Written Answers Nos. 1520-1545
1520. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if there is capacity to include medications that have been prescribed by a general practitioner or consultant for off licence use on the medical card or drug payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33859/21]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The HSE maintains a reimbursement list of medicinal products that are provided under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme or the Drugs Payment Scheme. These products are approved for the schemes by the HSE.
In line with the criteria under Section 3 of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, only products that are generally prescribed by a medical practitioner are on this list.
However, medical card holders who are prescribed items that are not on the list can apply to the local HSE health office to have them covered under the discretionary hardship arrangements.
Applications under the discretionary hardship arrangements must be made by the treating clinician. It is essential that the application states that the product is essential for the treatment of the patients condition. Alternatively, the clinician may wish to prescribe a product which is covered under the GMS.
1521. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of beds available in day hospitals in County Clare. [33951/21]
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.
1522. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if the vacancy for the psychiatrist position in Kilrush, County Clare has been advertised; when it is expected to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33952/21]
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.
1523. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene in a mismanaged vaccination roll-out for a person (details supplied). [33953/21]
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.
1524. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if those who might be medically at risk of blood clots and are in the cohort for a vaccine (details supplied) will be given alternative vaccines instead; and if he will consider making this an alternative option for persons who request same. [33954/21]
View answerWhile a person can refuse any offer of vaccination on religious, conscientious or other grounds, provision of one or other authorised COVID-19 vaccine(s) during the immunisation programme will be based on clinical expert guidance, including from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, to ensure the optimal stewardship of scare resources and equitable access to safe and effective vaccine(s) for a given population.
1525. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the lack of rheumatology consultants for the west of Ireland given there are only two consultants for the region which is gravely affecting many persons as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if a commitment will be made to providing more consultants to address this issue. [33955/21]
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.
1526. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if the HSE is providing the tension-free vaginal tape procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33960/21]
View answerIn response to concerns raised in Ireland regarding complications associated with the use of mesh devices in late 2017, the then Minister for Health requested the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to prepare a report on the matter, which was published in November 2018 www.gov.ie/en/publication/791f2a-the-use-of-uro-gynaecological-mesh-in-surgical-proecedures-report-to/. The report was informed by the available national and international evidence and the personal experiences of women who have suffered complications following mesh surgery.
In July 2018, in advance of publication of the full report, the CMO requested the HSE to pause all mesh procedures where clinically safe to do so. This pause remains in place.
As this Parliamentary Question also 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.
1527. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the reason the phone lines for civil registration offices in Dublin continue to remain down when all other civil registration offices are contactable by their phone lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33962/21]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) operates the Civil Registration service on behalf of the Department of Social Protection and it has responsibility for oversight of this service. Due to the recent cyberattack on the HSE, many of their services and systems were affected. I have been advised that most civil registration services have now resumed including the telephone service for the civil registration service in Dublin which has resumed operation since Monday 26 July 2021.
1528. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if a commitment will be made to establish to a catch-up scheme for HSE dental clinics following immense disruption to the schoolchildren accessing dental screening appointments in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33963/21]
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.
1529. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if clarification will be provided in respect of the recent advertisement of seven unpaid assistant psychologists roles for HSE services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33987/21]
View answerThe role of Assistant Psychologist supports the provision of psychology services in primary care settings, enabling delivery of early and cost-effective interventions for children and adolescents, and is key to delivering a “stepped care” model in which service users receive the level of required support and/or intervention appropriate to their assessed need.
The establishment of 114 paid Assistant Psychologist posts within HSE Psychology Services on a pilot basis was a key action in the HSE's National Service Plan for 2016, with the posts coming on-stream in a phased basis during 2017, and funding of €3.4m being provided for implementation of this important initiative.
The employment of Assistant Psychologists in HSE Primary Care Psychology services is a time-limited pilot project and is being independently evaluated. All Assistant Psychologist posts were due to complete their contracts by the end of July 2020 when the evaluation was originally due to be finalised.
However, due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was necessary for this evaluation process to be paused during 2020 and, as several months of data was not collected, the HSE report that the initiative has been extended to the end of September 2021. After this date, a final report and assessment of the pilot project will be completed, and a decision on the future of the programme will be made.
The elements of this question relating to an advertisement for unpaid Assistant Psychologist posts and number of staff working in a voluntary capacity are operational issues and, as such, 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.
1530. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a MRI machine for Wexford General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33988/21]
View answerThe HSE has advised that there is currently an interim MRI service available at Wexford General Hospital, and that the installation of a permanent service is a priority capital investment for the Ireland East Health Group. I understand that engagement is taking place between the Hospital Group and the HSE regarding the funding of this initiative through the 2022 Estimates process.
1531. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans for introducing the EU digital Covid certificate (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33990/21]
View answerThe Digital COVID Certificate Regulation is intended to facilitate people’s fundamental right to move and reside freely and help to support the lifting of restrictions currently in place in a coordinated manner within the EU. Certificates issued under this Regulation hold digital proof that a person has either been vaccinated against COVID-19, received a negative test result, or recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months. It is valid in all EU Member States, including Ireland, EEA states and third countries recognised under an EU implementing act.
As the Minister for Health, I am supporting the work of my Department in collaborating with relevant Departments under the leadership of the Department of Taoiseach to assist in the on-going implementation of the EU Digital COVID Certificates.
Arrangements for provision of vaccination certificates to persons not vaccinated in Ireland will be considered once the initial roll-out is in place.
1532. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the measures that are being undertaken to reduce waiting times for psychiatric appointments for children in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34011/21]
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.
1533. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if all teachers and school staff will be fully vaccinated from Covid-19 before the return to school in September 2021. [34014/21]
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.
1534. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the stage of the drafting of the surrogacy Bill; when it is expected to be ready; if international surrogacy and retrospective declarations of parentage will be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34015/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, drafting of a bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research is ongoing by officials in my Department, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. This comprehensive piece of legislation will encompass the regulation, for the first time in Ireland, of a very wide range of practices, including domestic altruistic surrogacy. I can assure the Deputy that publication of this legislation is a priority for my Department and the Government, and a commitment to enact this legislation is included in the Programme for Government, “Our Shared Future”. Officials in my Department and the Office of the Attorney General continue to prioritise the drafting of this complex legislation and will engage intensively over the next few months to finalise the Bill.
The draft Bill does not contain provisions to regulate surrogacy arrangements undertaken in other jurisdictions. As issues relating to international surrogacy concern areas of law that intersect across the remits of several Government Departments, my Department is engaging with the Department of Justice and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in respect of this policy area.
1535. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if a licensed premises or manufacturer who is currently using public roads and footpaths to accommodate outdoor dining can legally display alcohol advertisements on these public roads and footpaths. [34016/21]
View answerThe application and enforcement of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act in relation to alcohol advertisements is a matter for the Environmental Health Service of 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.
1536. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the areas the €1.4 million announced for a service (details supplied) will cover; when the funding will be allocated; the reason the funding provided for staff in 2020 was not continued into 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34017/21]
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.
1537. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a date for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34018/21]
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.
1538. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if a general practitioner practice has been allocated to Ballyboden primary care centre; the processes that were followed; the processes involved; and if all general practitioner practices which applied were called to present their case and to give as much detail as possible with regard to processes followed and criteria set to appoint the general practitioner practices to this primary care centre. [34109/21]
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.
1539. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health when he expects the Ballyboden primary care centre to be up and running. [34110/21]
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.
1540. 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. [34111/21]
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.
1541. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the status of the vaccination programme for homeless persons; and the number of vaccines administered to this vulnerable group to date. [34122/21]
View answer1742. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the body tasked with organising vaccinations for homeless persons; if there is coordination in place to facilitate persons without stable abode to access vaccinations; and if they are being treated as a priority considering their lack of access to sanitisation resources. [35324/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1541 and 1742 together.
As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent 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.
1542. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given in relation to public health guidance for weddings to allow those who are fully vaccinated not to be counted in the guest limit; and if consideration is being given to the use of rapid antigen testing in venues for these occasions. [34123/21]
View answerAs 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, the rapidly increasing prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant, and the significant risk this poses, in particular to those who are not yet fully vaccinated, meant that a number of higher risk indoor activities did 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 have been allowed to proceed with the planned increase in the number of guests to 50 at the wedding ceremony and reception with protective measures from 5 July. The Fáilte Ireland guidelines on weddings can be found online: covid19.failteireland.ie/operational-guidelines/.
Disease incidence has increased rapidly in recent weeks, especially among those who are not yet fully protected through vaccination and the outlook for the coming weeks is very uncertain.
Unfortunately, due to current uncertainties there is not yet an indication of when an increase to the number of guests at a wedding 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.
1543. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to expedite the case of a child (details supplied). [34124/21]
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.
1544. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans for the Holles Street Hospital site once the national maternity hospital has relocated; if it will be repurposed within the HSE or sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34131/21]
View answerThe Government is committed to the development of a new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) as planned on the St Vincent’s University Hospital Campus at Elm Park. As the Deputy will be aware, a draft legal framework has been developed which aims to address the ownership and governance arrangements at the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) on the Elm Park campus. While there has been further engagement with stakeholders in relation to these matters, this process has yet to conclude.
Following the relocation of the NMH, it is intended that ownership of the existing Holles Street Hospital buildings would transfer to the State. However, a decision in relation to the future use of the Holles Street buildings has yet to be made.
1545. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if all teachers in all age cohorts will be fully vaccinated before returning to the classroom in September 2021; if any teacher who will not have time to receive their two jabs before returning to school, based on current timeline predictions, will be considered for a vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34132/21]
View answerThe COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
On the 23rd of February, I announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy. In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death.
The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.
On the 30th of March, the Government approved a further update to the COVID-19 Vaccination Allocation Strategy. Based on clinical, scientific and ethical frameworks produced by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee and my Department, following the vaccination of those most at risk, future groups will be vaccinated by age, in cohorts of 10 years (i.e., 64-55; 54-45, etc.).
The move to an age-based model better supports the programme objectives by:
- protecting those at highest risk of severe disease first, which benefits everyone most;
- facilitating planning and execution of the programme across the entire country;
- improving transparency and fairness.
Further details are available here: gov.ie/en/press-release/93f8f-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-irelands-vaccination-prioritisation-list/
It is currently anticipated that all eligible persons over 16 years who wish to avail of a vaccine will be vaccinated by end-September.
