Written Answers Nos. 2826-2848
2826. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 505 of 6 July 2021, the additional financial measures that will be provided to nursing homes following the end of the temporary assistance payment scheme in June 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39310/21]
View answer3102. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health if he has requested an extension to the temporary assistance payment scheme for nursing homes which ended on 30 June 2021 in view of the new reports of a further wave of a Covid-19 delta variant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40308/21]
View answer3108. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the additional resources he has put in place for nursing homes based on the cessation of the temporary assistance payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40314/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2826, 3102 and 3108 together.
The Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) was established in April 2020 as a temporary administrative measure in response to the challenges faced by the nursing home sector at the start of the pandemic. As the pandemic continued, additional support measures for private and voluntary nursing homes have been delivered through the Health Service Executive (HSE).
As of 19 July 2021, 7,808 claims had been submitted as part of the Scheme. In total, €134.5 million has been made available under TAPS between 2020 and 2021.
Due to the ongoing high level of risk associated with COVID-19 during this period, the Department of Health extended the scheme twice, far beyond the originally planned timescale of three months. The further extension of the scheme was outlined in the Government’s Plan 'Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19', published in September 2020. This provided assurance of the Scheme’s availability and a planned timeframe of operation to the end of June 2021.
The cessation of TAPS at the end of June, as planned and previously announced, was communicated with all relevant stakeholders, including Nursing Homes Ireland – the national representative body for the private and voluntary nursing home sector.
There has been a marked improvement in the status of the virus in the community and in nursing homes due to the rollout of the National Vaccination Programme – COVID-19 cases and outbreaks in nursing homes are now at a very low level compared with the first quarter of the year and, overall, the epidemiological situation is very positive. It is the Department’s understanding that currently there is one open outbreak in a nursing home.
(Please note that the cyber-attack on the HSE on 14 May 2021 has prevented the routine notification of cases, associated deaths and outbreaks of COVID-19 to the Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting (CIDR) system. As an interim measure, provisional epidemiological reports are being prepared but have not undergone the data validation procedures undertaken through CIDR. For this reason, data continues to be provisional at this time.)
The Scheme has fulfilled its temporary purpose of providing financial support to nursing homes to address COVID-19. Although the risk is greatly reduced, it has not been completely eliminated, therefore the outbreak assistance element of the Scheme will continue to be available to nursing homes until the end of 2021. Availability of outbreak assistance is subject to the overall sanctioned amount of €42m for 2021.
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.
These measures and supports reflect a significant investment by the State to support nursing homes and other services such as the COVID-19 Response Teams, and are a clear signal of the work that is ongoing to integrate the wider health system.
It is also important to reflect that all nursing homes, as registered providers with HIQA, have well-established obligations under the legal framework in terms of the delivery of safe care to residents. Nursing homes are required, by law, to ensure that procedures consistent with the standards for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections published by HIQA are implemented by staff. The current infection prevention and control standards have been in operation since 2018. Good and effective IPC procedures should be in place across the entire health and social care service as a matter of course.
In February 2021, a revised plan 'Resilience and Recovery 2021 Plan: The Path Ahead' was published by the Government. This plan recognises the need for longer-term reform of both older persons and nursing home care, broadly reflecting the lessons learned from the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel and the pandemic. However, these structural reforms, including the policy and regulatory framework, extend beyond the scope of a temporary financial support scheme aimed at a specific, time-limited public health objective.
2827. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for a decision to be made on a primary medical certificate in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39311/21]
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.
2828. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if there have been outbreaks of Covid-19 in hotels since they reopened; if so, the number of hotels that have been affected; and the number of workers that have been infected in each hotel out of the total of number of workers working in each hotel. [39315/21]
View answerAs a result of the cyber-attack on the HSE IT systems, the national infectious disease surveillance system - Computerised Infectious Diseases Reporting System (CIDR) was not available for the notification of COVID-19 outbreaks from 14/05/2021 to 28/06/2021. CIDR became available again for reporting of outbreaks on 28/06/2021.
During the period of CIDR downtime, regional Departments of Public Health were manually collecting and collating data on significant COVID-19 outbreaks and providing this information to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on a daily basis. This information was stored in a log of significant outbreaks.
Furthermore, the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases reported on CIDR and in the log of significant outbreaks is a user-defined number that was correct at the time of reporting to HPSC , however case numbers may have increased after the HPSC was informed of the outbreak.
There may be limitations to the available data. Data are provisional and subject to ongoing review, validation and updating.
Hotels re-opened in Ireland on the 2nd June 2021.
Data used in this response include hotel outbreaks notified to HPSC between 02/06/2021 to 22/07/2021.
- Outbreaks in hotels since reopening:
There were 33 hotel outbreaks reported during the time period 02/06/2021 to 23/07/2021 with 143 laboratory confirmed cases.
- The number of workers affected in each hotel out of the total number of workers working in each hotel.
Of the 33 outbreaks, one hotel outbreak provided the number of workers working in the hotel: 9 confirmed cases among staff with 120 staff working the hotel.
Please see table below for further breakdown of hotel outbreaks.
Table 1. Summary of hotel outbreaks by sub-group affected notified between 02/06/2021 to 22/07/2021 (n=33)
|
Sub-group affected |
Number of outbreaks |
Total number of lab confirmed cases |
|
Hotel staff only |
11 |
41 |
|
Hotel staff and clients |
3 |
30 |
|
Clients only ~ |
6 |
36 |
|
Unknown* |
13 |
36 |
|
Total |
33 |
143 |
~ Includes 3 hotel outbreaks involving wedding parties, 1 quarantine hotel and 2 social gatherings
*Unknown information if staff or clients were affected by the outbreak
2829. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the jigsaw project in Thurles, County Tipperary. [39325/21]
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.
2830. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the engineer’s report that led to the closure of St. Brigid’s District Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir, in follow-up to discussions at the Oireachtas Committee on Health on 9 June 2021. [39326/21]
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.
2831. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to establish a commission on care; and if he will include an examination on the role, reliance and recognition of family carers in long-term care provision. [39327/21]
View answerIn June 2020, the Programme for Government, mindful of the particular impact of COVID-19 on older people, especially those who live on their own and people living in nursing homes, set out a commitment to establish a commission to examine care for older people.
In August 2020, the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel, established by Minister Donnelly and me, on foot of a NPHET recommendation, published a comprehensive report following an examination of national and international learning and evidence and stakeholder engagement. The Panel provided immediate real-time learnings and recommendations in light of the expected ongoing impact of COVID-19 over the subsequent 12-18 months. The Panel makes a substantial package of recommendations which also reflect systematic reform in the way nursing home care, and health and social care for older persons care more broadly, is delivered and financed. An interagency Implementation Oversight Team and a stakeholder reference group has been established to support the continued implementation of these recommendations.
While preliminary scoping work on the establishment of a commission on care has commenced, the ongoing priority focus in 2021 is ensuring the continued implementation of the recommendations of the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel. Many of the short- and medium-term recommendations have already been implemented.
The significant examination undertaken by the Expert Panel provides important learning and a framework for enhancing older persons services both in the short and long-term. The longer-term strategic reform recommendations of the Panel may be considered in the context of a commission on care.
While any terms of reference for a commission have not been determined addressing the needs and concerns of family carers remains a focus for the Department of Health. Further development of supports for carers is an important part of a more integrated community approach to supporting people as they get older.
2832. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding provided to the Hidden Harm strategy in 2020 and 2021 to date. [39335/21]
View answer2833. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the actions that have arisen from the Hidden Harm strategy. [39336/21]
View answer2840. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the supports in place to ensure a positive outcome for the child given that data from the most recent National Drug Treatment Reporting System indicates that half of those in treatment are a parent to a child and recognising the adverse childhood experience arising for the child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39343/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2832, 2833 and 2840 together.
The 2020 data from the National Drug Treatment Reporting System were recently published by the Health Research Board. The data show that 25 per cent of cases in treatment have children, including 10 per cent with children living in the home.
Developing harm reduction interventions for children whose parents use drugs is an action in the national drugs strategy Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery (RHSR). Progress on actions relating to hidden harm, jointly delivered by the HSE and TUSLA, is set out in the published RHSR annual progress reports, the latest of which is the report for 2020. Further information on progress is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/4e5630-reducing-harm-supporting-recovery-2017-2025/.
I am very concerned with the impact of drugs on children and families, and this is a further justification for a health-led response to drug and alcohol addiction. I will ensure that the protection of children from the harms of drug use will be a strategic priority in the new action plan for the National Drugs Strategy 2021-2025.
Questions relating to funding of Hidden Harm are operational matters for TUSLA and the HSE.
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 able to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
2834. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the intended timeline for implementation of sections 12, 13 and 18 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018. [39337/21]
View answer2835. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the full implementation of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018. [39338/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2834 and 2835 together.
Of the 31 sections of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, there remain five substantive provisions that have yet to be commenced. Work on commencing the Act was halted in 2020 due to the pandemic and the drafting of legislation continues to be delayed due to pandemic related law taking precedence.
Section 4 of the Act relating to the grant or renewal of an intoxicating liquor licence requires the cooperation of the Courts Service and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and section 19 on a broadcast watershed relates to the work of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland as well as the Environmental Health Service. My Department is working with these bodies to finalise arrangements for the enforcement of these sections.
Sections 12 and 13 on labelling and advertising require regulations which must be submitted at EU level for assessment of their alignment with Single Market principles. Work on the drafting of those regulations was suspended both in the Office of the Attorney General and in my Department due to the pandemic.
Section 18 on advertisements in publications can be commenced only after section 13 is finalised.
2836. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding given to rehabilitation and detox facilities by facility in 2019 and 2020 respectively, in tabular form. [39339/21]
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.
2837. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of alcohol-specific rehabilitation and detox beds by facility in 2019 and 2020 respectively, in tabular form. [39340/21]
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.
2838. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with residential treatment facilities with the intention of introducing secular-only healthcare. [39341/21]
View answerThe national health policy in relation to addiction is set out in Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery; A health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017 -2025.
Under the Health Act 2004, as amended, the HSE is responsible for the provision of health and personal social services including addiction services. The HSE either providers these services directly or contracts to have them provided on its behalf.
Organisations which provide addiction services and are funded by the HSE are required to meet minimum standards in the delivery of services across a range of criteria which form the basis of any service level agreement.
The Department has no jurisdiction over agencies that provide private addiction treatment services. There is currently no provision in legislation for the regulation or inspection of residential treatment or rehabilitation centres specialising in addiction.
I am committed to ensuring there is transparent monitoring and oversight of publicly funded drug and alcohol treatment services.
2839. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE owned and run alcohol rehabilitation and detoxification beds in the State. [39342/21]
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.
2841. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding that was distributed from the social inclusion unit by service or aim that is alcohol consumption reduction in 2020 and 2021 to date respectively, in tabular form. [39344/21]
View answerThe remit of the drugs policy unit is to coordinate the implementation of the national drugs strategy. It does not have a specific remit in regard to alcohol consumption reduction. Other units in the Department are responsible for the public health response to alcohol use.
The Department provides annual funding of €130 million to the HSE and the network of Drug and Alcohol Task Forces to provide drug and alcohol services, including prevention and early intervention initiatives.
The HSE National Service Plan for 2021 sets out the range and priorities for drug and alcohol services this year. The following priorities have an alcohol related focus;
- Develop community based drug and alcohol services and family support services, including the Dublin North East Inner City initiative and the Galway alcohol service and services for pregnant and post-natal women
- Expand services for women who use drugs and alcohol in a harmful way
- Expand the capacity and availability of the HSE Drug and Alcohol Helpline
- Support the development of an area-based approach to community health and wellbeing improvement with a particular focus on areas of deprivation with the implementation of a new community-based integrated alcohol services across primary and acute settings.
As the specific numerical information requested in 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.
2842. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing alcohol related health interventions in the State in 2020 and to date in 2021. [39345/21]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has responsibility for the provision of addiction treatment services.
People who present to the HSE for addiction treatment for alcohol related services are offered the same range of interventions as those who present with a drug addiction, a gambling addiction or a mental health concern, including an initial assessment, a comprehensive assessment, and individual counselling. It is often the case that alcohol addiction is one of a number of addictions and issues faced by an individual.
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 .
2847. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a group (details supplied) with a recommendation from his office that a VAT refund is appropriate. [39363/21]
View answerMy Department may provide a letter of support to a registered charity recommending a refund of Value Added Tax (VAT), providing that the request meets certain criteria as listed below. The basis for the refund of VAT is set out under SI no 58 of 1992 - Value Added Tax (Refund of Tax) (No 23) Order 1992.
The criteria for issuing a letter of support for a refund are:
1. Medical equipment must have cost in excess of €25,395 EX VAT
2. Purchase made using voluntary donations. No part of the funds used were provided by the state or any body/group funded by the state.
3. Purchase made using voluntary donations. No part of the funds used were provided by the state or any body/group funded by the state.
The hospital/charitable body seeking the refund (in this case the Friends of Mullingar Hospital) should provide the following documentation:
1. Invoice
2. Completed VAT 72 Form
3. Letter of confirmation that the equipment was donated
4. Confirmation that the equipment has been received by the relevant department and is in use.
2848. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if there is a standard process for selecting candidates to panels for the position of healthcare assistants within HSE hospitals; if so, if an outline of the process will be provided; if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39364/21]
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.
