Thursday, 1 Jul 2021

Written Answers Nos. 365-385

Health Services

Questions (365)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

365. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28422/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

This Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue and is a matter for the HSE. While members of the Oireachtas have been advised to resubmit their questions when the HSE IT system is fully operational, the Department has sought a response directly from the CHO.

Visitations are important for the health and well-being of residents and we are keen to forward the update for residents of Cherryfield House and their families.

Therefore, please find attached response from the HSE for your information.

The referred reply under Standing Order 51 was forwarded to the Deputy.

Medicinal Products

Questions (366)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

366. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of an inquiry into the historical licensing and prescribing of sodium valproate and the filling of the four currently unfilled epilepsy nurse specialist posts approved in 2018 to manage the mandatory patient safety requirements for women who are prescribed sodium valproate; if he will also consider establishing a stakeholder group to review safety and risk measures around prescribing and distributing this drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28431/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Details of the proposed inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in Ireland and the establishment of a stakeholder group to address ongoing concerns relating to the use of this drug are currently being considered by officials within the Department of Health.

Regarding the epilepsy nurse specialist posts, as this 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.

Health Promotion

Questions (367)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

367. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of action item 3.13 of the National Breastfeeding Action Plan which pertains to the WHO Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28432/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

I can confirm however that in May of this year I announced significant investment towards implementing the HSE Breastfeeding Action Plan, with €1.58 million of funding to provide an additional 23.5 lactation consultants across hospital and community settings.

Assisted Human Reproduction

Questions (368, 369)

Mark Ward

Question:

368. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if information will be provided on egg freezing for women who have had a cancer diagnosis specifically those who will need to have a hysterectomy due to recurrent cancer; and if there are any provisions to assist with the financial cost of same. [28433/21]

Mark Ward

Question:

369. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his views on an article in the (details supplied) stating that the HSE was planning to provide a new fertility preservation service for both male and female cancer patients and the HSE was seeking information from potential service providers before launching formal procurement; the status of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28434/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 369 together.

The HSE is responsible for the operation and funding of fertility preservation services for cancer patients. Therefore, this Parliamentary Question 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 ongoing, 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.

Question No. 369 answered with Question No. 368.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (370)

Michael Creed

Question:

370. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if the situation will be clarified regarding inward travel to Ireland from Canada by Irish citizens who have received one dose of a vaccine (details supplied); if this qualifies as vaccinated; if such persons will be eligible to enter pending provision of a PCR test and without the need to undergo mandatory hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28503/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

All adults who are returning from abroad are subject to the Government's current travel restrictions upon arrival, unless exempted.

As of June 18th, persons arriving from Canada are no longer automatically subject to Mandatory Hotel Quarantine. However, they are still subject to other travel restrictions such as home quarantine, supplying passenger locator form information and ensuring they have evidence of a negative RT-PCR test which was taken in the 72 hours before arrival in the State.

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.

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.

Health Services Staff

Questions (371, 402, 433)

Marian Harkin

Question:

371. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health when will the four currently unfilled epilepsy nurse specialist posts approved in 2018 will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28504/21]

Catherine Connolly

Question:

402. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of epilepsy specialist nurse posts in the State; the number of these which are unfilled; the location of each epilepsy specialist nurse post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28675/21]

Paul Murphy

Question:

433. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health when his Department will be filling the four vacant posts for epilepsy nurse specialist approved in 2018 to manage the mandatory patient safety requirements for women who are prescribed sodium valproate. [29015/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 371, 402 and 433 together.

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.

Medicinal Products

Questions (372, 385, 400, 432, 470)

Marian Harkin

Question:

372. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the inquiry into the historical licensing and prescribing of sodium valproate which he announced in November 2020; the timeline to establish a stakeholder group to review safety and risk measures in relation to the prescribing and distribution of sodium valproate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28505/21]

Neale Richmond

Question:

385. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health when the inquiry into the historical licensing and prescribing of sodium valproate will be established after it was announced in November 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28536/21]

Catherine Connolly

Question:

400. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status update on the inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valporate in Ireland; when the terms of reference will be published; the status of the establishment of a stakeholder group to address ongoing concerns relating to the use of sodium valporate; the membership of the stakeholder group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28673/21]

Paul Murphy

Question:

432. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will promptly establish an inquiry into the historical licensing and prescribing of sodium valproate as announced in November 2020. [29014/21]

John Paul Phelan

Question:

470. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health when the inquiry into the historical licensing and prescribing of sodium valproate to epilepsy patients will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29177/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 372, 385, 400, 432 and 470 together.

Details of the proposed inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in Ireland and the establishment of a stakeholder group to address ongoing concerns relating to the use of this drug are currently being considered by officials within the Department of Health.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (373)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

373. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the number of prisoners who have been vaccinated to date against Covid-19; the number vaccinated who are over 60 years of age; the number vaccinated who are medically vulnerable; the timescale for those who have not been vaccinated to receive a vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28506/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Health Services Staff

Questions (374)

Johnny Guirke

Question:

374. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the current turnaround time for applications for physiotherapist registration to an agency (details supplied); the average turnaround time in each of the years 2010 to 2020, in tabular form; the plan to reduce this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28507/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

CORU has provided data in tabular form on timeframes for both the recognition of non-Irish physiotherapy qualifications and the timeframe for decisions on physiotherapy registration applications.

Table 1 shows the average times for the recognition of non-Irish physiotherapy qualifications, from when a completed application is received to when a decision is made. The data starts in 2017 as non-Irish qualifications were not considered in any volume until 2017.

Table 2 shows the average timeframe from when a registration application has begun to when a decision is made beginning with the opening of the register in 2016. A registration application can only be made by those who have one of the approved Irish qualifications or a non-Irish qualification that has already been recognised.

CORU records applications for registration from the date that the initial application was received. Table 2 includes those applications that were incomplete and required the applicant to provide further information. Consequently, the period required to process completed applications is less than that presented in Table 2. Significant outliers in which an applicant has not provided information for a significant period negatively skew the dataset.

I met with the Chairperson and CEO of CORU earlier this year and discussed the issues that the current time required to process registration and recognition application pose for applicants and the health service. Following our discussion, a variety of measures have been initiated by CORU in order to reduce timeframes, including a programme for increased frequency of regulatory decision making, additional temporary staff resources, and the recruitment of additional assessors and the development of parallel processing. I anticipate a reduction in the period required to process both recognition and registration applications.

Table 1: Average number of days to reach a decision on the recognition of non-Irish qualifications from the day a complete file is submitted.

Recognition of Physiotherapy Applications (excluding EPC*)	Number of decisions	Average Days to issuance of a decision
2017	76	67
2018	155	77
2019	145	70
2020	104	70

* the extremely short timeframe for reporting means that data for physiotherapy applicants who come through the European Professional Card or “EPC” process has not been included in this response. The EPC process, which applies to EU/EEA applicants and involves a maximum timeframe for decision making of two months, delivers shorter decision-making timeframes so inclusion of that data would reduce these averages.

Table 2: Registration of Physiotherapy Application: Average processing time from receipt of an application to issuance of a decision.

Registration of Physiotherapy Applications	Average Number of Days from receipt to issuance of a decision *
2016	461
2017	130
2018	129
2019	70
2020	75
2021	60

* This data reflects standard applications and does not include a number of outstanding grandparenting applications as the grandparenting period is now closed. CORU is currently prioritising these complex applications, the majority of which are incomplete and need to provide further documentation before they can be registered.

CORU, as Ireland's multi-profession health and social care regulator protects the public by regulating entry to designated health and social care professions. Applicants are admitted to a CORU register when they have demonstrated that they are suitably qualified, have committed to adhere to their profession’s Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics, and are a fit and proper person to engage in the profession, which requires being vetted by the National Vetting Bureau. In addition, those who have received their qualifications outside the State are required to have their qualifications recognised before they apply for registration.

Disability Services

Questions (375)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

375. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a report (details supplied) commissioned into Prader-Willi syndrome is due to be published and the recommendations implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28508/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

I met with representatives of the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Ireland (PWSAI) on the 4th February this year and I must say that the Prader-Willi syndrome Report is very much welcomed and a reflection of the commitment of PWSAI.

It was proposed to enlist the wider support of other stakeholders in conjunction with the Health Service Executive (HSE) to formulate an implementation plan.

I am informed by the HSE that this process is being undertaken with a view to publishing the report, and establishing a working group to develop a model of integrated clinical care that will take into account the specific healthcare recommendations of this report.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Strategies

Questions (376)

Neale Richmond

Question:

376. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of action item 3.13 of the National Breastfeeding Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28509/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

I can confirm however that in May of this year I announced significant investment towards implementing the HSE Breastfeeding Action Plan, with €1.58 million of funding to provide an additional 23.5 lactation consultants across hospital and community settings.

Health Strategies

Questions (377)

Neale Richmond

Question:

377. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the status of Ireland’s implementation of the WHO code of marketing on breast-milk substitutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28510/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

I can confirm however that in May of this year I announced significant investment towards implementing the HSE Breastfeeding Action Plan, with €1.58 million of funding to provide an additional 23.5 lactation consultants across hospital and community settings.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (378)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

378. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if the classification of services into categories of essential and non-essential work is still being implemented as the restrictions are eased from level 5; the legal basis for such classification, and the place that the categories of what work counts as essential and non-essential can be found. [28529/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

The current Regulations governing public health measures for Covid-19 are the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 217 of 2021), as amended (among others). These regulations are not anchored on categories such as essential retail outlets and essential services given the easing of restrictions that is taking place.

A list of what are considered essential services in the event of level 5 restrictions can be found at www.gov.ie. However, as the Deputy will be aware, level 5 restrictions are not currently in force.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (379, 380)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

379. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if the permission for persons to attend a wedding in a professional capacity, in the course of their employment or in fulfilment of a contract for services, in addition to the number allowed for guests as outlined in section 9(3)(b) of Statutory Instrument No. 217 of 2021, also known as the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 2) Regulations 2021, include those contracted to perform music or provide entertainment at such events and if these service providers are not included, the legal basis for exclusion of same. [28530/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

380. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if the easing of restrictions on 2 June 2021 contain any provisions for music and entertainment to be permitted at social gatherings, weddings or beer gardens. [28531/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 380 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, 50 guests can currently attend a wedding service (both religious and civil) and 25 guests can attend a wedding celebration or reception. On 29 June, Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead. While a number of higher risk indoor activities will not recommence as planned on 5 July, pending the implementation of a system to verify vaccination or immunity status, it has been announced that, as an exception, weddings already planned will be allowed to proceed with the planned increase in the number of guests to 50 at the wedding reception with protective measures.

Live music and entertainment are not currently permitted at weddings, restaurants or bars as outlined in the Fáilte Ireland guidelines. These guidelines can be found online: covid19.failteireland.ie/operational-guidelines/

While significant progress is being made in relation to the roll-out of our vaccination programme and the current situation is broadly stable, the prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant is rapidly increasing in Ireland and this poses a significant risk, in particular to those who are not yet fully vaccinated.

As we further ease public health measures, our approach must continue to be cautious, gradual and phased, 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 and sustained 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.

Question No. 380 answered with Question No. 379.

Departmental Data

Questions (381)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

381. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons resident in the State that are known or estimated to live with congenital disabilities as of April 2021. [28532/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Departmental Data

Questions (382)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

382. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons resident in the State that are known or estimated to live with congenital blindness or visual impairment as of April 2021. [28533/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (383)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

383. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the provision of swimming lessons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28534/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I can confirm to the Deputy that swimming lessons and classes resumed on 7 June.

Departmental Legal Services

Questions (384)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

384. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health his Department’s total spend on external professional legal services in 2014, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form. [28535/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The total spend for each of the three years specified is set out in the table below. This includes the cost of external professional legal services for the Symphiosiotomy Review, Farrelly Commission and CervicalCheck Tribunal.

	2014	2019	2020
	€	€	€
General DoH Professional Legal Fees	32,925.63	46,827.49	166,001.14
Symphiosiotomy Review Legal Fees	57,704.12
Farrelly Commission Legal Fees		769,110.61	951,154.09
CervicalCheck Tribunal Legal Fees			12,256.09
Total	90,629.75	815,938.10	1,129,411.32

Question No. 385 answered with Question No. 372.