Written Answers Nos. 2077-2101
2077. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when first holy communions and confirmation ceremonies will be permitted under Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36497/21]
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.
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.
In line with the delay to other July measures, the current advice is that religious ceremonies (outside of weddings and funerals) should not go ahead at present. This is in recognition of the multi household, multi-generational nature of these events and linked social activities and is a response to concerns from public health across the regions in relation to gatherings of this nature. Unfortunately, due to current uncertainties there is not yet an indication of when religious ceremonies will recommence. The epidemiological situation will be monitored on an ongoing basis and the level of restrictions will be kept under review by Government.
Church leaders have been very supportive of the overall national public health response to date and the Government will continue to work with them to ensure that all ceremonies can return when it is safe to do so.
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.
2078. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the current availability of funding for respite in County Galway; the respite services that are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36498/21]
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.
2079. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the progress with regard to the Ballyboden primary care centre, Dublin 16. [36499/21]
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.
2080. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health when the HRB survey on drug and alcohol use will be published given a previous commitment of publication by end of Q2 2021. [36500/21]
View answerThe National Drug and Alcohol Survey (previously called the Drug Use in Ireland and Northern Ireland Drug Prevalence Survey) is funded by the Department of Health and managed by the Health Research Board. It is a general population survey of households to measure the extent and pattern of drug use among a representative sample of those aged 15 years and over in Ireland.
The National Drug and Alcohol Survey 2019-20 was published by the Health Research Board on 1st July 2021 and is available at www.hrb.ie/publications/publication/the-2019-20-irish-national-drug-and-alcohol-survey-main-findings/returnPage/1/
2081. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that CUMH is still preventing partners from providing full support during all stages of labour and post-birth. [36501/21]
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.
2082. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the level of capital funding to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36502/21]
View answerThe capital funding for the Health Sector in the ten years of the National Development Plan (NDP) is €10.9 billion. A structured, in depth review of the NDP was initiated by Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) in Q4 2020 as set out in the Programme for Government. This process has two phases and aims to align the priorities identified in the Programme for Government (including implementation of Sláintecare) with the associated resourcing requirements.
My department made a detailed submission outlining sectoral strategies and drivers of demand. The Phase 1 report was published on April 4th, 2021. Phase 2 is currently underway with ongoing discussions to agree an overall allocation for Health. We are awaiting an update on the allocations to conclude the Phase 2 work. Once funding allocation under the NDP review has been determined, it will inform the prioritisation of projects in the HSE Programme and the related allocation to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh.
2083. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the level of service provision at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36503/21]
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.
2084. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if the State-funded contraception scheme will commence in January 2022; the timeline for providing universal access to contraception for all who need it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36504/21]
View answerFollowing the recommendations of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, a Working Group was established in April 2019 to consider the range of policy, regulatory and legislative issues arising in relation to improving access to contraception in Ireland.
The Group’s high-level report, published in October 2019, identified the barriers that exist to accessing contraception and the mechanisms available to overcome those barriers, noting that any policy proposal must focus on accessibility, education, and workforce capacity as well as cost.
A sizable body of work remains to be addressed in order to develop and finalise the policy approach, bring forward the necessary legislative proposals and ensure the implementation of service delivery arrangements.
It is however important to stress that my Department and this Government remain committed to providing free contraception over a phased basis, starting with women aged 17 – 25, as set out in the Programme for Government.
Progress on these issues has unfortunately been delayed until recently, given the need to focus on and prioritise the response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. However, the Department is currently assembling a Contraception Implementation Group, which will commence work imminently.
Some access to free contraception is already enabled, through the National Condom Distribution Service (NCDS), which was established by the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP) in October 2015.The NCDS functions as a central point for distributing free condoms and lubricant sachets to HSE services and other organisations working with individuals and groups at increased risk of negative sexual health outcomes.
These include migrants; young people; gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM); sex workers; people living with addiction issues and people living with HIV. From 2017 to the end of 2019, the number of organisations ordering from the NCDS has doubled.
The service was extended to 3rd level institutions in late 2019. Third-level institutions can now order condom dispensers from the HSE, which enable the provision of free condoms and sexual health information to students on campuses nationwide. The SHCPP advises that 3rd level institutions will be contacted, prior to the commencement of on-campus attendance in September, with regard to their engagement with the NCDS.
Information leaflets are provided with the condom dispensers, which outline to students how to use condoms correctly, and emphasise the importance of using condoms consistently and every time sex happens. The information leaflets direct students to HSE - led and HSE-funded websites for further information about sexual health and wellbeing; www.sexualwellbeing.ie and www.man2man.ie.
It should be noted that, while oral contraception and various forms of long-acting reversible contraception can be more effective at preventing pregnancy, condoms provide protection against STIs that is not provided by non-barrier forms of contraception.
It is envisaged that continued expansion of the NCDS will be facilitated in line with demand, in order to prevent sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission and meet the sexual health promotion needs of people living in Ireland.
2085. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if there are exemptions to persons being charged for mandatory hotel quarantine; if so, the exemptions; the body to which a person can apply for the exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36505/21]
View answerMandatory hotel quarantine has been introduced as one element of Ireland’s public health measures to combat the transmission of COVID-19. The Health Act 1947, as amended, provides that all persons arriving in Ireland from a designated state, or having travelled through a designated state in the previous 14 days, regardless of the duration of stay in these countries, are required to undergo mandatory quarantine in a designated facility unless they are an exempted traveller under the Act or have been vaccinated with an EMA approved vaccine.
The Health (Amendment) Act 2021 identifies those who are exempt from mandatory hotel quarantine and a full list of exemptions can be accessed on gov.ie/quarantine.
A procedure is in place with the Department of Foreign Affairs Missions for deferrals of prepayment for Irish citizens and residents abroad in hardship circumstances. Irish citizens and residents who wish to make an application for deferral of fees relating to mandatory hotel quarantine should contact their local Irish Embassy or Consulate. Contact details for Embassies and Consulates are available at Embassies - Department of Foreign Affairs (dfa.ie).
Once in quarantine, guests can also contact the State Liaison Official (SLO) in the hotel and request a deferral of payment which may be granted where the SLO is satisfied that the traveller concerned is unable to pay the charges while in the facility. Please note, however, that this is a deferral of payment and not waiver or exemption.
Where a traveller has been granted an authorisation to defer the payment they can subsequently apply to the Minister for an exemption from the obligation to pay the charge specified.
The Government continues to evaluate wider policy on international travel as informed by the epidemiological situation and public health advice, including the possibility of future exemptions.
2086. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to ensuring both breasts are rescreened in the case that a person is recalled for assessment in relation to the BreastCheck programme. [36506/21]
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.
2087. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the members of the new Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group subgroup being set up to examine the Programme for Government commitment for a public health (obesity) Bill and to develop a scoping paper on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36519/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” published in June 2020 contained a commitment to “Work with key stakeholders to introduce a Public Health Obesity Act, including examining restrictions on promotion and advertising aimed at children”. The policy instrument for obesity in Ireland is “A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), which was launched in 2016 as part of the Healthy Ireland Framework. The OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy.
The OPAP provides for a mid-term review to be carried out. There are a number of elements which will inform the review, including an evaluation currently being carried out by the Health Research Board Centre for Health and Diet Research, University College Cork. The review will lead to a revised set of actions for the OPAP, if appropriate, for the remaining lifetime of the plan. The review provides the opportunity to consider developments and new evidence since the publication of the OPAP that will feed into the consideration of the development of a Public Health Obesity Bill. Given the multi-faceted and complex nature of the issues involved and as envisaged in the Programme for Government, extensive stakeholder consultation (including the Obesity Policy Implementation and Oversight Group) will be part of this process.
2088. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the members of the new food in schools forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36520/21]
View answerThe aim of the Food in Schools Forum is to bring together all partners working in the schools setting to help maximise the wide range of initiatives underway and to implement the commitments in the Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan (2021-2025).
Membership of the Forum consists of representatives of the Departments of Health, Education, Social Protection, Agriculture, Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Safefood; Bord Bia; Grow It Yourself; the HSE; St. Angela's College; Munster Technological University; and Agri Aware.
2089. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the details of the new adult obesity campaign 2022-2025 being devised by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36521/21]
View answerThe policy instrument for obesity in Ireland is “A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), which was launched in September 2016 as part of the Healthy Ireland Framework. The OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy.
The OPAP has had a particular focus on families with children in its early years and children’s overweight and obesity has received significant funding and focus through the START campaign co-ordinated by safefood in partnership with the HSE.
Data from the Healthy Ireland Survey 2019 shows that 37% of adults are overweight and 25% are obese. Just over a third (34%) of people in Ireland are trying to lose weight, with 49% of those who are overweight or obese currently trying to lose weight. The proposed adult obesity campaign is still in the early stages of development, with an intention for it to be rolled out in the first half of 2022.
2090. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if a new Healthy Ireland is being established; the way in which membership will be comprised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36522/21]
View answerThere is insufficient information in the Deputy's question to enable me to provide a response. Should the Deputy wish to provide further clarification I will be happy to respond.
2091. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the roadmap for returning family visitors to nursing homes; when restrictions will be lifted for fully vaccinated persons enabling them to visit loved ones more than the current allotted times per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36523/21]
View answerThe Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has recently published updated guidance on visiting in long-term residential care: COVID-19: Normalising Visiting in Long Term Residential Care Facilities (LTRCFs). This guidance came into effect on 19 July. The public health advice is to restore visiting to near normal in terms of frequency of visits in those settings with a high level of vaccination of residents as quickly as possible, while also recognising the need to remain cautious as we continue to deal with the evolving risks associated with COVID-19.
The new guidance provides that:
- Providers should put in place the necessary measures to progress to more normalised visiting and visiting frequency as quickly as possible in line with public health guidance with no more than two visitors at any one time.
- Routine visiting will no longer need to be scheduled in advance.
- There is no requirement to have a list of nominated visitors.
- The duration of the visit should not be limited.
- Fewer restrictions will apply to residents going on outings or visits outside of the nursing home.
In relation to outings, the guidance provides that outings and visits to a home can be facilitated if there is a high level of vaccination in the nursing home. Nursing home residents are reminded that they should follow public health advice while on outings from the nursing home. This means keeping distance from other people, regularly washing hands and wearing masks when indoors with people that might not be vaccinated. The guidance states that residents do not need to stay in their room on their return from a drive or visit. If a resident is not vaccinated the risk to them of going out to meet other people is a lot greater especially if the people they meet are not vaccinated.
Notwithstanding the current positive epidemiological outlook and the cautious reopening of society, risks continue to remain and emergent risks such as variants of concern present ongoing challenges and the need for vigilance. Visiting arrangements should continue to take account of general public health advice and the necessary infection prevention and control measures, to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of COVID-19 and protect those living in our communities. This is particularly important in the context of the increasing prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant. This new variant poses a significant risk, in particular to those who are not yet fully protected though vaccination.
Visitors are reminded of their responsibilities with regard to self-checks for COVID-19 in advance of visits, infection and prevention control and social interaction with all individuals, while in the nursing home.
The guidance will be kept under continuing review as new evidence and data emerges.
2092. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the status of the processing of applications for primary medical certificates; if processing has resumed since it was stalled due to Covid-19; if there is a substantial backlog of applications to be processed; the number of applications that are currently waiting to be processed; and the breakdown of pending applications in each CHO in tabular form. [36528/21]
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.
2093. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number hours of the additional €5 million home support hours committed to in the National Service Plan 2021. [36529/21]
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.
2094. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the status of the policy initiative in relation to Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People as expressed in the National Service Plan 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36530/21]
View answerUnder the Progressing Disability’s Services programme, the HSE is currently reconfiguring children’s disability services into Children’s Disability Network Teams.
The HSE is establishing a total of 91 Children’s Disability Networks across its nine Community Healthcare Organisations, each comprised of one specialist inter-disciplinary Children’s Disability Network Team to work with children with complex disability needs, aged from birth to 18 years. 41 of the 91 network teams are now fully reconfigured.
These teams will provide inter disciplinary, child and family centred healthcare services ensuring that children are directed to the most appropriate service based on the complexity of their presenting needs rather than based on diagnosis.
2095. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of additional therapeutic staff under the newly established Children’s Disability Network model that have been resourced to date in 2021 as per the National Service Plan. [36531/21]
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.
2096. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated for emergency residential places in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively, by capital and resource funding and CHO in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36535/21]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, an additional €100 million was provided in the 2021 Budget for new disability developments, reflecting the strength of the Government’s commitment in this area. This investment includes provision for increasing capacity within residential services in a planned way, continuing to respond to the need for crisis residential placements and bringing more intensive support packages on stream this year. It will also support people with a disability to move out of congregated settings into residential settings in the community in line with key Programme for Government commitments.
The funding allocated for the provision of emergency placements of people with a disability in residential care in 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively is set out in the Table hereunder. For the sake of completeness, I have also included information in relation to planned residential places provided in 2021, given the focus on building residential capacity in a planned way in the National Service Plan 2021.
|
National Service Plan (Year) |
Level of Investment€m |
Full Year Cost €m |
No of Emergency Places |
No of Planned Places |
Total Planned and Emergency Places |
|
2019 |
15 |
15 |
90 |
0 |
90 |
|
2020 |
9 |
14 |
64 |
0 |
64 |
|
2021 |
15 |
20.5 |
44 |
58 |
102 |
2097. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated for planned residential places in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively, by capital and resource funding and CHO in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36536/21]
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.
2098. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated for the transfer of adults with disabilities from Tusla to the HSE in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively, by capital and resource funding and CHO in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36537/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that Tusla does not come under the remit of the Department of Health and her question would be more appropriate for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
2099. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated for community-based neuro-rehabilitation teams in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively, by capital and resource funding and CHO in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36538/21]
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.
2100. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated for respite services for persons with disabilities in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively, by capital and resource funding and CHO in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36539/21]
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.
2101. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated for day services for people with disabilities in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively, by capital and resource funding and CHO in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36540/21]
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.
