Written Answers Nos. 2127-2152
2127. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the date on which he will introduce the assisted human reproduction Bill in view of the fact that it forms part of the summer legislative programme given that the heads have been approved and pre-legislative scrutiny has been completed. [36600/21]
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 and far-reaching piece of legislation encompasses the regulation, for the first time in Ireland, of a wide range of practices, including: gamete (sperm or egg) and embryo donation for AHR and research; domestic surrogacy; pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of embryos; posthumous assisted reproduction; and embryo and stem cell research. The legislation also provides for the establishment of an independent regulatory authority for AHR.
There has been some effect on the drafting process caused by the impact of additional work arising from the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, however, 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 a Bill.
Overall, the provisions outlined within the Bill will ensure that AHR practices and related areas of research are conducted in a more consistent and standardised way and with the necessary oversight.
2128. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if advice will be provided on a matter regarding summer camps (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36609/21]
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.
Summer camps should adhere to public health measures on organised indoor and outdoor activities as appropriate, applying at the time. At present, that means that outdoor camps can go ahead, but indoor camps are not permitted as they would involve significant indoor social mixing of households. Details of public health measures can be found online: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/7894b-post-cabinet-statement-resilience-and-recovery-the-path-ahead/
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.
2129. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if clarification will be provided in relation to vaccines (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36610/21]
View answerCovid-19 vaccines can only be approved and used if they comply with all the requirements of quality, safety and efficacy set out in the EU pharmaceutical legislation. Each of the authorised vaccines is indicated for the active immunisation to prevent Covid-19. The vaccine manufacturers are required to ensure that their products remain safe and effective for the authorised indication of prevention of Covid-19.
The European Commission (EC) has granted conditional marketing authorisations (CMA) to four vaccines against Covid-19 on foot of a positive recommendation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against Covid-19 by the EMA and authorisation for use by the EC, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (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.
Currently, there is limited information from clinical trials with respect to protection against emerging variants. Emerging variants require continuous monitoring of the vaccines’ performance over time.
Details on each of the vaccines can be accessed below:
www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/
2130. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence in relation to palliative care (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36613/21]
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.
2131. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [36625/21]
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.
2132. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the status of the electric ambulance bought by the National Ambulance Centre; the amount it cost; when it was bought; the length of time it was in operation; the number of miles it was driven; if the ambulance is in operation now; if not, the location in which the ambulance can be found; and if the National Ambulance Service was refunded for same. [36626/21]
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.
2133. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the disruption which has occurred to the issuance of a certification of birth, PPS numbers and so on, for newly born children; the steps that are being taken to resolve the issues; and the provision that is being made in cases in which such certification is urgently needed. [36641/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that birth certificates are a matter for the Department of Social Protection.
2134. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health his position on the inquiry into the anti-epilepsy drug sodium valproate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36642/21]
View answerDetails of the proposed inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in Ireland are currently being considered by officials within the Department of Health.
2136. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he plans to map public AEDs throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36652/21]
View answer2137. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he plans to provide more public AEDs particularly in areas in which there is a lack of facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36653/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2136 and 2137 together.
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.
2138. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the reason gambling is not included in the recent drug and alcohol behaviour survey as previously indicated. [36654/21]
View answer2417. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the reason gambling prevalence data from the Health Research Board will be presented to the Department of Justice and not his Department given this is most applicable to gambling addiction which falls under his remit. [37758/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2138 and 2417 together.
The National Drug and Alcohol Survey (previously called the Drug Use in Ireland and Northern Ireland Drug Prevalence Survey) is undertaken by the Health Research Board (HRB). It is a general population survey of households to measure the extent and pattern of drug and alcohol use among a representative sample of those aged 15 years and over in Ireland.
The HRB recent published findings on drug and alcohol use from the National Drug and Alcohol Survey 2019/20. The publication can be found at the following link: www.hrb.ie/publications/publication/the-2019-20-irish-national-drug-and-alcohol-survey-main-findings/returnPage/1/
The Department of Justice has responsibility for gambling policy and regulation. At the request of the Department of Justice, the HRB included a module on gambling in the 2014/15 survey and the 2019/20 survey. It is anticipated that the HRB will publish its report on gambling in October, 2021.
2139. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of the Programme for Government commitment to provide free contraception over a phased period commencing with women aged 17 to 25 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36655/21]
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; 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 third-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 third 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 expansion of the NCDS will also be facilitated, in order to support the STI prevention and sexual health promotion needs of people living in Ireland.
2140. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to providing access to vaccines for Irish citizens living overseas who are not in a position to travel home but cannot access a vaccine in their country of residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36656/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that as this matter relates to Irish citizens living overseas it is a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs.
2141. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of children with special needs living in south-western areas of Dublin; the number of therapists working in the area to provide essential services for these children; his plans to ensure that these services which are crucial for the families of these children will resume to pre-Covid-19 levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36059/21]
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.
2142. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he plans to extend the temporary assistance payment scheme for nursing homes beyond the current timeframe of June 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36676/21]
View answer2216. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department will provide additional support to the nursing home sector to ensure that it is not disadvantaged by the increase in cost associated with Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36975/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2142 and 2216 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 23 July 2021, 7,919 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.
2143. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when Covid-19 vaccinations will be approved by NIAC for 12 to 15-year-olds; and when they might receive same. [36677/21]
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 are reviewing the matter and will make a recommendation as appropriate. Currently, Ireland's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is administering vaccines to those aged 16+.
2144. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the details of the nature, value and duration of contracts with a company (details supplied) to provide services in relation to contact tracing. [36678/21]
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.
2145. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of a new elective hospital for Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27794/21]
View answerThe development of elective hospital facilities in Dublin, Cork and Galway is in line with the National Development Plan, the Health Service Capacity Review, the Programme for Government and the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy & Action Plan 2021-2023.
The Elective Hospitals Oversight Group, under the joint governance of the HSE, Department of Health and Sláintecare, is guiding the development of the elective hospitals, following the process outlined in the Public Spending Code.
A Strategic Assessment Report has been completed and approved setting out the rationale for investment, the alignment of the programme with strategic requirements of Government, some initial options and potential costs, and the governance of the programme.
A Preliminary Business Case (PBC) is being prepared. As part of the process, the Oversight Group made a call for site submissions from private owners, the HSE, Land Development Agency and Hospital Groups. Submissions are undergoing evaluation to examine their suitability with a view to recommending a single preferred option in each location. The site identification process in Cork and Galway has been fully informed by discussions with relevant Hospital Groups.
Once completed, the PBC will be assessed by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform and submitted to Government for consideration.
2146. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to tackle the long waiting lists for orthodontic treatment for young persons in Cork; if more consultant orthodontists will be recruited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27795/21]
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.
2147. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if persons will lose out on their medical cards as a result of accepting the pandemic unemployment payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28721/21]
View answerThe HSE PCRS assesses the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) as equivalent to employment income when conducting its financial assessment for a medical card or GP Visit card. This is because the rate of payment is aligned with previous earnings from employment and it also ensures alignment with the approach taken by the Department of Social Protection in relation to this payment.
As all holders of medical cards and GP Visit cards are subject to periodic review by PCRS, the standard assessment/review processes with regard to all income apply to determine continued eligibility or not.
However, with the phasing out of the PUP under the Government’s National Economic Action Plan, those persons who are not in employment will receive Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Assistance. In accordance with the HSE Medical Card and GP visit card guidelines, where a person's sole income is derived from a social welfare payment, even where this is more than the current means threshold, he/she will be awarded a medical card.
2148. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will increase the number of clinical placements that can be facilitated by the health service for nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28722/21]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the provision of clinical placements for student nurses and midwives is a matter for my colleague the Minister of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
Clinical placements are directly linked to the number of higher education places for nursing and midwifery. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that an additional 199 undergraduate nursing and midwifery places have been made available for the coming academic year, 2021/22, along with the associated clinical placements. This is in addition to the 153 additional places provided for the 2020/21 academic year. The total number of available undergraduate nursing and midwifery places for 2021/2022 will be 2,180.
2149. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1127 of 31 March 2021, which stated that the HSE paid almost €600,000 to debt collection agencies in 2020 from persons who may have lost jobs and loved ones in the middle of a public health crisis, his views on whether this practice is appropriate in the current health emergency. [28058/21]
View answerPatient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the annual National Service Plan.
These charges typically include:
- Out-patient charges;
- Emergency Department charges;
- In-patient charges; and
- Long-term stay charges.
There are cohorts of people who are exempt from these charges, including, but not limited to persons with full eligibility, women receiving services in respect of motherhood, children up to the age of six weeks, children suffering from diseases prescribed under section 52 (2) of the Act, and persons receiving services for the diagnosis or treatment of infectious diseases.
In addition, patients who opt for private in-patient services in public hospitals are liable for a range of private accommodation charges. There are no exemptions from these charges.
Non collection of debts owed directly impacts on the affordability of services provided by the Health Service Executive in any year. It is therefore incumbent on the HSE to take all reasonable steps to pursue amounts owed for services delivered. Debt collection agencies are engaged when normal billing arrangements have been unsuccessful.
The operational detail in relation to how outstanding charges are collected from patients by individual service areas within the HSE 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.
2150. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1127 of 31 March 2021, the amount of debt that was collected by debt collection agencies in 2020 due to the fact that the data is not centrally located; and when this data will be centrally located. [28059/21]
View answerPatient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the annual National Service Plan.
These charges typically include:
- Out-patient charges;
- Emergency Department charges;
- In-patient charges; and
- Long-term stay charges.
There are cohorts of people who are exempt from these charges, including, but not limited to persons with full eligibility, women receiving services in respect of motherhood, children up to the age of six weeks, children suffering from diseases prescribed under section 52 (2) of the Act, and persons receiving services for the diagnosis or treatment of infectious diseases.
In addition, patients who opt for private in-patient services in public hospitals are liable for a range of private accommodation charges. There are no exemptions from these charges.
Non collection of debts owed directly impacts on the affordability of services provided by the Health Service Executive in any year. It is therefore incumbent on the HSE to take all reasonable steps to pursue amounts owed for services delivered. Debt collection agencies are engaged when normal billing arrangements have been unsuccessful.
The operational detail in relation to how outstanding charges are collected from patients by individual service areas within the HSE 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.
2151. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to reduce waiting times for autism services in counties Laois and Offaly. [36196/21]
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.
2152. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to reduce waiting times for speech and language, occupational physiotherapy and child psychology services in counties Laois and Offaly. [36195/21]
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.
