Written Answers Nos. 572-599
572. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for an operation; if there are steps that can be taken to expedite the treatment for this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44623/21]
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.
573. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the body tasked with organising vaccinations for homeless persons; if there is coordination in place to facilitate persons without stable abode to access vaccinations; and if they are being treated as a priority considering their lack of access to sanitisation resources. [44624/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
574. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if the vacancy for the psychiatrist position in the day hospital in Kilrush, County Clare has been advertised; when it is expected to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44625/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
575. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason dentists in Birr and Ferbane, County Offaly are refusing to take on persons in receipt of medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44627/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
576. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the recommendations in the reference guide Asthma-Diagnosis, Assessment and Management in General Practice published by the Irish College of General Practitioners in November 2020; if his attention has been further drawn to the Health Services Executive intentions with regard to the full endorsement of the recommendations for the management and treatment of asthma and allergies; if sufficient funding will be provided to fulfil the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44632/21]
View answerThe Irish College General Practitioners is the professional body for education, training, research and standards in general practice. In addition to its teaching, training and education activities the College regularly produces general practice publications, guidelines and protocols to assist GPs in their everyday work.
The HSE is aware of the “Asthma-Diagnosis, Assessment and Management in General Practice” reference guide, published by the ICGP which provides recommendations for the diagnosis and management of asthma in patients in general practice. However, it is not involved in endorsing the ICGP recommendations.
A significant development in general practice has been the introduction of a new Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Programme at the end of January 2020. This Programme is being rolled out on a phased basis to adult GMS and GP visit card patients over a 4-year period.
Patients with an existing diagnosis of one of the specified conditions, including asthma, those who are assessed by their GP on an opportunistic case finding basis, as well as those identified as high risk, will benefit under the programme. It is estimated that over 400,000 medical card and GP visit card patients will benefit from the programme. In order to support patients in managing their chronic condition(s) there are two scheduled reviews with the GP in a 12-month period, each preceded by a practice nurse visit. These reviews include patient education, preventative care, medication review, physical examinations, scheduled investigations and individual care planning.
For the first time we are seeing the delivery of structured care on a large scale for patients with chronic conditions in a primary care setting. As the Programme is rolled out and fully implemented over time, it is envisaged that it will result in a reduction in hospital attendance by patients with the four conditions.
GPs participating in the new CDM programme receive enhanced capitation fees as well as an increased practice nurse subsidy.
577. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if an occupational therapist report will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44638/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
578. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on a matter (details supplied) regarding general practitioner care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44639/21]
View answerWhere a GMS patient experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept him/her as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign that person to a GP's GMS patient list.
People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private contractors, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients. Where a GP practice has a full list of patients and cannot take on new patients, patients should contact other GP practices in the surrounding areas.
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 GP. 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 ten years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 233 in 2021. The ICGP noted a record number of applications for the 2021 GP training programme.
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.
579. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a nursing home (details supplied) has received three poor inspection reports in a row; the reason the Chief Officer of HIQA has not used their powers under section 59.1(iii) of the Health Act 2007 ; and the reason they have not requested a court order to enforce improvements needed at this home. [44640/21]
View answerThe Chief Inspector of Social Services in the Health Information and Quality Authority, (HIQA), is the statutory independent regulator in place for the nursing home sector, whether a HSE managed or a private nursing home. The Chief Inspector, established under the Health Act 2007, has significant and wide-ranging powers up to and including withdrawing the registration of a nursing home facility, which means that it can no longer operate as a service provider.
As the independent regulator of nursing homes, the Chief Inspector determines the appropriate and proportionate approach and interventions required to monitor and ensure compliance with the regulatory framework. The Chief Inspector adopts a risk-based approach to regulation, prioritising monitoring, inspection and enforcement, based on the assessment of the risk, including the type of enforcement action to be taken.
I understand that the Chief Inspector is aware of instances of regulatory non-compliance at the designated centre in question and has taken action, which is reflected in the inspection reports relating to this facility.
In responding to concerns or high levels of non-compliance at any centre, the Chief Inspector has a range of regulatory actions available to her, and I understand that she has taken various regulatory actions in relation to the designated centre in question.
On a case-by-case basis, in each case a decision is made by the Inspectorate about the most effective course of action depending on the situation.The Chief Inspector has noted that she will continue to monitor this centre and will take further regulatory action if required.
580. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the current capacity of the Covid-19 test, trace and isolate system; the number of contact tracers currently in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44647/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
581. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if Covid-19 testers in mass test centres are being given adequate rest breaks in their workday given the huge surge in demand for testing currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44648/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
582. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if the practiced system of calling close contacts in school place settings has ceased; if contact tracers are currently instructed not to contact these cases if they arise in a school setting; if the job of contact tracing has been deferred to school administrators; if there have been changes to requirements for restriction of movement in these cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44649/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
583. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to resume walk-in testing at centres nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44650/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
584. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that cancer patients are being turned away for scheduled inpatient chemotherapy treatment in Galway University Hospital due to a lack of beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44680/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
585. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health when the construction of a new radiation oncology unit for University Hospital Galway is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44686/21]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
587. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the reopening of the HSE Keltoi rehabilitation unit in St. Mary’s Hospital, Phoenix Park, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44694/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
588. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health when the mid-term review of the National Drugs Strategy will be published; and if he will seek prior approval from the National Oversight Committee. [44701/21]
View answerThe national drug strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, sets out government policy on drug and alcohol use for the period 2017 to 2025. The strategy provides an integrated public health approach to drug and alcohol use, focused on reducing the harms for individuals, families and communities and promoting rehabilitation and recovery. The strategy is a dynamic strategy and contains 50 actions which are to be delivered over the period 2017-2020.
The Department recently completed the mid-term review of the actions in the strategy, in consultation with stakeholders. The review reflects on progress in implementing the strategy to date, progress achieved under the action plan 20217-2020, identifies issues that have arisen including the impact of Covid-19 and sets out strategic priorities for remaining four years of the strategy, 2021-2025. The strategic priorities reinforce the health-focus of the strategy, incorporate the commitments in the Programme for Government, and align with the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2025.
The Department has reported regularly on the mid-term review to the national oversight committee and a draft report was presented to a special meeting of the committee in June for its consideration. The committee welcomed the findings of the review and the strategic priorities for 2021-2025.
A Memo for Government on the review and the strategic priorities 2021-2025 is before the Government for approval. Publication of the review and supporting documents will follow soon thereafter.
I look forward to working with all stakeholders to implement the strategic priorities for the period 2021-2025 and to address the societal challenges arising from the use of drugs, especially for children and young people and for those at greatest risk of harm.
590. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the status of the use of antigen testing as Ireland continues with the gradual reopening of society. [44711/21]
View answerConsiderable work has been undertaken to date to evaluate the potential use of rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) in an Irish context and this will continue on an ongoing basis.
In the health sector, the HSE has deployed rapid antigen tests for use for specific indications in the acute hospital setting, and as part of the response to outbreaks in the community setting amongst vulnerable populations, supported by appropriate clinical governance and operational arrangements. This includes updating the case definition for SARS-CoV-2 to accept notification of positive results from rapid antigen tests undertaken in the public health system and reporting of such cases to the COVID Care tracker and to the Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting (CIDR) information system developed to manage the surveillance and control of infectious diseases in Ireland. In response to significantly increased demand for testing caused by the Delta variant, the HSE has planned the deployment of self-swab antigen tests for the testing of close contacts, should challenges in the demand for PCR testing capacity arise. Those in receipt of a ‘detected’ result from an antigen test will be referred for a confirmatory PCR test.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, supported by the HSE, has implemented an antigen testing programme in food processing facilities, supplementing the PCR serial testing programme there. These tests are being carried out under clinical governance arrangements put in place by the Department of Agriculture. Further pilot programmes are underway in a number of further and higher level institutions in the education sector, and amongst staff in early learning and childcare settings. An additional pilot programme for staff of Residential Care Facilities for Older Persons will commence on the 20th September. These pilots will contribute to an improved understanding of the feasibility of large-scale RADT usage in these settings.
The “Report of the COVID-19 Rapid Testing Group” which was chaired at my request by the Government’s chief scientific adviser, Professor Mark Ferguson, and published on 1 April 2021, made a number of recommendations for sectors outside the health sector and these are a matter for the Ministers and Departments with responsibility for the sectors concerned.
I have established an Expert Advisory Group on Rapid Testing, chaired by Professor Mary Horgan, Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Cork University Hospital and President of the Royal College of Physicians. The group will support and advise government departments, who are responsible for progressing pilots and the rollout of rapid tests in their respective sectors. It will also be responsible for communicating to the general public.
The membership of the group and it's terms of reference are available at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e2767-minister-donnelly-establishes-expert-advisory-group-on-rapid-testing/ . Minutes of the Groups meetings are available at www.gov.ie/en/collection/8b585-minutes-and-agendas-from-meetings-of-the-rapid-testing-expert-advisory-group/
On an ongoing basis, the National Public Health Emergency Team considers and reviews how best to target testing to detect, and mitigate the impact of, the virus across the population. This includes keeping Ireland’s national testing and tracing policy under continuing review.
591. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange for a vaccine for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44712/21]
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.
592. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding requests for services for children under the age of 18 from each CHO for each month from January 2021 to September 2021, in tabular form; and the amount requested for each service per CHO. [44718/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
593. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the annual cost of running a fully staffed early intervention team, occupational therapist, psychologist, physiotherapist, social worker and speech and language therapist; if the cost varies between CHO based on operations to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44727/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
594. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the annual revenue cost of a mental health bed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44728/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
595. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if a system has been put in place to record side-effects of Covid-19 vaccinations in the State; if such data will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44729/21]
View answerThe Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) operates the national adverse reaction reporting system, through which healthcare professionals and members of the public can notify a report of a suspected adverse reaction (ADR) to vaccines on a voluntary basis.
It is important to note that the HPRA receives reports based on suspicion that an adverse experience may be associated with vaccination. This does not necessarily mean that the vaccine caused the adverse experience. The information received by the HPRA may also be limited at the time of initial reporting (for example the report may or may not specify whether the patient has been hospitalised), and more information about individual reports may become available through follow-up.
The majority of regularly reported suspected side effects are consistent with the types of events typically observed following vaccination, including those described in the product information for the individual vaccines. Whilst not experienced by everyone, all vaccines have some side effects, the vast majority of which are mild to moderate in nature. These side effects need to be continuously balanced against the benefits of preventing COVID-19 illness. Overall, the national reporting experience in Ireland, as well as international experience, continues to support the assessment that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines outweigh the risks.
The HPRA has been publishing regular public safety updates on reporting experience with COVID-19 vaccines, including information on the numbers and nature of these reports. To date, 11 such updates have been published and are accessible from the HPRA website (www.hpra.ie/homepage/medicines/covid-19-updates/covid-19-vaccine-communications), with the most recent publication issued on September 9th.
596. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for the National Rehabilitation Centre by county of residence in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44730/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
597. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the network teams that are in planning stage under the progressing disability services; and the network teams that are in implementation stage in tabular form. [44736/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
598. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health when the legislation will be in place to enact the changes to the nursing home support scheme for farm families; if these changes can be applied in the case of a person who entered nursing home care before the legislation is passed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44737/21]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021 was signed into law on 22 July, and it will be brought into operation on 20 October, 90 days from its enactment. The goal of this amendment is to assist in protecting the viability and sustainability of family farms and family-run businesses.
The principal amendment introduced under the Act extended the three-year cap on contributions based on farm and business assets where an appointed family successor commits to working the productive asset for a period of 6 years. To be considered for the 3-year cap, the legislation requires that an asset owned by an applicant for the Scheme, or recently transferred to a family member, is a productive family asset that has been actively worked by a family member for a significant period of time in advance of the person entering care.
For the purposes of calculating the three-year period after which contributions will be capped under the amendment, time already spent in care when the amendment comes into force will be taken into account. This means that a person who entered nursing home care three or more years ago should be able to benefit from the relief under the amendment when it comes into force, provided they can meet the other conditions.
However, the amendment does not provide for any retrospective relief or refunds on contributions to care made before the amendment comes into operation. Retrospective application of the proposed legislative changes would create a challenging precedent, involving high legal and administrative costs and risks, in attempting to apply retrospectively a complex set of conditions. It would also introduce a degree of inequity where conditions would be imposed in the past, with only some people in a position to satisfy those – as then unknown – conditions.
599. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to address shortages in the provision of dental services under the medical card scheme in particular as it relates to dental provision for pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44748/21]
View answer627. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made between his Department and an association (details supplied) since presenting proposals for reform of the dental treatment services scheme in August 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44999/21]
View answer650. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the measures which have been taken to resolve the acute crisis in the provision of dental services under the medical card scheme and in particular as it relates to dental provision for pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45139/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 599, 627 and 650 together.
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. These services are provided by independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. Patients may choose to have their treatment undertaken by any dentist who participates in the Scheme.
I am aware that there has been a reduction in the numbers of dentists participating in the DTSS since the beginning of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Some people are experiencing problems in accessing a service close to their home. However, I have been assured by the HSE that their local services on the ground will assist any persons who are experiencing problems in accessing a service.
The national approach to future oral health service provision will be informed by Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy, which was published in 2019. The aim of the policy is to develop a model of care that will enable preventative approaches to be prioritised, improve access, and support interventions appropriate to current and future oral health needs.
I am committed to ensuring the sustainability of the DTSS, but recognise that it needs to be aligned with the new Policy. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the roll-out of the National Oral Health Policy to be delayed, and the proposed review of the DTSS contract to be deferred. Officials in my Department and from the HSE are currently engaging with the Irish Dental Association on matters relating to the provision of services under the DTSS.
