early labour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26400/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
440. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that all maternity hospitals put in place safe procedures for nominated support partners to attend for all antenatal appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26401/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
441. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that all maternity hospitals put in place safe procedures for nominated support partners to attend for all unscheduled emergency care incidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26402/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
443. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if persons within the different age categories for the vaccine roll-out are taken on an age basis within their respective category; if a 51 year old person could get a date for their vaccination before a 59 year old even if they had registered after them; his views on whether persons not being allocated their vaccination date by age within their respective age category contradicts the public health advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26405/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
444. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health when public health restrictions will be lifted for amusement arcades in order that employees in this sector can return to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26407/21]
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 adherence by the public to the public health measures in place, and this progress has been sustained during recent phases of reopening in April and May. 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.
On 28 May, Government decided to move ahead with the process of lifting restrictions further and a range of measures were eased in June.
The Government has indicated that a further easing of measures will be considered from 5 July subject to the epidemiological situation at the time and this would include the reopening of indoor activities including amusement arcades. Next week, Government will give consideration to whether this further easing can proceed as planned.
While there has been scope to continue with the easing of public health measures, our 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 ensure that our progress in controlling the virus is maintained.
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. To protect the gains of recent months we must continue to practice basic preventative behaviours and to follow public health guidelines.
445. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if 24-hour homecare will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26414/21]
View answer“As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
