Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022

Written Answers Nos. 1398-1414

Disability Services

Questions (1398)

Seán Canney

Question:

1398. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if a child (details supplied) will receive the necessary supports they require; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63121/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Anne Rabbitte)

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

Disability Services

Questions (1399)

Seán Canney

Question:

1399. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the status of persons who are excluded from services (details supplied); the way the issue will be rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63122/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Anne Rabbitte)

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

Ambulance Service

Questions (1400, 1401)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1400. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the increase in ambulances, EMTs and paramedics to date in counties Cavan and Monaghan in view of the Programme for Government commitment to increase same; and the way response times have improved in the counties. [63127/21]

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1401. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the latest response times for ambulances in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath and nationally in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63128/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1400 and 1401 together.

As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.   

Question No. 1401 answered with Question No. 1400.

Hospital Services

Questions (1402)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1402. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he is considering putting in place a legal basis for the issuing of do not resuscitate orders in hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63129/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

To ensure that Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) orders are made consistently, transparently and in line with best practice, the Health Service Executive (HSE) provides guidance regarding advance care planning including making DNAR decisions.

The HSE National Consent Policy 2019 – Part 4 Do Not Attempt Resuscitation provides a decision-making framework that facilitates the advance discussion of personal preferences. Further Guidance regarding Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and DNAR Decision-Making during the COVID-19 Pandemic was developed in May 2020. This guidance is applicable to all care environments where services are provided for and on behalf of the HSE including acute hospitals, the ambulance service, community hospitals, residential care settings, general practice and home care.

Decisions relating to DNAR orders are part of the larger area of healthcare decisions that need to be made at the end-of-life. Best practice states that such decisions should be discussed as part of the advance care planning process. One method of achieving that goal is through an advance healthcare directive (AHD). 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. Part 8 of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 provides a legislative framework for these. It is the responsibility of my Department to implement Part 8 of the 2015 Act. Implementation of Part 8 requires that Codes of Practice are first drafted, to assist stakeholders in implementing its provisions. As per the provisions of Part 8, a Multidisciplinary Working Group has previously been established, who prepared detailed recommendations. These have since been submitted to the Decision Support Service (DSS), who have responsibility under the Act for finalising the draft Codes and initiating a public consultation. The Director of the DSS has recently commenced this consultation. Once this process is complete, the final Codes can be published by the Director, with my consent, in accordance with the process outlined in the Act.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (1403)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1403. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to upgrade Monaghan Hospital and reintroduce its accident and emergency department; his views on the concerns of the public due to the lack of this service and delays in ambulance response times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63130/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Last year saw a number of new initiatives at Monaghan General Hospital, including:

- 18 new stepdown beds;

- a second endoscopy room;

- centralisation of Haemochromatosis Services for patients in the Cavan Monaghan Hospital Catchment area; and

- provision of a 3rd Ultrasound.

The RCSI Hospital Group advises that there are no plans to expand the Minor Injury Unit at Monaghan General Hospital.  As you know, Cavan General Hospital provides 24-hour emergency critical care to adults and children in the region.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1404)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

1404. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the way the effectiveness of children wearing masks in school will be assessed as part of the review of the policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63132/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government, at its meeting on 30 November, agreed that face masks/coverings be recommended for those aged 9 and over on public transport, in retail and other indoor public settings as currently required for those aged 13 and over, with exemptions as appropriate. Face masks/coverings are also recommended for children in third class and above in primary school and guidance has issued to schools from the Department of Education on this.

As the Deputy is aware, this is a temporary, interim measure and will be reviewed in mid-February 2022.

This review will entail an examination of the profile of the disease at the time, in particular the rate of disease in the 5-11 years age group, the uptake of vaccination in this cohort, international guidance and practice, the evidence and experience in relation to the use of face coverings in children in Ireland, and consideration of the range of potential benefits and harms from any recommendations.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1405)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

1405. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the date from which all incoming passengers will be requested to present their PCR or antigen test when entering Ireland; the way he will ensure that they are requested for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63133/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Between 5 December 2021 and 5 January 2022, all travellers coming to Ireland were required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test result regardless of vaccination or recovery status.

Since 6 January 2022, international passengers to Ireland with an accepted proof of vaccination, or an accepted proof of recovery from COVID-19 do not have to show an additional pre-departure Covid test result. Passengers without proof of vaccination, or proof of recovery from COVID-19 are still required evidence of a negative / not-detected PCR test result taken within 72 hours prior to arriving in Ireland.  

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1406, 1436, 1446, 1459)

Réada Cronin

Question:

1406. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if persons who have recovered from Covid-19 will have to wait six months for the booster vaccine given the reported highly contagious nature of the new omicron variant and its ability to reinfect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63135/21]

Neale Richmond

Question:

1436. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will request the National Immunisation Advisory Committee to examine the waiting period between contracting Covid-19 and receiving a booster vaccine dose given that the current six month wait is much shorter in other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63256/21]

Bríd Smith

Question:

1446. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the new omicron variant of Covid-19, those who have recovered from infection with the delta variant will now be vulnerable to reinfection and as such be eligible for immediate vaccination, including booster, without having to wait six months as is currently the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63285/21]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1459. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the length of time a person has to wait for their Covid-19 booster vaccine after having a positive PCR test; the current scientific thinking in relation to the optimum delay period in respect of the omicron variant; the consideration that is being given to shortening this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63340/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1406, 1436, 1446 and 1459 together.

The 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.On 21 December, the NIAC recommended that those who are fully vaccinated and have had breakthrough laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection should delay their booster vaccination for at least three months in accordance with the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. The NIAC will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines and will make further recommendations if required.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1407)

Réada Cronin

Question:

1407. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if persons vaccinated with a one-shot vaccine (details supplied) will be prioritised urgently for boosters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63136/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The 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.

On the 13th December, the NIAC recommended that the interval between the primary vaccine series and booster dose should be reduced to three months. In making its latest recommendations, NIAC has reiterated the need for booster vaccines to be offered to those in previously recommended groups before progression to the younger age cohorts.

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 16 years and older with the rollout now underway. The NIAC will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines and will make further recommendations if required.

Departmental Data

Questions (1408)

Mark Ward

Question:

1408. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who arrived at emergency departments with suicidal thoughts in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63138/21]

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.

Healthcare Policy

Questions (1409, 1410, 1412)

Mark Ward

Question:

1409. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the way the decision was made to spend €1.8 million on electric and hybrid vehicles out of the €10 million of once-off funding announced in Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63140/21]

Mark Ward

Question:

1410. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the details of the €1.8 million to be spent on electric and hybrid vehicles out of the €10 million of once-off funding announced in Budget 2022; the persons these vehicles are for; the purpose of these vehicles; the benefit HSE mental health users will receive from this purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63141/21]

Mark Ward

Question:

1412. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the ways in which the vehicles will be used in relation to the €1.8 million of €10 million once-off funding for mental health that will be spent on a replacement fleet with green or hybrid vehicles in each community healthcare organisation; the vehicles they will be replacing; the previous uses of the vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63153/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1409, 1410 and 1412 together.

Once-off funding of €10m for mental health was announced in Budget Day 2022.  My entire focus when allocating this funding was that it would be person-centred, so that the service user would directly benefit from this additional once-off spend.

As part of the allocation of this funding, €200,000 has been provided to each Community Health Organisation for vehicles.  These vehicles will support the transport needs of people using mental health services and promote their engagement within the community. This may include, for example, travel to and from medical and other personal appointments, employment and education programmes, day centres, and social activities.

The need to adequately resource transport facilities as part of the wrap around supports provided by the HSE in approved psychiatric centres, mental health day centres and community mental health residences is borne out in The Cost of Disability in Ireland, a recent report commissioned by the Department of Social Protection from Indecon.  This report includes data on the average extra yearly living costs due to disability that survey respondents cannot afford.  For those with a mental health, psychological or emotional condition or issue, the average annual extra cost is €3,268.  Transport costs account for €494 of this figure, the third highest category of extra cost after care/assistance and housing.

The requirement that vehicles are green or hybrid is in line with government policy.

Question No. 1410 answered with Question No. 1409.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Questions (1411)

Mark Ward

Question:

1411. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the reason a facility (details supplied) does not align with the implementation plan for the HSE National Model of Care; if consideration will be given to same on an interim basis given the expansion planned for Mount Carmel Community Hospital is not due for completion until June 2022 and the facility is in CHO6 the same catchment area as Mount Carmel Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63144/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

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

Question No. 1412 answered with Question No. 1409.

Home Care Packages

Questions (1413)

Patrick Costello

Question:

1413. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the number of homecare hours provided by his Department; and the breakdown of the total provided directly by the HSE, private and voluntary providers, respectively. [63156/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

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. 1414 answered with Question No. 1383.