Written Answers Nos. 2346-2366
2346. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the considerations made in giving Covid-19 vaccines to the 15 to 17-year-old group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37455/21]
View answer2388. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the status of the possible extension of the Covid-19 vaccination programme to persons under 16 years of age particularly to those with underlying conditions; and if it is likely those at risk will be vaccinated before the return to school. [37661/21]
View answer3238. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when NIAC will make a recommendation for the vaccination of 12 to 15-year-olds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40969/21]
View answer3300. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans in respect of providing Covid-19 vaccinations for children under the age of 16; and the timescale to which he is working. [41278/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2346, 2388, 3238 and 3300 together.
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+.
2347. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to easing visitation restrictions in nursing homes given the removal of TAPS, the scale of full vaccination in this sector and easing of restrictions elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37456/21]
View answerThe Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has recently published updated guidance on visiting in long-term residential care: COVID-19: Normalising Visiting in Long Term Residential Care Facilities (LTRCFs). This guidance came into effect on 19 July.
The public health advice is to restore visiting to near normal in terms of frequency of visits in those settings with a high level of vaccination of residents as quickly as possible, while also recognising the need to remain cautious as we continue to deal with the evolving risks associated with COVID-19.
The new guidance provides that:
- Providers should put in place the necessary measures to progress to more normalised visiting and visiting frequency as quickly as possible in line with public health guidance with no more than two visitors at any one time.
- Routine visiting will no longer need to be scheduled in advance.
- There is no requirement to have a list of nominated visitors.
- The duration of the visit should not be limited.
- Fewer restrictions will apply to residents going on outings or visits outside of the nursing home.
Notwithstanding the current positive epidemiological outlook and the cautious reopening of society, risks continue to remain and emergent risks such as variants of concern present ongoing challenges and the need for vigilance. Visiting arrangements should continue to take account of general public health advice and the necessary infection prevention and control measures, to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of COVID-19 and protect those living in our communities. This is particularly important in the context of the increasing prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant. This new variant poses a significant risk, in particular to those who are not yet fully protected though vaccination.
Visitors are reminded of their responsibilities with regard to self-checks for COVID-19 in advance of visits, infection and prevention control and social interaction with all individuals, while in the nursing home.
The guidance will be kept under continuing review as new evidence and data emerges.
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.
2348. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the services that will be available in a new primary healthcare centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37457/21]
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.
2349. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the stage works are currently at a healthcare centre (details supplied); when the new primary healthcare centre will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37458/21]
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.
2350. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health when he plans to allow indoor facilities at pet farms and leisure parks to reopen to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37464/21]
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.
Unfortunately, due to current uncertainties there is not yet an indication of when indoor facilities in pet farms and leisure centres will be permitted to reopen. 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.
2351. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the status of a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37465/21]
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.
2352. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that have tested positive for Covid-19 that have been fully vaccinated more than 14 days prior to the positive test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37474/21]
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.
Question No. 2353 answered with Question No. 2344.
2354. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the number of guests that will be permitted at wedding ceremonies and receptions in August 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37479/21]
View answer2684. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that can be invited to a wedding from 5 August 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38776/21]
View answer2685. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if he plans to ease Covid-19 restrictions in August 2021 to permit an increase in attendance at weddings to 100 guests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38777/21]
View answer2899. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health when the next update will be provided on the number of attendees allowed at weddings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39554/21]
View answer2905. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health when the current restrictions on numbers at weddings will be reconsidered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39571/21]
View answer2906. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the number of guests that will be permitted at weddings, ceremonies and receptions over the coming months; if his Department will publish a specific roadmap for holding weddings during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39602/21]
View answer2994. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 405 of 14 July 2021, when weddings will be allowed increase to 100 guests. [39815/21]
View answer3168. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if the move to increase the maximum attendance at wedding receptions and celebrations held indoors to 100 guests will proceed in August; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40567/21]
View answer3175. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health if there are still specific Covid-19 restrictions on wedding receptions; and if these receptions are now governed by indoor dining regulations. [40579/21]
View answer3187. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health when the numbers at a wedding ceremony and reception will reflect the change due to vaccination and especially in the context of the size of the location in which the ceremony or reception is to take place with the reopening of hospitality pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40615/21]
View answer3196. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of guests who will be permitted at wedding ceremonies and receptions as restrictions lift. [40746/21]
View answer3231. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health when guidelines for weddings will be revised; when both the decisions, announcement and enactment with take place; the currently scheduled changes to be made to the guidelines for weddings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40920/21]
View answer3232. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when Covid-19 guidelines in relation to weddings will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40927/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2354, 2684, 2685, 2899, 2905, 2906, 2994, 3168, 3175, 3187, 3196, 3231 and 3232 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.
However, as an exception, weddings already planned have been allowed to proceed with the planned increase in the number of guests to 50 at the wedding ceremony and reception with protective measures from 5 July. The Fáilte Ireland guidelines on weddings can be found online: covid19.failteireland.ie/operational-guidelines/
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 an increase to the number of guests at a wedding 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.
2355. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health when the Swinford, County Mayo care service will be reopening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37480/21]
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.
2356. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE home help staff recruited in the past 12 months by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37481/21]
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.
2357. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when they can expect an appointment for orthopaedic surgery in Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24. [37495/21]
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.
2359. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health his plans to amend the medical card income thresholds to ensure that persons on social welfare incomes including pensions are not over the income threshold for medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37497/21]
View answerEligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.
Persons aged 69 and under are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account, i.e. mortgage payments, which help to increase the amount a person can earn and still qualify for a medical card.
Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under the over 70s medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. Last November I was delighted to increase the weekly gross medical card income thresholds for those aged 70 and over to €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple. This welcome change was the first increase to the over 70s medical card thresholds in over 6 years.
It should also be noted that 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.
Furthermore, I wish to assure the Deputy that the current medical card income thresholds are kept under regular review and any changes are considered in the context of Government policy and the annual budgetary estimates process.
2360. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a situation (details supplied) with regard to civil registration services will be rectified. [37499/21]
View answerIreland has new international travel measures from 19th July and non-essential international travel is now permitted.
Passengers travelling to Ireland from overseas are required to complete an online Passenger Locator Form prior to entry which will be checked as pre-boarding requirement.
Passengers arriving from Great Britain with valid proof of vaccination or valid proof of recovery are not subject to further travel-related testing or quarantine.
Passengers arriving from Great Britain who do not have valid proof of vaccination or recovery, will need to:
- present evidence of a negative result from a RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival into the country
- self-quarantine for 14 days
Passengers who receive a negative result from a RT-PCR test taken from day 5 onwards after arrival into Ireland, will be able to leave quarantine.
2361. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the status of a service (details supplied) following the written notice by the Health Information and Quality Authority to cancel the registration of the service. [36172/21]
View answerCamphill Communities of Ireland (CCoI) provides residential and day services to people with intellectual disabilities and other kinds of special needs in a number of communities in Community Health Care Organisations (CHOs) 4, 5 and 7 under a Section 39 service arrangement with the HSE. Duffcarrig is one of the CCoI communities located in County Wexford, which provides residential services to 24 people.
Following inspections at the Duffcarrig site, HIQA issued a notice to Camphill Communities of Ireland (CCoI) on the 4th of June 2021, that the registration of Duffcarrig would be cancelled within 28 days, due to ongoing issues of non-compliance at the centre with the regulations governing the provision of residential services to people with disabilities.
As CCoI did not contest the decision, the cancellation of the registration of Camphill Community Duffcarrig took effect at 12 midday on Saturday 3 July 2021.
Under Section 64 of the Health Act, the HSE has a responsibility to operate the centre as if it were the registered provider from the date the cancellation came into effect. The HSE has informed HIQA of the arrangements put in place to take over the operation of the centre and now are legally responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the residents concerned.
The HSE are engaging closely with CCoI on a transition plan with a view to transferring the provision of services in the Duffcarrig facility to an alternative provider, with the objective that residents will continue to receive their residential care services at the Duffcarrig site.
The foremost concern of Government is to ensure the continuity of services provided by Camphill in the interests of the service users and families who rely on these vital services and supports. I welcome the fact that HIQA inspectors will continue to monitor the centre during this transition to verify the safety and quality of service to residents is prioritised, which is my primary concern.
2363. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the funding allocation to Jigsaw for delivering mental health services to north Clondalkin for 2019, 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37508/21]
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.
2364. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the number and type of services that Jigsaw has delivered to young persons in Clondalkin in 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37509/21]
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.
