Written Answers Nos. 3239-3261
3240. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a fully vaccinated tourist visiting Ireland from abroad will be able to dine indoors; the way such a person can prove their vaccination status; the steps they will need to take in advance to comply with the requirements for proof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40971/21]
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 the 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.
3241. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons arriving into and departing Ireland through airports who did not declare an essential reason for travel in each of the past eight weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40972/21]
View answerAll passengers arriving into the state are required to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form (PLF) in accordance with SI 45/2021. There are limited exemptions from this requirement, as set out in the regulations, such as for international transport workers or for diplomats.
Since 6th February 2021 the reference to Council Recommendation (EU) 2020/1475 on a co-ordinated approach to the restriction of free movement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic was removed from the Passenger Locator Form and the declaration on essential travel is no longer recorded. The Department of Health does not record any data on numbers of passengers departing through Irish airports.
3243. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an updated supply forecast for Covid-19 vaccines expected to be delivered into Ireland over the next six months. [40974/21]
View answerIreland's COVID-19 vaccination programme strategy is to distribute all available vaccines as quickly as operationally possible, prioritising those who are most vulnerable. Ireland received approximately 5.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the first six months of 2021.
As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is ongoing, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
3244. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposed east Meath primary care centre which is to be located in Bettystown town centre; when he expects works to commence and any other relevant details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41014/21]
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.
3245. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the average cost of training a nurse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41032/21]
View answerThe Higher Education Authority uses a figure of €7,500 per student per year ( so €30,000 in total for the four years of their education programme ) as representing an average of funding currently provided by them for grants and fees for nursing and midwifery undergraduate places. The other significant cost arises during internship when a student nurse or midwife enters the final stage of their programme. This amounts to about €10,000 per student. Additionally, there is a range of other costs to be taken into account, including the provision of Clinical Placement Co-ordinators and Practice Development Co-ordinators.
My officials are now in touch with their HSE colleagues to obtain up to date figures on these other costs so that a table can be compiled which will show the average cost per student. I will share this with the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.
3246. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health the arrangements in place for parents or carers who wish to travel abroad during the Covid-19 pandemic with children under 18 years of age who have special needs and who would not be able to take a PCR test to travel back into Ireland; the items or tests parents or carers need to obtain in order undertake this travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41038/21]
View answerS.I. 135 of 2021 which lays out the new travel measures in place since 19th July, provides for children under the age of 12 not to be required to show evidence of a negative RT-PCR test result upon arrival to Ireland. An exemption can be declared for children under the age of 12 on the new enhanced Passenger Locator Form prior to departure.
Any citizen who has a genuine humanitarian emergency requiring urgent travel and might not be able to obtain the result of a pre-departure RT-PCR test prior to departure can contact the nearest Irish embassy or consulate for advice and consular assistance before commencing their journey.
International travel policy is kept under continuous consideration informed by the international epidemiological situation and public health advice.
3247. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the closure of a facility (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41053/21]
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.
3248. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of plans for the 19 residents of a facility (details supplied) in County Cork following its closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41054/21]
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.
3249. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health his plans for the staff of a facility (details supplied) in County Cork following its closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41055/21]
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.
3250. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the plans for a centre (details supplied) in County Cork that is due to close this year; if the building is deemed not fit for purpose, if it will be used for an alternative purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41056/21]
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.
3251. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health his plans for a site (details supplied) in County Cork; if he will reinstate the services that were there previously; if the existing building will be demolished; if a new centre built in its place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41057/21]
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.
3252. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the number of second dose vaccination appointments which have been missed by CHO; and if there is a contingency plan for ensuring that no vaccine is wasted where possible as this seems to be a growing problem in the Cork city and county area. [41058/21]
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.
3253. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for an operation; the steps that can be taken to expedite the treatment for the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41059/21]
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.
3254. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) was deemed ineligible for reimbursement under the HSE cross border directive and was asked to repay a sum that was received. [41061/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, given the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems, 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.
The patient should contact the HSE's CBD NCP regarding details of either the CBD or NIPH schemes. The contact details are: National Contact Point, Cross-Border Healthcare Directive Department, HSE Cross Border Directive, St Canice's Hospital, Dublin Road, Kilkenny Tel: 056 778 4546 Email: crossborderdirective@hse.ie.
3255. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a new palliative care unit in Drogheda town following the HSE engagement with a third party; if plans have been submitted that were originally due to be submitted in April 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41062/21]
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.
Grateful if you could cc john_mooney@health.gov.ie and aisling_mcgrath@health.gov.ie on the reply from the HSE please.
3256. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for a general practitioner appointment by county in tabular form; and the average waiting time. [41065/21]
View answerGPs are self-employed private practitioners. While the majority also provide services to Medical Card and GP Visit Card holders under contract to the HSE, they retain their private status and, as a result, information on the number of people waiting for a GP appointment is not collected by my Department or the HSE.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas, and has implemented a number of measures to improve recruitment and retention in general practice.
These measures include an increase in investment in general practice by approximately 40% (€210 million) between 2019 and 2023 under the terms of the 2019 GMS GP Agreement. The Agreement provides for increased support for GPs working in rural practices and for those in disadvantaged urban areas, and for improvements to maternity and paternity leave arrangements. In addition, the number of GPs entering training has been increased steadily over the past number of years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 233 in 2021.
These measures will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
3258. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to provide free contraception over a phased period, starting with women aged 17 to 25 years of age. [41100/21]
View answerFollowing the recommendations of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, a Working Group was established in April 2019 to consider the range of policy, regulatory and legislative issues arising in relation to improving access to contraception in Ireland.
The Group’s high-level report, published in October 2019, identified the barriers that exist to accessing contraception and the mechanisms available to overcome those barriers, noting that any policy proposal must focus on accessibility, education, and workforce capacity as well as cost.
A sizable body of work remains to be addressed in order to develop and finalise the policy approach, bring forward the necessary legislative proposals and ensure the implementation of service delivery arrangements.
It is however important to stress that my Department and this Government remain committed to providing free contraception over a phased basis, starting with women aged 17 – 25, as set out in the Programme for Government.
Progress on these issues has unfortunately been delayed until recently, given the need to focus on and prioritise the response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. However, the Department is currently assembling a Contraception Implementation Group, which will commence work imminently.
Some access to free contraception is already enabled, through the National Condom Distribution Service (NCDS), which was established by the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP) in October 2015.The NCDS functions as a central point for distributing free condoms and lubricant sachets to HSE services and other organisations working with individuals and groups at increased risk of negative sexual health outcomes.
These include migrants; young people; gay, bisexual and other MSM; sex workers; people living with addiction issues and people living with HIV. From 2017 to the end of 2019, the number of organisations ordering from the NCDS has doubled.
The service was extended to 3rd level institutions in late 2019. Third-level institutions can now order condom dispensers from the HSE, which enable the provision of free condoms and sexual health information to students on campuses nationwide. The SHCPP advises that 3rd level institutions will be contacted, prior to the commencement of on-campus attendance in September, with regard to their engagement with the NCDS.
Information leaflets are provided with the condom dispensers, which outline to students how to use condoms correctly, and emphasise the importance of using condoms consistently and every time sex happens. The information leaflets direct students to HSE - led and HSE-funded websites for further information about sexual health and wellbeing; www.sexualwellbeing.ie and www.man2man.ie.
It should be noted that, while oral contraception and various forms of long-acting reversible contraception can be more effective at preventing pregnancy, condoms provide protection against STIs that is not provided by non-barrier forms of contraception.
It is envisaged that continued expansion of the NCDS will be facilitated in line with demand, in order to support the STI prevention and sexual health promotion needs of people living in Ireland.
3259. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to introduce a publicly funded model of care for fertility treatment. [41101/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, a commitment to introduce the model of care for infertility, which was developed by officials in my Department in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme, is included in the Programme for Government, “Our Shared Future”. This model of care will ensure that infertility issues will be addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary as part of the full range of services available in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Phase One of the roll-out of the model of care has commenced and involves the establishment, at secondary care level, of Regional Fertility Hubs in maternity networks, which will facilitate the management of a significant proportion of patients presenting with infertility issues.
Funding of €2m was provided to the HSE to commence Phase One of the roll-out of the model of care in 2020. This was utilised specifically in respect of the development of the first four Regional Fertility Hubs – namely, Cork Maternity University Hospital, the Rotunda Hospital, the National Maternity Hospital and the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital.
Additional funding of just over €1m has been made available to enable the continuation of Phase One of the roll-out in 2021, including through the setting-up of the final two Regional Fertility Hubs, one located within the Saolta Hospital Group, at University Hospital Galway, and one within the University of Limerick Hospital Group, at Nenagh General Hospital. Therefore, the completion of Phase One of the roll-out will result in fully operational Regional Fertility Hubs in each of the six Hospital Groups across the country.
Phase Two of the roll-out will see the introduction of advanced infertility interventions including IVF, in the public health system. Phase Two will not commence until such time as infertility services at secondary level have been developed across the country, required resources have been allocated, and the assisted human reproduction (AHR) legislation is commenced. Drafting of the AHR legislation is ongoing, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General.
It is intended that, in line with available resources, this model of care for infertility will be rolled out on a phased basis over the course of the coming years. The underlying aim of the policy to provide a model of funding for AHR, within the broader AHR regulatory framework, is to improve accessibility to AHR treatments, while at the same time embedding safe and appropriate clinical practice and ensuring the cost-effective use of public resources.
3260. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to promote an increase in the number of new mothers breastfeeding by increasing support in maternity hospitals and primary care centres through access to lactation specialists and public health nurses. [41102/21]
View answerThis year, Healthy Ireland and Sláintecare have made a significant investment towards implementing the National Breastfeeding Action Plan. We all know how important it is that our children get the best possible start in life and this is something all Government partners have prioritised in the Programme for Government.
Ireland has a culture of bottle feeding and in order to improve child and maternal health, as well as reducing childhood obesity we need to improve our breastfeeding rates. On 11th May, I announced funding of €1.58m euros to provide the additional 24 Lactation Consultants across hospital and community settings, that are required to ensure timely skilled assistance for mothers who wish to breastfeed. It will also support enhanced training, skills and knowledge to frontline staff.
3261. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to fully implement the recommendations contained in the reports of the scoping inquiry and all other reports into CervicalCheck. [41103/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to fully implement the recommendations contained in Dr Scally’s Report of the Scoping Inquiry, and all other reports into CervicalCheck.
Significant progress has been made in implementing the recommendations and associated actions from Dr Scally's report, across all themes and areas of work, by the Department of Health, the HSE and the National Cancer Registry Ireland. In addition, the CervicalCheck Steering Committee, chaired by Professor Anne Scott, and which includes representatives from 221+ Group and patient advocates in its membership have a role in oversight of the implementation of the remaining recommendations.
At the end of Quarter 2 2021, 164 of the 170 actions, arising from 58 recommendations, are completed. Work is well underway in completing the 6 remaining actions. Since Quarter 1 2019, the Department of Health has been publishing quarterly progress reports on the implementation of the recommendations made in Dr Scally’s 2018 report and the full archive and previous quarterly progress reports is available on the Department of Health website.
It is important to acknowledge, as well as the ongoing developments in the CervicalCheck programme and the National Screening Service, the implementation of many recommendations continues to have a wider impact on many areas of health policy and programme delivery. This includes the ongoing work of the National Screening Advisory Committee and the Women’s Health Taskforce, for example, as well as ongoing policy development around issues such as open disclosure, and patient and public participation in health policy development and implementation.
