Written Answers Nos. 3056-3078
3056. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment for an eye operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40112/21]
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.
3057. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason the frequency of physiotherapy sessions have decreased for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40113/21]
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.
3060. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made for a home support application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40116/21]
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.
3061. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40117/21]
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.
3063. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 279 of 12 May 2021, if children with spina bifida born before 2008 under the care of St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin have equal access to multidisciplinary services in Temple Street Children’s University Hospital as children born in 2009 and after that are under the care of the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40119/21]
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.
3064. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies for positions within the mental health services in County Donegal; the corresponding length of the vacancies in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40120/21]
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.
3065. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the budget allocation for mental health services in County Donegal by organisation from 2011 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40121/21]
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.
3066. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently on the waiting list for mental health services in County Donegal by the stage of assessment and or treatment; and the corresponding length of time that those people have been waiting for assessment and or treatment in three month intervals in tabular form. [40122/21]
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.
3067. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No 189 of 7 July 2021, the number of additional development posts for specialist children's disability therapy services that were announced in Budget 2021 that are currently filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40126/21]
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.
3068. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE plans to use services provided by a centre (details supplied) in the treatment of eating disorders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40139/21]
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.
3069. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the introduction of the cap on hospital car park charges; if he will provide a current breakdown of average costs of parking for each of the hospital groups for visitors and patients, by cost per hour, cost per day and cost per week in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40144/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government makes a commitment to introduce a cap on the maximum daily charge for patients and visitors at all public hospitals, where possible and to introduce flexible passes in all public hospitals for patients and their families. My Department and the HSE are currently examining the issue.
As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
3070. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposed Dundalk primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40145/21]
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.
3071. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the progression of the 5- bed new St. Joseph's Hospital, Ardee, County Louth; if he will provide other relevant details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40146/21]
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.
3072. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the CNU project on the Dublin Road, Drogheda; the most recent specification brief on the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40147/21]
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.
3073. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists registered under the dental treatment services scheme by county on a monthly basis from January 2020 to July 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40155/21]
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.
3074. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter in relation to the second dose recommendation for a vaccine for administering after 21 days rather than 28 days (details supplied); if this has been considered by NIAC and the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40156/21]
View answerThe 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.
The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. The NIAC review all data relating to COVID-19 vaccines on a rolling basis. The Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech) vaccine course consists of two doses administered 21-28 days apart as advised in the NIAC's Immunisation Guidelines.
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.
3075. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card recipients registered under the dental treatment services scheme by county on a monthly basis from January 2020 to July 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40157/21]
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.
3077. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his plans to reopen a SouthDoc service in Kinsale, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40187/21]
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.
3078. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on granting each Irish resident an annual general practitioner check-up as a preventative and public measure.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40188/21]
View answerGeneral health checks involve a contact between a health professional and a person that is not motivated by their symptoms, and where several tests are performed to assess their general health. The goal is to prevent future illness through earlier detection of disease or risk factors, or to provide reassurance. However, few of the tests commonly included in these general or annual health checks have been evaluated in high quality randomised trials.
A Cochrane Review of General health checks in adults for reducing morbidity and mortality from disease was published in 2019. The Review finds that health checks have little or no effect on the risk of death from any cause or on the risk of death from cancer and little or no effect on the risk of death from cardiovascular cause. Likewise, health checks have little or no effect on heart disease and little or no effect on stroke. A systematic review of health checks in general practice conducted in 2014 and a previous Cochrane Review of systematic versus opportunistic screening for cardiovascular risk conducted in 2016 reported similar results.
In summary results do not support the use of general health checks aimed at a general population. Public healthcare initiatives to systematically offer general health checks are not supported by the best available evidence.
The Government approach has been to fund programmes providing health checks to specific groups. The GP Chronic Disease Management (CDM) programme which is being phased in, having commenced last year, will involve the ongoing monitoring of patients’ conditions. Under the programme, patients with one or more of the specified chronic conditions, receive two scheduled reviews with their GP and Practice Nurse in a 12-month period. These reviews include patient education, preventative care, medication review, physical examination, investigations, and an individual care plan. The CDM programme also includes case finding and an annual preventive visit for patients identified with high risk of cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Over 430,000 people will benefit under this programme when it is fully rolled out in 2023.
GPs who have signed up to the under sixes GP contract also provide age-based preventive checks focused on health and wellbeing and the prevention of disease to children under the age of six. There is also an agreed cycle of care for children diagnosed with asthma, under which GPs carry out an annual review of each child where the doctor has diagnosed asthma.
