Written Answers Nos. 2267-2286
2267. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will publish any report audit or inquiry held by the HSE into Covid-19 deaths in a clinic (details supplied) which was referred to in correspondence from a person to this Deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37197/21]
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.
2268. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of investigations, audits, inquiries and protected statements received and carried out by the HSE, HIQA and his Department into residential care institutions of any kind since January 2020. [37198/21]
View answerA significant element of the parliamentary question raised by the Deputy relates to information held by 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.
According to records held by my Department, one protected disclosure in relation to a residential care facility has been received since January 2020.
The National Patient Safety Office of my Department also received fifteen inspection reports undertaken by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) against the National Standards for Infection Prevention and Control in Community Services in Rehabilitation and Community Inpatient Healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. These reports are included in the information provided below by HIQA regarding the number of inspections carried out and protected disclosures received between January 2020 and July 2021.
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Number of HIQA inspections in centres for people with disabilities: Current total no. centres: 2020: To date 2021: |
1378 750 627 |
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Number of HIQA Inspections in nursing homes: Current total no. centres: 2020: To date 2021: |
572 392 304 |
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Number of protective disclosures received by HIQA from 1/1/20 to date: Disability Nursing Homes |
9 11 |
2269. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the category workers (details supplied) are in when it comes to receiving the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37199/21]
View answerThe COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
On the 23rd of February, I announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy. In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death.
The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.
On the 30th of March, the Government approved a further update to the COVID-19 Vaccination Allocation Strategy. Based on clinical, scientific and ethical frameworks produced by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee and my Department, following the vaccination of those most at risk, future groups will be vaccinated by age, in cohorts of 10 years (i.e., 64-55; 54-45, etc.).
The move to an age-based model better supports the programme objectives by:
- protecting those at highest risk of severe disease first, which benefits everyone most;
- facilitating planning and execution of the programme across the entire country;
- improving transparency and fairness.
Further details are available here: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/93f8f-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-irelands-vaccination-prioritisation-list/
2271. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the reason a test (details supplied) is not covered in the EU Digital COVID Certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37212/21]
View answer2287. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the reason the coronavirus antibody laboratory test that checks for the presence of coronavirus IgG antibodies due to a past infection is not covered in the new EU Digital COVID Certificate for travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37257/21]
View answer2366. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if antibody tests will be used in the EU Digital COVID Certificate to certify previous infection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37511/21]
View answer2765. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if the use of Covid-19 antibody tests can be considered to confirm a positive Covid-19 result for the purposes of the EU Digital Certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39065/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2271, 2287, 2366 and 2765 together.
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. The EU Digital COVID Certificate is not a travel document.
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.
Under the EU Regulation a certificate of recovery is a certificate confirming that, following a positive result of a NAAT test, meaning a molecular nucleic acid amplification test, such as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) techniques, used to detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA), carried out by health professionals or by skilled testing personnel the holder has recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection.
On the basis of guidance received from the EU Health Security Committee, the ECDC, or the EMA, the Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts to allow for the issuance of the certificate of recovery on the basis of a positive rapid antigen test, antibody test, including a serological test for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, or any other scientifically validated method.
2272. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list numbers for special education schools in each HSE CHO area. [37213/21]
View answer2273. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the waiting list numbers for special education schools by each local authority area in the CHO7 area. [37214/21]
View answer2274. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of special education needs officers in the CHO7 area; and the population size each SENO is responsible for. [37215/21]
View answer2275. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of special education needs officers in each CHO area; and the population size each SENO is responsible for. [37216/21]
View answer2276. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time on a list for a child to obtain a place in a special education school; and the average waiting time of each CHO area. [37217/21]
View answer2277. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health his plans to address shortages of special education school places in the CHO7 area; and his plans to extend or build additional schools. [37218/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2272 to 2277, inclusive, together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that Special Educational Schools and Special Education Needs Officers are a matter for the Department of Education.
2281. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if his office was contacted by management of nursing homes during the pandemic that expressed concerns regarding the process of discharging patients from hospitals into nursing homes in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic; if so, if such correspondence can be released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37225/21]
View answerThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented challenge across our health services and none more so than in our nursing homes. The pandemic has been a hugely difficult time for all residents, relatives, and staff of nursing homes.
Nursing homes are a key provider of care to older people in Ireland and are where over 30,000 people reside. Those living in nursing homes are considered vulnerable to COVID-19 due to a variety of factors, including their age, underlying medical conditions, the extent of their requirement for direct care involving close physical contact and the nature of living in congregated settings. As well as this, learning arising from the pandemic to date has highlighted that COVID-19 is more likely to be introduced into residential settings where there are high levels of COVID-19 in the community. This is reflected in international evidence as well as learning identified by the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel. The most important way to protect our older population, whether living at home or in a long-term residential care (LTRC) setting, has been to reduce the amount of disease present in our community.
In the context of COVID-19, significant supports have been provided to nursing homes by the State during the crisis. The prioritisation of the vaccine rollout to nursing home residents and staff has been a key protective measure. In respect of transfers from hospitals to long-term residential care facilities preliminary guidance with protocols was issued on 10th March 2020 to support such transfers. Throughout the pandemic, a comprehensive suite of infection prevention and control guidance, including in relation to transfers from hospitals, has been developed and regularly reviewed by public health authorities as new evidence and learning arises.
Officials from the Department have been unable to identify records relevant to the Deputy's question. However, there continue IT access issues arising from the cyber security incident and therefore it has not been possible to conduct a definitive search of all possible sources of information at this time.
2282. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if his Department has concluded the examination of hospital car park charges including consideration of the review submitted in 2018 given that there are commitments made in the Programme for Government on this issue; if an update on the parking review report of 2018 has been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37245/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government makes a commitment to introduce a cap on the maximum daily charge for patients and visitors at all public hospitals, where possible and to introduce flexible passes in all public hospitals for patients and their families. My Department and the HSE are currently examining the issue.
2283. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health when activities such as indoor bridge playing might be considered allowable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37246/21]
View answer2284. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health when activities that are non-contact and non-sporting may be considered to reactivate under appropriate health and safety protocols; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37247/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2283 and 2284 together.
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.
Unfortunately, due to current uncertainties there is not yet an indication of when organised indoor events 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.
2285. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to be called for treatment. [37248/21]
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.
2286. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the reason the coronavirus antibody laboratory tests that check for the presence of coronavirus IgG antibodies due to a past infection is not covered in the new EU Digital COVID Certificate for travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37256/21]
View answer2382. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the reason the coronavirus antibody laboratory test developed by a company (details supplied) is not covered in the new EU Digital COVID Certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37655/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2286 and 2382 together.
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. The EU Digital COVID Certificate is not a travel document
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.
Under the EU Regulation a certificate of recovery is a certificate confirming that, following a positive result of a NAAT test, meaning a molecular nucleic acid amplification test, such as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) techniques, used to detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA), carried out by health professionals or by skilled testing personnel the holder has recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection.
On the basis of guidance received from the EU Health Security Committee, the ECDC, or the EMA, the Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts to allow for the issuance of the certificate of recovery on the basis of a positive rapid antigen test, antibody test, including a serological test for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, or any other scientifically validated method.
