Written Answers Nos. 1546-1571
1546. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the combination of Covid-19 vaccine brands for the first and second doses; the evidence considered as acceptable as proof of full vaccination in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34150/21]
View answerIreland’s COVID-19 vaccination programme strategy is to distribute all available vaccines as quickly as is operationally possible, prioritising those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19. The programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The Committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department.
The NIAC review all data relating to COVID-19 vaccines on a rolling basis. Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the NIAC develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland.
These guidelines are continuously updated and include guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland. The current Guidelines state: There are currently four COVID-19 Vaccines authorised for use in Ireland. The vaccines are not interchangeable.For vaccines that have a two-dose schedule, the same vaccine should be used for both doses.
You can read the guidelines at: www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf
There is insufficient evidence to recommend a change from the authorised two-dose Vaxzevria® schedule or to support giving an mRNA vaccine instead of the second dose of Vaxzevria®. There is a need for further evidence on the safety and effectiveness of mixed (heterologous)vaccine schedules. Further information is expected in the coming months which may warrant an update of these recommendations.
Those who started their COVID-19 schedule with a vaccine not authorised for use or unavailable in Ireland should be offered one dose of any authorised COVID-19 vaccine. The recipient should then be regarded as fully vaccinated.
1547. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the status of his Department’s efforts to rectify the lack of local HSE ophthalmic services for children in north County Mayo; the steps that have been taken to alleviate the long lists that are now developing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34151/21]
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.
1548. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health when the recommendations of the report of the Covid-19 Rapid Testing Group will be fully implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34158/21]
View answer1774. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health when the recommendations of the report of the Covid-19 Rapid Testing Group will be fully implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35482/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1548 and 1774 together.
The “Report of the COVID-19 Rapid Testing Group” which was chaired at my request by the Government’s chief scientific adviser, Professor Mark Ferguson, and published on 1 April 2021, made a number of recommendations for sectors outside the health sector, and these are a matter for the Ministers and Departments with responsibility for the sectors concerned.
I have recently established an Expert Advisory Group on Rapid Testing. The group, chaired by Professor Mary Horgan, will support and advise government departments that are responsible for progressing pilots and the roll-out of rapid tests in their respective sectors. The Group’s Terms of Reference and further information can be found at:
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e2767-minister-donnelly-establishes-expert-advisory-group-on-rapid-testing/.
1549. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he met with maternity hospitals recently regarding restrictions on partners; when his next expected engagement with hospitals will be especially in relation to Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34177/21]
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.
1550. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the urgent plans that are in place to ensure Erasmus students leaving for overseas can be vaccinated before they go to ensure their own safety and that of the population in their host country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34243/21]
View answerThe HSE is currently offering everyone who registers online an mRNA vaccine - either the Moderna or Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine - when it is available. People waiting for their first vaccination appointment also have a choice to opt-in or out of getting the AstraZeneca vaccine if it is available earlier than an mRNA vaccine. If opting for this vaccine, a person may be vaccinated sooner, depending on the availability of supply.
Alternatively, an individual can get a COVID-19 vaccine at a local pharmacy if not already vaccinated and are aged a) 50 or over or b) 18 to 34.
The latest group who can register online to get a COVID-19 vaccine are people aged 16 and 17.
Erasmus students should also familiarise themselves with the public health requirements of their country of destination prior to travel.
International travel policy is kept under continuous consideration informed by the international epidemiological situation and public health advice.
1551. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34244/21]
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.
1552. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the waiting list time for first and review assessments for speech and language assessment and speech and language therapy in each CHO area from 2020 to latest date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34245/21]
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.
1553. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for an assessment of need in each CHO; the length of time they have been waiting in each CHO area from 2020 to latest date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34246/21]
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.
1554. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a full and accurate breakdown of the assessment of needs requests by suggested supports listed on the application forms in each CHO area between 2020 and latest date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34247/21]
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.
1555. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the reason there was no HRB report on drug or alcohol treatment in 2020; if one is to be published; and if a timeline can be given for this publication. [34258/21]
View answerThe Health Research Board (HRB) publishes an annual bulletin on trends in the treatment of problem drug and alcohol use, based on the National Drug Treatment Reporting System. The data for 2020 were recently published by the HRB and can be found at the below links:
2020 drug treatment data:
www.hrb.ie/publications/publications/11%2C2/
2020 alcohol treatment data:
www.hrb.ie/publications/publication/alcohol-treatment-in-ireland-2014-to-2020/returnPage/1/
1556. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to receive an appointment for a procedure in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34259/21]
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.
1557. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the cost to the HSE of the Shannon Doc service for 2018, 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34260/21]
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.
1558. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the action being undertaken to ensure a diagnosis for autism for a child is achieved in the quickest timeframe possible to help ensure early intervention as required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34273/21]
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.
1559. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the action he is taking to increase the level of early intervention support and support from school age going teams being made available for children with autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34274/21]
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.
1560. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an assurance will be given that two vaccination centres (details supplied) will stay open until the full vaccination of all age groups has been completed; if he will confirm that he is not considering closing one of them until that point has been reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34285/21]
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.
1561. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be examined. [34286/21]
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.
1562. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to providing early access to a vaccine for students who are travelling overseas to attend college in September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34294/21]
View answer1633. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if a vaccination programme will be put in place to vaccinate Erasmus students before they travel abroad to study in August and September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34525/21]
View answer1671. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he has given consideration to making Covid-19 vaccination available for persons who must travel abroad for teaching or as part of their third-level education placement, Erasmus, studying abroad and so on and who must be vaccinated before they can take up such a post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34885/21]
View answer1678. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the advice for young college students who are planning to attend college abroad in September 2021 who may not yet be eligible to be vaccinated for Covid-19 and therefore will not have a digital passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34915/21]
View answer1910. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he has considered allowing students who are going on Erasmus to receive their Covid-19 vaccine in advance of their departure regardless of their age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35838/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1562, 1633, 1671, 1678 and 1910 together.
The HSE is currently offering everyone who registers online an mRNA vaccine - either the Moderna or Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine - when it is available. People waiting for their first vaccination appointment also have a choice to opt-in or out of getting the AstraZeneca vaccine if it is available earlier than an mRNA vaccine. If opting for this vaccine, a person may be vaccinated sooner, depending on the availability of supply. Alternatively, an individual can get a COVID-19 vaccine at a local pharmacy if not already vaccinated and are aged:50 or over 18 to 34
Availability of pharmacy vaccines will depend on supply. Many pharmacies are offering people in these age groups the Janssen vaccine.
The latest group who can register online to get a COVID-19 vaccine are people aged 16 and 17.
If over 18, people can still register if they haven't already.
1563. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the cost to date in 2021 for Covid-19-related protective clothing and equipment; the cost in 2020; and the usual annual budget for protective clothing and equipment. [34295/21]
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.
1564. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the cost of Covid-19 vaccines by company to date in 2021; and the number of vaccines from each company that have been purchased to date. [34300/21]
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 ongoing, 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.
1565. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason home help hours were taken in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34301/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the Health Service Executive (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 to 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.
1566. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the role pharmacists are anticipated to play in the vaccine roll-out; and if dental professionals are expected to participate in the process. [34302/21]
View answerThe HSE has built and deployed its workforce in order to deliver on the requirements associated with rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine programme.
GPs, Pharmacists, doctors, nurses, paramedics, and many healthcare professionals, have a role to play in the vaccination programme.The vaccine rollout is being conducted on a 7-day week basis.
It is not intended that dentists will be called upon to participate as vaccinators in the programme at this time.
1567. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the status of the extension of the temporary assistance payment scheme for nursing homes which is due to cease on 30 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34307/21]
View answer1656. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if the temporary assistance payment scheme will be extended to continue supporting nursing homes with infection prevention control, enhanced resident safety and staffing measures for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34748/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1567 and 1656 together.
The Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) was established in April 2020 as a temporary administrative measure in response to the challenges faced by the nursing home sector at the start of the pandemic. As the pandemic continued, additional support measures for private and voluntary nursing homes have been delivered through the Health Service Executive (HSE).
As of 26 July 2021, 7,956 claims had been submitted as part of the Scheme. In total, €134.5 million has been made available under TAPS between 2020 and 2021.
Due to the ongoing high level of risk associated with COVID-19 during this period, the Department of Health extended the scheme twice, far beyond the originally planned timescale of three months. The further extension of the scheme was outlined in the Government’s Plan 'Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19', published in September 2020. This provided assurance of the Scheme’s availability and a planned timeframe of operation to the end of June 2021.
The cessation of TAPS at the end of June, as planned and previously announced, was communicated with all relevant stakeholders, including Nursing Homes Ireland – the national representative body for the private and voluntary nursing home sector.
There has been a marked improvement in the status of the virus in nursing homes due to the rollout of the National Vaccination Programme – COVID-19 cases and outbreaks in nursing homes are now at a very low level compared with the first quarter of the year and, overall, the epidemiological situation is very positive. It is the Department’s understanding that currently there is one open outbreak in a nursing home.
(Please note that the cyber-attack on the HSE on 14 May 2021 has prevented the routine notification of cases, associated deaths and outbreaks of COVID-19 to the Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting (CIDR) system. As an interim measure, provisional epidemiological reports are being prepared but have not undergone the data validation procedures undertaken through CIDR. For this reason, data continues to be provisional at this time.)
- The Scheme has fulfilled its temporary purpose of providing financial support to nursing homes to address COVID-19. Although the risk is greatly reduced, it has not been completely eliminated, therefore the outbreak assistance element of the Scheme will continue to be available to nursing homes until the end of 2021. Availability of outbreak assistance is subject to the overall sanctioned amount of €42m for 2021.
-The substantial package of non-financial supports outlined below will continue to be provided for the time being:
- Provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The continued supply of PPE is a key support mechanism and will be provided in line with clinical and public health recommendations;
- The COVID-19 Response Teams established to support Public Health Outbreak teams covering all residential services as well as home support settings. All stakeholders, including the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel, have highlighted the significant contribution these new teams have made to supporting nursing homes throughout the pandemic;
- The HSE Temporary Accommodation Scheme;
- HSE training and development resources, including the opening up of HSeLanD to private and voluntary providers.
- IPC support and advice;
- The substantial suite of publicly available guidance developed to support the sector.
These measures and supports reflect a significant investment by the State to support nursing homes and other services such as the COVID-19 Response Teams, and are a clear signal of the work that is ongoing to integrate the wider health system.
It is also important to reflect that all nursing homes, as registered providers with HIQA, have well-established obligations under the legal framework in terms of the delivery of safe care to residents. Nursing homes are required, by law, to ensure that procedures consistent with the standards for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections published by HIQA are implemented by staff. The current infection prevention and control standards have been in operation since 2018. Good and effective IPC procedures should be in place across the entire health and social care service as a matter of course.
In February 2021, a revised plan 'Resilience and Recovery 2021 Plan: The Path Ahead' was published by the Government. This plan recognises the need for longer-term reform of both older persons and nursing home care, broadly reflecting the lessons learned from the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel and the pandemic. However, these structural reforms, including the policy and regulatory framework, extend beyond the scope of a temporary financial support scheme aimed at a specific, time-limited public health objective.
1568. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be provided with the home help hours they need given they have numerous health conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34338/21]
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.
1569. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the assistance that can be given to a person (details supplied); and if night-time care will be allocated to them given the circumstances. [34339/21]
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.
1570. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment with the geriatric nurse. [34340/21]
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.
1571. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that have been referred to addiction or mental health services through accident and emergency in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [34341/21]
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.
