Tuesday, 27 Jul 2021

Written Answers Nos. 2208-2227

Health Service Executive

Questions (2208)

Paul Murphy

Question:

2208. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the correct procedure is in which a complaint is made to [e-mail] in relation to the behaviour of a social worker. [36964/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE aim to provide safe and high-quality services so patients receive the best care and treatment. Patient feedback matters and helps the HSE in improving their service.

HSE ''Your Say'' are interested in feedback related to:

What worked, what could improve, what didn't work, make a comment, compliment or complaint

There are many ways you can inform them of your experience:

Tell the people caring for you today.Fill in the online feedback form, available at www2.hse.ie/services/forms/your-service-your-say/ Email them at [e-mail]. Fill out the paper feedback form and put it in the feedback box or give it to a member of staff.Send a letter to the service - a staff member can give you the contact details. Call them on 1890 424 555 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Call 045 880 429 from a mobile.Call HSE Live on 1800 700 700 from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 5pm on Saturday. You can call [phone] from outside of Ireland.The paper feedback form is available in 9 languages at the end of this page.

If you're not able to give feedback yourself, you can ask a relative, carer or advocate to do this for you.

You can also report a concern about a vulnerable adult in the care of the HSE to the confidential recipient. More details of this can be accessed here:

www2.hse.ie/services/hse-complaints-and-feedback/report-a-concern-about-a-vulnerable-adult-in-care-to-the-confidential-recipient.html

Comments and compliments

A comment could be a suggestion for service improvement. It can also be an observation made by a service user that can lead to learning by the organisation.

If you have a comment or compliment, we will share your feedback with the service or staff member.

A complaint should include:

Who was involved. What happened and when. What your concerns are. Have you done anything to resolve this matter. What you want to happen now. Please provide any extra information and copies of other relevant documents.

What happens after you make a complaint:

You may have had a poor experience and told a member of staff or the person providing your care. If so, they will try to help you straight away, if possible, or within 48 hours.

If you made a written complaint, we will let you know that we have received your complaint within 5 working day.

The HSE will then:

look into your complaint and respond to you within 30 working dayscontact you to ask for more time, if needed keep you updated every 20 working days after that we might call or ask to meet you to hear more about it.

If you are not happy with the outcome of your complaint, you can ask for an internal review by the HSE. You can also ask for an external review from the Ombudsman or the Ombudsman for Children.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (2209, 2865, 3229)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

2209. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when dance teachers will be allowed restart operating dance classes from community centres. [36965/21]

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

2865. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health when restrictions will be eased for indoor dance schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39422/21]

Neale Richmond

Question:

3229. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to safely resume indoor dance classes and similar activities for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40897/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2209, 2865 and 3229 together.

As the Deputies 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.

Unfortunately, due to current uncertainties there is not yet an indication of when indoor dance classes will be permitted. The epidemiological situation will be monitored on an ongoing basis and the level of restrictions will be kept under review by Government.

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.

Disability Services

Questions (2210)

David Cullinane

Question:

2210. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will address the immediate funding need for dementia specific day care services provided by a society (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36969/21]

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.

Grateful if you could cc [e-mail] and [e-mail] on the reply please.

Health Services

Questions (2211)

Alan Kelly

Question:

2211. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the supports in place to assist patients requiring the use of incontinence pads and those with carers using personal protection equipment to pay for the cost of the disposal of such items given the large weight which accumulates with their use and consequent higher waste charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36970/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE have previously advised that there are no grants available for the disposal of such waste. 

However, I am aware that the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is exploring the possibility of introducing supports to persons with long term incontinence with respect to the disposal of medical incontinence wear.

Question No. 2212 answered with Question No. 1925.

Dental Services

Questions (2213)

Alan Kelly

Question:

2213. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists that have notified his Department or the HSE that they are opting out of treating patients under the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36972/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

There are approximately 1,200 contracted dentists at present providing oral healthcare to medical card holders under the Dental Treatments Services Scheme (DTSS). HSE figures indicate that from the start of the pandemic until the end of April 2021 over 200 dentists left the Scheme or notified the HSE of their intent to leave, with 112 applications for new contracts being processed.

Some people are experiencing problems in accessing a service close to their home. However, I have been assured by the HSE that their local services on the ground will assist any persons who are experiencing problems in accessing a service.

I am committed to ensuring the sustainability and viability of the DTSS, which will need to be revised to align it with modern evidence. There was an intention to commence a review of the DTSS contract last year. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, this was not possible.

Officials in my Department and from the HSE are currently engaging with the Irish Dental Association on matters relating to the provision of services under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (2214)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

2214. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide Covid-19 booster shots to nursing homes over the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36973/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) is currently reviewing future vaccination requirements, including the potential need for booster shots and is expected to make recommendations in this regard shortly. Following receipt of the NIAC advice, my Department and the HSE will consider the appropriate operational measures to implement the recommendations.

Covid-19 Tests

Questions (2215, 2329)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

2215. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the terms of reference for the report on rapid antigen testing which is being chaired by a person (details supplied); the timeline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36974/21]

James O'Connor

Question:

2329. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if rapid antigen testing for the aviation sector will be included in the terms of reference of the recent group chaired by a person (details supplied) to implement antigen testing in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37385/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2215 and 2329 together.

I have established an Expert Advisory Group on Rapid Testing. The group, chaired by Professor Mary Horgan, will support and advise government departments that are responsible for progressing pilots and the roll-out of rapid tests in their respective sectors. The Group’s Terms of Reference and further information can be found at:

www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e2767-minister-donnelly-establishes-expert-advisory-group-on-rapid-testing/.

Question No. 2216 answered with Question No. 2142.

Medicinal Products

Questions (2217)

Brendan Smith

Question:

2217. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if medication (details supplied) will be included on the medical card list and long-term illness schemes for reimbursement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36996/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list.

Reimbursement is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.

HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).

The HSE advises that, on 5 February 2020, it received two applications for the reimbursement of Epidyolex:

- for use as adjunctive therapy of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome in conjunction with clobazam, for patients two years of age and older.

- for use as adjunctive therapy of seizures associated with Dravet Syndrome in conjunction with clobazam, for patients two years of age and older.

On 5 February 2020, the HSE commissioned the NCPE to complete rapid reviews with respect to each of these indications.  The NCPE recommended full health technology assessments (HTAs) to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of Epidyolex compared with the current standard of care with respect to the above indications. On 16 March 2020, the HSE commissioned a full pharmacoeconomic assessment for these indications.

In July 2020, the applicant’s HTA submissions for both of the above indications were received by the NCPE. On 8 March 2021, the NCPE completed its assessments of these indications, recommending in both cases that Epidyolex not be approved for reimbursement unless cost effectiveness could be improved relative to existing treatments.

The final HTA reports will be reviewed by the HSE Drugs Group, along with the outputs of commercial negotiations which took place in April 2021, and any patient group submissions received during the HTA process. The HSE Drugs Group will consider all the evidence and make a recommendation to the HSE Executive Management Team (EMT).

The HSE has also advised that a further pricing/reimbursement application was received with respect Epidyolex on 9 June 2021 for the following indication:

- for use as an adjunctive therapy of seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) for patients 2 years of age and older.

On 9 June 2021, the HSE commissioned a rapid review with respect to this indication. On 8 July 2021, the NCPE completed this rapid review and recommended a full HTA to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of Epidyolex compared with the current standard of care, on the basis of the proposed price relative to currently available therapies.

The HSE EMT is the decision-making body for the reimbursement of medicines under the Health Act 2013 and it will, following receipt of the outcome of the Drugs Group's deliberations, make the decisions on whether Epidyolex will be reimbursed for the above indications.

Given the disruption caused by the cyberattack on its IT systems, the HSE is currently working to restore all of its operations, in accordance with the priority needs for the safe and effective functioning of the health service. The timelines for medicine pricing/reimbursement applications to be deliberated on by the HSE EMT may therefore be outside of those usually expected.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (2218, 2220)

David Cullinane

Question:

2218. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to those who cannot take second dose of a vaccine due to a health condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36998/21]

Matt Carthy

Question:

2220. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health his proposals to address cases whereby a citizen has received one dose of a Covid-19 vaccination (details supplied) but due to a negative reaction has been medically advised not to receive the second dose; if provision will be made for a different vaccine to be administered for the second dose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37000/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2218 and 2220 together.

Ireland’s COVID-19 vaccination programme strategy is to distribute all available vaccines as quickly as is operationally possible, prioritising those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19. The programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection.

The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The Committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. The NIAC review all data relating to COVID-19 vaccines on a rolling basis. Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the 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.The current Guidelines state: There are currently four COVID-19 Vaccines authorised for use in Ireland. The vaccines are not interchangeable. For vaccines that have a two-dose schedule, the same vaccine should be used for both doses.

You can read the guidelines at: www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf

There is insufficient evidence to recommend a change from the authorised two-dose Vaxzevria® schedule or to support giving an mRNA vaccine instead of the second dose of Vaxzevria®. There is a need for further evidence on the safety and effectiveness of mixed (heterologous)vaccine schedules. Further information is expected in the coming months which may warrant an update of these recommendations.

Nursing Homes

Questions (2219, 2311)

Michael Lowry

Question:

2219. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if the temporary assistance payment scheme payable to nursing homes will be extended; his views on whether that to end such supports now is contrary to advice received from the Covid-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel and HIQA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36999/21]

Holly Cairns

Question:

2311. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will extend the temporary assistance payment scheme for nursing homes until 31 December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37317/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2219 and 2311 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 22 July 2021, 7,909 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 roll-out 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.

Question No. 2220 answered with Question No. 2218.

Disability Services

Questions (2221, 2222)

Pauline Tully

Question:

2221. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the capital and current funding that was allocated to disability services in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021 for transport to day services for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37004/21]

Pauline Tully

Question:

2222. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the additional cost of increasing funding for transport to day services for persons with disabilities by 5%, 10% and 25%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37005/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2221 and 2222 together.

The Department of Health and the HSE provide specialist disability services, including Day Services and Rehabilitative Training, to people with disabilities who require such services. The HSE has no statutory obligation to provide transport services and no funding is allocated for this. Transport is not considered a core health service and as such Day Service funding does not include transport.

Some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded agencies on a discretionary basis, and a variety of transport solutions are pursued in different CHO areas. These include travel training by to enable public transport to be used upon commencement of a day programme (where applicable), local transport such as Local Link, private bus transport providers and taxis, funded via a combination of service provider, HSE funding, service user contribution, and / or combined funding; and some service providers provide transport where capacity exists.

In general, day service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the Free Travel Pass.

In CHO1 (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo) where transport for clients accessing HSE services is a particular challenge due to limited public transport, the HSE works with local Rural Transport Companies / Local Links to provide door to door transport for people attending HSE funded services from their home to their Day Service subject to minimal user charges.

There are improvements in access to a range of transport supports available to persons with disabilities in the State, for example the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme, operated by the Revenue Commissioners; the Free Travel Scheme operated by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection; and CLÁR funding, approved by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, to voluntary organisations providing transport for people with significant mobility issues.

Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 - 2021, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of accessible public transport.

Question No. 2222 answered with Question No. 2221.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (2223)

Patrick Costello

Question:

2223. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health when plans for home vaccinations of the under 70s will be made available. [37006/21]

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 (2224)

Patrick Costello

Question:

2224. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will authorise pharmacies to provide Covid-19 vaccines to the 35-40 age cohort. [37007/21]

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 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.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (2225)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

2225. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) who began working as a health worker after the healthcare worker vaccine portal closed will receive their vaccine appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37072/21]

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.

Health Services

Questions (2226)

John McGuinness

Question:

2226. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the full range of supports and services required by a person (details supplied) will be put in place; if a social worker will be appointed to their case to assess his requirements for care at home and at school; and if the matter will be expedited. [37073/21]

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.

Medicinal Products

Questions (2227)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

2227. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the status of the inquiry into the historical licensing and use of the anti-epileptic drug sodium valproate epilim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37074/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Details 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.