Monday, 11 Sep 2023

Vaccination Programme

Questions (1694)

Niall Collins

Question:

1694. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he can advise regarding (details supplied) in relation to the shingles vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38054/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation.

NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.

Shingles vaccination is not currently provided as part of the national immunisation programme. Those aged 50 years and older who wish to receive the vaccine should consult with their GP or pharmacist.

It may be of interest to note that the Health Information and Quality Authority are currently carrying out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the herpes zoster vaccine which protects against shingles. A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology. The information can cover a range of fields, including clinical effectiveness and safety, cost-effectiveness and budget impact, organisational and social aspects, and ethical and legal issues. The information is collected and presented in a systematic, unbiased and transparent manner.

The outcome of the HTA, once it is complete, will inform future decision making on this matter in relation to whether or not any amendments are required to the National Immunisation Programme.

Health Services

Questions (1695, 1696)

Duncan Smith

Question:

1695. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health to provide details on the measures in place to ensure the health service can fully access treatment for those with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, including resources such as CT scans, clinical leads, specialised units and specialty nurses, to leverage the remarkable breakthroughs in drug treatment for these conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38058/23]

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Duncan Smith

Question:

1696. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the strategic plan he has in place throughout the country to provide equal and speedy access to these treatments for all patients affected by dementia and Alzheimer's disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38059/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1695 and 1696 together.

Disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's disease offer the potential to slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease in its early stages, thereby improving quality of life for people with dementia and reducing the burden on family carers.

Officials in the Department of Health are working closely with the HSE and funded partners to progress the strategic development of dementia services across the wider health system, including preparation for the future availability of disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) for Alzheimer's disease. The HSE has convened an expert working group to identify the necessary resources for the delivery of DMTs, which includes the identification of additional staffing requirements for DMT delivery and neuroimaging to support timely diagnosis and identification of people who may benefit from disease-modifying treatments. We will continue to collaborate with the HSE to ensure readiness for all matters pertaining to the health and wellbeing of people with dementia.

In terms of the process and timing around the availability of DMTs in Ireland, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is a centralised agency of the European Union (EU) responsible for the scientific evaluation, supervision and safety monitoring of medicines in the EU. The EMA plays an integral role in the authorisation of medicines in the EU.

The EMA’s assessment of Lecanemab commenced on 26 January 2023.

To date the EMA has not granted a marketing authorisation for Lecanemab for the treatment of early Alzheimer’s disease. Once a marketing authorisation is granted for a medicine, a manufacturer must submit applications to individual member states.

In Ireland, the Health Service Executive (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.

HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). There are formal processes which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines, and new uses of existing medicines, to be funded and/or reimbursed.

The HSE must comply with the relevant legislation when considering investment decisions around new medicines. Pharmaceutical companies are required to submit formal applications to the HSE if they wish their medicines to be added to the list of reimbursable items / funded via hospitals. In order to submit a formal application, the manufacturer of a medicine must hold a marketing authorisation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

As outlined above, the national assessment and decision process cannot commence in the absence of a marketing authorisation.

The Government is committed to providing timely access to new and innovative medicines to all patients. The dedicated funding of €98 million in the past three Budgets has enabled the HSE to approve over 130 new drugs.

Question No. 1696 answered with Question No. 1695.

Departmental Data

Questions (1697)

Duncan Smith

Question:

1697. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health to provide the latest figures on the number of people affected by dementia and Alzheimer's disease and their breakdown according to age groups and severity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38060/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Legislative Measures

Questions (1698)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1698. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health with regard to the Adult Safeguarding Bill 2017, which was supported by not just agencies involved in the protection of older people but by politicians throughout the political divide, the Stage the Bill is now at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38063/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Adult Safeguarding Bill 2017 is a Private Members Bill which passed Second Stage in the Seanad in April 2017.

As a Private Members Bill, it is the responsibility of the sponsors of the Bill to request that it be scheduled for the next stage of the legislative progress.

Regarding adult safeguarding, the Government takes the protection of adults at risk of abuse very seriously. The independent Law Reform Commission is undertaking a review on A Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguarding which is expected to inform future legislation on adult safeguarding across all sectors. Upon completion, my Department will consider any recommendations the Commission may make where relevant to my Department's functions and I anticipate that other Departments will do the same.

Specifically within the health and social care sector, there are various structures and processes currently in place to protect against abuse and to ensure prompt action. To further strengthen this framework, my Department is at an advanced stage of developing an overarching national policy on adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector. The Department is preparing for a public consultation commencing in the coming weeks and a costing study, prior to submitting a costed draft policy to Government for its approval. Subject to Government approval, this sectoral policy will further strengthen the sector’s adult safeguarding framework and will apply to all public, voluntary and private healthcare and social care settings. In the event that the Government approves this sectoral policy, legislation as required to underpin it will then be prepared.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (1699)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1699. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38066/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Question No. 1700 answered with Question No. 1509.

Hospital Procedures

Disabilities Assessments

Questions (1706)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

1706. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in completing assessment for ADHD in the case of the son of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38094/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Health Services Staff

Questions (1707)

Patrick Costello

Question:

1707. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will include section 39 healthcare workers in HSE general public sector pay agreements, recognising the shortage in workers in the industry and the need to maintain those in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38096/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Under section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE provides financial assistance to organisations to provide services similar or supplementary to a service that the HSE may provide. The Department of Health acknowledges the important role that Section 39 organisations and staff play in our health sector. They have a key role in providing services to people with disabilities and older people. There is currently multi annual funding provided for these organisations through Service Level agreements and Grant aid. It is worth noting that Section 39 and Section 56 organisations are privately owned and run, and the terms and conditions of employment of staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee.

A process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in Community and Voluntary organisations was committed to by the Government in October 2022.

Officials from the Department of Health, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the HSE and Tusla attended a number of engagements with trade unions under the auspices of the WRC over recent months.

This process culminated in an offer being made in line with those accepted by community and voluntary staff in other sectors. The offer to workers in this sector amounted to a 5% increase in funding for pay effective from November 2023, with 3% backdated to April 2023, and a commitment to re-engage with trade union representatives following the next public sector pay agreement. This offer was not accepted by trade union representatives. As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations matter, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.

Dental Services

Questions (1708)

Sean Fleming

Question:

1708. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will consider opening an extra facility for dental treatment to relieve the backlog at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38101/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (1709)

Mick Barry

Question:

1709. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health the reason social care workers working in a residential facility (details supplied) in Cork city who were employees of a company have not been deemed eligible for the Covid-19 recognition payment; the reason their employer is deemed not to be the eligible organisation; if he will review the eligibility criteria to allow these frontline workers qualify; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38102/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Last year the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratia COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Eligibility criteria for the payment were set following significant consideration and consultation.

While the Department does not comment on individual cases, I can confirm that in order to receive the recognition payment, staff must have:

• Been in COVID vaccination cohorts 1 or 2, and

• Worked ordinarily onsite in a COVID-19 exposed healthcare environment, and

• Worked for at least 4 weeks in the 1/3/2020 – 30/6/2021 period, and

• Worked in a HSE/Section 38 organisation, or one of the following:

1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary,Section 39 etc.);

2. Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities, working on-site;

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 frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;

6. Paramedic staff employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.

Only those staff who meet all of the above eligibility criteria are covered for this payment. I appreciate that many other workers, volunteers, and other citizens, provided important services during this most difficult time. While this is not questioned, it is important to recognise that this in itself is not sufficient to be considered eligible for this payment.

The Government appreciates that those organisations and staff who are not encompassed in this particular payment may feel disappointed. It was tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which eligible frontline workers faced, following careful consideration. While undoubtedly immense efforts have been made by other healthcare staff since the onset of this pandemic, it is right that the Government pursue this course to recognise those at greatest risk in the performance of their duties throughout the pandemic, including those who worked in the very acutely affected environments above.

In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. As of February this year there is now also a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.

Finally I want to again express my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during what has been a challenging period for our health services.

Nursing Homes

Questions (1710)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1710. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE is not providing dressings to all patients in nursing homes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38123/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services Staff

Questions (1711)

Sean Fleming

Question:

1711. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when ongoing funding will be provided for a post (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38126/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospital Admissions

Questions (1712)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

1712. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay (details supplied) in the admission of a young patient following a complex brain surgery who requires much-needed rehabilitation to aid progression; where on the list the patient is; when it is expected the patient will be admitted to the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38128/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Staff

Questions (1713)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

1713. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE pharmacists and senior pharmacists working in the pharmacy department of St. Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny, in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [38141/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.