Written Answers Nos. 2849-2871
2849. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 152 of 22 April 2021, if he will request a response from the HSE in relation to the lack of a general practitioner service in Enfield, County Meath; and if the HSE will issue a reply to this Deputy as a matter of urgency. [39365/21]
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.
2850. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the closure of a mental health centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39366/21]
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.
2851. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the status of the occupational therapy complement in North Kildare disability services; if an occupational therapy post left vacant in September 2021 has been filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39371/21]
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.
2852. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason assessments of need for children in County Meath through the HSE are not currently taking place; the current backlog for children waiting for an assessment of need; when assessments of need will resume particularly for children with autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39372/21]
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.
2853. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the cost to the State of the mandatory hotel quarantine system to date by category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39375/21]
View answerMandatory Hotel Quarantine has been introduced with the aim of protecting Ireland from the importation of COVID-19, particularly Variants of Concern. As Minister I am committed to protecting public health as a matter of urgency, and my Department continues to work with all State stakeholders and with Tifco Hotel Group to implement this policy, and to ensure that those who enter Mandatory Hotel Quarantine are comfortable and secure as they comply with the public health advice for all of our benefit.
On awarding of the contract with the service provider, a cost model was developed which sees travellers pre-booking and pre-paying to cover the cost of all services required as part of their stay in mandatory quarantine. There are certain fixed costs in relation to standing up and operating the system which have been established in the contract and must be paid by the Department. A table of charges was agreed based on how many hotel facilities are brought in or out of use. The contract with Tifco Hotel Groups was initially for 3 months, with an option to extend for two one-month periods. As we are coming to the end of the extension period a public tender process is underway to award a new contract at the end of the current contract and in consideration of this the terms of the current contract remain commercially sensitive.
2855. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if an EU Digital COVID Certificate will be issued to an person who had recovered from a Covid-19 infection prior to their first vaccine dose and a first, but not second, vaccine dose, who is under 50 years of age and does not have an underlying health condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39389/21]
View answerThe Digital COVID Certificate Regulation is intended to facilitate people’s fundamental right to move and reside freely and help to support the lifting of restrictions currently in place in a coordinated manner within the EU.
Under the EU Regulation a certificate of recovery is defined as a certificate confirming that, following a positive result of a NAAT test (including a RT-PCR test) carried out by health professionals or by skilled testing personnel the holder has recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection in the last 180 days.
Individuals can request a certificate through the COVID-19 Recovery Certificate Request Portal, irishcovidcertportal.org, if they have had a positive RT-PCR test more than 11 days ago and less than 180 days ago.
2857. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will be seen for post hearing test consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39393/21]
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.
2858. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the procedure that must be undertaken by Covid-19 air purification industry experts to submit their products and services to the Government for consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39401/21]
View answerPublic procurement of necessary equipment is managed through the State’s standard procurement and tendering processes, in accordance with procurement legislation.
Through the OGP and the sector-retained procurement functions, the Public Service speaks with “one voice” to the market for each category of expenditure, eliminating duplication and taking advantage of the scale of public procurement to best effect. This approach is in line with best practice in the public and private sector and is part of the continuing reform programme being driven by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
With regard to healthcare settings, tendering competitions are arranged when an operational need for specific equipment has been identified for a particular healthcare setting. The HSE manages tendering competitions as they relate to operational healthcare matters.
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.
The processes for procurement of such equipment in areas other than health is a matter for the respective Government Departments.
2859. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the effect the Galway races have on the vaccination programme based at the Ballybrit vaccination centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39405/21]
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.
2860. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists serving GMS patients in the Dublin 9 and 11 areas currently; if there are problems for GMS patients attending their dentist due to the recent health service cyber-attack; if so, when the matter will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39406/21]
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.
2863. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay of over 20 weeks in the vaccinator recruitment process of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39420/21]
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 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.
2864. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the reason the contractor providing the vaccinator recruitment service for the HSE does not respond to correspondence or provide a helpline and employ sufficient resources to complete the contract in a proper manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39421/21]
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.
2866. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health when children (details supplied) will receive their cancelled developmental checks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39423/21]
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.
2867. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if the case of a child (details supplied) will be addressed as a matter of urgency. [39424/21]
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.
2868. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if after the enactment of the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021, indoor hospitality will be required to place a time limit of 105 minutes on persons dining indoors in restaurants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39446/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, on 29 June, Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead.
While significant progress is being made in relation to the roll-out of our vaccination programme and the position had been broadly stable over the earlier part of June, the prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant is rapidly increasing in Ireland and this poses a significant risk, in particular to those who are not yet fully vaccinated. For this reason, a number of higher risk indoor activities will not recommence as planned on 5 July, pending the implementation of a system to verify vaccination or immunity status.
As of 26 July, indoor dining has reopened for fully vaccinated individuals and those who are considered immune as a result of recovering from a covid-19 infection in the previous six months.
I can confirm to the Deputy that following public health advice, the time limit for sitting at tables has been removed. There is now no limit to the amount of time consumers can sit at tables. Businesses may decide to operate this approach. Information on indoor dining can be found online at www.gov.ie/en/publication/41f70-reopening-hospitality/.
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.
2869. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when the public phlebotomy service at MGH will resume (details supplied). [39452/21]
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.
2870. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39457/21]
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.
2871. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if there are dieticians and or nutritionists involved in the food provided to patients; if emergent health and nutrition guidelines are taken into consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39461/21]
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.
