Pearse Doherty
Question:2170. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made for a home support application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36728/21]
View answerHome Help Service
Questions (2170)
Written answers
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.
Home Help Service
Questions (2171)
Pearse Doherty
Question:2171. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made for a home support application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36729/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (2172)
Pearse Doherty
Question:2172. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36730/21]
View answerWritten answers
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 (2173)
Pearse Doherty
Question:2173. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to administer second dose Covid-19 vaccines in local vaccine centres if deemed safe to do so for those who received their first dose Covid-19 vaccines in hospital settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36732/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (2174)
Pearse Doherty
Question:2174. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason physiotherapy appointment frequency have changed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36733/21]
View answerWritten answers
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
Questions (2175)
Cormac Devlin
Question:2175. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the status of negotiations between the HSE and a group (details supplied) regarding the provision of services which continues to cause uncertainty and distress for service users and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36859/21]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, Saint John of God Community Services clg (SJOGCS) has given the HSE 12 months’ notice of its intention to terminate its Section 38 arrangement with a view to transferring responsibility for the provision of disability and mental health services to the State by 1 October 2021.
My foremost concern, which is shared by the HSE, is to ensure the continuity of appropriate disability services delivery by SJOGCS in line with strong governance mechanisms in a cost-effective and equitable manner consistent with care and support needs.
To this end, the HSE has established a Joint Governance Committee and a Joint Implementation Committee to plan for the orderly transfer of services to the HSE covering:
a. Services
b. Finance and Assets
c. Communications
d. Human Resources.
I am very conscious that SJOGCS has played a significant role in the delivery of vital disability services and supports to service users and their families across the State for many years and the key focus at present is to ensure that the organisation is facilitated to maintain its important service delivery role into the future in line with a reformed model of care.
Accordingly, in parallel with the work on the transition plan, the HSE is encouraging SJOGCS to engage in a Sustainability Impact Assessment, which would provide the organisation with a pathway to financial and operational sustainability and enable the organisation to remain in service provision.
I would like to assure the Deputy that the needs of services users and their families are at the forefront of all considerations and decision-making in relation to the reform process. In this regard, I am advised that the HSE is closely engaging with the families of service users in relation to the overall process.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2176)
Róisín Shortall
Question:2176. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the medical advice for persons who have received a first vaccination dose of a vaccine (details supplied) in the UK and have now returned to live in Ireland, in respect of which vaccine they should have as a second dose and in respect of their record for the digital passport; if a vaccine obtained in the UK will be taken into consideration for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36860/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Digital COVID Certificate Regulation is intended to facilitate people’s fundamental right to move and reside freely and help to support the lifting of restrictions currently in place in a coordinated manner within the EU.
As the Minister for Health, I am supporting the work of my Department in collaborating with relevant Departments under the leadership of the Department of Taoiseach to assist in the on-going implementation of the EU Digital COVID Certificates.
Arrangements for provision of vaccination certificates to persons not vaccinated in Ireland will be considered once the initial roll-out is in place.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2177)
Róisín Shortall
Question:2177. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the protection level against the delta variant provided by a vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36861/21]
View answerWritten answers
Covid-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 are limited information from clinical trials with respect to protection against emerging variants. Emerging variants require continuous monitoring of the vaccines’ performance over time.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2178)
Róisín Shortall
Question:2178. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when those in the 30 to 34 age group can expect to receive their Covid-19 vaccinations. [36862/21]
View answerWritten answers
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 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.
Primary Care Services
Questions (2179)
Róisín Shortall
Question:2179. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of counsellors and psychotherapists employed and or contracted under the CIPC service in 2019, 2020 and to date 2021; the estimated cost of one hour of counselling delivered under the scheme; the cost for the full seven sessions per client; and the cost of the CIPC in each of the years 2018 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36863/21]
View answerWritten answers
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 Service Executive
Questions (2180)
Róisín Shortall
Question:2180. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 538 of 17 December 2020, if HSE Community Healthcare West has signed a lease for an alcohol treatment centre in Galway and will begin taking clients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36864/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (2181)
Bríd Smith
Question:2181. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the requirement to obtain a negative PCR test prior to travel (details supplied) in relation to travel restrictions into the State from red-listed countries. [36379/21]
View answerWritten answers
S.I. 135 of 2021 provides for the testing and quarantine travel measures for arrivals to Ireland from overseas based on their country of departure and whether they hold accepted evidence of vaccination, recovery or a negative RT-PCR test result.
Arrivals from designated states are required to present both proof of vaccination or recovery and a negative RT-PCR test result upon arrival to Ireland. They are then required to undergo 14-days home quarantine at the address listed on their COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form. This legal requirement to home quarantine can be shortened if a negative/not-detected result is obtained from a RT-PCR test taken no less than 5 days after arrival.
For the purposes of travel, passengers are considered vaccinated if they have been vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency with recommended number of days after the final dose, see table below.
|
A full course of any one of the following vaccines |
Regarded as vaccinated after: |
|
2 doses of Pfizer-BioNtech Vaccine: BNT162b2 (Comirnaty®) |
7 days |
|
2 doses of Moderna Vaccine: CX-024414 (Moderna®) |
14 days |
|
2 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine: ChAdOx1-SARS-COV-2 (Vaxzevria® or Covishield) |
15 days |
|
1 dose of Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Vaccine: Ad26.COV2-S [recombinant] (Janssen®) |
14 days |
Arrivals to Ireland from designated states who are not considered fully vaccinated and hold a negative PCR test result are required to enter mandatory hotel quarantine.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2182)
Pádraig MacLochlainn
Question:2182. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the way County Donegal compares to other counties in the speed of the roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines. [28315/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Primary Care Centres
Questions (2183)
Patrick Costello
Question:2183. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 430 of 1 July 2021, the timeline for the construction of the Drimnagh primary care centre. [36871/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
National Children's Hospital
Questions (2184)
Patrick Costello
Question:2184. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the proposed future usage of Crumlin Children’s Hospital once the new national children’s hospital opens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36872/21]
View answerWritten answers
As of 1 January 2019, Children's Health Ireland (CHI) governs the provision of paediatric services in Dublin at the Crumlin, Temple Street and Tallaght, and at the new outpatient and urgent care centre on the campus of Connolly Hospital.
Under the legislation establishing CHI, the boards of Crumlin and Temple Street hospitals voluntarily transferred their assets and liabilities to the new entity. As such, the Crumlin hospital campus has transferred to Children's Health Ireland. Future uses for the Crumlin campus, following the transfer of services to the new hospital on the shared campus with St James's, have not yet been determined.
Question No. 2185 answered with Question No. 2045.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2186)
Catherine Connolly
Question:2186. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the pharmacies participating in the vaccine roll-out in the Connemara region of County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36874/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (2187)
Patrick Costello
Question:2187. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the reason Ireland has not been sharing Covid-19 data with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (details supplied). [36362/21]
View answerWritten answers
On May 14th the HSE suffered a major cyber-attack on its IT systems which significantly interrupted the usual processes for surveillance reporting, including reporting to international organisations including the ECDC, and has required the development of interim surveillance arrangements.
During the COVID-19 pandemic the HSE-HPSC has uploaded COVID-19 data from the national infectious disease surveillance system (CIDR) and other sources to ECDC via The European Surveillance System (TESSy system) on a weekly basis. These data were used to populate a range of ECDC outputs which describe the epidemiological situation across Europe, including the “Maps in support of the council recommendation on a coordinated approach to travel measures in the EU”, www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/covid-19/situation-updates/weekly-maps-coordinated-restriction-free-movement
HPSC has continued to provide daily updates to ECDC on the estimated number of cases and these data, including 14-day case notification rate per 100,000 inhabitants have been published on their website uninterrupted since the cyber-attack.
However, not all practices were possible with the interim surveillance arrangements, including the reporting of all data necessary for ECDC to populate their maps. The principal reason was because these more detailed datasets must be uploaded through TESSy, access to which has not been possible until all necessary measures were put in place to assure the safety of the HSE network.
Permission to access TESSy again was granted by the ECDC during the ending 25/06/2021. HPSC has developed work around solutions to prepare the necessary data. Data was uploaded on 29/06/2021, and Ireland was included in the map published on Thursday 01/07/2021 and in each subsequent weekly update.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2188)
Gino Kenny
Question:2188. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if a person without transport with a debilitating respiratory condition requiring constant oxygen can be accommodated for their second vaccine in a centre located closer to them rather than a centre located further away in which they received the first vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36875/21]
View answerWritten answers
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 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.