Written Answers Nos. 748-750
748. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to ensure that there are no delays in primary medical certificate applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7880/22]
View answerThe Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme is underpinned by statute and comes under the remit of the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.
The extent of the involvement of Health Service Executive (HSE) Community Medical Doctors in the Scheme relates to making a professional clinical determination as to whether an individual applicant meets the specified medical criteria for a Primary Medical Certificate, which is a requirement for the Scheme.
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
749. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the booster roll-out to children under 14 years of age given the changes in the EU Digital COVID Certificate requirements for travel abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7881/22]
View answer835. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when children under 16 years of will receive the booster vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8164/22]
View answer896. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health when the booster vaccine for Covid-19 will be offered to 12-to-16-year-olds [8370/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 749, 835 and 896 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.
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.
750. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital admissions that occurred through University of Limerick Hospitals Group accident and emergency or the acute medical assessment unit due to diabetic ketoacidosis in persons with pre-existing diabetes; the number of admissions that were due to diabetic ketoacidosis in persons diagnosed with diabetes on or during admission in each of the years 2017 to 2020, in tabular form. [7937/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
