Written Answers Nos. 1798-1818
1798. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health when updated EU Digital COVID Certificates including the booster vaccinations will be made available for those who were vaccinated in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1855/22]
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. The EU Digital COVID Certificate is proof that you have either been vaccinated against COVID-19 or received a negative COVID-19 test result or recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months.
The process to access Digital COVID Certificates reflecting booster doses through the third country portal is being developed and expected to available in the coming weeks.
On the 28 October 2021 the UK was awarded and equivalence decision by the EU meaning that COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in accordance with the system entitled “UK COVID Certificates” shall, for the purpose of facilitating the right of free movement within the Union, be considered as equivalent to those issued in accordance with EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation.
As such, vaccination certificates issued in Northern Ireland, in accordance with the system entitled “UK COVID Certificates”, are now considered as equivalent to EU Digital COVID Certificates without having to apply through the Irish portal.
1799. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when he expects a decision on the approval of a drug (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1861/22]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
Reimbursement is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
Following the first joint agreement on the price of a drug between Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands, the HSE decided to approve Onasemnogene Abeparvovec (Zolgensma) for reimbursement in the treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) for patients with SMA with a bi-allelic mutation in the SMN1 gene and a clinical diagnosis of SMA Type I, or pre-symptomatic patients with 5q SMA with a bi-allelic mutation in the SMN1 gene and up to 3 copies of the SMN2 gene.
I welcomed the HSE's decision, which represented a very significant development for the State as it is the first time Ireland has agreed to fund a drug for rare diseases in partnership with other countries in the BeNeLuxA Initiative.
Reimbursement is now in place for the above specified indications since 8 October.
1800. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of beds of the 30 purchased in relation to the €7.65 million to purchase additional capacity for mental health services in the private sector that will be used for persons with eating disorders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1863/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1801. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1868/22]
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.
1802. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to shortages of certain medications in Ireland in particular some brands of HRT; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that these shortages are creating an inequality between those on medical cards who are restricted to ordering one month's supply at a time and persons with private prescriptions who can order six months medication at a time, disadvantaging those on medical cards in circumstances in which there are shortages; if this inequality will be rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1872/22]
View answerMedicine shortages have become increasingly prevalent worldwide over the past decade and are a feature of modern health systems around the world. There are many reasons for such shortages including shortages of raw materials, manufacturing difficulties, logistical/transport issues or product recalls due to potential quality defects.
As a result of the increasing prevalence of medicines shortages globally, there has been significant interest at European level in this area, including a task force on medicines availability to identify and address issues linked to the disruption of supplies of medicines. Ireland, through my Department and the Health Products Regulatory Authority, continues to contribute to these efforts at a European level to consider initiatives to minimise the risk and disruption to patient safety and care, and the impact on healthcare professionals, caused by medicine shortages.
In the case of medicines used most often in Ireland, there are typically multiple brands and/or generic medicines available from a range of sources. In the event that supply issues arise for individual medicines, different options, including alternative brands or generic medicines, should be made available to ensure continuity of treatment. If the patient has concerns, they should discuss their treatment and alternative options with their doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It is important to note that the medical decision to prescribe or not prescribe any treatment for an individual patient is strictly a decision for the treating clinician, in consultation with their patient. I have no role in this clinical decision-making process. I do expect that pharmacies would ensure the equitable supply of medicines to their customers, within their available stock.
The Government recognises that menopause is a key health issue for women in Ireland today, and work is underway by the Women’s Health Taskforce to drive progress in this area. The Taskforce was convened in September 2019, to improve health outcomes and health experiences for women and girls. Significant activity is currently underway to enhance the supports available to women through the menopause.
On the 10th of September 2021, I announced a commitment to establish dedicated specialist menopause clinics across Ireland (see www.gov.ie/en/press-release/bf7d4-minister-for-health-announces-a-new-approach-to-menopause-care-for-women-in-ireland/ ).
These clinics will form a core part of a new approach to menopause care for women in Ireland and will be supported by enhanced community and primary care supports as well as the publication of targeted and trusted sources of information for women experiencing menopause.
A dedicated specialist menopause clinic was established in the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, in 2021. This clinic is multidisciplinary supported by GPs with a certified special interest in the area of menopause and clinical nurse/midwife specialists. In addition to seeing women who meet the clinical criteria for referral to the service, the clinical team also provides advice and guidance to GPs in the community to support the effective management of menopausal symptoms for women closer to home within primary care.
1803. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if a breakdown will be provided of the €3,303,915 spent on seven long-term low secure mental health beds by the HSE from private operators, including the operating and ancillary costs; the locations of these beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1873/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Question No. 1804 withdrawn.
1805. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time clinical nurse specialist in affective disorders working in CHO8 in each of the past three years in tabular form. [1895/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1806. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of theatres in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital in each of the years of 2019 to 2021, in tabular form; and if all theatres are in full use [1896/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1807. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time clinical nurse specialist in cardiovascular disease at St. Vincent's University Hospital in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [1897/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1809. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the budget for each community health organisation for homecare packages. [1925/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible
1810. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of homecare hours that were allocated to each CHO in 2021 and that have been allocated for 2022. [1926/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible
1811. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of homecare hours that were outsourced to private care by CHO in 2021 and it is planned to outsource in 2022. [1927/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible
1814. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if his Department has engaged with the Department of Education on the roll-out of the antigen testing programme to secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1931/22]
View answerThe 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.
The guidance in relation to testing for secondary school pupils is reflected in the public health guidance on what to do if you require a test for COVID-19. This guidance, which is dependent on the age and circumstances of the individual concerned, is available on the HSE website as follows: www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/testing/get-tested/ .
The HSE, under the guidance and direction of NPHET and the Department of Health currently supply antigen tests, free of charge, to all symptomatic persons aged from 4 to 39, and to all close contacts of confirmed cases. This includes people attending or working in secondary school in those age cohorts.
The Deputy may wish to note the following advice in relation to the management of COVID-19 cases and close contacts aged over 12 years, effective from Friday 14th January:
- Anyone experiencing symptoms should immediately self-isolate and seek a test appropriate to their individual circumstances.
- All close contacts aged over 12 years old should take regular antigen tests over 7 days, with the last test on day 7. Those who have not had their immunity boosted should restrict their movements for 7 days, and those who have had their immunity boosted will not be required to restrict their movements.
- Anyone in receipt of a positive antigen test result should regard it as definitive and register their result on a new HSE portal. A confirmatory PCR test is no longer required in this instance.
- Individuals who have a positive COVID-19 test result should commence their period of self-isolation from date of onset of symptoms or, if asymptomatic, from date of first positive test result (antigen or PCR) and continue for a minimum of 7 days.
- Exit from self-isolation after 7 days will be on the basis that symptoms have substantially or fully resolved for the final 2 of those 7 days.
There is ongoing consideration of the role of antigen testing in various settings and in other scenarios. The role of testing and contact tracing, 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.
1817. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the full criteria for determining if a patient in an intensive care unit is fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated or unvaccinated, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1935/22]
View answerAs this is a service issue I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1818. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the automated robotic process used by the HSE to determine vaccine status does not find a match with a particular patient, are they automatically considered to be unvaccinated based on the criteria set out in the latest HSPC report on vaccination status; if it is possible that some patients in ICU listed as unvaccinated were in fact vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1936/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
