Written Answers Nos. 1825-1849
1825. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the annual cost of each awareness campaign that has been run in each of the years since 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35566/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available. I will survey the Department and the collated replies will be prepared into a full response to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1826. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated full additional cost of implementing the new stroke programme strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35567/21]
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.
1827. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated additional cost of providing BNP blood testing and echocardiography at primary care level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35568/21]
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.
1828. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of making heart failure community integration teams available nationally and standardising their roles across all CHO areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35569/21]
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.
1829. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated additional cost of providing four whole-time-equivalent heart failure clinical nurse specialists per 150,000 persons; the estimated number of additional heart failure clinical nurse specialists this would require; the number of vacancies in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35570/21]
View answerThe skill mix for the model of care in each heart failure unit including clinical nurse specialists and associated cost is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE).
As this Parliamentary Question relates to service delivery 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.
1830. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated additional cost of providing at least one advanced nurse practitioner in each heart failure service unit. [35571/21]
View answerThe skill mix for the model of care in each heart failure unit including advanced nurse practitioners and associated cost is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE).
As this Parliamentary Question relates to service delivery 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.
1831. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated additional cost of providing a dedicated cardiac physiologist in each heart failure unit. [35572/21]
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.
1832. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated additional cost of removing all inpatient charges for public hospital care. [35573/21]
View answerNormal patient activity has been affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic and as a result 2020 is not representative of normal services, and therefore the 2019 position would currently be the best representation of the likely costs associated with abolishing those service charges.
In 2019, €30.6 million was raised through the statutory inpatient charge in the Acute Hospitals.
Therefore, it would cost approximately €30.6 million to abolish these charges.
1833. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some women are being told there are no results for their cervical screening tests (details supplied); if there is a delay in analysing within the necessary timeframe; if so, the reason women are being encouraged to go for testing if samples are not being analysed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35574/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE.
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.
However, in this case, my officials will follow up directly with the Deputy in relation to this representation.
People can also contact the CervicalCheck programme directly if they have any queries on freephone 1800 45 45 55. The National Screening Service also provide information on their website.
1834. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason occupational therapists have been excluded from the list of eligible professions deemed qualified to apply as vaccinators as part of the HSE recruitment process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35575/21]
View answerThe HSE have built and deployed its workforce in order to deliver the requirements associated with rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine programme.
GPs, Pharmacists, doctors, nurses, paramedics, and many healthcare professionals, all 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 Occupational therapists will be called upon to participate as vaccinators in the programme at this time.
1835. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he plans to extend the period of validity of medical and general practitioner visit cards until all issues relating to the cyber-attack are resolved in view of the present difficulties being experienced by staff in the primary care reimbursement service and applicants who are applying and renewing medical and general practitioner visit cards due to the malware attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35576/21]
View answerAs a result of the recent cyber-attack on the HSE, the National Medical Card Unit was temporarily unable to facilitate online medical or GP visit card applications. However, I am pleased to confirm that the HSE have now successfully restored web-enabled services. Medical and GP visit card applications can once again be submitted online or alternatively by post to the National Medical Card Unit.
During this temporary downtime of online services, it is important to highlight however that emergency and urgent medical card applications continued to be processed, albeit initially by fax and later via email. This ensured that critically ill persons were not prevented from applying for a medical card despite the significant technical challenges being experienced by the HSE at that time.
Furthermore, the National Medical Card Unit call centre remained fully operational during the downtime and successfully assisted those with queries on applications and the eligibility process.
The cyber-attack also had an impact on the carrying out of eligibility reviews. The HSE therefore extended eligibility for certain cohorts by an additional 2 months. This temporary measure ensured continued eligibility for individuals during an unprecedented cyber-attack on the health service.
I would advise any individual who may have a query about their application or eligibility status to check online with the HSE or contact the National Medical Card Unit helpline, which is fully operational on 1890 252 919 for further information and assistance.
1836. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has attempted to fill the vacant addiction counsellor position in Drummin House, Nenagh, County Tipperary; when this position will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35577/21]
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.
1837. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health when the consultant psychiatrist position in Drummin House, Nenagh, County Tipperary will be filled on a full-time basis given it is constantly being filled by a locum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35578/21]
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.
1838. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he will request the primary care reimbursement service to amend its decision to refuse a medical card and general practitioner card to a person (details supplied) in view of an incorrect decision made by the medical card section on a recent medical card application by the person which was due to the difficulties arising for the PCRS from the recent malware attack on the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35579/21]
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. It should also be noted that Oireachtas Members may contact the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service through the dedicated phone line at 018647180 for further information and assistance with medical card applications.
1841. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in rolling out a Covid-19 vaccine (details supplied) to 12 to 15-year-olds with underlying conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35641/21]
View answerIreland welcomes the European Medicines Agency age extension recommendation for the COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty to include use in children aged 12 to 15. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee is reviewing the matter and will make a recommendation as appropriate. Currently, Ireland's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is administering vaccines to those aged 16+.
1842. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of premature births in each of the years 2016 to 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35642/21]
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.
1843. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health when the supports for families caring for children impacted by exposure to sodium valproate designed under the Community Operations Programme will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35643/21]
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.
1844. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to receive their first vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35644/21]
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.
1845. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when children in the age category of 12 to 15 years who are in high risk categories will receive their first vaccine in view of the fact that a vaccine (details supplied) was approved by the European Medicines Agency for 12 to 15 year olds on 25 May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35645/21]
View answerIreland welcomes the European Medicines Agency age extension recommendation for the COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty to include use in children aged 12 to 15. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee is reviewing the matter and will make a recommendation as appropriate. Currently, Ireland's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is administering vaccines to those aged 16+.
1846. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health his policy in relation to defibrillators for schools; and if consideration is being given to making defibrillators mandatory in all schools. [35646/21]
View answerThe issue of defibrillators in schools is a matter for individual schools in the education sector.
This matter relates to the work of the Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) Steering Group. In 2019, this Group finalised an Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Strategy for Ireland, “Putting Survival at the Heart of the Community” and submitted it to the Health Service Executive (HSE) Commissioners, who have accepted the recommendation of the Steering Group.
As this Parliamentary Question relates to service delivery 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.
1847. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the way persons who did not register on the HSE vaccination portal given they were in priority groups 4 or 7 for example, and as such did not provide an email address will receive their digital Covid certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35647/21]
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.
1848. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of community rehabilitation teams currently in operation for each CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35648/21]
View answer1849. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the first year and full year cost of setting up a new community rehabilitation team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35649/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1848 and 1849 together.
As these Parliamentary Questions relate 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.
