Written Answers Nos. 147-166
147. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the date the research component of the three-year review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 led by a person (details supplied) was commissioned by his Department. [5296/22]
View answerThe Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. Under section 7 of the Act, a review of the operation of the Act must be initiated within three years of the commencement of the Act, i.e., before January 2022.
As I have stated previously, the review will comprise a three-part approach to appraise the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation. Independent research commissioned to inform the service user and service provider strands will form key elements of the review.
Research to inform the service user strand is being carried out by Dr Catherine Conlon, Associate Professor, Trinity College, who is progressing a large qualitative study to analyse unplanned pregnancy and abortion care. The study, which was commissioned by the HSE’s Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme in September 2019, will generate an in-depth understanding of the experiences of women who have accessed abortion care services since the commencement of the Act. As the Deputy may be aware, I have appointed Ms Marie O'Shea B.L. as the independent Chair to lead the second phase of the review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018.
The independent Chair will assess the extent to which the objectives of the Act have been achieved, analysing in that regard the findings of the three strands of information on the effectiveness and operation of the Act. The Chair may also consult with stakeholders to gather information on their experiences as well as their observations on the operation of the legislation and draw on the findings of other relevant peer-reviewed research.
I look forward to receiving the Chair's final report, incorporating her conclusions and any recommendations, in due course.
148. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position with regard to mask wearing in churches; if masks are still required; the relevant statutory instrument specifically citing churches as having a requirement for mask wearing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5299/22]
View answerWhile the majority of public health measures have been lifted, the Government announced that the requirements for mask wearing in all settings where currently regulated for under Statutory Instrument should be retained until February 28 based on public health advice. This includes public transport, taxis and at stations/airports/ports; retail premises and a range of other indoor premises/facilities; and workers in customer facing and food preparation roles in hospitality. The details of the Regulations can be accessed here - www.gov.ie/en/publication/04388-informal-consolidation-of-covid-19-temporary-restrictions-regulations/.
As the Deputy may be aware, the wearing of masks in churches was never a requirement under Statutory Instrument but was instead public health advice similar to that applying to all indoor public spaces.
As part of its advice to Government on the easing of public health measures, the NPHET advised that sector specific measures to ensure a safe environment including in relation to the promotion of rapid self-isolation when symptomatic, appropriate use of face masks, physical distancing, hand and respiratory hygiene, ventilation and signage must remain critical components of our collective response to COVID-19. The NPHET also advised that the continued wearing of masks, practicing of physical distancing and avoidance of crowded environments based on individual risk assessment, along with adherence to basic hand and respiratory hygiene will remain important. It will be a matter for sectors, organisations, premises and individuals to determine the most appropriate arrangements.
150. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if the medical report required for the national driving licence could be included in the medical card scheme. [5303/22]
View answerUnder the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess.". Persons who hold a medical card or a GP visit card are not subject to any co-payments or other charges in respect of such services including GP consultations.
The HSE reimburses GPs for services provided under the GMS contract to medical and GP visit card holders. The contract stipulates that fees for medical and GP visit card holders are not paid under the contract to GPs in respect of certain medical certificates which may be required, for example, "under the Social Welfare Acts or for the purposes of insurance or assurance policies or for the issue of driving licences". Any fees charged by GPs for services provided outside the terms of the GMS contract are a matter of private contract between the GP and their patient.
There are no plans at present to include the completion of medical reports required for driving licence applications as a service to be provided to GMS patients under the GMS or GP Visit Card scheme.
The requirements for the submission of a medical report from a registered medical practitioner with driving licence applications for certain categories of persons, including those aged 70 and over, is governed by the National Driver Licence Service and the Department of Transport.
151. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when the independent chair of the review of the operation of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 is contracted to submit their final report to him for consideration; if amendments to the Act will be a priority issue for the autumn legislative programme; and if the evidence gathered during the review suggests that this is necessary for raising quality standards and providing measurably improved and safer healthcare. [5332/22]
View answerThe Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. Under section 7 of the Act, a review of the operation of the Act must be initiated within three years of the commencement of the Act, i.e., before January 2022.
The review of the operation of the Act has now commenced. As part of the first phase of the review, I announced a public consultation (www.gov.ie/topreview) on the operation of the Act.
As I have stated previously, the review will comprise a three-part approach to appraise the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation. Independent research commissioned to inform the service user and service provider strands will form key elements of the review.
Upon completion of the review, a full report with any necessary recommendations, will be submitted to me as Minister for consideration. The timeframe for the review envisages completion by October 2022.
152. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when the increase due to Health Service Executive pensioners, a backdated 2% pay increase due from 1 October 2020 under the 2018 Public Service Agreement will be paid out; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5333/22]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy in relation to this matter.
153. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health when the 12 to 15 years of age cohort who received their second dose over three months will receive their Covid-19 booster vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5334/22]
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 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.
154. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2191 of 27 July 2021, the names of the civil society organisations brought together by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5368/22]
View answerThe Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. Under section 7 of the Act, a review of the operation of the Act must be initiated within three years of the commencement of the Act, i.e., before January 2022.
Minister Donnelly met with representatives from the following organisations as part of the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. The National Women’s Council, Coalition to Repeal the Eight, Abortion Rights Campaign, Irish Family Planning Association, START Doctors, Disabled Women Ireland and a service user.
As I have set out before, the review will comprise a three-part approach to appraise the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation. Independent research commissioned to inform the service user and service provider strands will form key elements of the review.
As part of the first phase of the review, I announced a public consultation (www.gov.ie/topreview) on the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. The public consultation will provide an opportunity for members of the public, organisations, stakeholders, advocacy groups working in the area, and all other interested parties to inform the review of their views on the operation of the legislation.
Upon completion of the review, a full report with any necessary recommendations, will be submitted to me as Minister for consideration.
155. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment for a hip operation in Castlebar Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5370/22]
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.
156. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a new cardiology appointment in Letterkenny University Hospital; the reason that their appointment was cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5371/22]
View answerI fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled, particularly for clinically urgent procedures. While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the HSE has advised that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand.
Under 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.
157. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when a paediatric neurology consultant will be provided for the mid-west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5377/22]
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.
158. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if his Department has costed the recommendations made in the report of the review of the health services for persons with autism spectrum disorders; if the necessary funding will be made available to implement these recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5452/22]
View answerAs the main element of the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly, as soon as possible.
However, it should be noted that, within the Programme for Government, extensive commitments were made to improve the lives of people with disabilities, including those diagnosed with autism.
Significant additional funding to deliver on those commitments has been provided to the HSE through subsequent Budgets in order to fund a comprehensive package of measures. These measures will seek to strengthen and enhance services and supports for people with disabilities and their families, as well as facilitating greater choice, independence and control.
159. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the total number of general practitioner referrals to rapid access clinics in each quarter of each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5453/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
160. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans to launch a full public inquiry into the treatment of children attending South Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service which would include a review of the management of the service and the treatment of the whistle-blower; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5462/22]
View answer161. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans for the nationwide audit of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services following the South Kerry CAMHS review; the timeline he is working towards; the person or body he expects will carry out this audit; the terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5463/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 161 together.
The report on Child and Adolescent Mental Health services in South Kerry has been considered locally and nationally by the HSE. It has acknowledged the systemic failures that occurred over a sustained period of time and accepted the recommendations.
There were many contributory factors that led to this catalogue of failures, including an absence of clinical oversight, appropriate governance and management structures.
There are 35 recommendations in total in the report, including an assessment of a reconfiguration of the service. Work is under way to implement the full suite of recommendations as a matter of priority - six have already been implemented and 13 have commenced implementation.
As part of the recommendations a full nationwide audit will be conducted of compliance with existing CAMHS operational guidelines by all CAMHS teams. I have also directed that there be an independently led prescribing audit in each of the CAMHS teams. This will cover community and inpatient teams. There will be a further independent-led audit of case files in north Kerry.
Alongside this, the HSE will commission qualitative research to identify the experiences of children, young people and their families using child and adolescent mental health services nationwide. I have directed that this three-stranded approach be subject to independent oversight.
The HSE has met with 198 of the 240 young people affected, and their families, to discuss the deficits they received in their care and to provide them with key information and referral to any necessary services and supports. This includes counselling supports and appropriate services from within child and adult mental health services. I am in close contact with the chief officer of the area to ensure that any additional supports that are required are provided. The HSE apologised to each individual at these meetings, and subsequently in writing, for any harm caused.
The Government has committed to a non-adversarial scheme for compensation for those children, young people and families affected by the report. I will be working closely with my Department, the HSE and the Attorney General to ensure that the details of such a scheme are confirmed without delay. Many families have already been subjected to harm and considerable distress. I will do my utmost as Minister of State for mental health to reduce the potential for any further upset as this process continues.
The report is shocking and frightening and my thoughts are still very much with the children and young people affected. The systems we have in place must be fit for purpose to support the good work that we know is going on as much as to bring to light and address what harm is caused. Accountability in this context is vital. I understand that An Garda Síochána in Kerry is in receipt of the detailed and extensive final report, which will now be considered to see if there are grounds to commence a criminal investigation. While it is not appropriate to comment on HR or industrial relations matters relating to any individual, the CEO of the HSE has said that disciplinary action will be taken if appropriate.
162. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if general practitioner practice nurses and administrative staff will receive the €1,000 pandemic bonus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5464/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
In recognition of the efforts of the general public, volunteers and all workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on Wednesday 19 January, the Government announced a once-off public holiday will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.
The Government also announced COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The payment of €1,000 will not be subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The measure will be ring fenced to staff ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments within the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021.
Those public sector frontline healthcare workers eligible for the payment will be directly employed public health sector staff working in clinical settings. A pro-rata arrangement will apply for eligible part time staff / equivalents and supernumerary students who were required to perform training in clinical sites.
The Department of Health will also introduce a measure for making a similar payment to staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices that were affected by Covid-19.
I would like to assure the Deputy that work is underway to ensure fairness in the application of this measure as the Government intended.
The Department and the HSE are currently engaging in finalising arrangements to give effect to the Government announcement concerning the Recognition Payment. Full particulars, eligibility and terms and conditions that apply to this payment shall be made available shortly. It is important that this measure is applied fairly as intended and I welcome the work that is ongoing to ensure this is so.
There are many, many individuals in our country who did so much during the pandemic. I and the Government is sincerely grateful for this commitment but it is appropriate that these public sector frontline healthcare workers get particular recognition. They exposed themselves to particular COVID-19 risks that did not exist in other work environments or those working from home. I am also deeply appreciative of all those frontline workers who worked in our nursing homes and hospices during this pandemic and that they also get similar recognition.
Outside of the above recognition, the Government also notes that some private healthcare companies have recognised the work of their employees during the pandemic. I would encourage private healthcare companies that have not already done so to consider appropriate measures to recognise their own frontline workers for their work during this most trying period.
163. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if section 39 workers who continued to provide disability services throughout the pandemic will receive the €1,000 pandemic bonus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5465/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
In recognition of the efforts of the general public, volunteers and all workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on Wednesday 19 January, the Government announced a once-off public holiday will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.
The Government also announced COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The payment of €1,000 will not be subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The measure will be ring fenced to staff ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments within the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021.
Those public sector frontline healthcare workers eligible for the payment will be directly employed public health sector staff working in clinical settings. A pro-rata arrangement will apply for eligible part time staff / equivalents and supernumerary students who were required to perform training in clinical sites.
The Department of Health will also introduce a measure for making a similar payment to staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices that were affected by Covid-19.
I would like to assure the Deputy that work is underway to ensure fairness in the application of this measure as the Government intended.
The Department and the HSE are currently engaging in finalising arrangements to give effect to the Government announcement concerning the Recognition Payment. Full particulars, eligibility and terms and conditions that apply to this payment shall be made available shortly. It is important that this measure is applied fairly as intended and I welcome the work that is ongoing to ensure this is so.
There are many, many individuals in our country who did so much during the pandemic. I and the Government is sincerely grateful for this commitment but it is appropriate that these public sector frontline healthcare workers get particular recognition. They exposed themselves to particular COVID-19 risks that did not exist in other work environments or those working from home. I am also deeply appreciative of all those frontline workers who worked in our nursing homes and hospices during this pandemic and that they also get similar recognition.
Outside of the above recognition, the Government also notes that some private healthcare companies have recognised the work of their employees during the pandemic. I would encourage private healthcare companies that have not already done so to consider appropriate measures to recognise their own frontline workers for their work during this most trying period.
164. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will review the situation in regard to the review of children's disability network teams which was due to be completed for CHO8 and in particular for areas (details supplied) a number of months ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5466/22]
View answer165. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of children who have been transferred from their existing children's disability network team services to a new service following the recent review of services that has taken place in County Louth and east County Meath; if he will seek a copy of the final report and the details of the exchange of clients between services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5467/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
166. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the number of operations and treatments that were cancelled in University Hospital Limerick in 2021; when these appointments will be rescheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5481/22]
View answerI fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled, particularly for clinically urgent procedures. While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the HSE has advised that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
In relation to the particular queries raised, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
