Written Answers Nos. 1587-1607
1587. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if insurance companies are deemed an essential service during the Covid-19 pandemic; if so, if this means staff must be office-based as opposed to working from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1042/22]
View answerIn its letter of 11 November, the NPHET recommended that the Government consider re-instating previous advice to work from home where possible. This advice was accepted by Government and public health measures in place at present include a recommendation that everyone should work from home unless it is necessary to attend the workplace in person.
The emergence of the Omicron variant requires a renewed and enhanced emphasis by all sectors and organisations on ensuring widespread compliance with, and adherence to, measures which will protect the public and employees. As outlined in the NPHET letter of 16 December, employers should accommodate employees to work from home where their attendance on site is not essential. For those who must attend workplaces in person, there should be ongoing communication to employers and employees regarding protective measures in the Work Safely Protocol e.g. staggered shifts and breaks, appropriate mask wearing, not attending if symptomatic, pod system for staff, and mitigation measures if sharing transportation. This letter can be viewed online www.gov.ie/en/collection/ba4aa0-letters-from-the-cmo-to-the-minister-for-health/#letters-from-2022
The Work Safely Protocol can be viewed online www.gov.ie/en/publication/22829a-return-to-work-safely-protocol/
1589. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he plans to bring forward legislation to prohibit the practices of virginity testing or hymenoplasty given the potentially imminent ban across Britain and Northern Ireland to make it an offence to carry out same under the UK Health and Care Bill 2021. [1048/22]
View answerAs this PQ relates to the provision of specific procedures I have referred it to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1590. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of a women’s health action plan to tackle a wide range of issues impacting women’s health outcomes in Ireland as committed to under the current Programme for Government. [1049/22]
View answerImproving women’s health outcomes is a key priority for me and this Government. We made a strong commitment to Promoting Women’s Health in the Programme for Government and are fully committed to the development and improvement of Women’s Health services and to working with women and girls to improve their health across the whole life cycle.
This commitment has been reflected within Budget 2022, in the allocation of €31 million for new development funding to specifically support women’s health.
Budget 2022 will:
- Invest almost €9 million additional funding to ensure continued implementation of the National Maternity Strategy into 2022 and beyond, building on the significant investment in 2021
- Continue improvements in our gynaecology services by establishing a further 6 ambulatory gynaecology "see and treat" clinics, bringing the total to 20 clinics nationally
- Investment to fund access to contraception for women aged 17-25
- Support further developments in menopause care by increasing the number of specialist menopause clinics from 1 clinic to 4 clinics nationally
- Increase investment in sexual assault treatment units
- Invest in tackling period poverty for the first time
- Funding for the establishment of a new Obstetric Event Support Team
- Funding to establish a perinatal genetics service
- Build on initiatives started in 2021, by further expanding specialist endometriosis services for more complex cases across two centres
- Invest an additional €5 million into the Women’s Health Fund to fund innovative new approaches to women’s health services nationwide
In addition, a further €16m in other measures to support women's health has been embedded within other new measures for 2022 within the Health Vote in areas such as cancer, mental health and social inclusion budgets, bringing the overall investment in women's health to €47m in additional funding provided for 2022.
Underscoring the government’s commitment to Women’s Health has been the establishment of a Women’s Health Taskforce in September 2019 to improve both health outcomes and experiences of healthcare for women and girls. The Women’s Health Fund, a dedicated fund established in 2021 and managed by the Women's Health Taskforce, has supported this aim through funding specific initiatives in identified priority areas through its initial €5 million allocation. Priority programmes for women’s health are reviewed and regularly updated as part of an action planning process. Funded activity to date includes a specialist menopause clinic in the National Maternity Hospital, two ambulatory gynaecology clinics, and enhanced service provision in areas like endometriosis, perinatal mental health and specialist centre for paediatric and adolescent gynaecology services.
The dedicated ‘Women’s Health Fund’ has received an additional €5 million allocation in Budget 2022. This provides the foundation for a fully funded action programme on Women’s Health in 2022, which will be brought to government in the coming weeks. Informed by the available evidence and engagement with women across the country, key stakeholders, clinicians, and advocates for women’s health, the action plan will outline measures needed to tackle a wide range of issues impacting women’s health in outcomes in Ireland.
Women’s health will continue to be a priority for me and this government.
1591. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if his Department is considering issuing Digital COVID Certificates or proof of vaccination to those under the age of 18 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1055/22]
View answerThe EU Digital COVID Certificate is a document which is issued to help facilitate the safe and free international movement of people across the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic.
EU Digital COVID Certificates based on vaccination are currently being emailed to individuals, regardless of age, following completion of a primary vaccination regime or a booster.
Additionally, individuals can visit the online Digital COVID Certificate portal which has options for updating certificate details, having a certificate re-sent, checking the status of a certificate, or requesting a certificate of recovery.
Question No. 1592 answered with Question No. 1584.
1593. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons attending acute hospitals with strokes, blood clots and for emergency cardiac care in 2021 and in the previous five years, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1058/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1594. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the way in which the HSE has provided funding to a facility (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this facility has informed residents and their families that they require additional or emergency funding to guarantee the facility can remain open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1060/22]
View answerThe HSE provides funding to Camphill Communities of Ireland (CCOI), which has approximately 12 communities in Ireland, under Section 39 of the Health Act. The HSE has a formal Governance Framework in place with CCOI (all funding arrangements with non-statutory agencies are formalised by complying with this Governance Framework).
CCoI received funding of approximately €24 million in 2021 from the HSE, of which €1.85 million was provided to Camphill Communities in Dunshane, via a Section 39 Service Arrangement.
The HSE states that it remains committed to working in partnership with the Board and the Executive of CCOI to ensure the medium to long- term viability of CCOI as a service provider and to ensure that service provision to persons with a disability at all Camphill Communities of Ireland locations are delivered in line with best practice and in compliance with all applicable prevailing regulation/legislation.
The HSE also advises that it continues to provide funding to CCoI on both a revenue and capital basis to maintain delivery of services. It is currently engaged at both national and CHO-level with the Board and Executive of CCoI and is committed to working in partnership with CCoI to ensure that all service users are provided with the highest quality and most appropriate services. The HSE will be meeting with the Board of CCOI this month (January 2022).
1595. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of work placements within the HSE (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1064/22]
View answerIn 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.
1596. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if his Department has given further consideration to supporting free antigen testing particularly for community healthcare workers and those double jobbing in public health activities who need to use the tests as a screening device before visiting vulnerable patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1067/22]
View answer1658. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given by his Department to including antigen tests in the drugs payment scheme to ensure that relief is provided for those purchasing them to promote public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1251/22]
View answer1755. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the measures he plans to take to ensure that antigen tests are made available at least not above cost by retailers and pharmacists (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1634/22]
View answer1812. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some suppliers increased the cost of antigen tests as demand has soared beyond supply in Ireland, the UK, the United States of America and Australia; his views on the implications this will have on prices and supply of antigen tests in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1929/22]
View answer1813. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if his Department will consider subsidisation of antigen tests in cases in which prices have increased due to low supply and high demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1930/22]
View answer1834. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will approve free antigen tests for pensioners to be made available via their general practitioner and local pharmacies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1977/22]
View answer1888. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to make antigen tests more freely available in view of the changes to the close contact rules which have come into effect in January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2296/22]
View answer1928. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will provide antigen tests and FFP2 masks to medical card holders without charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2596/22]
View answer1929. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will provide antigen tests and FFP2 masks at a subsidised rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2597/22]
View answer1935. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a subsidy for antigen tests and FFP2 masks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2603/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1596, 1658, 1755, 1812, 1813, 1834, 1888, 1928, 1929 and 1935 together.
The evidence relating to the detection of COVID-19, and the actions deemed appropriate to mitigate the impact of the virus across the population, are kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), the Department of Health and by the Government.
There is very significant demand on the HSE to support those testing programmes identified as public health priorities. It is likely that demand for testing for public health purposes will remain high in the coming period, particularly given the very high current infection rates in the community and the impacts arising in relation to Omicron.
In addition to running a very comprehensive community PCR testing programme, a number of serial testing PCR programmes, and PCR testing in acute hospital services, the HSE, under the guidance and direction of NPHET and the Department of Health operates a number of programmes involving supply of antigen tests, free of charge, to participants . The HSE focus is on supporting programmes with a clearly defined public health purpose.
These programmes involve supply of antigen tests, free of charge, to all symptomatic persons aged from 4 to 39, to all close contacts of confirmed cases, supporting the Department of Education in supplying antigen tests to children in primary schools as part of a pod in which there was a confirmed case of COVID-19, supporting the Department of Agriculture in the antigen testing programme in food processing facilities and for use for specific indications in the acute hospital setting, and as part of the response to outbreaks in community settings, supported by appropriate clinical governance and operational arrangements. While the focus remains on supporting those programmes with a clearly defined public health purpose, the HSE is also required to prioritise the available stock, supply chain and operational capacity in supporting these ongoing programmes and on continuing the national testing programme for public health reasons.
More widely, the Government’s objective has been to ensure the widespread availability of antigen tests, that are CE marked for self-testing, at an affordable price level, for those people who wish to purchase their own. Following engagement by relevant Government Departments with leading retailers and wholesalers, there is increased competition in the market and the retail price of many of the available antigen tests for consumers are more affordable. While there is increasing competition in the international supply chain, the Government continues to keep affordability low with the implementation of a zero VAT rate for all Covid-19 test kits and ongoing review regarding availability.
A comprehensive, cross-Government communications campaign on the appropriate use of antigen tests, to ensure there is clear message to the general public on when and how they should be used has also been launched and guidance material has been published on the HSE website and on gov.ie. The HPSC has also published rapid antigen testing programme guidance.
As Deputies will be aware, all types of masks when worn properly, including cloth masks, if properly constructed and well fitted can significantly reduce community transmission of COVID-19. A face mask that does not completely cover your nose and mouth will not protect you or anyone else.
There are different types of masks available. When used properly and in higher-risk settings, medical masks and respirator masks give better protection from COVID-19 infection than cloth masks. These can be purchased in shops and pharmacies.
Comprehensive advice relating to the wearing of facemasks is available on the HSE website at www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/preventing-the-spread/when-to-wear-face-covering/ . This advises that medical or respirator masks should be worn by people –
- over 60 in indoor or outdoor crowded places
- at higher risk from COVID-19 in indoor or outdoor crowded places
- visiting a healthcare setting
- visiting someone at higher risk of COVID-19
- a close contact - wear this type of mask for 10 days
In cases of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 and who should be self-isolating but who needs to be in the same room as someone else, everyone in the room aged 9 and older should wear a mask. For adults and older children, this should be a medical or respirator mask.
It is not proposed at this time that the HSE would supply masks to the general population, and it is the responsibility of individuals to equip themselves with appropriate protection.
The role of testing and contact tracing and public health advice relating to face masks, as part of the wider public health response, has been under ongoing review throughout the pandemic and will continue to be reviewed and amended in line with the epidemiological profile of the disease, its impact on healthcare utilisation and outcomes, the vaccination status of the population and ECDC guidance.
1597. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health further to recent media pronouncements from a company (details supplied) that the new national children’s hospital structure is largely completed and is soon to progress to commissioning works, the final build expenditure to date before decommissioning module; the expected cost of commissioning the new hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1068/22]
View answerThe new children’s hospital (NCH) project comprises the main hospital on a shared campus at St James’s, and two paediatric Outpatient and Urgent Care Centres at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, and Tallaght University Hospital.
In September 2021, the main contractor on the NCH project, BAM Ireland, substantially completed and handed over the paediatric outpatient and urgent care centre at Tallaght University Hospital in line with the contractor's schedule, and the facility opened on 15 November 2021, following a period of operational commissioning. The new facility will accommodate up to 17,000 outpatient and 25,000 emergency care attendances per year.
Together with CHI@ Connolly, which opened in July 2019, these new facilities will improve access to urgent and outpatient care for a significant number of children. More than 95% of those presenting for urgent care at Connolly are able to go home after treatment and waiting lists for general paediatrics significantly reduced within a year of opening.
On the St James’s site, work is ongoing with major milestones reached in 2021, including completion of the concrete frame with over 150,000 cubic metres of concrete poured (weighing over 360,000 tonnes), the topping out of the building (where the highest point on the building was completed- a significant milestone in any construction project), the infill concrete slabs over the steelwork frame, closing in the concourse and, by the end of 2021, the building was almost weather-tight with approximately 17,000 square metres of glazing and 5,800 square metres of external façade installed. In addition, to date, 86,000 square metres of internal partitions have been installed with the fit out of most internal areas now underway, including the south fingers comprising Outpatients, Cardiology Wards, and Therapies spaces, and the ‘Hot Block’ comprising Emergency Department, Critical Care and Theatres.
The exterior of the building demonstrates the significant progress made on the project to date, however, the fit out and installation of services in over 6,000 spaces within the building mean that there remains a substantially body of work to be completed on the project before commissioning works can begin.
In 2018, Government approved a capital budget of €1.433bn for the NCH project. This included the capital costs for the main hospital at St James's Hospital campus, the two Outpatient Department and urgent care centres at Connolly and Tallaght campuses, equipment for the three sites, and the construction of the carpark and retail spaces.
There are a number of items not included in this investment figure as there was no price certainly for them and nor can there be, for some, for the duration of the project. These include construction inflation, the impact of Covid-19, statutory changes, any change in scope resulting in healthcare policy changes, and the Employment Order.
As of the end of 2021, €877m of the €1.433bn budget has been drawn down for works on the project across the three sites.
Additional costs in relation to the integration and transfer of the services of the three children’s hospitals to the new sites brings the total programme cost to €1.73 billion. This includes investment in ICT, including a new Electronic Health Record system, the Children's Hospital Integration Programme (the merging of three paediatric hospitals) including commissioning, pre-2013 project expenditure relating to the former Mater project, and the planned construction of the Children’s Research and Innovation Centre to be funded through philanthropic funding. The costs of both technical and operational commissioning are encompassed within the overall 1.73bn figure.
1598. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health further to recent media reports regarding developing a policy to build a new elective hospital in Cork city, the provisional number of beds being considered; the provisional budget associated with construction and delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1069/22]
View answerA new National Elective Ambulatory Care Strategy was agreed by Government on 21 December 2021. This new strategy aims to change the way in which day case, scheduled procedures, surgeries, scans and outpatient services can be better arranged to ensure greater capacity in the future and help to address waiting lists.
The development of additional capacity will be provided through dedicated, standalone Elective Hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin. These hospitals will focus on high volume, low complexity procedures, and a range of related diagnostic services, initially on a day-case only basis. Day procedures offered in the first phase will include Gastrointestinal, Gynaecology, Opthalmology, and Orthopaedics.
The elective hospitals will provide coverage for 60-70% of the overall population, catering for up to 940,000 procedures annually (approx. 215,000 Day Case surgery & Minor Operation procedures, approx. 115,000 Endoscopy procedures, over 400,000 outpatient diagnostics and treatments, and almost 200,000 outpatient consultations) across the three centres, including capacity for approximately 180,000 procedures in Cork.
The “Elective Hospitals Oversight Group”, under the joint governance of the Health Service Executive, Department of Health and Sláintecare, is guiding the development of the elective hospital proposals, following the process outlined in the updated Public Spending Code, setting out the value for money requirements for the evaluation, planning, and management of large public investment projects.
Individual Preliminary Business Cases for each location are at an advanced stage of development in line with the Public Spending Code for proposals costing more than €100m and are expected to be submitted to the Department of Health in early 2022. However, as the deliberative process remains ongoing and, pending review by the Departments of Health and Public Expenditure and Reform and Government approval-in-principle to proceed to the next stage of the Spending Code, is it not possible at this point to provide a provisional budget for construction and delivery.
1599. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1072/22]
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.
1602. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if his Department has previously commissioned or intends to commission research into the evidence which indicates that pain is experienced by unborn babies from 20 weeks of gestation onwards. [1084/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 sets out the law governing access to termination of pregnancy in Ireland.
Clinical practice in the area, including research on latest developments in the field, is a matter for the professional medical bodies involved.
The purpose of the legislation is not to dictate the practice of obstetrics. Indeed, it would not be appropriate for me, as Minister for Health, to dictate medical procedures or treatment plans; such decisions are a matter for the treating clinicians in any given case.
The Deputy can however be assured that medical practitioners are bound through professional regulatory mechanisms to operate in accordance with best medical practice.
1603. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the interment arrangements for the remains of babies from late-term abortions in circumstances in which the parents of the baby do not undertake personal arrangements; and if the baby is buried in a designated plot within the hospital grounds or elsewhere. [1085/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1605. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will address a query (details supplied) in relation to health services in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1089/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1606. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will address a query (details supplied) in relation to health services in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1090/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1607. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will address a query (details supplied) in relation to health services in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1091/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
