Thursday, 9 Sep 2021

Dental Services

Questions (1131)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1131. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an exception will be made in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41823/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (1132)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

1132. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health when he anticipates an options appraisal will be completed for the upgrade of the ICU at Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41830/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible

Hospital Facilities

Questions (1133)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

1133. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health when he anticipates an options appraisal will be completed for the 50-bed ward brief isolation rooms at Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41831/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Departmental Projects

Questions (1134)

Seán Fleming

Question:

1134. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when the project on the development of a national diabetes register will recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41836/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

In September 2019 Sláintecare Integration funding was allocated to the HSE to design and procure a National Diabetes Registry demonstrator product and develop a full specification plan for a National Diabetes Registry.

The development of a National Diabetes Registry will have a long-term benefit on

- Patient care by facilitating benchmarking of individual care against guideline recommendations and QI feedback to practitioners

- Provision of appropriate health services by providing reliable information to healthcare planners and policymakers.

This project was paused as it was dependent on the input and expertise of key HSE staff who were redeployed onto urgent on-going COVID-19 work. This project remains a priority and, subject to COVID-19, will be revisited in the future.

Departmental Meetings

Questions (1135)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

1135. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the meetings held by his departmental officials from assistant principal level upwards with representatives of the food industry in relation to the issue of infant nutrition in Ireland from 2016 to date, including the issue of infant formula; the dates of, attendees at and matters that were discussed at each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41840/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Department officials were involved in one meeting with industry representatives in relation to infant nutrition / infant formula during the period specified in the Deputy’s question.

The meeting took place on 17 May 2016 with Food and Drink Industry Ireland (FDII)/IBEC - now Dairy Industries Ireland (Aoife Moran and Conor Mulvihill), the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (Mary Flynn and Barbara Cronin) and the Department of Health (Tommy Wilson and Brid O’Higgins).

The meeting was held at FDII’s request to discuss the European Commission’s report on Young Child Formula (YCF) and the lack of any accompanying proposal for their specific regulation in the European Commission’s revision of EU regulations on formulae products. FDII voiced its concerns that from July 2016, there would be no specific EU regulation governing YCF and that they would be considered a general food to be regulated under general food law.

State Bodies

Questions (1136)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

1136. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if a new healthy Ireland council is being established; if so, the way in which membership will be comprised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41843/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The recently published Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan 2021-2025 sets out in strategic action 1.4, under Governance and Policy for Healthy Ireland, to “Establish a second Healthy Ireland Council to provide intersectoral leadership to implement actions to realise the strategic outcomes of Healthy Ireland”. In the timeframe for implementation actions, between 2021 and 2023, the plan also sets out a commitment to “Set out the terms of reference and the appropriate membership of the Healthy Ireland Council and convene the Council”.

My officials are presently considering the broad purpose of the council and the resources required to manage and facilitate it. It is expected that a second Healthy Ireland Council will be established and will convene within the 2021 to 2023 timeframe.

Question No. 1137 answered with Question No. 988.

Questions (1143)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

1143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when the full range of supports, including primary care psychology support, will be made available to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41860/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Questions (1144)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1144. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41864/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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. 1145 answered with Question No. 1054.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (1146)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1146. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41867/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Departmental Reviews

Questions (1147)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

1147. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the progress on the long-term review examining the existing clinical placement allowances payable to student nurses and midwives on supernumerary clinical placement that was conducted by a person (details supplied); the timeline for the implementation of the review’s recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41868/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Deputy will be aware, I directed that a longer-term independent review of student nurse and midwife clinical placement allowances take place. The review was conducted by Mr Sean McHugh and while the HSE cyberattack delayed its progress, Mr McHugh submitted his report for my consideration on the 6th of August. The DoH is currently reviewing the report and Mr. McHugh’s recommendations. When this review is completed, the Department will then confirm its approach to this matter, including questions over implementation and publication.

Health Strategies

Questions (1148)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

1148. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the progress made by his Department to date in relation to the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Health’s Report on addressing Vitamin D deficiency as a public health measure in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41870/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Joint Committee on Health 's report on addressing vitamin D deficiency as a public health measure has four recommendations and my Department is responsible for delivering on the first two recommendations.

Recommendation (1). With regard to recommending daily Vitamin D supplements to the entire adult population, the current policy advice on vitamin D supplementation is aimed at three population groups; infants, 1-4 year old children and all adults 65 years and over.

Recommendation (2). Regarding vitamin D supplementation of the entire population, my Department has requested the Scientific Committee of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland to review the evidence on this and provide me with recommendations. This is the process used by my Department to ensure evidence- based advice.

Once the Food Safety Authority of Ireland recommendations are received, we will develop a public health policy to increase knowledge and encourage increased intake of Vitamin D through supplementation, if appropriate.

Recommendation (3). The issue of reducing the cost of Vitamin D supplementation by reconsidering the current VAT rate applied is a matter for the Department of Finance.

Recommendation (4). The issue of specific measures being put in place for frontline and healthcare workers is a matter for the HSE and my Department have referred this to HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services

Questions (1149)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

1149. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when arrangements for assisted living and sheltered accommodation will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41872/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Questions (1150)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

1150. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a new drugs payment scheme card will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41873/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.