Written Answers Nos. 468-492
468. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if medical card holders are liable to pay for blood tests carried out at their general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29362/21]
View answerThere 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.
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.
469. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if a vaccine will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [29363/21]
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 cyberattack, 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.
470. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if optometrists will be issued a new contract with the HSE in order to provide enhanced public eye-care and cut excessive waiting times for patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29364/21]
View answer488. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to plans by the HSE to engage with an association (details supplied) to negotiate a new contract to provide enhanced public eye-care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29663/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 470 and 488 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 cyberattack, 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.
471. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if his Department’s IT systems have been the subject of ransomware or any other variation of cyber-attack from 1 January 2020 to date; if so, the number of such incidences that have occurred; the response made by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29575/21]
View answerMy Department became aware of some irregular activity on its network on the afternoon of Thursday 13 May 2021, and immediately notified the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and implemented further security measures.
The IT systems were the subject of an attempted ransomware attack on 14 May 2021. The attack was contained and prevented from executing across the IT infrastructure. All ICT systems were immediately shut down as a precautionary measure. This is the only such incident to have occurred.
Improved security measures have already been put in place within my Department's IT systems. A complete security review of the infrastructure is being finalised and specialised software has been installed to mitigate against malicious software, and to provide early warning notifications of same. The system is fully monitored, providing for a rapid response to any notified incidents.
My Department continues to liaise closely with the NCSC, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, our security partner and with colleagues across the Public Service to ensure that best practice is followed as it relates to all aspects of Cybersecurity.
472. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the important work on the issue of period poverty carried out by the youth advisory panel with the ombudsman for children; if he will acknowledge the indignity experienced by young people who cannot afford appropriate period products every month and the statement made by the UN Committee on Rights of the Child’s General comment No. 20 (2016) on implementation of the rights of the child during adolescence; if he will take steps to ensure that all public buildings including schools are equipped to provide free period products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29579/21]
View answerPeriod poverty refers to inadequate access to menstrual hygiene, including period products (e.g. sanitary towels and tampons), washing and waste management facilities and education. The potential adverse consequences of period poverty for women, girls and others who identify as non-binary or transgender who have periods are widely accepted internationally. These include recurrent exclusion from educational, employment and social settings during menstruation and health impacts resulting from exclusion and the use of unsuitable period products.
Period poverty in Ireland was initially brought into focus by the publication, in late 2018, of a Plan International Survey of 1,100 teenage girls, aged 12-19. The Survey identified 50% of girls as having occasionally experienced period poverty, and 10% as having used unsuitable products as a result. 61% had missed school on occasion because of their period.
Following the publication of the Survey, the Parliamentary Women’s Caucus proposed motions in the Seanad and in the Dáil in early 2019, which were passed. Following the Oireachtas motions, the National Strategy for Women and Girls (NSWG) Strategy Committee, now led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, established a sub-committee on period poverty in 2019, chaired by the Department of Health.
In line with the recommendations of the Oireachtas motions, Sub-Committee’s remit included establishing the extent of period poverty in Ireland and population cohorts most at risk. The Terms of Reference also included giving due consideration to the circumstances of young people under the age of 25, targeting of high-risk groups, stigma reduction and mainstreaming period poverty mitigation measures across all relevant Government Departments and public bodies.
In addition, the Programme for Government 2020, makes the following specific commitment under ‘Better Opportunities through Education and Research’ - “Provide a range of free, adequate, safe, and suitable period products in all educational publicly-funded settings (including schools, colleges and HEIs), to ensure that no students are disadvantaged in their education by period poverty.”
The NSWG Sub-Committee on Period Poverty published its report on 8th February, 2021; the full Report and accompanying press release are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/264f4-period-poverty-in-ireland-discussion-paper-period-poverty-sub-committee-national-strategy-for-women-and-girls-20172020-february-2021/
Moreover, Government has supported a Private Members Bill on Period Poverty; the Free Provision of Period Products Bill 2021 (Bill 4), proposed by Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee and sponsored by Senators Catherine Ardagh and Mary Fitzpatrick, which seeks to make period products freely available to all those who need them. A debate on the matter was held in Seanad Éireann on 8th February, 2021; the Bill has now passed to Committee stage.
Government has further agreed that the recommendations of the Period Poverty in Ireland Discussion Paper be taken into account in terms of further development of the Bill and that cross-Government, inter-Departmental, interagency and societal support for the Bill and related implementation measures should be sought, including from voluntary and private sector organisations that provide services funded by the State, as well as from public service providers. The recommendations of the Report include, but are not limited to, consideration of the provision of free period products in public buildings and in the context of education.
The Department of Health is currently establishing an Implementation Group, with representation requested from all Government Departments, to achieve cross sectoral input and to co-ordinate oversight of both the Bill and implementation measures recommended in the Discussion Paper. It is envisaged that the work of the Group will address the indignity experienced by those who may need period products every month, but cannot afford them.
Both myself and my Department are aware of the work currently undertaken by the recently established Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) with the Ombudsman For Children on the issue of period poverty. We are also aware of the statement made by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s General comment No 20 (2016) on the implementation of the rights of the child during adolescence.
473. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason (detail supplies) has been waiting three months for a vaccination at home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29611/21]
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.
474. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposal for a 24/7 community café for an area (details supplied) proposed under the Vision for Change Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29612/21]
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.
475. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the status of a crisis centre for an area (details supplied) that is proposed under the Vision for Change Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29613/21]
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.
476. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the serious increase in the use of nitrous oxide in a location (details supplied); the actions he will take to combat the use of nitrous oxide; the funding that will be made available to tackle the causes and consequences of nitrous oxide; if he will work with local groups and agencies including the local drugs and alcohol task forces, An Garda Síochána, youth services and schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29614/21]
View answerThe general sale of nitrous oxide is prohibited under existing legislation, in particular to those under 18 years. It is the responsibility of An Garda Síochána to enforce this legislation and to confiscate supplies of this drug.
Last year, following media reports regarding the increased use of nitrous oxide, the Dept of Health requested the HSE to gather evidence on the use of nitrous oxide nationally. The HSE identified that use was occurring among those under the age of 18 in some communities and, as a result of this, a locally targeted approach was recommended to create awareness of the use of this substance. This approach is in line with best practice, as targeting young populations with a wider media campaign may have had limitations regarding effectiveness.
The HSE and local drug and alcohol task forces have taken a pro-active approach to communicating with parents and youth workers the dangers associated with nitrous oxide. A number of webinars were hosted with the aim of up-skilling local professionals regarding the use of nitrous oxide. Speakers at these events included a UK professional, the HSE, and professionals from the local areas. New content on nitrous oxide has been added to the Drugs.ie website, as well as a harm reduction material.
The HSE has run a number of social media adverts through their Drugs.ie page targeting parents with advice on how to talk to their children about drugs and new drug trends. This work is on-going and will continue throughout July and August. Social media adverts aimed at populations over the age of 18 are also run by the HSE regarding the effects and associated risks of nitrous oxide. The HSE will also develop a series of factsheets containing information on new drug trends such as nitrous oxide.
In order to provide further data on its use, nitrous oxide was included in the Irish module as part of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction EU Web Survey in March 2021. The findings from this survey will help identify the level and patterns of use among participants. The results from this survey will be released later this year.
An objective of the national drugs strategy to prevent the use of drugs and alcohol at a young age. School-based and out-of-school programmes are provided to increase awareness of the harms of drug and alcohol use among young people.
A national drug awareness programme ‘Know the Score’ was launched in 2019. The resource is aimed at engaging young people in exploring and considering a wide range of topics related to the risks associated with alcohol and drugs. This programme was developed in partnership between public health and education professionals.
Last year, the Department of Health provided €100,000 to the HSE to develop a national harm reduction campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with drug use. With this funding the HSE are developing a number of new educational resources which are expected to be publicly available later this year. New drug trends will be included in this work where appropriate.
I am very supportive of the efforts of An Garda Síochána in confiscating supplies of nitrous oxide. I am committed to continuing to resource harm reduction and education campaigns aimed at increasing awareness of the risks of drug use, including nitrous oxide.
477. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if persons with Crohn’s disease who are on immunosuppressant drugs are considered to be vulnerable to Covid-19; the position of such persons in the vaccine roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29616/21]
View answerThe 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 National Immunisation Advisory Committee 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/
478. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health when communions and confirmations will go ahead; the reason mass has been permitted but confirmations and communions have not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29618/21]
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 was sustained during recent phases of reopening in April, May, and June.
While significant progress is being made in relation to the roll-out of our vaccination programme and the epidemiological situation was broadly stable through most of June, the prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant is rapidly increasing in Ireland and this poses a significant risk to those who are not yet fully protected though vaccination. Indicators of disease incidence are all now increasing.
On 29 June, Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead, with an emphasis on lower risk activities given the risks posed by the Delta variant. Higher risk indoor activities, including organised events, service in bars and restaurants, group training, exercise and dance will not yet recommence, pending the implementation of a system to verify vaccination or immunity status.
In line with the delay to other July measures, the current advice is that religious celebrations and ceremonies (outside of weddings and funerals) should not go ahead in July as previously signalled. This is in recognition of the multi household, multi-generational nature of these events and linked social activities and is a response to concerns from public health across the regions in relation to gatherings of this nature.
Church leaders have been very supportive of the overall national public health response to date and the Government will continue to work with them to ensure that all ceremonies can return when it is safe to do so.
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 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.
479. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the provisions that are in place for a person (details supplied); the reason the referral has been withdrawn; and the plan in place for services going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29619/21]
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.
480. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for outpatient eye care treatment and inpatient eye care treatment by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29620/21]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While significant progress was made in reducing waiting times from June 2020 onwards, the surge in Covid-19 cases in the first quarter of 2021, and the resultant curtailment of acute hospital services, is reflected in the current waiting list figures.
On 23 March 2021 the HSE published the “Safe Return to Health Services Plan”, outlining a three phased approach for the proposed restoration of services across Community Services, Acute Hospital Operations, Cancer Services and Screening Services. It sets target times for their safe return and details the conditions and challenges that will have to be met. However, the implementation of this plan has been suspended pending the resolution of the recent ransomware attack, which is having a significant impact on acute hospitals. The HSE is focusing on urgent and time critical appointments and procedures until this incident is resolved. Once the incident is resolved the focus will return to restoring routine elective services.
My Department does not have full access to information on the impact of this ransomware attack on elective waiting lists but will provide an update as soon as one is available.
My Department, the HSE and the NTPF are putting in place plans to improve access to elective care and reduce waiting times for patients. These plans include increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations, providing virtual clinics and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
In recent years, my Department has worked with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to improve access for patients waiting for high volume procedures, including cataracts. Ophthalmology services are provided throughout all hospital groups in the country, with cataract removal one of the key procedures carried out as part of this specialty.
A key development in improving access to Ophthalmology services was the opening of a stand-alone high-volume consultant-led cataract theatre by the University of Limerick Hospital Group in Nenagh Hospital in 2018, with the intention that it would facilitate patients from surrounding geographical areas to avail of their treatment there. The impact of such initiatives can be seen in the reduction in the waiting times to access cataract procedures since 2019. At the 13th of May 2021 there were 4,275 patients waiting for a cataract procedure compared to 6,437 in January 2019.
An additional €240 million has been provided in Budget 2021 for an access to care fund, €210m of which has been allocated to the HSE and a further €30m to the NTPF. This will be used to fund additional capacity to address the shortfall arising as a result of infection control measures taken in the context of COVID-19, as well as addressing backlogs in waiting lists.
My Department, the HSE and the NTPF are currently in the process of finalising a Multiannual Waiting List plan to address waiting lists and bring them in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years.
Due to the ongoing IT issues triggered by the HSE cyber-attack, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has been unable to receive weekly national hospital waiting list data or downloads. The latest published waiting list information was collated by the NTPF on 13th May 2021. The information requested by the Deputy concerning the number of persons on the waiting list for outpatient eye care treatment and inpatient eye care treatment by county is outlined in the attached document. This information is based on the latest available data provided by the NTPF.
481. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health if plans are in place to extend the temporary assistance scheme for nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29621/21]
View answer486. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if the temporary assistance payment scheme for nursing homes will be extended beyond 30 June 2021; when nursing homes can expect a decision on the future of the scheme; if the current level of supports will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29661/21]
View answer492. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if the temporary assistance payment scheme for nursing homes will be extended beyond 30 June 2021; when nursing homes can expect a decision on the future of the scheme; if the current level of supports will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29686/21]
View answer505. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if she plans to extend the temporary assistance payment scheme for nursing homes beyond the current timeframe of June 2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29699/21]
View answer533. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider extending the temporary assistance payment scheme for nursing homes past 30 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29870/21]
View answer538. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if the temporary assistance payment scheme will be extended for nursing homes until 31 December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29879/21]
View answer546. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if the TAPS fund for nursing homes which is due to expire in June 2021, will be extended for a longer period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29932/21]
View answer550. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will extend the temporary assistance payment scheme for nursing homes beyond 30 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29958/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 481, 486, 492, 505, 533, 538, 546 and 550 together.
The 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).
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.
The cessation of TAPS at the end of June, as planned and preciously announced was communicated with all relevant stakeholders, including Nursing Homes Ireland – the national representative body for the private and voluntary nursing home sector.
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.
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. It is the Department’s understanding that currently there is one open outbreak in a nursing home.
(Please note that the cyber-attack on the HSE on 14 May 2021 has prevented the routine notification of cases, associated deaths and outbreaks of COVID-19 to the Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting (CIDR) system. As an interim measure, provisional epidemiological reports are being prepared but have not undergone the data validation procedures undertaken through CIDR. For this reason, data continues to be provisional at this time.)
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 plan '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.
482. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place for a service (details supplied) in County Louth; the engagement there has been between stakeholders and families of service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29622/21]
View answer489. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the status of each of the services (details supplied); the current situation of each; the future for the service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29664/21]
View answer490. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health f he is satisfied with the engagement between a service (details supplied) and an association in relation to the future care of current service users following the notice to withdraw services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29665/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 482, 489 and 490 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, Saint John of God Community Services clg (SJOGCS), has given the HSE 12 months’ notice of its intention to terminate its Section 38 arrangement with a view to transferring responsibility for the provision of disability and mental health service to the State by 1 October 2021.
The HSE has established a Joint Governance Committee and a Joint Implementation Committee to plan for the orderly transfer of services to the HSE covering:
a. Services
b. Finance and Assets
c. Communications
d. Human Resources.
I am very conscious that SJOGCS has played a significant role in the delivery of vital disability services and supports to service users and their families across the State for many years and the key focus at present is to ensure that the organisation is facilitated to maintain its important service delivery role into the future in line with a reformed model of care.
Accordingly, in parallel with the work on the transition plan, the HSE is encouraging SJOGCS to engage in a Sustainability Impact Assessment, which would provide the organisation with a pathway to financial and operational sustainability and enable the organisation to remain in service provision.
I understand that the HSE is engaging with the families of service users in relation to the overall process. I would like to assure the Deputy that the needs of services users and their families are at the forefront of all considerations and decision-making in relation to the reform process.
The HSE has met with the NPFFA on dates in March, May and June. Across the next three months the HSE will meet with the NPFFA on a fortnightly basis. I am advised by the HSE that there is an open communication channel both through phone call and / or email between the HSE and National PFFA reps as required. In addition, on the 28th June two PFFA reps were on-boarded to the Communications Work stream as part of the four workstreams regarding the transition programme from SJOGCS to the HSE.
My foremost concern, which is shared by the HSE, is to ensure the continuity of appropriate disability services delivery by SJOGCS in line with strong governance mechanisms in a cost-effective and equitable manner consistent with care and support needs.
483. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health when the bowel screening programme will recommence at Ennis General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29623/21]
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.
484. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding Irish citizens returning home after residing abroad who are fully vaccinated using a non EMA approved Covid-19 vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29659/21]
View answerUnder the current public health travel measures, travellers arriving into Ireland from overseas are required to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form, to present evidence of a negative / non-detected pre-departure RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival and to observe mandatory quarantine. These public health travel measures currently apply to all overseas arrivals, even vaccinated persons, with limited exemptions.
These travel measures are kept under continuous review based on public health advice and the international epidemiological situation.
485. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29660/21]
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.
487. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the current healthcare services provided at Louth County Hospital, Dundalk. [29662/21]
View answerThe services provided at Louth County Hospital, Dundalk, include:
- Emergency Medicine - Minor Injuries Unit;
- Surgery – Elective surgical beds to provide day and 23-hour post-operative care for non-complex surgical patients. These include general surgical, gynaecology, urology, ENT, Ophthalmology and Dental;
- Out-Patients – Endocrinology, ENT, Cataracts, Intraocular Injections, Urology, Minor Surgery, Venesection, General Medicine, General Surgery, Palliative, Orthopaedics, Gynaecology, Maternity, Hysteroscopy, Cardiac Rehab, Cardiology Diagnostics, CT Scanning, Genitourinary;
- Medicine – Stroke Rehab, Medical Rehab and Orthopaedic Rehab in-patient beds. Step Down beds for patients awaiting discharge home or discharge to another care facility;
- Palliative care in-patient beds;
- Geriatric Assessment Day Unit;
- Elective Endoscopy service; and
- Colposcopy Screening service;
491. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of protected disclosures made to his Department in each of the past five years and to date in 2021; and the nature of the disclosures and or the occupations or area of work of the persons who made protected disclosures to his Department. [29666/21]
View answer-
|
Year |
Number of Protected Disclosures received |
|
2016 |
6 |
|
2017 |
18 |
|
2018 |
23 |
|
2019 |
5 |
|
2020 |
10 |
|
2021 year to date |
4 |
Only one Protected Disclosure was received from an employee of the Department and the remainder relate to a worker or workers employed by a public body under the Minister’s / Department’s remit in the period covered.
