Written Answers Nos. 730-750
730. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter in relation to visiting in nursing homes and hospital facilities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43980/21]
View answerThe Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) published updated guidance on visiting in long-term residential care: COVID-19: Normalising Visiting in Long Term Residential Care Facilities (LTRCFs). This guidance came into effect on 19 July. The public health advice is to restore visiting to near normal in terms of frequency of visits in those settings with a high level of vaccination of residents as quickly as possible, while also recognising the need to remain cautious as we continue to deal with the evolving risks associated with COVID-19.
The guidance provides that:
- Providers should put in place the necessary measures to progress to more normalised visiting and visiting frequency as quickly as possible in line with public health guidance with no more than two visitors at any one time.
- Routine visiting will no longer need to be scheduled in advance.
- There is no requirement to have a list of nominated visitors.
- The duration of the visit should not be limited.
- Fewer restrictions will apply to residents going on outings or visits outside of the nursing home.
Nursing home providers are ultimately responsible for the safe care of their residents. In a broad sense, visits to nursing homes are governed by legislation under the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013; regulation 11 provides that the nursing home should facilitate visiting and not restrict visiting except in circumstances such as the resident requesting same, or potential risk posed from visiting – this aligns with the risk assessments referred to in the visiting guidance. The regulations also require that the nursing home has suitable facilities in place and available for residents to receive visits. It is the legal responsibility of each provider to assess the risks and mitigation measures associated with their service and how best to manage visits having regards to the specific circumstances that arise in relation to their service. The HPSC has developed public health guidance, mentioned above, to assist and support providers in this regard.
Notwithstanding the current positive epidemiological outlook and the continued reopening of society, risks continue to remain and emergent risks such as variants of concern present ongoing challenges and the need for vigilance. Visiting arrangements should continue to take account of general public health advice and the necessary infection prevention and control measures, to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of COVID-19 and protect those living in our communities. This is particularly important in the context of the increasing prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant. This variant poses a significant risk, in particular to those who are not yet fully protected though vaccination.
Visitors are reminded of their responsibilities with regard to self-checks for COVID-19 in advance of visits, infection and prevention control and social interaction with all individuals, while in the nursing home.
I have communicated with the nursing home sector to emphasise the need for service providers to follow the guidance and I have requested the issue of visits continues to be monitored by HIQA.
The guidance will be kept under continuing review as new evidence and data emerges.
731. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will address the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43985/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
732. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount paid in late interest payments and penalty payments by his Department in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021 in respect of late payments being made to suppliers, service providers and contractors in tabular form; and the measures he has put in place and or is implementing to reduce late payment interest and penalty payments. [44006/21]
View answerThe total amount paid by my Department in late interest and compensation payments in 2017 to 2020 and for Q1 and Q2 in 2021 is set out in the below table:
|
Year |
Interest Paid |
Compensation Paid |
Total Amount Paid |
Total Vote |
% of Vote |
|
2017 |
629.21 |
3,140.00 |
3,769.21 |
14,341m |
0.03% |
|
2018 |
1,353.46 |
3,110.00 |
4,463.46 |
15,527m |
0.03% |
|
2019 |
361.24 |
2,190.00 |
2,551.24 |
17,028m |
0.01% |
|
2020 |
1,448.89 |
4,340.00 |
5,788.89 |
20,412m |
0.03% |
|
2021 (Q1 & Q2) |
2,680.57 |
2,660.00 |
5,340.57 |
13,227m |
0.04% |
The measures currently in operation have mitigated the amounts of late interest and compensation paid by my Department over the years. However the impact of Covid-19 and the recent cyber-attack has led to an increase in the amounts paid in 2020 and 2021 to date, while still remaining small in overall percentage terms. As these impacts settle down it is expected that any such payments will return to their previous low levels in the near future.
733. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be given permission by the HSE to sell a part of their lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44031/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
734. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the number of post Covid-19 clinics nationally; if any of these clinics are accepting children under 16 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44032/21]
View answer735. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the supports available for children and young adults currently experiencing long-term effects and impacts following a Covid-19 infection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44033/21]
View answer736. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if there are any long or post Covid clinics for children in Ireland; if so, the locations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44034/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 734, 735 and 736 together.
COVID-19 is a new disease so information on it, its features, incidence and its course are still emerging. Scientific and clinical evidence is evolving on the long-term effects of COVID-19. An increasing number of reports and studies are now being published on the topic; however, at present there is no agreement on the definition or the terminology.
It is recognised that persistent and prolonged symptoms can occur after acute COVID-19 infection in a proportion of patients, including in some patients who did not develop symptoms severe enough to require hospitalisation. My Department, through the Health Research Board, continues to fund research into the clinical impacts of COVID-19.
Patients with persistent symptoms following COVID-19 infection may be followed up by their GP or in hospital settings as clinically appropriate. People in the community who are concerned about persistent symptoms following Covid-19 should contact their GP in the first instance. Treatment is currently focused on management of specific symptoms.
Specific guidance on the treatment of 'Long COVID' is presently under development both here and internationally. You may wish to note that the HSE is currently recruiting for the position of an Implementation Lead to oversee the implementation of a national model of care.
COVID-19 in children is usually asymptomatic or manifests as a mild illness of short duration. However, concerns have been raised regarding prolonged illness in some children, with no clear resolution of symptoms several weeks after onset, as is observed in some adults and this is an area of ongoing research. Studies to date have identified that that long illness duration after SARS-CoV-2 infection in school-aged children does occur but is uncommon and less commonly than is reported in adults. In most studies of children affected, symptoms are reported to have resolved or significantly decreased over time, providing reassurance about long-term outcomes. Additionally, studies suggest that the symptom burden in children with what has been termed long COVID-19 was not greater than that in children with long illnesses due to causes other than SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The HSE is currently assessing need and the best way to care for those impacted by Long COVID to ensure the appropriate supports are in place. As part of this work on post-COVID care, the HSE is examining how it can model the possible numbers that will be affected, noting that this will take time as more evidence emerges. I understand that the HSE has also been in touch with a group of people who are suffering post-COVID symptoms to inform understanding.
The Department of Health will continue to develop an understanding of the implications of Long COVID to inform policy as appropriate.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
737. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health when the renewal of a medical card will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44036/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
738. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding disability services in County Offaly; the way this compares to services in the rest of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44039/21]
View answer739. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding disability services in County Laois; the way this compares to services in the rest of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44040/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 738 and 739 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
740. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when occupational therapy and speech and language therapy will be provided to address the complex needs of a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44045/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
741. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the costs incurred in the distribution of the Covid-19 vaccines to vaccination sites around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44046/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
742. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who has been awaiting correspondence from Croom Orthopaedic Hospital. [44049/21]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In 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.
743. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if the diabetes care instrument FreeStyle Libre system will be considered for supply through the GMS medical card to patients who need it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44055/21]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
Consultant Endocrinologists/Diabetes Nurse Specialists may apply to the HSE, on behalf of specific patients, for reimbursement support for FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM) sensors. This includes those persons with eligibility under community drug schemes (such as those with medical card eligibility and those with Long Term Illness eligibility). The application process is undertaken by means of a dedicated online portal, which has been operational since 3rd April 2018.
In line with the recommendations outlined by the Health Technology Assessment Group, access to this product was made available to children and young adults (4 -21 years). However, the application process does cater for the Consultant to make an application in very exceptional circumstances for a type 1 diabetic patient outside of this group.
744. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the rolling out of the Covid-19 vaccine to children under 12 years of age given that it is a concern to both parents and teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44056/21]
View answerIreland’s COVID-19 vaccination programme strategy is to distribute all available vaccines as quickly as is operationally possible, prioritising those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19. The programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection.
The 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.
The NIAC review all data relating to COVID-19 vaccines on a rolling basis. Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the NIAC develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and include guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.
You can read the guidelines at www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf.
On the 28th of May, the EMA recommended an extension of the use of the Pfizer vaccine to include those aged 12 to 15 years. The EMA subsequently advised an extension of indication for the Moderna vaccine to include use in children aged 12-17 years. The NIAC reviewed these findings and has recommended that vaccination be extended to those aged 12 -15 years, those in this age group will be offered an mRNA vaccination to protect themselves from COVID-19. There are currently no vaccines authorised for use for those aged under 12 years old.
Clinical trials to assess the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in children under 12 years of age are currently ongoing, with results expected later this year. Vaccine manufacturers Pfizer and Moderna are conducting trials in healthy children between the ages of 6 months and 11 years old using lower vaccine doses. Children have different reactions to medications and vaccinations, so conducting clinical trials specific to that population is important to fully understand the benefits and potential side effects of COVID-19 vaccines in this group. Once the data becomes available, it will be thoroughly reviewed by the EMA and the NIAC prior to the vaccines being administered to children under age 12.
Non-pharmaceutical interventions including social distancing, hand hygiene, good respiratory etiquette and ventilation, as well as vaccinating as many adults and adolescents as possible will all help lower case rates amongst younger children.
745. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if discussions are expected on the way waiting times in hospitals for outpatient appointments can be reduced; if other options will be examined to ease the crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44058/21]
View answerIt 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.
Last year, in order to continue to provide access for patients during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was considerable growth and investment in virtual outpatient consultations by the HSE for many specialties across the system. While face-to-face consultations have resumed across the system, virtual consultations are still taking place where appropriate, reducing the footfall in hospitals while providing alternative access to outpatient consultations.
The NTPF is working with the HSE and individual hospitals on funding initiatives to outsource outpatient appointments to private hospitals and to increase capacity within public hospitals through evening and weekend clinics.
As part of the overall response to COVID-19, the Convention Centre Facility in City West was acquired by the HSE and a number of hospital groups including Children’s Health Ireland, Dublin Midlands and Ireland East have been using the facility for Outpatient and day case clinics across a range of specialties since September 2020.
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.
746. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if supports will be put in place for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44069/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
747. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that the current wait time for orthodontic treatment when assessed is 72 months; his views on the impact this delay would have on the formation of young person’s oral cavity; the reasons for the delay; the efforts that are being made to address the delay; the average wait time in each of the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44076/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
748. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44090/21]
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 practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. The NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.
In 2009, the NIAC recommended HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination for all 12 to 13 year old girls to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer when they are adults. In September 2010, the HPV vaccination programme was introduced for all girls in first year of secondary school.
In June 2017, on foot of the NIAC’s recommendation that the HPV vaccine should also be given to boys, my Department asked the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to undertake a health technology assessment (HTA) to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of extending the immunisation programme to include boys in the first year of secondary school.
The HIQA completed the HTA in December 2018, recommending that the HPV immunisation programme be extended to include boys. A policy decision was made to extend the HPV immunisation programme to include boys, starting in September 2019, with the introduction of a 9-valent HPV vaccine.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by the NIAC in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases. As the HPV vaccine is preventative it is intended to be administered, if possible, before a person becomes sexually active, that is, before a person is first exposed to HPV infection.
Therefore, the gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school to provide maximum coverage. All vaccines administered through the School Immunisation Programme are provided free of charge.
My Department will continue to be guided by NIAC's recommendations on any emerging evidence on this issue in the future.
Anyone not in 1st year of secondary school or age equivalent in special schools or home schooled during the 2020/2021 school year who wishes to get the HPV vaccine, must go to their GP or sexual health clinic and pay privately for the vaccine and its administration. This applies to everyone whether or not they have a medical card/GP visit card, as it is outside of the HPV immunisation programme.
749. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive support hours and services. [44142/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
750. 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. [44150/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
