Written Answers Nos. 429-450
429. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when residents of direct provision centres will receive their Covid-19 vaccine given that their need is particular acute due to rules prohibiting re-entry to centres after a resident has spent a night away means that residents are subject to 14-days quarantine; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties this is causing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28933/21]
View answer461. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when persons living in direct provision centres are due to be vaccinated given that they are living in places in which persons are in close proximity with each other and mostly in an indoor setting. [29139/21]
View answer462. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when staff working in direct provision centres are due to be vaccinated given that they are living in places in which persons are in close proximity with each other and mostly in an indoor setting. [29140/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 429, 461 and 462 together.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020. On the 23rd of February, I announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy. In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death. The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.
On the 30th of March, the Government approved a further update to the COVID-19 Vaccination Allocation Strategy. Based on clinical, scientific and ethical frameworks produced by the NIAC and my Department , following the vaccination of those most at risk, future groups will be vaccinated by age, in cohorts of 10 years (i.e., 64-55; 54-45, etc.).
The move to an age-based model better supports the programme objectives by:
- protecting those at highest risk of severe disease first, which benefits everyone most;
- facilitating planning and execution of the programme across the entire country;
- improving transparency and fairness.
Further details are available here:
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/93f8f-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-irelands-vaccination-prioritisation-list
The HSE will begin the process of rollout vaccination to those living in direct provision this week. There is an estimated population of 4,800 across the 73 Direct Provision Centres in the State and vaccination will be administered through bespoke vaccination clinics, GP, Vaccination Centres and pharmacies.
430. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the status of the planned primary care centre based in Drimnagh, Dublin 12 which was committed to, planning permission granted but never completed under his predecessor Minister James Reilly. [29012/21]
View answerThe Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects and has advised the Drimnagh Primary Care Centre will be located on the existing site at Curlew Road. Funding has been allocated to progress the appointment of a design team, and the tender process for the services of a Design Team has commenced.
Services to be provided include Older Persons Day Care Services alongside Public Health and Community Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Dietetics and Counselling. These services will be integrated with the proposed on-site GP service and provide an integrated service to the public all under one roof.
The delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, which can impact on the timeline for delivery.
431. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) who is waiting five weeks for the Covid-19 vaccine and has contacted the HSE helpline several times will receive confirmation of a vaccination date and be given an appointment and called for vaccination. [29013/21]
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.
434. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when persons in the health care sector (details supplied) will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29048/21]
View answerIn line with the Guidance and FAQs for Public Service Employers and Employees re Covid, special leave with pay is used in lieu of sick leave for COVID-19 where a public health sector employee is advised to self-isolate and is displaying symptoms of COVID-19 or had a positive COVID-19 test result.
Where a public health sector employee meets the above criteria and normally is in receipt of premia payments re unsocial hours in respect of rostering, this is included in the calculation of special leave with pay in line with HSE HR Circular 064/2020 which can be viewed online here: HR Circular 064 2020 Special Leave with Pay for COVID-19 (hse.ie)
Special leave with pay does not apply to public health sector employees who are restricting their movements, or are self-isolating due to being a close contact of a variant of concern, or who are in the very high risk category and are cocooning, and the alternative arrangements for this cohort are available to view as part of the Quick Guide of scenarios as part of the DPER Guide document, and this can be viewed online here: gov.ie - Update (16 June) on working arrangements and leave associated with COVID-19 for Civil and Public Service (www.gov.ie)
In relation to any delay that may have occurred in respect of premia payments, as this element of the question is operational in nature, 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 Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that residents living on the Kilkenny side of counties Wexford and Kilkenny border in Ferrybank are being asked to travel 60 km to a vaccination centre instead of being vaccinated at a location (details supplied) which is on their doorstep; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29049/21]
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.
436. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that night nursing staff at a community nursing home (details supplied) in County Mayo are not adequate; the steps being taken to rectify the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29050/21]
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. Separately I have arranged that the HSE's National Older Person’s Office be made aware of the Deputy’s concerns.
The 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. I consider that it would be important that they are aware of the issues that you raise and I have asked officials in the Department to inform the Chief Inspector of your concerns. As a regulator HIQA has no formal legal role in examining individual complaints, however, the Authority does take into account all information it receives, including complaints from the public, when carrying out inspections.
437. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when an operation will be expedited for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29051/21]
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 Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the way he plans to provide vaccination to the thousands of undocumented persons who are residing in Ireland; the process that will be put in place in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29052/21]
View answerThe HSE has identified undocumented migrants as a higher risk group for Covid-19. There is a community assessment hub located in Dublin city centre specifically for such groups. The HSE has provided additional health supports for undocumented migrants (eg GP service in Capuchin Centre). In terms of the Covid-19 vaccination programme a high-level plan has been developed for the vaccination of this Group and when finalised will issue to my Department.
The HSE does not report undocumented migrants to immigration authorities.
It is important that undocumented migrants are encouraged and facilitated to take-up the Covid-19 vaccine.
439. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if the temporary assistance payment scheme for nursing homes will be continued beyond June 2021; if any engagement has taken place with nursing home representative organisations regarding the continuance of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29053/21]
View answerThe Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) was established in April 2020 as a temporary administrative measure in response to the challenges faced by the nursing home sector at the start of the pandemic. As the pandemic continued, additional support measures for private and voluntary nursing homes have been delivered through the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The Department of Health held a meeting with Nursing Homes Ireland, the national representative body for private and voluntary nursing homes, on May 25th to discuss the future plans for TAPS. Taking on board the concerns expressed by NHI and all other available advice, the decision was made to discontinue TAPS at the end of June 2021 as previously planned. A letter was issued to NHI dated June 4th 2021 informing them of this decision.
As of 11th June 2021, 7,148 claims had been submitted as part of the Scheme. In total, €134.5 million has been made available under TAPS between 2020 and 2021.
Due to the ongoing high-level of risk associated with COVID-19 during this period, the Department of Health responded by extending the scheme twice, far beyond the originally planned timescale of three-months. The further extension of the scheme was outlined in the Government’s Plan, Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021 Plan for Living with COVID-19, published in September 2020. This provided reassurance of the Scheme’s availability and a planned timeframe of operation to the end of June 2021.
There has been a marked improvement in the status of the virus in the community and in nursing homes due to the rollout of the National Vaccination Programme – COVID-19 cases and outbreaks in nursing homes are now at a very low level compared with the first quarter of the year and, overall, the epidemiological situation is very positive. Whilst we do not have precise up-to-date data due to the impact of the recent cyber-attack on the HSE, indications from HIQA and public health teams are that there was only a single outbreak recorded in the first half of June.
The Scheme has fulfilled its temporary purpose of providing financial support to nursing homes to address COVID-19. Although the risk is greatly reduced, it has not been completely eliminated, therefore the outbreak assistance element of the Scheme will continue to be available to nursing homes until the end of 2021. Availability of outbreak assistance is subject to the overall sanctioned amount of €42m for 2021.
The substantial package of non-financial supports outlined below will continue to be provided for the time being:
- Provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The continued supply of PPE is a key support mechanism and will be provided in line with clinical and public health recommendations;
- The COVID-19 Response Teams established to support Public Health Outbreak teams covering all residential services as well as home support settings. All stakeholders, including the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel, have highlighted the significant contribution these new teams have made to supporting nursing homes throughout the pandemic;
- The HSE Temporary Accommodation Scheme;
- HSE training and development resources, including the opening up of HSeLanD to private and voluntary providers.
- IPC support and advice;
- The substantial suite of publicly available guidance developed to support the sector.
These measures and supports reflect a significant investment by the State to support nursing homes and other services and measures, such as the COVID-19 Response Teams, and are a clear signal of the work that is ongoing to integrate the wider health system.
In February 2021, a revised Resilience and Recovery 2021 Plan: The Path Ahead was published by the Government. This plan recognises the need for longer-term reform of both older persons and nursing home care, broadly reflecting the lessons learned from the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel and the pandemic. However, these structural reforms, including the policy and regulatory framework, extend beyond the scope of a temporary financial support scheme aimed at a specific, time-limited public health objective.
440. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if provisions are in place for an adolescent with very profound sensory issues who has to travel for essential reasons but who is not able to withstand the PCR test due to their sensory issues in view of the requirement for same on re-entry to Ireland. [29054/21]
View answerUnder SI No. 135/2021 passengers travelling to Ireland are required to have evidence of a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. International travel policy is kept under continuous consideration informed by the international epidemiological situation and public health advice.
441. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the criteria that is in place for persons wishing to avail of dupixent (details supplied); his plans to relax the criteria to allow more persons to avail of this drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29055/21]
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.
442. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the two reports of the Expert Group on the Role of Ventilation in Reducing Transmission of Covid-19 sent to NPHET can be made publicly available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29095/21]
View answerThe Deputy is advised that the two reports of the Expert Group on the Role of Ventilation in Reducing Transmission of Covid-19 sent to NPHET are available at the webpage below alongside the membership, Terms of Reference, agendas and minuets of the group.www.gov.ie/en/publication/aa43c-expert-group-on-the-role-of-ventilation-in-reducing-transmission-of-covid-19/
443. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the letters from the Expert Group on the Role of Ventilation in Reducing Transmission of Covid-19 sent to the senior officials group, to which it now reports, can be made publicly available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29096/21]
View answerThe Expert Group on the Role of Ventilation in Reducing Transmission of COVID-19 was initially established as a subgroup of the NPHET with a view to providing expert advice and guidance.
It was agreed that the work of the Expert Review Group and their reports would be taken forward by the Senior officials Group on Covid 19. Since then it has informed Departments and Agencies work in respect of sectoral guidance and public information regarding ventilation.
The Expert Group on the Role of Ventilation in Reducing Transmission of COVID-19 submitted two reports while reporting to the NPHET at the Department of Health. These reports, along with relevant agendas and meeting minutes are available on the gov.ie website: www.gov.ie/en/publication/aa43c-expert-group-on-the-role-of-ventilation-in-reducing-transmission-of-covid-19/#reports
Following the initial two reports, I am advised that further work of the group on educational settings has been published: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ad236-guidance-on-ventilation-in-schools
Additionally, a revised Work Safely Protocol was published on 14th May. This revised Protocol incorporates the current advice on the Public Health measures needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community and workplaces including this updated guidance on ventilation as part of the range of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
444. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of building and fitting out a 20-bedroom public nursing home on a greenfield site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29097/21]
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.
445. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that were treated for a gambling addiction in each of the years 2017 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29098/21]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has responsibility for the provision of addiction treatment services.
People who present to the HSE for addiction treatment for gambling are offered the same range of interventions as those who present with a drug and alcohol addiction, or a mental health concern, including an initial assessment, a comprehensive assessment, and individual counselling. It is often the case that gambling addiction is one of a number of addictions and issues faced by an individual.
Figures produced by the HSE show the following number of cases where people presented with problem gambling:
|
- |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Assessed only (not treated) |
54 |
37 |
41 |
|
Treated |
219 |
217 |
224 |
Information on gambling treatment for 2020 has not been published.
It is understood that the Health Research Board will be publishing a bulletin on 2019/20 gambling prevalence in the autumn.
446. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the current extent of public orthodontic services in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29099/21]
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.
447. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health when day care services will be allowed to reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29102/21]
View answerThe Deputy has advised that her question refers to adult day services for people with a disability, and also day services for older people, so I will provide an answer is respect of both. With regard to disability services, day services re-opened at 39% capacity at service locations throughout August and early September of 2020, and by end of January 2021 this had increased to 51%. The combination of supports in the location, outreach supports, and remote supports provides an overall quantum of support to service users of over 60% at the end of January. The increase in day service capacity was supported by additional funding of €30 million provided in Budget 2021 to increase capacity in buildings and provide extra staff. This funding provided an increase in day services by an average of one day a week for 14,940 people against September 2020 service levels.
For the duration of the COVID-19 emergency day service capacity is reduced, this is due to the physical limitations of the buildings available, the lack of mainstream community activities, and the continued restrictions imposed by social distancing guidance. Many people with disabilities have underlying health conditions, and as the threat of COVID-19 remains, unfortunately so too does the need for these restrictions.
The vaccination process for staff and service users is well underway across day services, and all service providers should now be delivering a minimum of 60% of pre-COVID levels of location-based supports. For those in residential services, currently their day service supports are largely being provided in their residence, however some service users have returned to their day service location, and it is now expected that all residential service users that received their day service at a location pre-COVID should begin to resume location-based day service supports.
The HSE is in the process of establishing the vaccination status of all staff and service users in day services. Once established, the HSE will engage with Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) on what further easing of restrictions can appropriately be applied to day services. Those attending day services have been vaccinated as part of cohort 4, people aged 16-69 years and at very high risk of severe COVID-19 disease. The administration of the second vaccine dose for this cohort began in the week beginning May 10th and is expected to be complete by early July.
The IPC guidance are kept under constant review and updates will be provided in the months ahead on further restoration of day services.
With regard to older person's services; day centres are fundamental to the health and well-being of our older population and play a key role in enabling older people to live independently in their own communities. The pandemic and associated restrictions has had a profound impact across society and especially for our older population.
All Community Health Organisations through the National Older Persons Office were requested in April 2021 to provide information on the status of their Day Care Services in order to ascertain the level of service that could resume on receipt of updated public health guidance. As a result, it was intended that approximately 100 day centres would re-open week beginning 5 July. It was also intended that an additional 55 centres would resume in July and August, with a further 90 centres that require works expected to reopen before the end of the year. It was indicated that these dates may be subject to change as the HSE continues to deal with the significant challenge of the on-going cyber attack.
Since then updated Public Health guidance to support the re-opening of Day Care Services for Older People was provided in June 2021 to facilitate re-opening plans. Following on from this a further information request issued to HSE Services to obtain an update on re-opening plans. Their responses are currently being analysed and further detail regarding the re-opening of services is expected imminently and it is intended that the re-opening of centres will commence this month.
A Day Care Focus Group which was established in 2020 will remain in place (representative of both HSE and voluntary sector) to oversee the resumption of day care services and provide feedback in relation to both service delivery and users of the services.
While services may have to operate at a reduced capacity, initially, this is a huge step forward in the resumption of day centres for older people. It follows extensive planning by the HSE and has been made possible by the advanced stage and positive impact of the COVID-19 vaccination programme among our older population.
448. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if the scheduled three-year review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 will be conducted independently of his Department and the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29105/21]
View answerThe Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. Section 7 of the Act states that “The Minister shall, not later than 3 years after the commencement of this section, carry out a review of the operation of this Act."
The review is being progressed this year and will be led by an independent expert. It is anticipated that it will take a three-part approach to reviewing the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation. Research to inform the service user and service provider strands will be commissioned and carried out independently, and a public consultation will be held.
Upon completion, a full report, with any necessary recommendations, will be submitted to me, as Minister, for consideration.
I have held a number of meetings with stakeholder groups to discuss the approach for the review; this will be finalised in due course.
449. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he plans to abide by the commitment provided by a former Minister for Health with respect to the formulation of the terms of reference for the three-year review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (details supplied); if he will facilitate the agreement of all Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas on the terms of reference for the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29106/21]
View answerThe Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. Section 7 of the Act states that “The Minister shall, not later than 3 years after the commencement of this section, carry out a review of the operation of this Act."
The review is being progressed this year and will be led by an independent expert. It is anticipated that it will take a three-part approach to reviewing the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation. Research to inform the service user and service provider strands will be commissioned and carried out independently, and a public consultation will be held.
Upon completion, a full report, with any necessary recommendations, will be submitted to me, as Minister, for consideration.
I have held a number of meetings with stakeholder groups to discuss the approach for the review; this will be finalised in due course.
