Wednesday, 14 Jul 2021

Written Answers Nos. 400-424

Health Service Executive

Questions (401)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

401. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the expected timeframe for the return to normal service for the HSE after the cyberattack. [31389/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE has been working since 14th May last to recover the effects of the cyber attack on its systems. The attack had the impact of removing access to most patient and care systems as well as the central business systems of the HSE. Over the last weeks many of these systems have been recovered and services have recommenced. There was a priority focus on key systems in the hospital and community areas with a view to resuming vita services. Some of the key areas recovered included, radiotherapy, laboratory, imaging, pharmacy, mental health systems, email and patient administration systems.

At present most systems are operational and services are returning to normal activity. There is a challenge in back entering data and indeed loss of records at a time when the HSE was working mostly on paper based processes. There are still a number of areas of ongoing concern including endoscopy in some locations, sterile supplies, stroke telemedicine email still has issues while the systems themselves are back.

The impact of the attack on services has been to increase risk associated with the absence of systems or the use of manual processes, the loss of some services such as endoscopy, radiotherapy and scheduled care including community therapies. The position now is that most services have returned and have begun to catch up on patients / service users that were delayed. The HSE was already seeking to recover from the Covid peak of Jan/Feb 2021 so the attack has delayed this and had the effect of increasing access delays for services.

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. 402 answered with Question No. 335.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (403)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

403. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the reason a vaccine (details supplied) is not being allowed as an authorised vaccine under the Irish system requiring those who have been vaccinated to spend time in mandatory hotel quarantining despite the fact that this is a WHO approved vaccine and there is no liability to the State in the event of any side effects given that the State has never supplied the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31391/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 Sinopharm vaccine has not been awarded a CMA to date.

Question No. 404 answered with Question No. 335.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (405)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

405. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if music and dancing will be permitted when weddings increase to 50 and subsequently to 100 guests. [31393/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Deputy will be aware, on 29 June, Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead.

While significant progress is being made in relation to the roll-out of our vaccination programme and the position had been broadly stable over the earlier part of June, the prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant is rapidly increasing in Ireland and this poses a significant risk, in particular to those who are not yet fully vaccinated. For this reason, a number of higher risk indoor activities will not recommence as planned on 5 July, pending the implementation of a system to verify vaccination or immunity status. However, as an exception, weddings already planned will be allowed to proceed with the planned increase in the number of guests to 50 at the wedding reception with protective measures from 5 July. Live music and dancing are not currently permitted at weddings as outlined in the Fáilte Ireland guidelines. These guidelines can be found online: covid19.failteireland.ie/operational-guidelines/.

Unfortunately, due to current uncertainties with regard to the Delta variant there is not yet an indication of when live music and dancing will be permitted. The epidemiological situation will be monitored on an ongoing basis and the level of restrictions will be kept under review by Government.

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.

Medicinal Products

Questions (406)

Chris Andrews

Question:

406. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for the drugs payment scheme by a person (details supplied); and when they can expect a decision on the case. [31394/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services.

Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (407)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

407. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the reason Covid-19 restrictions are still in place in some hospitals in terms of maternity services; and the steps he is taking to ensure that partners and birth partners of pregnant women are able to be present for pre-natal scans, appointments, labour and at childbirth. [31395/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Disability Services

Questions (408)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

408. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the position on the future of a residential intellectual disability community (details supplied); his plans for the current residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31430/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Camphill Communities of Ireland (CCoI) provides residential and day services to people with intellectual disabilities and other kinds of special needs in a number of communities in Community Health Care Organisations (CHOs) 4, 5 and 7 under a Section 39 service arrangement with the HSE.  Duffcarrig is one of the CCoI communities located in County Wexford, which provides residential services to 24 people.

Following inspections at the Duffcarrig site,  HIQA issued a notice to Camphill Communities of Ireland (CCoI) on the 4th of June 2021, that the registration of Duffcarrig would be cancelled within 28 days, due to ongoing issues of non-compliance at the centre with the regulations governing the provision of residential services to people with disabilities. 

As CCoI did not contest the decision, the cancellation of the registration of Camphill Community Duffcarrig took effect at 12 midday on Saturday 3 July 2021.

Under Section 64 of the Health Act, the HSE has a responsibility to operate the centre as if it were the registered provider from the date the cancellation came into effect. The HSE has informed HIQA of the arrangements put in place to take over the operation of the centre and now are legally responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the residents concerned.

The HSE are engaging closely with CCoI on a transition plan with a view to transferring the provision of services in the Duffcarrig facility to an alternative provider, with the objective that residents will continue to receive their residential care services at the Duffcarrig site.

The foremost concern of Government is to ensure the continuity of services provided by Camphill in the interests of the service users and families who rely on these vital services and supports. I welcome the fact that HIQA inspectors will continue to monitor the centre during this transition to verify the safety and quality of service to residents is prioritised, which is my primary concern.

Health Services

Questions (409, 410)

Alan Kelly

Question:

409. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE early intervention teams presently operating across the country. [31478/21]

Alan Kelly

Question:

410. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE early intervention teams that have been established since February 2020, in view of the Programme for Government commitment to fully implement the access and inclusion model. [31479/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 409 and 410 together.

As these Parliamentary Questions relate to operational issues, they are 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. 410 answered with Question No. 409.

Health Services

Questions (411, 413)

Alan Kelly

Question:

411. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the amount it costs to fund an early intervention team in its entirety, including an occupational therapist, psychologist and speech and language therapist. [31480/21]

Alan Kelly

Question:

413. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the amount it costs to fund a HSE school age team in its entirety, including a clinical psychologist, occupational therapist and speech and language therapist. [31482/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 413 together.

As these Parliamentary Questions relates to operational issues, they are a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Health Services

Questions (412)

Alan Kelly

Question:

412. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE school age teams presently operating across the country. [31481/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Question No. 413 answered with Question No. 411.

Health Services Staff

Questions (414)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

414. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric pain consultants by CHO; the average waiting times for appointments; the number of current vacant posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31483/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

An acute paediatric complex pain management service operates from Children’s Health Ireland (CHI).

Officials from my Department have been in contact with CHI , who are aware that the current interim situation regarding CHI’s paediatric complex pain management service is a cause of much anxiety and upset for parents and children.

The Model of Care for Paediatric Anaesthesia (2015), developed by the National Clinical programme for Anaesthesia and endorsed by the Irish Paediatric Anaesthesia Network, provides guidelines for the organisational structure and best practice model for a paediatric pain management service. CHI has been in the process of developing the structure to deliver this model over the first quarter of this year.

CHI received funding towards a new service to address the needs of children, adolescents and their families living with complex pain in Ireland. This interdisciplinary service consists of a consultant with special interest in pain management (1 WTE), administration (1.2 WTE), clinical nurse specialist (1.0 WTE), advanced nurse practitioner (1.2WTE), occupational therapist (1.0 WTE), physiotherapist (1.0 WTE) and psychologist (1.0 WTE). CHI have advised that all posts are in place except for the consultant position. Unfortunately, recruitment for this post has so far been unsuccessful and is still ongoing. The post was advertised last year but did not attract candidates. It has now been redesigned to structure it slightly differently, and it’s hoped the way the post has been configured now will successfully attract suitable candidates. A locum consultant (0.5 WTE) has been hired on an interim basis until such time as the permanent consultant position is filled.

The CHI pain team works across all CHI sites. The new service will provide a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach to pain rehabilitation in keeping with evidence-based treatments that are recognised globally.

CHI have confirmed that their pain team have recently engaged with all service users who have been informed of the change of service model .They have also been sent a questionnaire which will assist the team to triage patients appropriately.

Meanwhile, CHI have confirmed that all service users have access to the Clinical Nurse Specialists and Advanced Nurse Practitioners who are available to address any urgent queries under the governance of the pain consultant. Contact details have been provided to service users by CHI.

As the issues raised by this Parliamentary Question with regard to breakdown by CHOs relate to operational issues, the HSE may be able to provide additional detail. 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. 415 answered with Question No. 335.

Disability Services

Questions (416, 417)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

416. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if additional supports will be provided for early intervention services for children with a disability in north County Tipperary in the HSE mid-west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31485/21]

Jackie Cahill

Question:

417. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide a temporary replacement for a speech and language therapist who is currently on maternity leave and who works in early intervention services for children with a disability in Nenagh, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31486/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 416 and 417 together.

As these Parliamentary Questions relate to operational issues,  they are 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. 417 answered with Question No. 416.

Disability Services

Questions (418)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

418. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is acceptable that parents of children born with disabilities are being advised to remain in the care of hospital services often in Dublin for as long as possible rather than changing to local early intervention services in Nenagh, County Tipperary due to short staffing in early intervention services in Nenagh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31487/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Disability Services

Questions (419)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

419. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health his views on whether there are adequate staffing levels in early intervention services in Nenagh, County Tipperary for children with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31488/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.  

Disability Services

Questions (420)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

420. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if he will to appoint a person to oversee all early intervention services that are supposed to be made available to children with disabilities in the north County Tipperary area of the mid-west region in order that services are co-ordinated appropriately and parents receive proper communications; if so, if a person will be appointed to the role who has an understanding of the needs of such children (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31489/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Disability Services

Questions (421)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

421. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if there is adequate funding of early intervention services for children with disabilities in north County Tipperary considering some physiotherapists are operating clients lists of up to 500 children locally and many children cannot access the services they desperately need at an early age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31490/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Question No. 422 answered with Question No. 335.

Medicinal Products

Questions (423, 426)

Pauline Tully

Question:

423. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date on establishing an enquiry into the historical licensing and prescribing of sodium valproate; when an enquiry will be fully established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31492/21]

Pauline Tully

Question:

426. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the establishment of a sodium valproate stakeholder group that would review the measures that are currently in place and make recommendations as to the way they could be strengthened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31495/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 423 and 426 together.

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

Medicinal Products

Questions (424)

Pauline Tully

Question:

424. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if it will be ensured that a product which meets his Department's own clinical guidelines on the use of medical cannabis in epilepsy is added to the medical cannabis access programme before it is launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31493/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription And Control Of Supply Of Cannabis For Medical Use) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 262/2019) a "specified controlled drug" as defined can be used in the Medical Cannabis Access Programme and the definition outlines the specific requirements for those cannabis products or preparations.

A prospective supplier can apply to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), on behalf of the Minister, to have a product considered for inclusion in the Schedule of ‘specified controlled drugs’ in the Regulations. As specified controlled drugs will fall under schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017, a controlled drugs licence, processed by the HPRA, on behalf of the Minister, is also required for possession, supply or import of such cannabis products.

Details on how to apply for a licence to possess, supply or import medical cannabis products for use under the Medical Cannabis Access Programme in accordance with the requirements for schedule 2 products in the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 can be found in the operator guidance issued by the HPRA.

It is open to any supplier or producer to apply to the HPRA to have their products assessed for inclusion in the programme.