Written Answers Nos. 1191-1210
1191. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of patients attending hospitals with blood clots to date in 2021 and in each year for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42059/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1192. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of patients attending hospitals requiring cardiac care to date in 2021 and in each year for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42060/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1193. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the removal of yoga studios from class exemptions during level 3 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42072/21]
View answer1228. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health when yoga studios will be allowed to re-open (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42131/21]
View answer1247. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when yoga instruction and classes will be permitted to reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42201/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1193, 1228 and 1247 together.
As outlined in COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting, which was announced by Government on 31 August, organised indoor group activities including sports and dance classes can take place from 20 September with capacity limits of 100 people (with appropriate protective measures) where all patrons are immune (fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 within previous 6 months) or accompanied minors (under 18). Where patrons have mixed immunity status, pods of up to 6 participants will be permitted with multiple pods permitted subject to protective measures.
Based on the criteria of at or close to 90% of people 16 or over being fully vaccinated and having regard to the incidence and behaviour of the disease at that time, from 22 October onwards remaining restrictions on indoor sports activities and other indoor leisure/community activities and certification of immunity or testing as a prerequisite for access to, or engagement in, any activities or events (with exception of international travel) will be lifted.
Since the onset of the pandemic, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland due to the huge effort of people across the country. Thanks to the hard work of the Irish people and the progress of our vaccination programme, we are now entering a new phase in the management of the pandemic. As our approach to the management of COVID-19 transitions from population wide restrictions to guidance we must continue to practice basic preventative behaviours, including in relation to self-isolation and restricting movements when advised, observing good respiratory and hand hygiene, physical distancing and mask wearing when appropriate.
COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting can be found online: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/f5291-post-cabinet-statement-covid-19-reframing-the-challenge-continuing-our-recovery-and-reconnecting/
1194. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the total spending and the breakdown of spending on the Covid-19 response since March 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42073/21]
View answerCOVID-19 Expenditure 2020
The budget allocation for spending on COVID-19 measures by the Department of Health through the HSE in 2020 was €2,511m (comprising €2,291m current and €220m capital).
The HSE’s allocation for COVID-19 measures in 2020 of €2,511m included: €920m for personal protective equipment; €330m for private hospital capacity; €292m for COVID-19 testing & contact tracing; €190m for acute hospitals; €140m for GP services; €80m for the Temporary Payment Assistance Scheme for private nursing homes; €76m for payment of student nurses and medical interns; €45m for accommodation and isolation facilities; €218m for other current measures including community costs, disability services, hospices, the National Ambulance Service and other miscellaneous supports; and €220m for capital measures including €125m for buildings and related equipment, €45m for other equipment, €32m for ventilators and €18m for ICT.
The actual COVID-19 related expenditure incurred in 2020 was in line with these budget allocations.
COVID-19 Expenditure 2021
The budget allocation for spending on COVID-19 measures by the Department of Health through the HSE in 2021 is €1,831m (comprising €1,676m current and €155m capital). In addition to this allocation, a contingency fund of €240m held by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is available to be re-allocated to the HSE for COVID-related measures if required, bringing the total funding available to the HSE in 2021 to €2,071m. A further amount of €50m has been allocated to the Department of Health for non-HSE related COVID expenditure in 2021, bringing the total allocation for all COVID-related measures in 2021 to €2,121m.
The HSE’s allocation for COVID-19 measures in 2021 of €1,831m includes: €450m for personal protective equipment; €200m for the COVID vaccination programme; €445m for testing & contact tracing (excluding €205m available from DPER contingency if required); €210m for the Access to Care Fund; €42m for the Temporary Payment Assistance Scheme for private nursing homes; €329m for other current measures including home care, mental health supports, disability services, cancer restoration services, homelessness services, GP costs, hospices and infection prevention & control; and €155m for capital measures includes €130m for building, equipping and furnishing of health facilities and €25m for ICT.
An estimate of the actual COVID-19 related expenditure incurred by the HSE in 2021 to date is reported regularly to the Department. The latest estimated weekly expenditure data to 6 August 2021 indicates that of the HSE's €1,831m COVID allocation, the spend to date is as follows: €173m for personal protective equipment; €177m for the COVID vaccination programme (spend to end June); €357m for testing & contact tracing; €86m for the Private Hospital Safety Net 2 Agreement; €40m for the Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme to support private nursing homes; €23m for Infection Prevention & Control; €408m for other current measures including acute hospitals supports, home care, mental health supports, disability services, cancer restoration services, homelessness services, GP costs, hospices; and €65m for capital costs. As noted, these figures are estimates of expenditure based on the latest available information which is subject to change.
The non-HSE related allocation of €50m for COVID measures held by the Department includes: €30m for the National Treatment Purchase Fund; €10m for costs related to the ePassenger Locator Form; €5.0m for the Healthy Ireland programme; and €5.0m for HIQA’s Nursing Home Expert Review in relation to the COVID-19 response. The Department incurred costs of approximately €9m to end June 2021. The contingency fund of €240m held by DPER has not yet been drawn down.
1195. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the details of all of the increased bed and ICU capacity delivered since March 2020; the number of additional healthcare staff employed by the HSE since 2020; the efforts made to reduce pressure on bed capacity facing winter 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42074/21]
View answerThe Winter Plan 2020/2021 and Budget 2021 provided €236 million in revenue and €40 million in capital expenditure for additional beds on a permanent basis in our acute hospitals. This will add 1,146 general acute beds to the hospital system over the number available on 1 January 2020. To date, 834 of these acute beds and 73 additional sub-acute beds have been provided under the Winter Plan. Delivery of additional beds and other measures in the Winter Plan is dependent on recruitment of appropriate staff, procurement of IT systems, delivery of physical infrastructure, developing new integrated ways of working and appropriate leadership and governance arrangements.
At the start of last year, permanent adult critical care capacity in Ireland stood at 255 beds, according to the National Office of Clinical Audit. Funding for a further 40 adult critical care beds was provided on a temporary basis in March 2020 as part of the response to Covid-19 in March 2020.
A Strategic Plan for Critical Care was noted by Government in December 2020. This Plan aims to increase capacity to 321 by end-2021 and to 446 in the longer term. Funding of €52m provided for 2021 will see the 40 beds provided in 2020 retained permanently and a further 26 added, to bring permanent baseline capacity to 321 by the end of 2021. The HSE has advised that 41 of these 66 beds are now in place, with the number open on any particular day fluctuating as a result of a variety of factors.
Budget 2021 provided funding for a large increase in the number of healthcare staff employed in the public health service. From the end of 2020 to the end of July 2021, there has been an increase of 4,361 whole-time equivalent healthcare staff, with the largest growth in Nursing and Midwifery (+1,343 WTE). There will be further growth this year, and Budget 2022 will set out the affordable recruitment numbers for 2022 in order to continue to adequately staff the health service.
As the questions raised by the Deputy relate to operational matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly with the details requested.
1196. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2066 of 27 July 2021, if NIAC has reviewed further information or studies available regarding the use of mixed heterologous vaccine schedules; if NIAC made any updated recommendations on vaccination policy to the Government on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42078/21]
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. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department.
NIAC has provided updated guidance in relation to the mixing of vaccines, specifically relating to certain people who are yet to complete a two dose Covid-19 vaccine regimen. The NIAC advice on heterologous vaccination relates to those who are contraindicated from taking a second vaccine dose of the vaccine they initially received (e.g. had a reaction to a first dose of vaccine) and those who have already had a first dose of Vaxzevria® and who did not complete the vaccination schedule as recommended and have requested a mRNA second dose.
The HSE has recently commenced heterologous vaccine administration in line with NIAC guidance.
1197. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to address the challenges facing Irish citizens resident in Canada who have received a mixed mRNA vaccine approved by Health Canada yet do not meet the specific definitions to be considered fully vaccinated for the purposes of travel to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42079/21]
View answerGovernment travel policy is consistently updated to meet the needs of travellers, while continuing to be informed by the international epidemiological situation and public health advice. The Department is giving consideration to amending the definition of a vaccinated person within travel regulations to include those who have received a heterologous vaccine regimen of EMA approved vaccines.
1198. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 148 of 22 April 2021, if a full-time residential place will be secured for the person. [42080/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have referred this question to the HSE and asked that they respond to the Deputy directly.
1199. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when he last spoke with the heads of the maternity hospitals on the issue of partner access; the date of that meeting; and the outcome of same. [42081/21]
View answer1208. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the dates he met with maternity hospitals on the lifting of restrictions for partners of women giving birth. [42090/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1199 and 1208 together.
Given the role of the HSE in the issuing of guidance regarding attendance at hospitals during the pandemic, which includes attendance at maternity hospitals, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1200. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be examined. [42082/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1201. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if antigen testing for birthing partners has been considered in order to remove restrictions for women in labour to have partners in wards. [42083/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1202. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if a person can obtain portable tables from the HSE for wheelchair users who are bed bound. [42084/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1203. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of operations in a respite centre (details supplied). [42085/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1204. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health his plans to cease all activities at a home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42086/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1205. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will be seen for a post-hearing test consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42087/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1206. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of graduates hired in the areas of occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language, dietetics and audiology in each CHO area, by each sub-area of each CHO area in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [42088/21]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1207. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of a medical card application by a person (details supplied). [42089/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1209. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of day care centres; and when a centre (details supplied) will reopen. [42091/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1210. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will address the case of persons (details supplied). [42092/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
