Written Answers Nos. 533-547
533. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health to outline the possibility of getting an addition to a facility (details supplied), considering that it is urgently required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53386/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
534. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will initiate a health technology assessment for an RSV vaccine for older adults following the recent publication of a NIAC recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53393/23]
View answer535. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will expand the regulation to permit pharmacists to administer RSV vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53394/23]
View answer536. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will increase the number of vaccines against infectious diseases available to adults as part of a strategy to mitigate against antimicrobial resistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53395/23]
View answer537. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a free shingles vaccination scheme for older adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53396/23]
View answer538. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a free RSV vaccination scheme for older adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53397/23]
View answer539. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will fund any new vaccines in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53398/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 534, 535, 536, 537, 538 and 539 together.
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.
Covid-19, influenza and pneumonia vaccines are currently available to certain groups of adults, who are most vulnerable to a severe outcome from these diseases, as part of the adult immunisation programme.Additional information in relation to the current adult vaccination programme is available from the HSE website at www.hse.ie
NIAC has submitted advice in relation to RSV vaccines to my Department for consideration. It advises that RSV vaccines which have recently received EMA authorisation, for infants and persons over 65yrs, are safe and effective and should be considered for use in Ireland. In its advice NIAC also noted that further analysis of cost effectiveness and programmatic considerations is required to determine the most appropriate use of RSV vaccination in Ireland.In line with this, my Department has asked HIQA to include a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in their workplan to determine firstly, whether infant or adult vaccination would provide the greatest benefit in reducing healthcare utilisation due to RSV infection, and secondly, what the most cost-effective RSV immunisation strategy for Ireland would be.The outcome of this HTA will determine whether or not a change to the National Immunisation Programme will be required. If so, the appropriate administration arrangements will be put in place.
Shingles vaccination is not currently provided as part of the national immunisation programme. Further information is available here: www2.hse.ie/conditions/shingles/
It is open to any individual who is aged 50 years and older and who wishes to receive the vaccine to 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.
540. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health for a list of dentists participating in the GMS scheme in County Mayo. [53399/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
541. 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. [53421/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
542. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive an orthodontic assessment for braces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53432/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
543. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the reasons why the frontline staff of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service were not included in the Covid pandemic payment. [53441/23]
View answerFirstly, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their continuous efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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 a significant consideration and consultation process. 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 who provided important services during this most difficult time.
The Government appreciates that those organisations and staff who were not eligible for this particular payment may feel disappointed. It was a hard task to set out the eligibility criteria for this payment but the Government based its decision on certain aspects of all the different roles within the Healthcare sector and certain risks which eligible frontline workers faced in their day to day roles during the pandemic.
Undoubtedly Immense efforts have been made by all healthcare staff since the onset of the pandemic which has not gone unrecognised.
544. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 25 of 1 June 2023, if he will provide an update on the review of the functioning of the existing managed services in respect of the supply and maintenance of wheelchairs; and if a new tender process has been put in place for managed services for medical equipment. [53442/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
545. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate the categories of post which are being exempted from the freeze on recruitment, such as in the area of disability, and whether he can extend this to other areas of acute need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53447/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.
The Minister for the Department of Children Equality Disability Integration and Youth will respond to the Deputy regarding the area of Disability.
546. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether the referral made to the Medical Council relating to a surgeon at Temple Street hospital includes the allegations relating to the insertion of unlicensed springs in patients. [53448/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Medical Council is an independent statutory body which regulates medical practitioners in Ireland. Its primary purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education, training and competence among doctors.
As Minister I do not have a role in relation to individual cases referred to the Medical Council, and I have referred your question to the HSE for direct reply.
547. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultants in reproductive medicine in the regional fertility hub based at University Maternity Hospital Galway to date in 2023. [53526/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon.
In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.
