Written Answers Nos. 1887-1905
1887. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the relevant HSE personnel to read the testimony of a person (details supplied) in relation to their experience of giving birth to their daughter 17 years ago; if he will request the HSE to furnish all documents and files relevant to the case; and if he will indicate the services being offered to them. [41008/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1888. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure access to gina 10 microgram vaginal tablets for postmenopausal women from their local pharmacies without requiring a prescription in Ireland; if training material and a checklist will be available for pharmacists that will enable them to provide proper advice to women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41010/22]
View answerHaving consulted with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) I can confirm that, Gina (estradiol hemihydrate) 10 microgram vaginal tablets, indicated for the treatment of vaginal atrophy due to oestrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women aged 50 years and above and who have not had a period for at least 1 year, are not currently authorised for sale or supply in Ireland.
However, a similar medicine, Vagifem (estradiol hemihydrate) 10 microgram vaginal tablets, is authorised for sale or supply in Ireland as a prescription medicine for a different indication: the treatment of vaginal atrophy due to oestrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women.
The process for changing the classification status of a medicine from prescription-only supply to non-prescription supply, is that the company holding the authorisation (marketing authorisation holder, MAH) for the medicine makes an application, including data justifying the change, to the HPRA (or European Medicines Agency for medicines authorised by the European Commission). If the medicine is not authorised, a company may wish to make a new application for a marketing authorisation for a non-prescription medicine. If, following assessment, the benefit/risk of application is considered positive by the HPRA, the method of sale and supply is approved and updated on the HPRA website, and the product can be supplied without prescription.
Unauthorised or exempt medicinal products can only be dispensed from a pharmacy on foot of a prescription in accordance with the specifications of a practitioner for use by their individual patients under their direct personal responsibility, in order to fulfil the special needs of their patients. This exemption is provided for in Schedule 1 of the Medicinal Products (Control of Placing on the Market) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 540 of 2007)(as amended).
With regard to the requirements on pharmacists when supplying medicines on foot of a prescription, Regulation 9 of the Regulation of Retail Pharmacy Businesses Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 488 of 2008) (as amended) provides a legislative basis for the therapeutic and pharmaceutical review that must be undertaken by a registered pharmacist upon receipt of a prescription. In addition, under Regulation 9 a registered pharmacist must ensure that each patient has sufficient information and advice for the proper use and storage of the prescribed medicinal product and must offer to discuss with the patient all such matters as the pharmacist, in the exercise of their professional judgment, deems significant. To facilitate compliance by pharmacists with the requirements of Regulation 9 as they apply to the sale and supply of prescribed medicinal products the PSI has issued Guidelines on the Counselling and Medicine Therapy Review in the Supply of Prescribed Medicinal Products from a Retail Pharmacy Business.
1889. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the action that is being taken to appoint an HSE chiropodist in the Bantry area in Cork; the likely time within which one will be in place to ensure those with mobility problems have this level of care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41035/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1890. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the action that is being taken to appoint an HSE chiropodist in Tallaght; the likely time within which one will be in place to ensure those with mobility problems have this level of care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41036/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1891. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the action that is being taken to support those who require the services of an HSE chiropodist but do not have one in their immediate area; the avenues that are available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41037/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1892. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the amount the HSE has spent on salaries and fees for trainee clinical psychologists in each year of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41046/22]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to this matter.
1893. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if a medical card application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41048/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1894. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the analysis that has been undertaken to ensure HSE facilities will have sufficient supplies of gas and heating oil this winter in the event of rationing being introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41090/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1895. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a copy of any report or reports that have been compiled during an analysis of the energy and heating needs of HSE facilities, particularly care homes and nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41092/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1896. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if he has received any gifts from visiting dignitaries; if he will provide a breakdown of the details of these gifts, their value, and the way they were disposed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41120/22]
View answer1897. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if he has received any gifts while travelling abroad; if he will provide a breakdown of the detail and value of these gifts and the way they were disposed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41138/22]
View answer1898. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if he or his Department have given any gifts to visiting dignitaries; if he will provide a breakdown of the detail and the value of these gifts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41156/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1896 to 1898, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will be aware, a gift given to an office holder, or a spouse or civil partner or child, by virtue of his or her office, which exceeds €650 in value, must be surrendered in accordance with the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001. There is also a requirement that such a gift be disclosed in the office holder's annual statement of registerable interests.
Since my appointment as Minister for Health, I have not received any gifts, either from visiting dignitaries or while travelling abroad, which fall under the above provisions.
I can also confirm that neither my Department nor I have given any gifts to visiting dignitaries which fall under the above provisions in that time.
1899. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if a service for the blind in Cork (details supplied) will be funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41168/22]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1900. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who were assessed, by facility, for addiction rehabilitation and detox in 2021, in tabular form. [41169/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1901. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the estimated average capital and current costs, respectively, of an acute bed. [41172/22]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
1902. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the engagement that was ongoing between his Department, the HSE, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to the funding of ceiling tracking hoists; and when he expects the issue to be resolved. [41174/22]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for older persons and people with disabilities which will empower them to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and to plan and live independent lives.
The Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which fall under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, assist people to have the necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out in order to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The scheme is administered by local authorities and more information can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/.
In late 2020, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage offered guidance to local authorities that fixed track hoists, such as ceiling hoists, should not be included in the Housing Adaptation Grants.
In 2021, the Health Service Executive (HSE) became aware of this issue. The HSE has also since received several applications for ceiling hoists under the Community Funded Schemes.
Applications for various aids and appliances under the Community Funded Schemes are made on foot of prescriptions from relevant health care professionals and based on an applicant's eligibility. These applications are considered within each Community Health Organisation and a determination is made regarding approval based on clinical priority and the funding available within local budgets.
The items provided under the Community Funded Schemes play a key role in assisting and supporting people to maintain everyday functioning and to remain living in their homes and local community. Further information can be found here: www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/primarycare/community-funded-schemes/.
The HSE's Community Funded Schemes in the past had not funded ceiling hoists given that structural adaptations to homes were required for their insertion and also given the fact that both these adaptations and the ceiling hoists themselves had been funded under the Housing Adaptation Grants.
There is ongoing engagement between the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to this matter – with a view to resolving the difficult issues involved as soon as possible and ensuring that people receive the services they require. It is anticipated that these discussions will conclude in the near future.
1903. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of assaults recorded against medical, nursing, midwifery and other health and social care professionals across HSE hospitals and community healthcare facilities to date for each month in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41190/22]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
1904. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the plans to increase eligibility for a second Covid-19 booster vaccine to those aged 60 to 65 years following the European Medicines Agency recommendation that all persons over 60 years should be offered a second booster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41197/22]
View answerIreland's COVID-19 vaccination programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection. 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 the Department of Health based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.
Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the NIAC develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and include guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.
You can view the guidelines here: www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf
The NIAC has recently recommended a first mRNA booster vaccine for those aged 5-11 years; a second mRNA booster dose for those aged 50-64 years, persons aged 12-49 years with an underlying medical condition or are residents of long-term care facilities. The Interim Chief Medical Officer has endorsed these recommendations and has written to the HSE requesting that the roll-out commence as soon as practicable.
The NIAC has also made a number of recommendations regarding the Autumn/Winter period. It has advised that healthcare workers are offered a second mRNA booster and a third mRNA booster is recommended for persons aged 65 years and older, and those aged 12-64 years who are immunocompromised.
1905. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if security staff employed by the HSE or section 38 employers in public hospitals are eligible for the pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41199/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
On January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html. To be eligible for this payment, one must have been employed directly by the HSE or a Section 38 organisation and have worked between 1st of March 2020 and 30th of June 2021 in a COVID-19 exposed healthcare environment. The payment will be made in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place, which can be found at the above link. Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the roll-out to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments. This shall cover eligible staff in:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in front-line Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and, again, all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/Section 38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff.
