Written Answers Nos. 1353-1372
1353. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the delays in CDNT appointments in County Tipperary due to staffing issues; if his Department has plans in place to resolve these issues and to recruit more staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63906/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1354. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a full home care package as required in the case of a person (details supplied) will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63907/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1355. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his Department has plans in place for those who are under 12 years of age who wish to receive a Covid-19 booster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63909/22]
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 my Department 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 updated guidelines here:
www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf
The NIAC has recommended a first mRNA booster vaccine for those aged 5-11 years with a weak immune system. There are currently no booster vaccines authorised for use for those aged under 5 years old.
The NIAC will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for others in the population where there is evidence of waning immunity and reduced effectiveness and will make further recommendations if required.
Further information on the booster vaccine rollout can be viewed here:
www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/get-the-vaccine/covid-19-vaccine-booster-dose/
1356. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when the pandemic recognition payment of €1,000 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63912/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1357. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 306 of 15 December 2022, if he will confirm that the registration of residential services with HIQA is done on a self-assessment basis by private providers, as set out in HIQA guidelines on definition of designated centres in June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63923/22]
View answerThe Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is an independent authority established under the Health Act 2007, to drive continuous improvement and to monitor safety and quality in Ireland’s health and personal social care services.
The Health Act 2007 (the Act) requires all providers, public, private and voluntary organisations, to identify residential services (older persons, people with disabilities and children) that meet the criteria for a designated centre and to apply to the Chief Inspector within HIQA to have those centres registered.
The Act sets out the criteria for designated centres and in addition, to assist providers, HIQA has published guidance on its website: What is a Designated Centre?.
The Health Act 2007, as amended requires providers to identify/assess whether their residential service meets the criteria for designated centre. If it meets the criteria set out in the Act, they are required to register the centre, and the Chief Inspector can conduct scheduled and unannounced inspections for compliance with the relevant Regulations.
It is important to note that the Chief Inspector does not have authority to inspect or regulate residential services that are not designated centres.
1360. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the services that are currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; the way that families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; if he will provide an update on discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63929/22]
View answerAs these questions relate to operational matters for the Health Service Executive (HSE), I have asked that the HSE responds to the Deputy directly
1361. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if he plans to ensure that the opening hours of the minor injuries unit at Monaghan Hospital are extended to include weekends in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63932/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1362. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a medical card application will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63933/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1365. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Health the services that are currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; the way that families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; if he will provide an update on discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63947/22]
View answerAs these questions relate to operational matters for the Health Service Executive (HSE), I have asked that the HSE responds to the Deputy directly.
1366. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the provision that is being made in 2023 to fund waiting list initiatives for child orthodontic work; and if new categories will gain access to the option of private treatment. [63948/22]
View answerOrthodontic treatment is provided by the HSE for patients who:
- have been referred before their 16th birthday; and
- who are assessed as qualifying for HSE-funded treatment using the HSE eligibility guidelines which prioritise clinical need.
Over 10,000 people are currently in active orthodontic treatment which has been funded by the State and which can take several years to complete.
I am committed to reducing the waiting times for those patients who are waiting to commence orthodontic treatment. 2,226 patients are currently receiving treatment with a private provider through a procurement initiative which will continue this year through €4 million funding allocated via Budget 2023. This funding will continue to be targeted to those patients who have been waiting the longest to access treatment and some of the more complex surgical cases will also be included this year.
1367. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be allocated an appointment. [63956/22]
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.
1368. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the issues in supply of ConvaTec Combihesive Natura REF (GB) S7247 57MM (Flanges used for Stomas) are resolved without delay (details supplied). [63961/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1369. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the strategy adopted by the HSE in terms of correspondence with individuals whose personal information was hacked from HSE databases; if his attention has been drawn to reports that the communication which is issued to these individuals did not contain a phone number or email where further information could be obtained from the HSE; if he understands the reluctance of these individuals to create a new online account with the HSE which requires further personal documentation; if he will initiate a review of these procedures with the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63963/22]
View answerIt is important to note at the outset that there is no evidence that any personal data has been shared or used fraudulently since criminally motivated cyber-attack on HSE systems in May 2021. A secure data breach notification process began on the 29th November 2022 to contact people whose information was illegally accessed and copied during the cyber-attack on HSE systems in 2021. This follows from a necessary process that has taken time where files have undergone extensive examination and validation to allow HSE notify individuals as required and to verify the identity of relevant individuals for notification purposes.
It is anticipated that the HSE notification process will take 16 weeks to notify 113,000 subjects (Patients 94,000, Staff 18,200). Over the 16 week period, notifiable subjects will receive a letter from the HSE advising them that their data was part of the data breach. The letter will also outline how, if they wish to do so, people can request to view their exact documents which were illegally accessed and copied, which can be done via a secure portal on the HSE website. There is also an option available for individuals to submit their request by post. The portal has undergone rigorous cyber security design and testing.
A call centre and on-line portal has also been put in place to support individuals through this process. Individuals can simply set up the portal account to request a call back from the HSE.
The data notification process, by necessity, needs to be secure as ultimately people are being given the opportunity to request access to documents that may have been accessed and HSE cannot risk a situation arising whereby, through this process, the wrong documents are shared. It is also important to note the strong measures and mitigation actions have been taken by the HSE since the criminal attack and also that there is no evidence that any personal data has been shared or used fraudulently since 2021.
The HSE has taken a number of actions and mitigations since the criminally motivated cyber-attack that includes the following:
- HSE is monitoring the internet including the web since the cyber-attack and has seen no evidence at this point that the illegally accessed and copied data has been used for any criminal purposes or been published online.
- The HSE obtained a High Court order on 20th May 2021 restraining any sharing, processing, selling, or publishing of data illegally accessed and copied from our computer systems. This remains in place to prevent anyone using any of the illegally accessed and copied information.
- HSE cyber security experts are continuing to monitor the internet and the dark web for the illegally accessed information and the HSE will act immediately if they see any evidence of this.
1370. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if there are any supports available for businesses that provide sensory experience for persons with disabilities and mental health issues. [63965/22]
View answerThe Deputy has clarified that this question refers to businesses seeking a grant for providing sensory experiences for persons with disabilities and mental health issues. I must inform the Deputy that there are no grants of this kind available through the Department of Health or Health Service Executive (HSE).
The Deputy may be aware that there are grants available under the Department of Social Protection to support new enterprises, such as the Enterprise Support Grant. Information on access and eligibility for these grants is available from the Department of Social Protection.
1371. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason that contracts have not been awarded by the HSE to two dentists (details supplied) in order for them to offer services to medical card holders in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63967/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1372. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason that the freestyle libre sensor is not covered on the medical card; if consideration will be given to this for a person (details supplied); the reason that this is not automatically covered by the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63979/22]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement under the community schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including clinical efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact. HSE decisions on which medical items are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). The Minister for Health has no role in these decisions.
Currently, Consultant Endocrinologists may apply to the HSE, on behalf of specific patients with Type 1 Diabetes, for reimbursement support of FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM) sensors. The application process is undertaken by means of a dedicated online portal, which has been operational since 3 April 2018. In line with the recommendations of the Health Technology Assessment Group, access to this product was made available to children and young adults, aged between 4 and 21 years of age. However, the online application process does cater for the Consultant to make an application in very exceptional circumstances for a type 1 diabetic patient who is over 21 years of age.
The HSE requested that the NCPE carry out a full Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on Freestyle Libre, and the company, Abbott, were formally notified of this on 13 April 2021. Abbott had a scoping meeting with the NCPE in July 2021 and committed to submitting their HTA dossier by the end of October 2021. However, on 15 November 2021, Abbott informed the HSE that they would not be submitting the HTA dossier because they did not have the level of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) evidence that they stated was required for a full HTA process. Despite the HSE emphasising the importance of engaging with the HTA process to progress matters, the company have not submitted a HTA dossier to date. It remains open to Abbott to re-engage with the NCPE as they indicated they would in July 2021.
Recently, following a request from the HSE, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) held an initial meeting with the HSE Diabetes Clinical Programme to scope out what might be involved in undertaking a system-wide HTA across diabetes care. In the absence of a full value assessment of the product to determine cost effectiveness or value for money, the HSE is not in a position to remove the current age restriction.
