Written Answers Nos. 255-270
255. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE computers that continue to run on an operating system (details supplied); if any of these machines were the key vulnerability in the recent hacks; and if any of these machines were hacked and targeted. [28008/21]
View answer256. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number HSE machines and computers that continue to operate on an operating system (details supplied); if any of these machines were vulnerable to the recent hack; and if any were hacked. [28009/21]
View answer257. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of computers in the HSE; and the number of computers that operate under each different operating system in tabular form. [28010/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 255 to 257, inclusive, together.
The recent ransomware attack was much more sophisticated that a simple attack on an older operating system. However, 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.
258. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 914, 941, 945, 947, 954, 963, 981, 982, 983, 984, 988, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1041, 1069, 1078, 1083 and 1087 of 28 April 2021, the status of vaccines (details supplied) receiving EMA approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28038/21]
View answerIreland is participating in an EU Procurement process with a view to accessing a portfolio of candidate vaccines against COVID-19 which are being negotiated with vaccine manufacturers by the Commission acting on behalf of Member States.
Four of the vaccines in the EU portfolio have already been awarded Conditional Marketing Authorisation (CMA) by the Commission.. The delivery of vaccines under Advance Purchase Agreements that the Commission has negotiated on behalf of Member States are predicated upon a CMA being obtained from the Commission (on the basis of a positive recommendation being awarded by the EMA). The awarding of a CMA provides a high level of assurance that a vaccine has undergone rigorous testing and has met the requirements of the independent regulatory process as regards demonstrating its quality, safety and efficacy.
The EMA has started a rolling review of the Sputnik V COVID-19 Vaccine but it has not been awarded a CMA to date. The Sinopharm vaccine is not under rolling review by the EMA at this time. www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory/overview/public-health-threats/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/treatments-vaccines/vaccines-covid-19/covid-19-vaccines-under-evaluation
259. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the disability capacity review before the end of May 2021; if not, the timeframe for publication given its importance to budget planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28040/21]
View answerThe Capacity Review of Disability Services to 2032 has been completed, and publication is expected in the near future. The provision of alternative formats which are accessible to people with different forms of disability is being prepared; as well as a Framework Action plan to progress implementation, in line with the Programme for Government commitments.
As we progress towards the vision outlined by Sláintecare, it is essential that over the next number of years, the State moves to a population-based planning approach, based on demographic and geographic considerations, that reflects both the health and social care needs of those within our population, including those who require specialist disability services.
I therefore hope to be in a position to publish the Disability Capacity Review Report in the very near future, as this will inform the planning for the specialist disability services to meet evolving needs.
I wish to note that there was a delay in responding to the Deputy due to the recent cyber-attack and that the above outlines the current position.
261. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if medical card holders can be charged by general practitioners for blood tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28042/21]
View answer267. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that blood tests for medical card holders when conducted by their general practitioner or elsewhere will be free of any charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28077/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 267 together.
There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition. This has been advised to GPs by the HSE.
Patients are not charged for blood tests taken at public hospitals following referral by their GP.
The issue of GPs charging GMS patients for phlebotomy services is complex given the numerous reasons and circumstances under which blood tests are taken. My Department and the HSE discussed this issue previously with the relevant GP representative body. However, it did not prove possible to achieve agreement that no charges for blood tests would be applied in any circumstances. It is intended to raise this issue again at an appropriate time.
It should be noted that the GP chronic disease management programme which is being phased in, having commenced last year, will involve the ongoing monitoring of patients’ condition and any blood tests required in this context will be covered by the fees payable for this care.
The position remains that where a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office. The local management, upon being notified of potential inappropriate charging of GMS patients, carry out an investigation into each complaint and will, where appropriate, arrange for a refund of charges incorrectly applied by the GP.
262. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the options available to a person who has been waiting over two years for orthodontic treatment; if they qualify for treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28043/21]
View answerThe Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme, operational from 1 January 2021 for 12 months on an administrative basis, enables persons resident in the State to access and be reimbursed for private healthcare, including orthodontic care, in Northern Ireland by the HSE, provided such healthcare is publicly available within Ireland. It should be noted that the scheme operates on parameters similar to the EU Cross Border Directive. Patients are advised to contact the HSE Cross Border Directive office directly for further information on individual applications and types of treatment available under the NI Planned Healthcare Scheme.
Patients also continue to have access to health services under the EU Cross Border Directive Scheme in all other remaining EU/EEA countries. In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, persons seeking to utilise these schemes should review and adhere to the public health guidance and restrictions in place at any point in time.
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment by a consultant/specialist at an outpatient clinic.
The NTPF advise that they do provide treatment for patients who are awaiting procedures under the category of 'Dental/Maxilla-Facial Surgery'. The NTPF further advise that children can avail of treatment through the NTPF, including for dental procedures. The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment, it is solely on the basis of their time spent on the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List. The clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital.
Where resources are available the HSE, through national or local initiatives, outsources routine orthodontic care to reduce waiting times. Under the most recent procurement initiative approximately 2,000 patients were transferred to orthodontists in the private sector between 2016 and 2020. A successor arrangement is currently being prepared and the HSE hopes to place the first patients during the summer months.
263. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the date on which his Department is working towards to introduce the Nursing Home Support Scheme (Amendment) Bill 2021 to the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28044/21]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme, commonly referred to as the Fair Deal Scheme, has been in operation for over 10 years and there is broad agreement that the Scheme operates well and continues to provide appropriate financial assistance where it is required.
However, it is recognised that the Act, in its current form, does not place caps on the financial assessment of family owned and operated farms or businesses when calculating the means to pay for nursing home care. This places a potentially onerous burden on family successors and could challenge the future viability of these productive assets.
Therefore, the Department of Health has proposed a policy change to the Scheme, to cap contributions based on farm and business assets at three years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset. The stated policy objective of the legislation is to introduce additional safeguards in the Scheme to further protect the viability and sustainability of family farms and businesses that will be passed down to the next generation of the family to continue to work them as productive assets to provide for their livelihood.
This change was approved by Government and underwent pre-legislative scrutiny in the last Dáil. Progress on the development of the Bill was negatively impacted by the dissolution of the last Dáil and by the COVID-19 pandemic. The response to the pandemic has been and continues to be a national and public health priority. However, the Programme for Government committed to introducing this amendment to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme and I am pleased to say that Cabinet approved the publication of the Bill on the 11th May. The Bill completed Second Stage in Dáil Éireann 18th-20th May and was referred to the Select Committee on Health. It passed Committee Stage today, 30th June, and is due for Report and Final Stage in the coming weeks. It is expected that the Bill will be enacted prior to the summer recess and will commence shortly thereafter.
264. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if it is considered essential travel for a student to travel to the United States to participate in an International student exchange; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28073/21]
View answerS.I. 217/2021 states that ‘an applicable person shall not travel to an airport or port for the purpose of leaving the State without reasonable excuse. S.I. 217/2021 sets out a non-exhaustive list of reasonable excuses for travel to an airport or port for purpose of leaving the State. For additional details please see the following webpages: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/75d92-covid-19-travel-advice/
265. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a significant time difference between when HIQA reports on facilities (details supplied) are shared with their service providers and when they are shared with their service users; if he is satisfied with such delays; if it is possible that all relevant stakeholders of such facilities will be informed of HIQA recommendations at the same time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28075/21]
View answerThe Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is the independent statutory authority responsible for registering and inspecting residential services for older people and people with a disability, and children’s special care units. The Health Act 2007 (as amended) empowers the Chief Inspector to carry out this function through the processes of registration, continual monitoring and inspection and, where necessary, the application of its powers of enforcement.
Following inspection visits, HIQA inspectors produce inspection reports which outline the level of regulatory compliance and non-compliance. The inspection reports are then issued to the service provider following which, the service provider must put in place action plans to address any areas of concern. Service providers are subject to ongoing monitoring and all of the required improvements are inspected again by HIQA in subsequent visits to ensure compliance.
In the interest of openness and transparency, HIQA publishes its inspection reports on the HIQA website where they are available for examination by the general public. The exception is in relation to centres with very low resident numbers where, to protect the privacy of residents, the reports are finalised but are not published.
There is no statutory timeline for the publication of reports. However, in preparing reports, providers are afforded a right of reply so that they can identify any factual inaccuracies or highlight any judgements that they believe are disproportionate. The inspection report is not finalised until this process has been completed. During this process, the provider is asked not to distribute the report until the report has been finalised. This passage of time is considered appropriate in the context of the process set out.
The regulations do require providers to inform residents about how to access the reports when they have been finalised. For example, the Care and Support Regulations for centres for people with disabilities (SSI 367 of 2013), regulation 20(2)(d) requires the provider to include how to access any inspection reports on the centre in their residents’ guide.
I am aware that on 3 June 2021 HIQA issued written notice of a decision to cancel the registration of Camphill Communities of Ireland (CCoI) Duffcarrig residential centre within 28 days. As CCoI do not intend to contest the decision, the HSE is working closely on a transition plan in relation to the Duffcarrig centre with a view to identifying an alternative provider. I understand that the HSE and the provider have met with the parent representatives of the service users concerned and the focus of the HSE is to ensure that residents receive safe services during the transitional period.
266. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will make public the briefing report he received from senior HSE officials regarding partners accompanying expectant mothers to appointments in maternity hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28076/21]
View answerMaternity services are a core, essential service and must be able to continue to provide 24/7 care during the pandemic. In order to protect women, babies, staff and our maternity service as a whole, it has been necessary to introduce restrictions on attendance at maternity services. This has unfortunately included limitations on access of partners to maternity wards, theatres and appointments. My Department and the HSE have been engaging closely in relation to this matter.
The HSE has advised that in mid-May a review of compliance was conducted in all maternity hospitals/units, based on the HSE-AMRIC national guidance in place. At that time, the HSE confirmed that 14 of the 19 maternity hospitals/units were fully compliant with the guidance. As of last week, the HSE has advised that all 19 maternity hospitals are now fully compliant with that national guidance.
However, it should be noted that this guidance was limited to planned attendances. Accordingly, the HSE's National Women and Infants Health Programme has advised that additional guidance was issued on 23 June to maternity hospitals. This guidance now addresses unplanned attendance, including at the Early Pregnancy Assessment Units, or emergency presentations in late pregnancy. The guidance also addresses attendance for women with at-risk pregnancies. I am advised that the HSE anticipates that a two-week period may be required to ensure all hospitals are able to address local logistical issues that might arise in implementing this additional guidance.
268. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of the 31 primary care centres promised in the Sláintecare plan that are to be located in County Cork. [28078/21]
View answerThe Sláintecare Implementation Strategy & Action Plan highlights the development of new Primary Care Centres (PCCs) as a key component of the efforts to enhance community care, and to deliver care in a location at, or as near as possible to an individual’s home, where it is safe and clinically appropriate to do so.
The most recent update from the Health Service Executive advises that there are currently 142 operational PCCs, with a further 30 PCCs scheduled to open before the end of 2023. Of these, four are in County Cork and will be located at Bandon, Bantry, Beara (Castletown-Berehaven), and Cobh.
269. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the location of all current and proposed primary care centres in County Cork including opening dates or proposed opening dates in tabular form. [28079/21]
View answerThe Sláintecare Implementation Strategy & Action Plan highlights the development of new Primary Care Centres (PCCs) as a key component of the efforts to enhance community care, and to deliver care in a location at, or as near as possible to an individual’s home, where it is safe and clinically appropriate to do so.
The most recent update from the Health Service Executive advises that there are currently 142 operational PCCs, and a further 30 PCCs are scheduled to open before the end of 2023. Of these, four are in County Cork and will be located at Bandon, Bantry, Beara (Castletown-Berehaven), and Cobh. In addition to these, five further County Cork PCC locations are at the early planning stage.
The locations of operational and planned PCCs in County Cork are listed below.
|
Primary Care Centre Location |
Operational Date/Stage |
|
Ballincollig |
Early Planning Stage |
|
Bandon |
Planned Q4 2021 |
|
Bantry |
Planned Q2 2021 |
|
Beara (Castletown-Berehaven) |
Planned Q3 2021 |
|
Cork City (Blackrock/Mahon) |
2011 |
|
Blarney |
Early Planning Stage |
|
Carrigaline/Passage West |
2017 |
|
Carrigtwohill |
2019 |
|
Charleville |
2016 |
|
Clonakilty |
2020 |
|
Cobh |
Planned Q4 2022 |
|
Cork City (Ballyphehane/Togher/Greenmount/The Lough) |
Early Planning Stage |
|
Cork City (Blackrock/Mahon) |
2011 |
|
Cork City North-West (Knocknaheeny Fairhill Gurranebraher) |
2018 |
|
Dunmanway/Drimoleague |
Prior to 2008 |
|
Fermoy |
Early Planning Stage |
|
Kanturk |
Early Planning Stage |
|
Kinsale |
2014 |
|
Macroom |
2012 |
|
Mallow |
2010 |
|
Mitchelstown |
2010 |
|
Mizen/Schull |
2013 |
|
Newmarket |
2021 |
|
Rosscarbery |
Prior to 2008 |
|
Skibbereen |
Prior to 2008 |
270. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health if he will seek clarification from the Health Service Executive on the further easing of maternity restrictions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28080/21]
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.
