Written Answers Nos. 349-374
350. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the person or body that is responsible for the establishment of the national psychology placement office; and the reason the office is still not in operation. [31014/21]
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.
351. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE is still not funding counselling and educational psychology doctoral courses in line with clinical psychology doctoral courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31015/21]
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.
352. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the number of community-based adult residential homes in each local electoral area in County Kerry; his plans to increase the number of these homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31016/21]
View answerThis year, the Government provided an additional €100 million in the 2021 Budget for new disability developments, which brings the budget for specialist disability services to over €2.2 billion in 2021. Residential services account for over 60% of the disability allocation. This year, a total of €15m has been allocated which will fund 102 additional residential places for people with a disability. These planned and emergency residential places are currently being developed in each CHO in line with allocations.
Residential placements for people with a disability are provided on the basis of need and within available resources. Where residential placements are not immediately available, the HSE provides a range of other supports for families including Day and Respite Services, Home Support & Personal Assistant Services, Early Intervention Services and Multidisciplinary supports for children and adults. The HSE continues to work with agencies to explore various ways of responding to this need as it arises and in line with the budget available.
I attach for the information of the Deputy an extract from the HIQA register of Designated Residential Centres for the County Kerry area which details both community-based residential homes and congregated disability residential service providers in the Kerry region.
353. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the person who is the clinical lead in the HSE for dual diagnosis; the length of time they have been in situ; if an overview will be provided of their remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31054/21]
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.
354. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 844 of 31 March 2021, the status of the establishment of a Covid-19 vaccination compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31055/21]
View answerIn June 2018, the Government agreed to the establishment of the expert group to review the management of clinical negligence claims. It was chaired by the High Court judge, Mr. Justice Charles Meenan. The expert group examined the system from the perspective of the person who has made the claim to explore if there is a better way to deal effectively, yet more sensitively, with certain cases.
Mr. Justice Meenan submitted the final report on the current system for managing clinical negligence claims to the then Minister for Health and Minister for Justice in January 2020, prior to the onset of the Covid pandemic. The Government subsequently published the Meenan report in December 2020. One of the report's recommendations is that a compensation scheme be established.
On foot of a request from my Department, the Health Research Board, HRB, carried out an evidence review on the vaccine injury redress programme in other jurisdictions, which was completed in March 2019. The expert group's report, in addition to the HRB's evidence review, and consultation with other Departments and relevant State agencies will inform the development of proposals regarding the establishment of a compensation scheme, including the need for primary legislation, and work to advance policy development in this regard is under way in the Department.
There are no plans at present for the introduction in Ireland of a COVID-19 specific vaccine compensation scheme.
355. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the supports that are available for Irish persons who need to travel to the UK for medical treatment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31056/21]
View answerAccess to the UK under the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) has not changed and continued access to the scheme has been secured by the social security provisions of the EU-UK Trade & Cooperation Agreement which came into effect on 1st January 2021.
If the Deputy has a particular query can provide details to the Department and the matter will be examined.
356. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of respite for a person (details supplied). [31102/21]
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.
357. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the reason the Portiuncula Hospital, Galway 50-bedroom ward block development has not gone to tender; the reason only expressions of interest have been sought; when this project will go to tender and the reason for the delay; if this project will make provision for a further 50-bedroom development in the future as first envisioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31103/21]
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.
358. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the details regarding current capital projects ongoing and future projects and the expected benefits of the projects and associated investments for a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31104/21]
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.
359. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the details of ongoing capital projects and planned future projects and the expected benefits of the projects and associated investments for a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31105/21]
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.
360. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if information will be provided regarding current capital projects, ongoing and future projects; the expected benefits of these projects; the associated investments at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31106/21]
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.
361. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the details of ongoing capital projects and planned future projects and the expected benefits of the projects and associated investments for a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31107/21]
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.
362. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if information will be provided regarding current capital projects, ongoing and future projects; the expected benefits of these projects; the associated investments at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31108/21]
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.
364. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the status of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31110/21]
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.
365. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the work that is underway in his Department to implement the Programme for Government commitment to provide free contraception over a phased period, starting with women aged 17 to 25; if there is a timeline for the implementation of same; and the specific outcomes expected in this regard by end of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31111/21]
View answerFollowing the recommendations of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, a Working Group was established in April 2019 to consider the range of policy, regulatory and legislative issues arising in relation to improving access to contraception in Ireland.
The Group’s high-level report, published in October 2019, identified the barriers that exist to accessing contraception and the mechanisms available to overcome those barriers, noting that any policy proposal must focus on accessibility, education, workforce capacity as well as cost.
A sizable body of work remains to be addressed in order to develop and finalise the policy approach, bring forward the necessary legislative proposals and ensure the implementation of service delivery arrangements. Progress on these issues has unfortunately been delayed due to the need to focus on and prioritise the response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
It is however important to stress that my Department and this Government remain committed to providing free contraception over a phased basis, starting with women aged 17 – 25, as set out in the Programme for Government.
Some access to free contraception is already enabled, through the National Condom Distribution Service (NCDS), which was established by the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP) in October 2015.The NCDS functions as a central point for distributing free condoms and lubricant sachets to HSE services and other organisations working with individuals and groups at increased risk of negative sexual health outcomes.
These include migrants; young people; gay, bisexual and other MSM; sex workers; people living with addiction issues and people living with HIV. From 2017 to the end of 2019, the number of organisations ordering from the NCDS has doubled.
The service was extended to 3rd level institutions in late 2019. Third-level institutions can now order condom dispensers from the HSE, which enable the provision of free condoms and sexual health information to students on campuses nationwide. The SHCPP advises that 3rd level institutions will be contacted, prior to the commencement of on-campus attendance in September, with regard to their engagement with the NCDS.
Information leaflets are provided with the condom dispensers, which outline to students how to use condoms correctly, and emphasise the importance of using condoms consistently and every time sex happens. The information leaflets direct students to HSE - led and HSE-funded websites for further information about sexual health and wellbeing; www.sexualwellbeing.ie and www.man2man.ie.
It should be noted that, while oral contraception and various forms of long-acting reversible contraception can be more effective at preventing pregnancy, condoms provide protection against STIs that is not provided by non-barrier forms of contraception.
It is envisaged that continued expansion of the NCDS will be facilitated in line with demand, in order to support the STI prevention and sexual health promotion needs of people living in Ireland.
366. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the development of the new sexual health strategy in line with the Government’s commitment given in the recently published Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan 2021-2025 to review and develop a new strategy for 2021; the person or body that will be developing the strategy; the consultations that will take place; the terms of reference for the development of the new strategy; the specific considerations being given to including provisions for women’s health including sexual and reproductive health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31112/21]
View answerThe National Sexual Health Strategy, 2015-2020 was launched in October 2015. It takes a life course approach, acknowledging the importance of developing a healthy attitude to sexuality in young people and of building on that foundation for positive sexual health and wellbeing into adulthood and older age. It also recognises the importance of challenging stigma and discrimination and creating positive cultural change to promote open communication about relationships, sexuality, and sexual health and wellbeing.
Current priority deliverables under the Strategy are HIV prevention, including the continued expansion of a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) programme, which commenced in late 2019. Other key areas of work include expanding access to contraception, free of charge, through the National Condom Distribution Service; sexually transmitted infection (STI) services, progressing a population survey on sexual health and improving sexual health education, training and resources, including in schools, higher and further education.
A mid-term review of the Sexual Health Strategy was commissioned by the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP) and carried out in 2018 which outlines the progress made in the implementation of the strategy. The key contributors to success highlighted in the report include the composition and expertise of the programme team, the cross functional approach (education, training, communications, funding, research, clinical) and the strong engagement and collaboration with stakeholders throughout all aspects of implementation of the strategy.
A Mapping exercise and Needs Assessment of existing clinical sexual health services and laboratory services was also conducted, and a series of reports published in 2018. Following publication of the reports, two consultation workshops were hosted by the HSE Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP) in May 2018. These workshops were held as a means of engaging key stakeholders with the findings from the needs assessment and the mapping exercise and to identify areas for action in relation to sexual health services in Ireland. These actions have informed the development of subsequent annual SHCPP business plans.
Given the breadth of the Strategy, its original aims and objectives will remain relevant beyond 2020. It has therefore been agreed with the SHCPP to extend the lifetime of the current Strategy to the end of 2021. It was originally intended to review and refresh the Strategy in 2020, but this was postponed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, work on this review, led by the Department of Health, has now commenced in Q2, 2021.
The review process is currently underway; the initial phase consists of focus group meetings with key stakeholders, including clinical and public health staff, the SHCPP team, those working in the STI clinics, the Education sector, the Department of Health and Women’s Health Taskforce, the research and academic sector and organisations representing the LGBTI+ community. The views of stakeholders are being collated and the Strategy will be reviewed, in order to inform the future direction of the next iteration of the strategy. The terms of reference of the new Strategy will be determined following the conclusions of the review process, but will include current areas of work, which remain fully funded.
Women’s health has been given significant priority in the Department; the future direction of this area of work is currently being considered by the Department’s Women’s Health Taskforce, in collaboration with a range of external stakeholders and partners, including the HSE and NWCI. This work will be carried out in parallel and in co-ordination with development of the next National Sexual Health Strategy.
368. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health when he plans to extend the free general practitioner scheme to all children under 13 years of age. [31127/21]
View answerThe Government is committed to increasing access to GP care without charges for children, an important healthcare measure that will remove a potentially prohibitive cost barrier to accessing GP care and will help to improve children’s health as they develop. At present all children under six years of age are eligible for a GP visit card and therefore GP care without charges.
The Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2020 provides, amongst other things, for the phased expansion of GP care without fees to all children aged 12 years and under. The initial stage of this phased expansion will be the provision of GP care without fees to all children aged between 6 and 8.
The appropriate date for commencing the expansion remains under consideration in light of COVID-19 and the additional pressures the expansion might place on general practice in that context. This date will be determined following consultation with the IMO. It is important to ensure that any additional pressures placed on general practice will not limit its capacity to meet the needs of all patients in the community.
369. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the registration and maintenance of automated external defibrillators which have been installed in a wide variety of places throughout the country (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31128/21]
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.
370. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the vaccine roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31132/21]
View answerOn 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. The 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 the 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 and this is expected to be substantially completed by 19 July.
371. 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. [31136/21]
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.
372. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have entered mandatory hotel quarantine; the number of those who have done so as a result of not having a PCR test; the number of those who have tested positive for Covid-19 from all those entering hotel quarantine; the number of those who have tested positive for Covid-19 from among those entering hotel quarantine for not having a PCR test upon arrival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31209/21]
View answerMandatory hotel quarantine (MHQ) has been introduced as one element of Ireland’s public health measures to combat the transmission of Covid-19 and to protect the population when there is a high risk of importation of infection from Covid-19 and from challenges posed by new variants of concern.
Mandatory hotel quarantine is required for applicable travellers who have been in the designated states, including those who have transited through a port or airport in a designated state, even if they stay airside or portside, in the 14 days prior to their arrival in Ireland.
As of 11 July, a total of 8,359 people have entered Mandatory Hotel Quarantine accommodation since it began on 26 March. As of 9 July, 349 of these have tested positive for Covid-19 in MHQ.
Applicable travellers must also enter mandatory hotel quarantine if they do not provide evidence of a negative result from a Covid-19 RT-PCR test. As of 11 July, a total number of 986 people arrived into Ireland without evidence of a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test. Provided applicable travellers have not been in a designated State in the 14 days prior to arrival in Ireland, their period of quarantine will cease once a ‘not detected’ result from a Covid-19 RT-PCR test is returned.
373. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health the number of persons entering hotel quarantine who have submitted an appeal to their detention; the number of those who were successful in their appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31210/21]
View answer374. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health the number of persons appealing their detention in mandatory hotel quarantine on the basis of compassionate grounds; the numbers of such appeals that are a success for the travellers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31211/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 373 and 374 together.
The Health Act 1947, as amended, provides for travellers to request a review of decisions relating to their quarantine to permit them to leave a designated facility. Requests for review can be based only on a limited number of grounds and public health remains a paramount consideration. All such decisions are determined in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Such requests for review are considered by independent appeals officers and decisions are provided within a 24-hour period. This review system provides an independent and efficient means for any person who is required to quarantine at a designated facility but who contends that they should not be required to complete quarantine in a designated facility.
As of 12 July, a total of 2839 appeals have been submitted by persons who have entered Mandatory Hotel Quarantine accommodation since it began on 26 March. Of these, 417 have been granted; 56 of which were granted on humanitarian grounds.
