Michael Healy-Rae
Question:162. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30471/21]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (162)
Written answers
Every effort is being made to maintain cancer services at present, with a particular focus on urgent and time-sensitive cases.
While radiotherapy services were particularly impacted by the recent ransomware attack, services have recommenced, with private hospital capacity also being utilised to increase patient throughput . Some patients who had been receiving their radiotherapy in Cork University Hospital have been transferred to the Bons Secours, Cork, and we are advised that this is working well.
In so far as this Parliamentary Question relates to an individual patient, it is an operational issue which 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 ransomware attack, which 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.
Assisted Decision-Making
Questions (163)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:163. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the status of the commencement of part 8 of the Assisted Decision-Making Capacity Act 2015; if the Director of the Decision Support Services completed and published the final code of practice; when the Act will be fully commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30472/21]
View answerWritten answers
Part 8 of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 provides a legislative framework for Advanced Healthcare Directives (AHDs). An AHD is a statement made by a person with capacity setting out his or her will and preferences regarding treatment decisions that may arise in the future when he or she no longer has capacity.
My Department remains committed to commencing these provisions as soon as possible. The development of a code of practice to accompany the AHD provisions is a key piece of work to facilitate commencement. The AHD multidisciplinary working group established by the Minister in 2016 has developed a code of practice for Part 8 and submitted it to the Director of Decision Support Services in December 2018 for consideration. When this has been finalised by the Director it will be submitted to me for approval prior to publication.
Establishment of a AHD Register is a complex undertaking and the Department intends to explore options relating to the implementation of an AHD Register and the associated Regulations. However, while Part 8 of the 2015 Act allows for regulations for a register of advance healthcare directives it does not require this register to be established before the Act is commenced.
There are a number of other interdependencies which must be addressed before Part 8 can be commenced and work is continuing in respect of all outstanding matters. These also include commencing certain other provisions of the Act outside of Part 8 that fall under the remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Justice and Equality.
Question No. 164 answered with Question No. 138.
Health Services
Questions (165)
Bernard Durkan
Question:165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of rare diseases currently identified in Ireland; the extent to which various medications are available, are approval-pending or awaiting reimbursement approval; the number of patients affected; the expected timescale to bring matters up to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30474/21]
View answerWritten answers
There are approximately 8,000 rare diseases affecting around 30 million people in the EU.
In the EU, medicines for rare diseases must be authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Commission under the ‘centralised procedure’. It is therefore not open to Irish authorities to grant a marketing authorisation for orphan medicines outside of this framework.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In line with the 2013 Health Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list.
Reimbursement is for licenced indications which have been granted marketing authorisation by the EMA or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
As outlined in the national framework agreed with industry, and in line with the 2013 Act, the HSE will decide, within 180 days of receiving the application (or a longer period if further information is required from the company), to either add the medicine to the reimbursement list or agree to reimburse it as a hospital medicine, or refuse to reimburse the medicine.
In making a reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact.
While the 2013 Health Act does not include provision for a different ruleset when assessing orphan drugs, the HSE seeks as far as possible to take into account issues such as the small patient numbers and the nature of the condition to be treated when evaluating these medicines. The criteria that apply to the evaluation process allow sufficient scope for the HSE to take on board the particular circumstances that pertain to orphan drugs and rare diseases.
There has been a number of key changes in the HSE assessment process of medicines within the confines of the 2013 Health Act. These have included changes to the HSE Drugs Group, whose membership has been expanded to include representatives from the National Patients Forum and more clinical expertise in the area of rare diseases.
In June 2018, the HSE Leadership appointed a Technology Review Committee for Rare Diseases (RDTRC). The Committee’s recommendations regarding reimbursement of orphan medicines are not intended to replace any part of the existing medicines appraisal or reimbursement process but rather complement it.
The additional funding of €50m provided for new medicines in Budget 2021 will allow the HSE to provide access to medicines which have been recommended by the HSE Drugs Group, on the basis of efficacy and value for money in line with the 2013 Health Act, and ultimately provide more medicines to Irish citizens. As of 16 June, the HSE had progressed a total of 26 new approvals for reimbursement of medicines in 2021.
The number of pricing/reimbursement applications currently underway for new medicines, including with respect to rare diseases, is an operational matter. As such, 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 (166)
Bernard Durkan
Question:166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which his Department has examined the number of appliances currently available on the market to facilitate air purification, some with an ability to remove 100% of viruses; if these appliances can or have been examined with a view to determining their suitability for certain areas in hospitals, nursing homes or other indoor locations with a view to further curtailing the potential spread of Covid-19 or its variants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30475/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy's question concerns the suitability of air purification equipment in hospitals, nursing homes, or other indoor settings for curtailing the potential spread of COVID-19.
The Deputy may wish to note the work of the Expert Group on the Role of Ventilation in Reducing Transmission of COVID-19, which provides scientific advice on the role of ventilation and other control measures in mitigating against the risk of long-range (airborne) transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Their reports 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.
The Deputy may also wish to note the work of the Health Protection and Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on infection prevention and control precautions in the context of COVID-19, available on the HPSC website: “Acute Hospital Infection Prevention and Control Precautions for Possible or Confirmed COVID-19 in a Pandemic Setting V.2.3 09.06.2021”
www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/infectionpreventionandcontrolguidance/InfectionPreventionandControlPrecautionsforAcuteSettings.pdf.
The Deputy’s attention is also drawn to the HPSC document: “Interim Guidance on Infection Prevention and Control for the Health Service Executive 2021 V1.3. 11.01.2021”
www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/infectionpreventionandcontrolguidance/hseinfectionpreventionandcontrolguidanceandframework/Interim%20HSE%20Guidance%20on%20IPC.pdf.
The Deputy is advised that the application of infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance as referenced above, including procurement of equipment as necessary, is an operational matter.
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.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (167, 168)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:167. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health his views on whether all teachers will be vaccinated by September 2021. [30504/21]
View answerDonnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:168. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health when all teachers will be fully vaccinated. [30505/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 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 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: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/93f8f-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-irelands-vaccination-prioritisation-list/
Question No. 168 answered with Question No. 167.
Healthcare Policy
Questions (169)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:169. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore 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. [30507/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (170)
Mark Ward
Question:170. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of psychosurgery procedures that were carried out by the HSE in each of the years 2016 to 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30508/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (171)
Kieran O'Donnell
Question:171. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the timeline for first and second dose vaccinations of cohort 7 people aged 16 to 64 at high risk (details supplied); when all first doses will be administered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30509/21]
View answerWritten answers
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 (172)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:172. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if the National Health Service App from the United Kingdom or a certificate as proof of full vaccination will be accepted here thus allowing persons from Britain with proof of double vaccination to travel freely to Ireland without having to face mandatory hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30510/21]
View answerWritten answers
Under the current public health travel measures vaccinated persons arriving into Ireland from overseas, including from the UK, are required to present evidence of a negative / non-detected pre-departure RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival and to observe mandatory home quarantine.
The UK is not currently a designated state. Further, as provided by SI No. 183/2021, persons who are fully vaccinated by an EMA approved vaccine are exempted from requirements to quarantine at MHQ.
International travel policy is kept under continuous consideration and Government is responding proactively to balancing the risks associated with increased travel with the re-opening of society and non-essential overseas travel. Changes to the current travel policy are intended to come into effect on 19 July, subject to prevailing public health situation.
Question No. 173 answered with Question No. 130.
Question No. 174 answered with Question No. 116.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (175)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:175. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if the European Medicines Agency is assessing a Covid-19 vaccine (details supplied) for validation; and if so, the status of any such process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30513/21]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland is participating in an EU Procurement process with a view to accessing a portfolio of candidate vaccines against COVID-19 which are being negotiated with vaccine manufacturers by the Commission acting on behalf of Member States. Emergency Support Instrument (ESI) funding has been leveraged by the Commission to facilitate its negotiations with vaccine manufacturers, including with regard to production costs and securing a reduced per dose cost for Member States.
This process has provided Ireland with access to vaccines (at a reduced cost) that it would find it difficult to access otherwise within a year after the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO. Four of the vaccines in the EU portfolio have already been awarded Conditional Marketing Authorisation (CMA) by the Commission.
Ireland supports efforts made by the Commission to safeguard the production and delivery of doses of vaccine in the quantities agreed with vaccine suppliers and to ensure that up-front funding provided through ESI has been properly used. Covid 19 vaccines can only be approved and used if they comply with all the requirements of quality, safety and efficacy set out in the EU pharmaceutical legislation. No vaccine will be used until Market authorisation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is obtained and any authorised vaccine will be subject to ongoing monitoring in Ireland by the Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
The delivery of vaccines under APAs that the Commission has negotiated on behalf of Member States are predicated upon a CMA being obtained from the Commission (on the basis of a positive recommendation being awarded by the EMA). The awarding of a CMA provides a high level of assurance that a vaccine has undergone rigorous testing and has met the requirements of the independent regulatory process as regards demonstrating its quality, safety and efficacy. The EMA has started a rolling review of the Sputnik V COVID-19 Vaccine but it has not been awarded a CMA to date. The Sinopharm vaccine has also not been awarded a CMA to date.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (176)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:176. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to reducing the time period between the two doses of a vaccine (details supplied) in order to facilitate persons in their 60s who are anxious to be fully vaccinated sooner than those of a younger cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30514/21]
View answerWritten answers
On 4 June I announced a shorter interval between doses for the Vaxzevria® (AstraZeneca) vaccine. This follows updated recommendations from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), which have been endorsed by the Chief Medical Officer. NIAC has concluded that those of any age (without any previous COVID-19 infection), who have received their first dose of Vaxzevria® should receive their second dose 8-12 weeks later.The HSE recently received updated advice from NIAC in relation to reducing the dosing interval for the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine from 12 weeks to 8. Extensive planning has been required to put in place a programme that will now see the remaining, approximately 450,000 people, in receipt of the AstraZeneca vaccine fully immunised through the administration of this second dose by the end of July.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (177, 180)
Seán Haughey
Question:177. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health when first holy communion and confirmation ceremonies will be allowed to take place in churches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30515/21]
View answer
Jackie Cahill
Question:180. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if, under new guidelines, communions and confirmations will go ahead, particularly in smaller school with groups of 25; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30590/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 180 together.
There 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.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (178)
Seán Haughey
Question:178. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will request the national immunisation advisory committee to review the interval between the administration of the first and the second dose of a vaccine (details supplied) given the arrival of the Indian variant to Ireland and the vulnerability of many of those who have received the first dose of the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30516/21]
View answerWritten answers
On 4 June I announced a shorter interval between doses for the Vaxzevria® (AstraZeneca) vaccine. This follows updated recommendations from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), which have been endorsed by the Chief Medical Officer. NIAC has concluded that those of any age (without any previous COVID-19 infection), who have received their first dose of Vaxzevria® should receive their second dose 8-12 weeks later.The HSE recently received updated advice from NIAC in relation to reducing the dosing interval for the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine from 12 weeks to 8. Extensive planning has been required to put in place a programme that will now see the remaining, approximately 450,000 people, in receipt of the AstraZeneca vaccine fully immunised through the administration of this second dose by the end of July.
Home Care Packages
Questions (179)
Michael Moynihan
Question:179. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of homecare packages that were provided in County Cork in each of the years 2017 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30589/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Question No. 180 answered with Question No. 177.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (181)
Denis Naughten
Question:181. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30591/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.