Tuesday, 27 Jul 2021

Hospital Staff

Questions (2153)

Alan Kelly

Question:

2153. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of staffing vacancies currently in the South Tipperary Therapy Services Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36680/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Healthcare Policy

Questions (2154)

Alan Kelly

Question:

2154. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if the smoking ban applies to premises providing outdoor dining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36681/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Outdoor dining areas are not subject to the workplace smoking ban under the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts.

In April 2018 the Government agreed to support a Seanad Private Members’ Motion to legislate for the introduction of a smoking ban in areas where food is consumed, including in outdoor areas, and to address this measure on completion of the current tobacco control legislative project, the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill.

A first draft of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill is awaited from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. The General Scheme of the Bill was referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Health for pre-legislative scrutiny following approval by Government in October 2019. A date for pre-legislative scrutiny is still to be confirmed.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (2155)

Michael Ring

Question:

2155. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the reason the daily breakdown of Covid-19 cases per county cannot be provided in view of the fact that this information must be readily available in order to collate the national daily figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36682/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems.The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Question No. 2156 answered with Question No. 2075.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (2157)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

2157. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if the public health guidelines now in place regarding First Holy Communion and Confirmation ceremonies scheduled to take place prior to 5 July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36685/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

My Department has confirmed with the Deputy that this Parliamentary Question was withdrawn as given the passage of time the question is now out of date.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (2158)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

2158. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when First Holy Communion and Confirmation ceremonies will be permitted under Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36686/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As 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.

Health Services

Questions (2159)

Mark Ward

Question:

2159. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on the progress of children to access therapies such as occupational, speech and language and psychology post the standard operating procedure for assessment of needs. [36233/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Health Services Staff

Questions (2160)

Alan Dillon

Question:

2160. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the measures his Department and HSE Community Healthcare West have taken to recruit a temporary locum general practitioner following the resignation of a permanent general practitioner from the GMS practice in Kiltimagh, County Mayo. [28425/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (2161)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

2161. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if there is a plan to introduce vaccinations for children between the ages of 12 to 15 years; if he will prioritise medically vulnerable children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36708/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Ireland 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+.

Legislative Measures

Questions (2162)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

2162. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the status of Ireland’s progress on implementing via legislation, the WHO Code of Marketing on Breast-milk Substitutes; his views on the reason there has been no progress made in this regard since 2013; his further views on the reason for the delay in adopting into domestic law the provisions of the WHO Code in its entirety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36716/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the HSE Breastfeeding Action Plan 2016-2021 is 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.

I can say however that promoting an increase in the number of new mothers breastfeeding is a priority in the Healthy Ireland Strategic Action plan 2021-2025. Infant formula is needed as not all babies are breastfed. 2021 is the year of the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes which is aimed at protecting children and families from inappropriate marketing of breastmilk substitute products. The Code covers infant formula products up to the age of 3 years.

My Department works closely with the HSE National Breast Feeding Co-ordinator, who has responsibility for the implementation of the HSE Breastfeeding Action Plan 2016-2021. I have been advised that the HSE has established the National Breastfeeding Implementation Group to progress the actions. One of these is reviewing the Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes in public health services and this is at final draft stage and is due for implementation, across all health services in 2021.

Legislative Measures

Questions (2163)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

2163. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the status the implementation of Action Item 3.13 of the National Breastfeeding Action Plan which pertains to the WHO Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36717/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Frankie Feighan)

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

However, I can advise the Deputy that promoting an increase in the number of new mothers breastfeeding is a priority in the Healthy Ireland Strategic Action plan 2021-2025. Infant formula is needed as not all babies are breastfed. 2021 is the year of the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes which is aimed at protecting children and families from inappropriate marketing of breastmilk substitute products. The Code covers infant formula products up to the age of 3 years. I am advised that the HSE are working to strengthen compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes through partnership and cross sectoral working.

Question No. 2164 answered with Question No. 1891.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (2165)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

2165. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); if the details for surgery will be confirmed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36722/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland

Questions (2166, 2167, 2168, 2169, 2365)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

2166. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the cost to date spent by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland in addition to the confirmed cost of €2,089,500 on its digitised registration system; the details of reasons for additional costs incurred; the way in which the total spend represents value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36724/21]

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Catherine Connolly

Question:

2167. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints received by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland from registrants, applicants, Ministers and other stakeholders via email, phone and letter relating to the annual retention fee process for 2021 and overseas applications since the roll-out of the digitalised registration system launched in September 2020 to date; the number of emails received by the registration department from overseas applicants in the Board’s registration inbox as of 1 July 2021 yet to be actioned in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36725/21]

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Catherine Connolly

Question:

2168. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of registration staff employed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland noting the grade of staff member and their status, that is, permanent, agency, contract or other from January 2020 to date in 2021 by month in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36726/21]

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Catherine Connolly

Question:

2169. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the reason the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland is outsourcing for a period of 14 weeks its overseas registration application process; the details of the costs associated with the outsourcing of this body of work; the number of applications this external body will be dealing with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36727/21]

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Catherine Connolly

Question:

2365. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 788 of 8 May 2019, the companies and or organisations employed on a contract basis by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland from June 2016 to date, in tabular form including company or organisation name, purpose, length of engagement, tender yes or no and total cost for the relevant period of engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37510/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2166 to 2169, inclusive, and 2365 together.

These PQs are referencing operational matters of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) and therefore have been referred to the NMBI to respond directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 2167 answered with Question No. 2166.

Question No. 2168 answered with Question No. 2166.

Question No. 2169 answered with Question No. 2166.