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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Questions (1425, 2290, 2446, 2843, 2844, 2845, 2846, 2922, 2924, 2961)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1425. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if funding will be made available for research to examine the effect of long-Covid on work and need to take sick leave. [39351/21]

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Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

2290. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the supports being put in place to help persons suffering with long-Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37262/21]

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Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

2446. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if statistics on the number of cases of long-Covid are being compiled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37862/21]

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Seán Sherlock

Question:

2843. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if funding will be allocated towards research into the prevalence and effect of long-Covid on health in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39353/21]

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Seán Sherlock

Question:

2844. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if his Department acknowledges the long-Covid as a recognised illness in Ireland. [39355/21]

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Seán Sherlock

Question:

2845. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the data, statistics or any relating information gathered by his Department to date on the prevalence and effects of long-Covid in Ireland. [39356/21]

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Seán Sherlock

Question:

2846. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to work with the EU to define long-Covid and provide official treatment guidance such as the NICE guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39357/21]

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Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

2922. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to make long-Covid clinics more accessible and affordable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39643/21]

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Seán Sherlock

Question:

2924. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if long-term illnesses and medical difficulties arising as a result of long-Covid will qualify for supports such as a medical card, a general practitioner card or disability benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39352/21]

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Kieran O'Donnell

Question:

2961. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the strategy of his Department for managing long-Covid; the identified symptoms of same; the estimated impact on the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39712/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1425, 2290, 2446, 2843 to 2846, inclusive, 2922, 2924 and 2961 together.

Covid-19 is a new disease so information on it, its features and its course are still emerging. Scientific and clinical evidence is evolving on the long-term effects of COVID-19. An increasing number of reports and studies are now being published on the topic, however, at present there is no agreement on the definition or the terminology.

Scientific and clinical evidence is evolving on the long-term effects of COVID-19. It is recognised that persistent and prolonged symptoms can occur after acute COVID-19 infection in a proportion of patients, including in some patients who did not develop symptoms severe enough to require hospitalisation. My Department, through the Health Research Board, continues to fund research into the clinical impacts of COVID-19.

Patients with persistent symptoms following Covid-19 infection may be followed up by their GP or in hospital settings as clinically appropriate. People in the community who are concerned about persistent symptoms following Covid-19 should contact their GP in the first instance. Treatment is currently focused on management of specific symptoms. In line with Sláintecare, we need to ensure that as much reablement and rehabilitation care as possible is delivered in the community, as close to people’s homes as possible. General practice plays a key part in the delivery of a national post-acute (Long) COVID-19 service.

Specific guidance on the treatment of Long Covid is presently under development both here and internationally.

The HSE is assessing need and the best way to care for those impacted by Long COVID. I can advise the Deputies that the HSE as part of its work on post-Covid care, is now looking at how it can model the possible numbers that will be affected, noting that this will take time as more evidence emerges. I understand that the HSE has been in touch with a group of people who are suffering post-Covid symptoms to inform understanding. Guidance is being developed to align needs with care provision and to develop criteria and strategies for the ongoing evaluation of patients.

The Department of Health will continue to develop an understanding of the implications of Long Covid to inform policy as appropriate.

Under the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is based primarily on means. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without undue hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure. The issue of granting medical cards based on having a particular disease or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.

However, every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from, the social and medical impacts of an illness.

The Disability Allowance and Illness Benefit Schemes do not fall under the remit of my Department, however information on the scheme and how to apply can be found at www.gov.ie/en/service/df6811-disability-allowance/ and www.gov.ie/en/service/ddf6e3-illness-benefit/

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