Written Answers Nos. 629-648
629. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will release in a redacted format if appropriate to this Deputy all the emails received by the HSE email address yoursay@hse.ie between 20 January 2021 and 25 February 2021. [56030/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
631. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of the north Monaghan primary care unit (details supplied); the expected completion date; the number of staff that will be employed at the facility once completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56033/21]
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.
632. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for their procedure; the reason for the delay in same.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56034/21]
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.
633. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56035/21]
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.
634. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the main initiatives undertaken by his Department since 27 June 2020 to improve access to early diagnosis interventions for those with autism spectrum disorder and access to subsequent primary services such as occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and psychologists, more generally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56040/21]
View answerAdditional funding of €7.8 million was provided to the HSE in August last year to address the issue of a backlog of Assessments of Needs for children. This initiative has resulted in approximately 6,040 children having had their Assessment of Need completed since then, thus reducing the backlog to 520 cases, or a 92% reduction, at the end of September.
To further address waiting times, the HSE implemented a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Assessment of Need process from January 2020 to ensure that children with disabilities and their families access appropriate assessment and intervention as quickly as possible and that the approach to Assessment of Need is consistent across all areas.
A Preliminary Team Assessment, usually undertaken by a Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) will identify initial interventions and any further assessments that may be required. While not required by the Act, diagnostic assessments will continue to be provided, as appropriate, and these will be captured in the child’s Service Statement as part of the Assessment of Need process.
These improvements, particularly the new Preliminary Team Assessment, will facilitate children with disabilities to access assessment much quicker. This is borne out by the latest data I have from the HSE which indicates that over 90% of children who have had a Preliminary Team Assessment are referred for intervention.
635. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Number 872 of 19 October 2021, the recruitment process undertaken by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for senior positions (details supplied) in tabular form; the number of applications received for each senior position; the number shortlisted for each senior position; the number who attended for interview for each senior position; the title and position of each interview panel member for each interview panel; if they were internal NMBI staff or external staff; if the successful candidate in respect of each position was an internal staff member, NMBI board member, NMBI committee member or external applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56041/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is seeking information regarding operational matters of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), my Department has referred the question to the NMBI for its attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
636. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56045/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
637. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied). [56053/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
638. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will examine proposed changes to a clinical process (details supplied). [56054/21]
View answerCouncil Directive 2013/59/EURATOM (the BSSD), insofar as it relates to the designation of referrers, was fully transposed by the European Union (Basic Safety Standards for Protection Against Dangers Arising from Medical Exposure to Ionising Radiation) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 256 of 2018).
These regulations designate those who may refer for radiological tests; nurses, doctors, dentists and radiographers are designated as appropriate. It should be noted that not all statutorily regulated professions are designated for the purposes of the BSSD. Physiotherapists are not designated in the regulations and were not designated as referrers (prescribers) under the previous regulations.
The requirement for physiotherapists to order x-rays needs to be determined in the context of the new models of healthcare envisaged under Sláintecare. If a requirement is established in the future then legislation changes supported by a clinical professional position, development of relevant education and competency standards of practice will also be required.
HSCP Deliver, A HSCP Strategic Guidance Framework for Health and Social Care Professions 2021-2026 (National Health and Social Care Professionals Office, HSE 2021), launched by the HSE Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Colm Henry, includes commitments regarding progressing advanced practice for Health and Social Care Professionals.
Officials in my Department are engaging with the HSE National Office for Health and Social Care Professionals in relation to HSCP Deliver and issues regarding developing advance practice for Health and Social Care Professionals to ensure that the introduction of new models of healthcare are planned and managed effectively to meet future healthcare need.
The HSE Integrated Care Lead and National Health and Social Care Professionals Office are committed to working in partnership with all stakeholders to progress advanced practice including patients/service users, other clinical colleagues including medical, nursing & midwifery and other health care professionals, Professional bodies, HSE and the Department of Health.
In relation to creating the grade of advanced practice physiotherapist, the Minister considers all new grades proposed by the HSE. To date the proposal for advanced practice physiotherapist has not been submitted to the Department for consideration. The HSE has a robust internal process which screens all potential new grades ensuring that they fit with Sláintecare reforms and that they are remunerated in line with their complexity and scope and represent international best practice.
639. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the roll-out of the third Covid-19 vaccine dose in particular for those who are immunosuppressed or compromised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56057/21]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.
More than 7.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have now been administered since the programme began in December last year. As the first phase of vaccination nears completion, the NIAC has been examining evidence regarding booster vaccines.
The NIAC has recommended that a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (irrespective of whether the primary vaccination course was of an mRNA or adenoviral vector) be offered to those aged 60 years and older and healthcare workers. The booster dose should be given after an interval of six months (or at least five months) following the last dose of any authorised COVID-19 vaccine. I have accepted this advice and the HSE has made the necessary arrangements to operationalise these recommendations with the booster rollout now underway.
The NIAC has also recommended an additional mRNA dose should be given to those aged 12 years and older with immunocompromise associated with a suboptimal response to vaccination who have completed their primary vaccination course. The third dose of an mRNA vaccine should be given a minimum of two months after the last dose of the primary vaccination schedule.
The NIAC continues to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for those with waning immunity and reduced effectiveness in other groups, such as those with co-morbidities (under 60 years of age) and will make further recommendations if required.
640. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on PCR testing from the beginning of 2020 to date including laboratory costs by laboratory, staff employed to conduct the testing and other running costs of testing centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56059/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
641. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure on Covid-19-related advertising conducted by the Government and the HSE in print, online and broadcast media since the beginning of 2020 to date; and the breakdown of payments issued to individual media outlets and advertisers. [56061/21]
View answerI can confirm that my Department has expended €528,266.86 on advertising and public messaging campaigns under the criteria in question, a breakdown of which is in tabular form below.
|
Campaign |
Description |
Date |
Amount |
|
Public Information |
Passenger locator form advert |
May 2020 |
€6,842 |
|
Public Information |
Passenger locator form advert |
May 2020 |
€136,563.81 |
|
Public Information |
COVID-19 booklet - five national newspapers |
June 2020 |
€58,662.02 |
|
Public Information/Social Media |
Videos - Public Advice from the CMO |
October 2020 |
€735.75 |
|
Public Information |
COVID-19 media advertising |
October 2020 |
€136,563.80 |
|
Public Information/Social Media |
Deputy CMO Vaccine Videos |
December 2020 |
€786.50 |
|
Public Information |
Hotel quarantine newspaper advertising |
March 2021 |
€20,483.88 |
|
Public Information |
Vaccine rollout newspaper advertising |
March 2021 |
€49,605.84 |
|
Public Information |
Vaccine rollout radio advertising |
March 2021 |
€91,007.59 |
|
Public Information |
Radio advert production |
March 2021 |
€4,573.14 |
|
Public Information/Social Media |
Covid awareness advertising on Facebook |
April 2021 |
€1,790.83 |
|
Public Information |
Design and production of travel advice and quarantine radio advert |
July 2021 |
€20,651.70 |
As this question is also relevant to the Health Service Executive, I have asked them to respond directly to deputy, as soon as possible.
642. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure by the HSE on walking aids and wheelchairs for the period 2016 to 2020; if he will provide information on payments to individual suppliers of relevant equipment; the efforts that have been made to recycle wheelchairs and walking aids; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56062/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
643. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health his plans for the development of neurology services across Ireland; if his attention has been drawn to the designation of Cork University Hospital as the south west regional centre for neurology; his views on the current staffing levels at the hospital in this regard; his plans to bring the number of neurology nursing posts there up to the required level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56078/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
644. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if those vaccinated outside of Ireland can avail of their Covid-19 booster jab in Ireland; if so, the way in which they should access the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56079/21]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.
The NIAC has recommended that a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (irrespective of whether the primary vaccination course was of an mRNA or adenoviral vector) be offered to those aged 60 years and older and healthcare workers. The booster dose should be given after an interval of six months (or at least five months) following the last dose of any authorised COVID-19 vaccine. I have accepted this advice and the HSE has made the necessary arrangements to operationalise these recommendations with the booster rollout now underway.
In line with the approach implemented for the primary vaccination programme, individuals resident in the State will be eligible to receive a booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine when deemed appropriate for their specific cohort in line with NIAC advice.
Operational responsibility for the Covid-19 vaccination programme is with the HSE any queries relating to access to a vaccine should be directed to them.
645. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the reason the six night per month respite service, not home supports, for a child (details supplied) have not been reinstated by the HSE despite the critical circumstances in which the family finds itself; when this respite service will be reinstated for the family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56084/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
646. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for homecare support in each CHO; the number of hours allocated in each of the past 12 months in each CHO; the average length of time that persons have been waiting; the single longest period of time that a person has been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56100/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
647. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if electroconvulsive therapy is carried out in public hospitals; if so, the number of patients that were treated this way and in which locations in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56111/21]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to the numbers of persons treated with Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) as soon as possible.
The provision of ECT for people receiving inpatient mental health treatment in an approved centre may only be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Section 59 of the Mental Health Act 2001.
These provisions were updated by the Mental Health (Amendment) Act 2015 which removed the term 'unwilling' from Sections 59 and 60. ECT may only be carried out without the consent of the individual concerned in cases where the individual is unable to consent and where it has been approved by two consultant psychiatrists. The Mental Health Commission is responsible for making Rules regarding the use of ECT, and the treatment may only be administered in accordance with these Rules.
As the Deputy will be aware, a General Scheme to amend the Mental Health Act 2001 was approved by Government on 13 July 2021. Amendments to the 2001 Act proposed under the General Scheme provide for an updated process for ECT, stating that the person must consent to treatment and, if they lack capacity, then the provisions of Section 57 should be followed in line with the decision-making supports outlined in the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015.
The Department of Health will work with the Office of the Attorney General to prepare a Bill in line with the General Scheme. Pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill by the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Mental Health began on 2 November 2021. The Department will continue to work with the Sub-Committee and the Office of the Attorney General to prepare a Bill for introduction to the Oireachtas as early as possible in 2022.
648. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if his Department has sanctioned additional funding for increased authorised officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56112/21]
View answer650. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the engagement that has taken place with the HSE regarding recruiting authorised officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56114/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 648 and 650 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, a General Scheme of a Bill to amend the Mental Health Act was approved by Government on 13 July and is available on the Department of Health's website at gov.ie - Draft Heads of a bill to amend the Mental Health Act 2001 (www.gov.ie).
The publication of the General Scheme follows a review of the Mental Health Act which took account of the 165 recommendations of an Expert Group Review of the Act that were published in 2015, along with extensive consultation with the HSE, the Mental Health Commission and other key stakeholders, and a public consultation in March/April 2021.
Proposed amendments to Section 9 in the General Scheme provide for changes to who may make an application for involuntary admission and would allow only ‘Authorised Officers’ to make an application. The proposed changes were recommended by the Expert Group and included in the current Programme for Government.
The intention of these changes is to strengthen the safeguards on involuntary detention, to uphold the rights of the individual to autonomy and to make their own decisions about their care and treatment as much as possible, and to ensure an holistic view of the individual is taken before an application for involuntary detention is made.
Pre-Legislative Scrutiny by the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Mental Health began on 2nd November. The draft heads have been sent to Office of Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) for the drafting of the Bill. Department of Health officials will continue to work with the sub-Committee and the OPC to ready the Bill for introduction to the Oireachtas as soon as possible.
Some of the legislative changes proposed in the General Scheme, such as the expansion of the Authorised Officer role, will have a direct impact on resources. Resources will also be required for the hiring of new Authorised Officers, training for new and existing staff, and information to be provided to members of the public about the new provisions in the updated Act prior to its commencement.
I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible, in relation to the recruitment and cost of additional Authorised Officers.
