Paul McAuliffe
Question:2527. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the wait time for children to have their tonsils removed in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37961/21]
View answerHealth Services
Questions (2527)
Written answers
It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last sixteen months as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently as a result of the ransomware attack.
While significant progress was made in reducing waiting times from June 2020 onwards, the surge in Covid-19 cases in the first quarter of 2021, and the resultant curtailment of acute hospital services, is reflected in the most recently available waiting list figures to 13th May 2021.
On 23 March 2021 the HSE published the “Safe Return to Health Services Plan”, outlining a three phased approach for the proposed restoration of services across Community Services, Acute Hospital Operations, Cancer Services and Screening Services. It sets target times for their safe return and details the conditions and challenges that will have to be met. However, the implementation of this plan was suspended pending the resolution of the recent ransomware attack, which had a significant impact on acute hospitals.
The HSE has been working since 14th May last to recover the effects of the cyber attack on its systems. The HSE advise that at present most systems are operational and services are returning to normal activity. There is a challenge in back entering data and there are still a number of areas of ongoing concern. The HSE was already seeking to recover from the Covid peak in the first quarter of this year and the ransomware attack has delayed this and had the effect of increasing access delays for services. My Department does not have full access to information on the impact of this ransomware attack on elective waiting lists but will provide an update as soon as one is available.
An additional €240 million has been provided in Budget 2021 for an access to care fund, €210m of which has been allocated to the HSE and a further €30m to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). This is to be used to fund additional capacity to address the shortfall arising as a result of infection control measures taken in the context of COVID-19, as well as addressing backlogs in waiting lists.
My Department, the HSE and the NTPF are currently working on a Multiannual Waiting List Plan to address waiting lists and bring them in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years.
Due to the ongoing IT issues triggered by the HSE cyber-attack, the NTPF has been unable to receive weekly national hospital waiting list data or downloads. The latest published waiting list information was collated by the NTPF on 13th May 2021.
The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the attached document which provides a breakdown of the number of children waiting to have a tonsillectomy at a Dublin Hospital by time band at 13 May 2021.
|
Inpatient/ Day Case Waiting list for Children awaiting Tonsillectomies in Dublin Hospitals as of 13/5/2021 |
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|
Sum of Amount |
Column Labels |
|||||
|
Row Labels |
0-6 Months |
6-12 Months |
12-18 Months |
18+ Months |
Small Volume TimeBands |
Grand Total |
|
Beaumont Hospital |
19 |
19 |
28 |
66 |
||
|
Children's Health Ireland |
95 |
134 |
49 |
72 |
350 |
|
|
Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital |
5 |
8 |
13 |
|||
|
Grand Total |
119 |
153 |
77 |
72 |
8 |
429 |
Dental Services
Questions (2528)
Niamh Smyth
Question:2528. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for a referral to the public dentist in Cavan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37962/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services.
Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2529)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:2529. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the current arrangements in place for persons yet to receive the Covid-19 vaccine who are housebound (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37964/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2530)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:2530. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting longer than four weeks for the second dose of a vaccine (details supplied); and the way he is addressing supply issues with this vaccine. [37965/21]
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.
Dental Services
Questions (2531)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:2531. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be prioritised for a dental appointment due to their severe medical issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38001/21]
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. 2532 answered with Question No. 2428.
Question No. 2533 answered with Question No. 2265.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (2534)
Marian Harkin
Question:2534. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if he will consider holding a stakeholder engagement meeting in which public health officials will take questions and brief older persons and their representative groups on the current Covid-19 situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38004/21]
View answerWritten answers
In line with best practice international advice and guidance provided by the WHO and the ECDC, communication has been a cornerstone of the Department of Health and wider Government’s response to COVID-19. Consistent, comprehensive communication around personal preventive behaviours and public health guidance is crucial to keep people, particularly vulnerable people, safe at this time - especially at periods in which the virus is circulating at high levels within the community.
To that end, the Department of Health has held press briefings from the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to ensure that experts in public health are to the fore when informing the public about the disease’s pattern and progression within Ireland. Additionally, papers and other relevant material in relation to the COVID-19 response are regularly published on the Department's website.
A regular COVID-19 communications email with updates on communications activities and HSE partner pack resources is issued by the Department to a mailing list of stakeholder organisations, including older people’s representative groups.
In addition, the HSE hold weekly press briefings in order to update members of the public on key issues relating to COVID-19. The Department of Health is also responsive to all media queries sent into the Press Office and releases statements providing accurate, timely public health information in response to the media on a daily basis.
Furthermore, there are a range of mechanisms at both local and national level for older persons representative groups, older persons services and service users to feed into and inform the public health response to COVID-19 in this sector. A series of oversight arrangements in relation to COVID-19 in older persons services are in place which involve close working relationships between HSE Older Persons Services at national and local level, HIQA, older persons umbrella bodies, and individual providers. The Department of Health meets regularly with HSE and HIQA to discuss preparedness in older persons services. I and my officials continue to engage regularly with stakeholders in the respect of the pandemic response.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2535)
Marian Harkin
Question:2535. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the most up to date information on the level of protection provided against the delta variant by the different vaccines used in Ireland; and if he will provide this information for the different age cohorts. [38005/21]
View answerWritten answers
Covid-19 vaccines can only be approved and used if they comply with all the requirements of quality, safety and efficacy set out in the EU pharmaceutical legislation. Each of the authorised vaccines are indicated for the active immunisation to prevent Covid-19. The vaccine manufacturers are required to ensure that their products remain safe and effective for the authorised indication of prevention of Covid-19.
The European Commission (EC) has granted conditional marketing authorisations (CMA) to four vaccines against COVID-19 on foot of a positive recommendation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the EMA and authorisation for use by the EC, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and includes guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.
Currently there are limited information from clinical trials with respect to protection against emerging variants. Emerging variants require continuous monitoring of the vaccines’ performance over time. A recent study conducted by Public Health England suggests that vaccine effectiveness is maintained against emerging variants of the disease with available data set out in table below.
Available here: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/997414/Variants_of_Concern_VOC_Technical_Briefing_16.pdf
|
Vaccine |
Symptomatic Disease |
Hospitalisation |
||
|
Alpha |
Delta |
Alpha |
Delta |
|
|
Pfizer / BioNTech |
||||
|
Dose One |
49% |
33% |
83% |
94% |
|
Dose Two |
93% |
88% |
95% |
96% |
|
AstraZeneca |
||||
|
Dose One |
51% |
33% |
76% |
71% |
|
Dose Two |
66% |
60% |
86% |
92% |
Question No. 2536 answered with Question No. 2191.
Health Services
Questions (2537)
Mark Ward
Question:2537. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his plans to encourage local partnerships between suicide charities and addiction centres to provide a dual diagnosis approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38007/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2538)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:2538. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide a Covid-19 booster vaccine for older and other vulnerable persons in the Autumn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38008/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Care of the Elderly
Questions (2539)
Denis Naughten
Question:2539. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when day centres will be permitted to reopen for older persons who are fully vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38009/21]
View answerWritten answers
Day centres are fundamental to the health and well-being of our older population and play a key role in enabling older people to live independently in their own communities. The pandemic and associated restrictions has had a profound impact across society and especially for our older population.
All Community Health Organisations through the National Older Persons Office were requested in April 2021 to provide information on the status of their Day Care Services in order to ascertain the level of service that could resume on receipt of updated public health guidance. As a result, it was intended that approximately 100 day centres would re-open week beginning 5 July. It was also intended that an additional 55 centres would resume in July and August, with a further 90 centres that require works expected to reopen before the end of the year. It was indicated that these dates may be subject to change as the HSE continues to deal with the significant challenge of the on-going cyber-attack.
Since then updated Public Health guidance to support the re-opening of Day Care Services for Older People was provided in June 2021 to facilitate re-opening plans. Following on from this a further information request issued to HSE Services to obtain an update on re-opening plans. The process for reopening of the centres has already commenced and it is expected that more centres will reopen in the coming weeks.
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.
Disability Services
Questions (2540)
Denis Naughten
Question:2540. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when disability day services will fully reopen for those who are fully vaccinated; if he is satisfied that some service users are only receiving a 20% service and that this has only happened in recent weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38010/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2541)
Gary Gannon
Question:2541. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a clear pathway for a person who has experienced an adverse reaction to their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and who has received medical advice that they should not be given a second dose of the same vaccine and therefore requires access to an alternative vaccine in order to be fully vaccinated such as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38098/21]
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.
Departmental Strategies
Questions (2542)
Holly Cairns
Question:2542. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the progress made towards action 12 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. [38099/21]
View answerWritten answers
Heads of Bill to provide legislative clarity on the issue of deprivation of liberty safeguards are at a relatively advanced stage. A number of complex legal and policy issues which have arisen during the drafting process remain to be resolved.
Work on the Heads of Bill has been paused due to the diversion of resources, as part of the response to COVID-19.
Departmental Strategies
Questions (2543)
Holly Cairns
Question:2543. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the progress made towards action 10 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. [38100/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this Parliamentary Question relates to the implementation and monitoring of an internal, operational policy, 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 (2544)
Holly Cairns
Question:2544. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on the call of a group (details supplied) for a TRIPS waiver of Covid-19 vaccines and treatment. [38102/21]
View answerWritten answers
Universal and equitable access to safe, effective and affordable vaccines, diagnostics and treatments are crucial in the global fight against COVID-19.
International Trade is a competence of the EU under the Treaties and in exercising that competence, the European Commission engages fully with the Member States, including Ireland, through a variety of Committees and Working Parties/Groups, including on Intellectual Property.
As regards the broad waiver proposed by a number of WTO Members, on 4 June, the EU submitted a proposal to the WTO General Council, which proposed that WTO Members could agree on a global trade initiative for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics encompassing the three components of (i) trade facilitation and disciplines on export restrictions; (ii) concrete actions to expand production and ensure supply of vaccines at affordable prices to low and middle-income countries during the pandemic and (ii) clarification and facilitation of TRIPS Agreement flexibilities relating to compulsory licences.
The EU has also submitted a Declaration to the TRIPS Council to assist the next phase of discussions with a view to trying to reach agreement with all Members of the WTO on how to achieve the shared goal of expanding production and facilitating equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics for all.
The EU continues to be committed to an open and comprehensive dialogue with all WTO members to explore how the multilateral rules-based trading system can best support universal and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
The EU considers that the COVAX Facility, the international initiative to ensure global access to COVID vaccines, is the mechanism that is best placed to ensure that high-income countries finance the vaccines and support the developing countries to secure their share of global supply.
Ireland has consistently championed collaborative responses to the pandemic, with a focus on ensuring that the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable are served by our collective effort. As a member of the global health community, Ireland continues to play an active role in ensuring fair and equitable access to vaccines for all. This includes supporting the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Vaccine Alliance and the Global Fund, to develop, produce and equitably distribute effective technologies in the COVID-19 global response.
Hospital Staff
Questions (2545)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:2545. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the recruitment of anaesthetist for Bantry General Hospital acute emergency services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38103/21]
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.