David Cullinane
Question:1111. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated capital and current cost of reopening 120 rehabilitation beds. [41786/21]
View answerDepartmental Data
Questions (1111)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Questions (1112)
David Cullinane
Question:1112. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated capital and current cost of reopening 48 detox beds. [41787/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Questions (1113)
David Cullinane
Question:1113. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated capital and current cost of a new rehabilitation bed. [41788/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Questions (1114)
David Cullinane
Question:1114. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated capital and current cost of a new detox bed. [41789/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (1115, 1249)
Michael McNamara
Question:1115. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if Fáilte Ireland guidelines precluding music at wedding receptions will be updated to reflect SI No. 385 of 2021 which allows music at weddings; if such regulation of human activities will cease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41790/21]
View answer
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:1249. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health when live music will return for indoor receptions in relation to public health guidelines for weddings; and if consideration has been given to using the Digital Covid Certificate system to facilitate this. [42204/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1115 and 1249 together.
As outlined in COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting, which was announced by Government on 31 August, live music is permitted at wedding receptions from 6 September. Guidance on weddings can be found here: https://failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Guidelines-for-Re-opening-Hotels-and-Guesthouses.pdf
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/.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (1116)
Bernard Durkan
Question:1116. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he is preparing plans to overhaul the various hospital and treatment waiting lists in respect of various elective procedures which have accumulated during the Covid-19 pandemic with a view to putting in place a realistic programme to enable the health services meet their requirements now and in the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41791/21]
View answerWritten answers
It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last eighteen months as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently as a result of the ransomware attack. While significant progress was made in reducing waiting times from June 2020 onwards, the surge in Covid-19 cases in the first quarter of 2021 and the associated curtailment of acute hospital services, coupled with the ransomware attack of May 2021, has impacted waiting times. However, the HSE advise that acute services are now almost all fully restored to pre cyber-attack levels, and are operating in line with relevant Covid protocols.
My Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) are focusing on improving access to elective care in order to reduce waiting times for patients. These plans include increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations, providing virtual clinics and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
An additional €240 million has been provided in Budget 2021 for an access to care fund, €210m of which has been allocated to the HSE and a further €30m to the NTPF. This is to be used to fund additional capacity to address the shortfall arising as a result of infection control measures taken in the context of COVID-19, as well as addressing backlogs in waiting lists.
My Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund are currently working on a Multiannual Waiting List Plan to address waiting lists and bring them in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years.
Primary Medical Certificates
Questions (1117)
Bernard Durkan
Question:1117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the procedure to be followed to obtain a primary medical certificate; if there are any current delays in obtaining same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41793/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme is underpinned by statute and comes under the remit of the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.
The extent of the involvement of Health Service Executive (HSE) Community Medical Doctors in the Scheme relates to making a professional clinical determination as to whether an individual applicant meets the specified medical criteria for a Primary Medical Certificate, which is a requirement for the Scheme.
The Deputy may be aware that following a Supreme Court decision of June 2020, the assessment process for Primary Medical Certificates was suspended at the request of the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe T.D.. Following the approval of the Finance Act 2020 which provides for the medical criteria in primary legislation, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, T.D., issued an instruction to the HSE to recommence assessments from 1st January, 2021.
The ability to hold assessments has been impacted by, among other things, the public health restrictions in place to suppress and manage the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately there were delays in the processing of assessments due to the involvement of the HSE Medical Doctors in the national COVID-19 response and Schools Immunisation programme.
The HSE has confirmed that it is continuing to monitor the situation in the context of resuming the range of services that are provided by Community Medical Doctors under the HSE Service Recovery and Restoration Plan, taking into account the pressures and challenges to the health services presented by COVID.
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for consideration and direct reply to the Deputy
Assisted Decision-Making
Questions (1118)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:1118. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when he expects the director of the decision support services to submit the code of practice in respect of Part 8 of the Assisted Decision-Making Capacity Act 2015 to him for approval and publication in view of the inordinate delay since December 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41794/21]
View answerWritten answers
Part 8 of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 provides a legislative framework for Advanced Healthcare Directives (AHDs). An AHD is a statement made by a person with capacity setting out his or her will and preferences regarding treatment decisions that may arise in the future when he or she no longer has capacity.
My Department remains committed to commencing these provisions as soon as possible. The development of a code of practice to accompany the AHD provisions is a key piece of work to facilitate commencement. The AHD multidisciplinary working group established by the Minister in 2016 has developed a code of practice for Part 8 and submitted it to the Director of Decision Support Services in December 2018 for consideration.
When the public consultation has taken place and the code of practice for Part 8 has been finalised by the Director it will be submitted to me for approval prior to publication.
Mental Health Services
Questions (1119)
Mark Ward
Question:1119. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of locations of CAHMS services across the State; and the operating hours for each service. [41795/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Questions (1120)
Mark Ward
Question:1120. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the overall budget allocated to CAHMS in 2021; the budget allocated to each individual CAHMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41796/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Questions (1121)
Mark Ward
Question:1121. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if there are any restrictions for children referred to CAHMS after receiving the standard operating procedure instead of getting a diagnosis from the assessment of needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41797/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Questions (1122)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:1122. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists in the dental treatment services scheme by LHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41799/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 1123 answered with Question No. 1050.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (1124)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:1124. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health when general practitioner care without fees will be extended to carers in receipt of the carer’s support grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41803/21]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that many persons in receipt of the Carer's Support Grant already qualify for a GP visit card as the Carer's Support Grant is paid automatically to persons in receipt of Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit.
However, I note the Carer's Support Grant can also be paid to certain other carers providing full time care who may not be in receipt of the Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit.
The Deputy may be aware that the Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” contains a commitment to “Extend free GP care to carers in receipt of the Carer’s Support Grant”. It is noted that this commitment will be delivered over the lifetime of the Government.
Hospital Staff
Questions (1125)
David Cullinane
Question:1125. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the work undertaken to reopen the GMHS; the progress made to date regarding the recruitment of permanent staff at St James's Hospital, Meath primary care centre, St. Vincent's Private Hospital and the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in order to resume new applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41811/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Gay Men's Health Service (GMHS) reopened in January 2021, on a phased basis and in line with Government and HSE guidelines. With gradual increases in staffing and other additional resources, the GMHS has been able to incrementally expand the number of services offered during the course of 2021.
The GMHS PrEP service has recommenced and is seeing both new and returning service users. The Clinic’s Consultant in Infectious Diseases (GMHS and GUIDE Clinic, St James’s Hospital) and other doctors are providing virtual consultations, and PrEP service users attend GMHS for STI screening, blood testing and treatment as required.
Those with diagnosed STIs or requiring Hepatitis and/or HPV vaccine continue to be treated in GMHS also. A weekly STI clinic has commenced for symptomatic screening and treatment of both new and returning service users and, also, follow up for those who require further treatment or vaccinations. The GMHS Nurse led asymptomatic screening service has also been re-instated, following the recent HSE cyber-attack.
The closure of the GMHS in 2020 resulted from the pressures arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and related primarily to the necessary redeployment of increasing numbers of personnel to diverse COVID-19 related duties. Staff in the Gay Men’s Health Service (GMHS) were reassigned, by reason of necessity, to other HSE services. Following the GMHS closure, significant efforts were made to maintain service provision through other locations, including the GUIDE Clinic in St. James’ Hospital.
Prior to the pandemic, the GMHS was staffed by 97% agency staff; this is no longer the case. Funding for the PrEP programme allowed pro-rata recurring funding to be allocated to GMHS in 2020. As a result of pandemic related pressures on staffing, recruitment in 2020 initially focused on the services required to support the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, the HSE advises that a recruitment campaign to fill the posts for the GMHS PrEP programme commenced in the latter part of 2020 and is progressing well. 6 permanent posts in GMHS have been filled, with 3 still in recruitment phase. Furthermore, interviews for a permanent consultant position are expected to take place in September. IT improvements have also been put in place.
HSE Community Healthcare East advises that they have made every effort to restore, and maintain services as far as is possible, given current pandemic related pressures on resources.
All health services, including the GMHS, are continuing to face constraints, resulting from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. It should be noted that, in order to ensure compliance with HSE Covid-19 safety measures, capacity at clinics is somewhat reduced.. Constraints include attendance by appointment only, or online as a result of the need to maintain social distancing.
The GMHS will continue to reinstate services on a phased basis and in line with the HSE's Safe Return to Work Guide. Officials from the Department of Health and HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme are in regular contact with CHO6 in order to monitor progress. It is hoped that it will be possible to increase capacity as recruitment progresses, vaccination rates increase, and Covid-19 restrictions can safely be scaled back, in line with official guidelines.
The GMHS website is updated regularly, and provides full details of services available, as these are reinstated. It is hoped that GMHS services can be delivered to their full potential and developed further, once pandemic related constraints on health service capacity as a whole can be safely reduced.
HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is available, free of charge through the HSE, to those at substantial risk of acquiring HIV through sexual activity. PrEP is delivered through approved services that meet the National Standards for PrEP Service Delivery (www.sexualwellbeing.ie/prepproviders ) and is being rolled out in a phased manner. There are currently thirteen public and nine private approved PrEP service providers in Ireland www.sexualwellbeing.ie/getprep.
Funding of €5.4 million was secured for PrEP in 2020, including allocations for the recruitment of additional staff. Funding and roll-out of the programme continues in 2021.
Whilst the PrEP programme remains fully funded, implementation has been impacted as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. All health services, including STI/HIV/PrEP services, are continuing to face constraints, resulting from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. These include attendance by appointment only, or online as a result of the need to maintain social distancing.
With regard to PrEP provision in Dublin, the HSE advise that two of the four Dublin based services have indicated that they currently need to limit new PrEP appointments. However, the other two services anticipate some additional capacity in the coming months. Of note, two large Dublin based services have reported an increase in the number of patients not attending their appointments, which has generated some extra capacity but an additional associated workload in determining the needs and wishes of those who have not attended for appointment.
The HSE has provided the following recruitment update with respect to PrEP:
Gay Men's Health Service: 6 permanent positions have been filled, 3 are still in recruitment phase, and a permanent consultant position is also in recruitment phase
GUIDE Clinic, St James' Hospital: All agreed PrEP posts have been recruited on a permanent basis (8 individuals with an aggregate whole time equivalent (WTE) of 4.32)
St Vincent's University Hospital: All agreed PrEP posts have been recruited on a permanent basis (4 individuals with a WTE of 3.0)
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital: All agreed PrEP posts have been recruited on a permanent basis (5 individuals with a WTE of 4.25), with the exception of part of the 0.5 WTE consultant post (a permanent 0.2 WTE is in place, the additional 0.3 WTE is under recruitment).
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (1126)
David Cullinane
Question:1126. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the indicative timeframe for when the GMHS will fully reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41812/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Gay Men's Health Service (GMHS) reopened in January 2021, on a phased basis and in line with Government and HSE guidelines. With gradual increases in staffing and other additional resources, the GMHS has been able to incrementally expand the number of services offered during the course of 2021, and this process continues.
The GMHS PrEP service has recommenced and is seeing both new and returning service users. The Clinic’s Consultant in Infectious Diseases (GMHS and GUIDE Clinic, St James’s Hospital) and other doctors are providing virtual consultations, and PrEP service users attend GMHS for STI screening, blood testing and treatment as required.
Those with diagnosed STIs or requiring Hepatitis and/or HPV vaccine continue to be treated in GMHS also. A weekly STI clinic has commenced for symptomatic screening and treatment of both new and returning service users and, also, follow up for those who require further treatment or vaccinations. The GMHS Nurse led asymptomatic screening service has also been re-instated, following the recent HSE cyber-attack.
The closure of the GMHS in 2020 resulted from the pressures arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and related primarily to the necessary redeployment of increasing numbers of personnel to diverse COVID-19 related duties. Staff in the Gay Men’s Health Service (GMHS) were reassigned, by reason of necessity, to other HSE services. Following the GMHS closure, significant efforts were made to maintain service provision through other locations, including the GUIDE Clinic in St. James’ Hospital.
Prior to the pandemic, the GMHS was staffed by 97% agency staff; this is no longer the case. Funding for the PrEP programme allowed pro-rata recurring funding to be allocated to GMHS in 2020. As a result of pandemic related pressures on staffing, recruitment in 2020 initially focused on the services required to support the Covid-19 pandemic. However, a recruitment campaign to fill the posts for the GMHS PrEP programme commenced in the latter part of 2020 and is progressing well, with the recruitment of additional nurses underway. IT improvements have also been put in place.
HSE Community Healthcare East advises that they have made every effort to restore, and maintain services as far as is possible, given current pandemic related pressures on resources.
All health services, including the GMHS, are continuing to face constraints, resulting from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. It should be noted that, in order to ensure compliance with HSE Covid-19 safety measures, capacity at clinics is somewhat reduced. Necessary constraints include attendance by appointment only, or online as a result of the need to maintain social distancing. Previous significant impacts have also included the redeployment of staff to necessary Covid-19 related duties, such as testing, contact tracing, vaccination or front-line patient care.
At present, the GMHS is continuing to reinstate services on a phased basis and in line with the HSE's Safe Return to Work Guide. Officials from the Department of Health and HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme are in regular contact with CHO6 in order to monitor progress. It is hoped that it will be possible to increase capacity as vaccination rates increase and as Covid-19 restrictions can safely be scaled back, in line with official guidelines.
The GMHS website is updated regularly, and provides full details of services available, as these are reinstated. It is hoped that GMHS services can be delivered to their full potential and developed further, once pandemic related constraints on health service capacity as a whole can be safely reduced.
Disability Services
Questions (1127)
Mark Ward
Question:1127. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if there is any delay in the roll-out of progressing disabilities services programme in particular to (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and the impact that this will have on persons accessing these services. [41815/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (1128)
Neale Richmond
Question:1128. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he has considered introducing a bonus for healthcare workers who worked on the frontlines of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41818/21]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to convey my sincere gratitude to all health sector workers in relation to their continuing efforts in the delivery of health services during this very challenging pandemic period.
Government have indicated their intention to recognise front-line healthcare workers in respect of the extraordinary contribution and commitment they have made in the management of the pandemic.
My Department and Government are considering the most appropriate means and timeline for such recognition, noting that the pandemic is ongoing.
Health Services
Questions (1129)
Bernard Durkan
Question:1129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when the full range of support and required services will be provided in person to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41821/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Questions (1130)
Bernard Durkan
Question:1130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when appropriate access to a psychologist will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); when arrangements can be made for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41822/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.