Written Answers Nos. 2565-2583
2565. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he expects to improve the supports for children with special needs while requiring therapeutic or residential short-term or long-term assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38123/21]
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.
2566. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he plans to review the drug and alcohol task force handbook; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38124/21]
View answer2567. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he plans to pilot the replacement of the drug and alcohol task force handbook chairperson appointment process with one that is led by his Department and the HSE for the purpose of limiting appointments to applicants from the private, business and enterprise sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38125/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2566 and 2567 together.
Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in the implementation of the national drugs strategy, 'Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery'. Action 50 of the strategy commits to ensuring that Task Forces have proper arrangements in place for the selection and renewal of the Chairperson, Members of Task Forces and for having proper procedures in place for addressing conflicts of interest.
The governance and operation of the task forces is set out in a handbook published in 2011. It defines the role of the task forces within the national and local framework required to address the existing and emerging threats from problem drug use. The handbook sets out the following aspects of task force processes:
- Role of the Task Force
- Composition
- Role and Nomination Process of Members
- Supports
- Monitoring/ Evaluation/ Mainstreaming of Projects
The handbook also explains the role of the chairperson of the task force. He/she is appointed by the Task Force for a three-year term. The chairperson is a key figure to the success of the DTF. The chairperson’s independence must clearly be established and evident in the manner in which the business of the task force is conducted. It is important therefore, that the chairperson appointed by the task force is not directly connected with any of the projects being funded by the task force. It is also important that there is complete transparency in the arrangements put in place by task forces for the selection process and appointment of the chairperson. The chairperson’s role is to lead the task force and to facilitate its meetings.
The Department set up a working group to revise the Drug and Alcohol Task Forces Handbook in line with Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery. One of the outputs of this group will be a new code of governance for task forces in line with best practice in the community, voluntary and charitable sectors.
Adherence to the code will require a new regime of governance and documentation for task forces. It is anticipated that task forces will be required to sign up to the Charities Regulator governance code, The code sets minimum standards for the board of a registered charity or limited company to ensure they effectively manage and control their organisations.
I support the development of the new handbook and code of governance. This is an important step in strengthening the performance of task forces. Work to complete the code of governance for task forces has been delayed due to resource constraints. The Department plans to complete this work in 2021.
2568. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the average waiting times for pain management treatment at the Mercy Hospital, Cork; the number of persons on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38126/21]
View answerIt 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.
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 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 National Treatment Purchase Fund (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 concerning the average waiting times for pain management treatment at the Mercy Hospital, Cork; the number of persons on the waiting list is outlined in the attached document. This information is based on the latest available data provided by the NTPF. The NTPF has advised that the health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate average wait times. In particular, the time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. The NTPF collects data on patients currently on the waiting list and the average time that these patients have been waiting is provided here.
Total IPDC Waiters and Average Wait Time for Pain Relief Procedures in Mercy University Hospital by Wait Time Band as at 13/05/2021
|
Time band (months) |
0-6 Months |
6-12 Months |
12-18 Months |
18+ Months |
Grand Total |
|
Mercy University Hospital |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pain Relief |
96 |
50 |
68 |
62 |
276 |
|
Date |
Hospital |
Specialty |
Average Wait Time (Days) |
Median Wait Time (Days) |
|
13/05/2021 |
Mercy University Hospital |
Pain Relief |
335 |
348 |
The health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate average wait times. In particular, the time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. The NTPF collects data on patients currently on the waiting list and the average time that these patients have been waiting is provided here
2569. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the progress of the review on the FreeStyle Libre for the treatment of type 1 diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38127/21]
View answer2620. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the decision to make the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system available to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38407/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2569 and 2620 together.
The HSE have advised that it was anticipated that the review of FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System would be finalised at the end of Q1 2020. However the public health emergency that has occurred in the meantime has resulted in members of the Health Technology Assessment Group (HTAG), whose primary roles are in Public Health Medicine, being redirected fully to public health emergency duties.
Given the current situation, the HSE is not in a position to progress the HTAG review and publication of the advice note. The HSE has now commissioned a full Health Technology Assessment to be conducted by the NCPE in collaboration with the Medicines Management Programme. If a positive recommendation arises on completion of the Health Technology Assessment, the PCRS will progress the funding of the device as part of the preparations for the National Service Plan 2022.
Consultant Endocrinologists / Diabetes Nurse Specialists may apply to the HSE, on behalf of specific patients, for reimbursement support of FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM) sensors. This includes those persons with eligibility under Community Drug Schemes (e.g. medical card holders, those with Long Term Illness eligibility). The application process is undertaken by means of a dedicated online portal, which has been operational since 3rd April 2018. In line with the recommendations outlined of the Health Technology Assessment Group, access to this product was made available to children and young adults (4 -21 years). However, the application process does cater for the Consultant to make an application in very exceptional circumstances for a type 1 diabetic patient outside of this group.
2570. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if persons who have been fully vaccinated in Northern Ireland will be able to partake in indoor dining under the proposed EU Digital COVID Certificate in Ireland; if he has had discussions with his counterpart in Northern Ireland regarding same; the proposed level of coordination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38128/21]
View answerThe Health Act 1947 (Sections 31AB and 31AD) (Covid-19) (Operation of certain indoor premises) Regulations 2021 came into operation on 26th July 2021.
It is intended that the EU Digital COVID Certificates for vaccination and recovery will be the primary evidence used when going into a pub, restaurant, café or food court to access indoor hospitality. Other proofs of immunity include the HSE COVID-19 Vaccination Record and appropriate COVID-19 Certificates issued by other states. Such certificates must contain confirmation that the person has been vaccinated, the date or dates on which the person was vaccinated and the vaccine used, and also the state body which either delivered the vaccination programme or is authorised to issue the certificate. Where a certificate is not in Irish or English, a translated version must be provided.
People may also be asked for photo ID to prove that that EU Digital COVID Certificate, HSE COVID-19 Vaccination Record or other proof of immunity relates to them. Acceptable forms of ID are a driving licence, passport, student ID, age card issued by An Garda Síochána, Irish residence permit, national identity card for international visitors, or any other official document (with photograph) issued by a state including Ireland. Children under 18 accompanying adults may also be asked for information to prove their age. Further information on the reopening of hospitality can be found on www.gov.ie.
2571. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the current advice from NIAC in relation to the mixing of Covid-19 vaccines between doses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38129/21]
View answerIreland’s COVID-19 vaccination programme strategy is to distribute all available vaccine 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 practice 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.
2572. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason those in the 60 to 69 year age range are not being offered a second jab of a mRNA vaccine given that they will now not be fully vaccinated before others of a much lower age despite the opinion of reputable members of the scientific profession and practice in other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38130/21]
View answerIreland’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.
2573. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a series of matters in relation to surrogacy legislation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37446/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, drafting of a bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research is ongoing by officials in my Department, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. This comprehensive piece of legislation will encompass the regulation, for the first time in Ireland, of a very wide range of practices, including domestic altruistic surrogacy.
The surrogacy provisions outline the specific conditions under which surrogacy in Ireland will be permitted, including a requirement for all surrogacy agreements to be pre-authorised by the AHR Regulatory Authority, the establishment of which the Bill will provide for. The legislation also sets out a court-based mechanism through which the parentage of a child born through surrogacy may be transferred from the surrogate (and her husband, if applicable) to the intending parent(s).
The draft Bill does not contain provisions to regulate surrogacy arrangements undertaken in other jurisdictions. As issues relating to international surrogacy concern areas of law that intersect across the remits of several Government Departments, my Department is engaging with the Department of Justice and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in respect of this policy area.
Responsibility for maternity leave comes under the remit of the Minister of Children, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Youth, and that Department has informed my officials that legislative changes in respect of all forms of family leave must be developed in the context of the legal situation concerning parentage, including in relation to surrogacy. My officials have also been informed that some forms of family leave may currently be available to commissioning parents, including parental leave and parent’s leave. Matters concerning the payment of maternity benefit are the responsibility of the Minister of Social Protection.
2574. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a taxi service to a day centre (details supplied) has ceased due to funding issues; if this service is likely to resume in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37513/21]
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.
2575. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the audit of cervical smear test results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38138/21]
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.
2576. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health when a vaccine (details supplied) will be approved for 12 to 15-year-old children and in particular children with underlying health conditions who remain in a very high risk category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38139/21]
View answerIreland welcomes the EMA 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+.
2579. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the annual core funding allocated by his Department to the drug and alcohol taskforces in each of the years 2008 to 2021, in tabular form. [38142/21]
View answerThe Department currently provides €28 million to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces to deliver community-based drug and alcohol services in local communities. The Task Forces support over 280 community projects throughout the country to tackle drug and alcohol use and misuse. A table outlining the funding provided to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces for 2011-21 is attached.
An additional €1m was provided to task forces to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy in 2019.
Further additional funding of €1m will be provided for targeted initiatives addressing drug and alcohol use in 2021. The allocation of this funding will be Informed by the outcome of the midterm review of the national drugs strategy, and emerging trends and priorities.
2581. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if ivermectin is permitted to be prescribed in Ireland; if a directive has been issued to general practitioners in relation to the use of ivermectin; if so, the details of the directive; the reason for such a directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38279/21]
View answerIvermectin is currently authorised in Ireland as Soolantra 10mg/g Cream, indicated for the topical treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea (papulopustular) in adult patients. A directive has not been issued to GPs in relation to the use of ivermectin.
2582. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the study his Department has carried out into the long-term cost of lockdowns on the health of the nation; and the details of any cost-benefit analysis that has been carried out into the prolonged period of lockdown. [38280/21]
View answerFrom the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ireland’s response has been guided by seven ethical principles: solidarity, fairness, minimising harm, proportionality, reciprocity, privacy and a duty to provide care. In March 2020, the Department of Health published the Ethical Framework for Decision-making in a Pandemic, setting out these principles. This Framework can be found online: www.gov.ie/en/publication/dbf3fb-ethical-framework-for-decision-making-in-a-pandemic/.
Any measures introduced are aimed at limiting the spread and damage of COVID-19, and are necessary to protect our key priorities of supporting and maintaining health and social care services, keeping education and childcare services open and protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities.
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 and significant parts of our society and economy have now reopened.
Government decision-making on public health measures has been informed by public health, economic and social impact assessments which have been undertaken on an ongoing basis throughout the pandemic with inputs from across Government to understand and assess both the impacts of the pandemic and the impacts of the restrictions imposed to manage it.
The HSE has also examined the impact of the pandemic and the societal restrictions on health and wellbeing on service capacity and delivery and has presented a plan for health care and population health recovery arising from COVID-19. This paper can be found online: www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/qid/covid-19-qi-learning/qi-resources-to-support-learning-from-covid19/covid-19-pandemic-impact-paper-2021.pdf
Significant 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.
2583. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when full services will be re-established following the HSE cyber-attack; when the HSE will be in a position to respond to Parliamentary Questions; when full data will be made available daily in relation to Covid-19 including the daily numbers tested, deaths, positivity rates and so on; the reason the cyber-attack prevents the HSE from answering questions on matters of policy decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38281/21]
View answerThe core of the HSE IT infrastructure is now available including all networks, domain access, Citrix, internet, mobile phone and limited remote access.
Email has broadly been restored to all users however there are still a number of users who still have issues.
As the priority systems which are the backbone of the HSE ICT infrastructure are restored there will be a long tail of ancillary systems and system integrations to be restored which will impact HSE services. It will be September before this restoration work is completed.
The HSE CIDR surveillance system (which collates and report cases, deaths, outbreaks, positivity rates etc) is now restored again post the cyber-attack and the cases notified since the 14th of May are currently being uploaded on the system. Full reporting should be restored in the next two weeks.
