Neasa Hourigan
Question:2367. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the establishment of the national psychology placement office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37512/21]
View answerMental Health Services
Questions (2367)
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.
Community Care
Questions (2368)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:2368. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health when a place in a community residential setting will become available for a person (details supplied). [37538/21]
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 Facilities
Questions (2369)
David Cullinane
Question:2369. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the progress made to develop elective-only hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28325/21]
View answerWritten answers
The development of elective hospital facilities in Dublin, Cork and Galway is in line with the National Development Plan, the Health Service Capacity Review, the Programme for Government and the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy & Action Plan 2021-2023.
The Elective Hospitals Oversight Group, under the joint governance of the HSE, Department of Health and Sláintecare, is guiding the development of the elective hospitals, following the process outlined in the Public Spending Code.
A Strategic Assessment Report has been completed and approved setting out the rationale for investment, the alignment of the programme with strategic requirements of Government, some initial options and potential costs, and the governance of the programme.
A Preliminary Business Case (PBC) is being prepared. As part of the process, the Oversight Group made a call for site submissions from private owners, the HSE, Land Development Agency and Hospital Groups. Submissions are undergoing evaluation to examine their suitability with a view to recommending a single preferred option in each location. The site identification process in Cork and Galway has been fully informed by discussions with relevant Hospital Groups.
Once completed, the PBC will be assessed by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform and submitted to Government for consideration.
Disabilities Assessments
Questions (2370)
Neale Richmond
Question:2370. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for ASD assessments for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28169/21]
View answerWritten answers
In August 2020 the HSE secured €7.8m to address the issue of overdue Assessments of Need (AON).
This funding was provided on a once off and strictly time bound basis to eliminate all AONs overdue at 30th June 2020. While the number of overdue Assessment of Need stood at approximately 6,500 in June 2020, through a combination of different measures, by the end of April 2021 approximately 5,150 children have had their assessment completed, thus reducing the backlog to approximately 1,350 cases. An overall reduction, since the exercise began of approximately 80%. 3 CHOs have cleared their backlog, one of which has exceeded its target.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Health Service Executive
Questions (2371)
Neale Richmond
Question:2371. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the status of the impact of the HSE cyber-attack on cancer screening services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37469/21]
View answerWritten answers
All three national cancer screening programmes, BreastCheck, CervicalCheck and BowelScreen, are currently operating, albeit at reduced capacity due to COVID-19 impact as well as the recent cyber-attack.
The cyber-attack on the HSE is causing the National Screening Service some temporary disruption with their interfaces with the wider HSE system.
As this Parliamentary Question primarily relates to operational issues, 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 (2372)
Niamh Smyth
Question:2372. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be called for Covid-19 vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37553/21]
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.
Hospital Charges
Questions (2373)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:2373. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to make hospital parking free for patients and to stop debt collection for patients who have not paid car parking fees in time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37554/21]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
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 (2374)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:2374. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the outcomes in terms of Covid-19 cases in each of the pilot events that were run by the Government. [37555/21]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that pilot events are matters for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (2375, 2577, 2578, 2623)
David Cullinane
Question:2375. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if advice will be provided on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37556/21]
View answer
Darren O'Rourke
Question:2577. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if children who are not vaccinated and travel from Britain to Ireland after 19 July 2021 with a negative PCR test will need to quarantine at home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38140/21]
View answerDarren O'Rourke
Question:2578. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if children who are not vaccinated and travel from an EU member state to Ireland after 19 July 2021 with a negative PCR test will need to quarantine at home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38141/21]
View answer
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:2623. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if children aged 12 and under can accompany their parents who are fully vaccinated in travelling from Scotland to Ireland on 19 July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38414/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2375, 2577, 2578 and 2623 together.
Under S.I. 135 of 2021, which lays out the new travel measures in place since 19th July, children under the age of 12 are not required to show evidence of a negative RT-PCR test result upon arrival to Ireland. An exemption can be declared for children under the age of 12 on the new enhanced Passenger Locator Form prior to departure.
Children between the ages of 12 and 17 will be required to have a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival to travel into the country, unless they have valid proof of vaccination or recovery.
Children of any age, travelling with accompanying vaccinated or recovered responsible adults, with the same address, will not be required to self-quarantine post arrival. However, where one accompanying adult with the same address needs to self-quarantine, then all children must also self-quarantine, unless they have valid proof of vaccination or recovery themselves.
International travel policy is kept under continuous consideration informed by the international epidemiological situation and public health advice.
Covid-19 Tests
Questions (2376)
Seán Sherlock
Question:2376. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if antigen testing for birthing partners has been considered to remove restrictions for women in labour to have partners in wards. [37565/21]
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.
Dental Services
Questions (2377)
Réada Cronin
Question:2377. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) is entitled to a dental cleaning and two fillings under the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37566/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. These services are provided by independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE.
The DTSS makes available the following dental treatments to medical card holders: Oral examination; Prophylaxis (scale and polish/cleaning); Restorations (fillings); Exodontics (extractions); Surgical extractions; Miscellaneous (e.g. control of haemorrhage); Endodontics (root canal therapy); Apicectomy (amputation of roots); Protracted periodontal (gum) treatment; Radiographs; Prosthetics (dentures). These treatments are provided by independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. Some are available on demand, for example, all medical card holders may avail of specific dental treatments e.g., an annual dental examination, two fillings in each calendar year, extractions, as necessary.
The remaining care provision including cleaning is subject to the prior approval of a dental surgeon in the HSE, who prioritises for high risk and exceptional patients; those requiring emergency care and patients considered to have greater clinical urgency and/or necessity in receiving care.
Emergency Departments
Questions (2378)
Catherine Connolly
Question:2378. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 347 of 1 April 2021, when the temporary emergency department in Galway University Hospital will be fully fitted out and operational; the details of the handover plan regarding the internal replanned area of the temporary emergency department; if fitting out will be done before or after the handover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28720/21]
View answerWritten answers
Saolta Hospital Group advises that the handover of the Temporary Emergency Department (Phase 1) in Galway University Hospital is scheduled for end April 2022.
The handover of the internal replanned area (Phase 2) is scheduled end July 2022.
The contractor will complete some fitting out works as part of Phases 1 and 2. Further fitting out work will follow the completion of these works.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2379)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:2379. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) is registered for a Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37578/21]
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 (2380, 2962)
Mark Ward
Question:2380. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if dates can be confirmed for the recommencement of Confirmations, First Holy Communions and other religious ceremonies. [37579/21]
View answer
James O'Connor
Question:2962. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if the sacrament of baptism can be allowed to resume under the current restrictions (details supplied). [39716/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2380 and 2962 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.
In line with the delay to other July measures, the current advice is that religious ceremonies (outside of weddings and funerals) should not go ahead at present. This is in recognition of the multi household, multi-generational nature of these events and linked social activities and is a response to concerns from public health across the regions in relation to gatherings of this nature. Unfortunately, due to current uncertainties there is not yet an indication of when religious ceremonies will recommence. The epidemiological situation will be monitored on an ongoing basis and the level of restrictions will be kept under review by Government.
Church leaders have been very supportive of the overall national public health response to date and the Government will continue to work with them to ensure that all ceremonies can return when it is safe to do so.
Significant and sustained progress has been made on suppressing the virus over recent months due to the huge effort of people across the country. By working together, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland. To protect the gains of recent months we must continue to practice basic preventative behaviours and to follow public health guidelines.
Mental Health Services
Questions (2381)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:2381. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the full range of services available for the treatment of mental illness and mental health issues in adults in the Dún Laoghaire area and in CHO6 provided by or funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37580/21]
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.
Question No. 2382 answered with Question No. 2286.
Hospital Staff
Questions (2383)
Peter Burke
Question:2383. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of the appointment of a dermatologist (details supplied) at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath. [37656/21]
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.
Mental Health Services
Questions (2384)
Seán Crowe
Question:2384. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) having been diagnosed in April as having dyspraxia, has been awaiting a number of years for an appointment with a psychiatrist; the length of time they are waiting; the number of children on the waiting list for the CHO7 area; the positions they are on the waiting list; when they will receive an appointment; the reason for the backlog and delay with the current resources and plan in place; and the additional supports he is awaiting. [37657/21]
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.
Question No. 2385 answered with Question No. 2026.