Parliamentary questions

Mental Health Services

Sorca Clarke

443. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of child psychologists in County Longford. [26811/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

484. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of vaccines requested by general practitioners; and the number of vaccines delivered to general practitioners in tabular form. [26810/21]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

495. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the HSE to engage with an organisation (details supplied) in a meaningful way to resolve the current issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26809/21]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

202. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time HSE opticians providing services in County Westmeath in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; and the number of vacant positions currently. [25919/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

760. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the basis of assessing a person as being fully vaccinated regarding the vaccine bonus four weeks after the first dose of a vaccine (details supplied); the incentive to return for the second dose if a person is deemed fully vaccinated after one dose; and the implications of not receiving the second dose. [24024/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

761. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the basis of assessing a person as fully vaccinated regarding the vaccine bonus one week after the second dose of a vaccine (details supplied) when it has been reported that it has an efficacy of 69% after 21 to 44 days of one dose rising to 96% after the second dose. [24025/21]

Hospital Services

Sorca Clarke

235. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if a person being refused a blood test at the Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar is reflective of a new wider practice in which hospitals are no longer accepting patients referred by their general practitioner for blood tests, given that this service is not covered by the medical card and the additional fee payable to the general practitioner can represent in excess of 25% of a person’s weekly income under the 25 jobseeker’s allowance rate and a significant barrier to proper medical care. [23551/21]

Medicinal Products

Sorca Clarke

497. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of the FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring system undertaken by his Department in 2019; and if he will consider extending the availability of the FreeStyle Libre to all persons with type 1 diabetes. [22574/21]

Medicinal Products

Sorca Clarke

498. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the criteria regarding the availability based on age of the FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring system with a view to extending the availability of the FreeStyle Libre to all persons with type 1 diabetes and based on clinical need not of age. [22575/21]

Health Screening Programmes

Sorca Clarke

574. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the conditions, diseases or ailments that are currently part of the pre-natal screening programme. [22899/21]

HSE Reviews

Sorca Clarke

618. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the boarding out scheme was last reviewed by the HSE. [23104/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

867. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if the next group for Covid-19 vaccination in line with the amended age-based plan will have a level of priority recognition for those in that group who have medical vulnerabilities and underlying health conditions given that they have been cocooning now for over a year and are experiencing heightened stress for a prolonged period of time. [21194/21]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

1060. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the length of time persons are waiting for an otolaryngology department appointment by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22090/21]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

1920. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if the Ireland East Hospital Group has rejected a locally approved business case for a clinical psychologist, an integral part of the multidisciplinary team for the paediatric diabetes service in the Regional Hospital, Mullingar which earlier in 2021 closed due to unsafe staffing levels; and his views on this urgent matter in addition to referring to the HSE for a reply. [19297/21]

Dental Services

Sorca Clarke

1946. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of dental staff currently employed by the HSE in County Longford in tabular form. [19373/21]

Dental Services

Sorca Clarke

1947. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of dental staff currently employed by the HSE in County Westmeath in tabular form. [19374/21]

Dental Services

Sorca Clarke

1948. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently waiting on orthodontic treatment in counties Longford and Westmeath by age in tabular form. [19375/21]

HSE Data

Sorca Clarke

1949. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of psychologists employed by the HSE on a full-time basis in County Longford. [19376/21]

Suicide Prevention

Sorca Clarke

1964. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of paid providers of safe talk suicide awareness courses in counties Longford and Westmeath. [19437/21]

Suicide Prevention

Sorca Clarke

1965. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of safe talk programmes that were delivered in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in counties Longford and Westmeath in tabular form. [19438/21]

Suicide Prevention

Sorca Clarke

1966. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of assist programmes that were delivered in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021 in counties Longford and Westmeath in tabular form. [19439/21]

Suicide Prevention

Sorca Clarke

1967. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the funds that have been allocated for safetalk programmes in counties Longford and Westmeath. [19440/21]

Palliative Care Services

Sorca Clarke

1104. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if a project team has been appointed to oversee the introduction of two new palliative care units in the CHO8 region; if so, the person or body on the group; and the process in which the selection took place. [17268/21]

Palliative Care Services

Sorca Clarke

1105. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the expected cost of the work to take place regarding the introduction of palliative care units in CHO8 in 2021, 2022 and 2023. [17269/21]

Palliative Care Services

Sorca Clarke

1106. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount spent to date on the proposed palliative care units in the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. [17270/21]

Palliative Care Services

Sorca Clarke

1107. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the location of the proposed facility to be located on the site of the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore; and if there is sufficient agreement that the proposed site will facilitate the new hospice and its future growth. [17271/21]

Palliative Care Services

Sorca Clarke

1108. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if the work involved in the introduction of the new palliative care units in the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda has gone out to tender; and if all the relevant specialists have been appointed such as builders, architects and engineers. [17272/21]

Palliative Care Services

Sorca Clarke

1109. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the rationale behind ruling out Mullingar Regional Hospital as a possible site for the proposed palliative care units. [17273/21]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

1561. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are 400 student radiographers on clinical placements currently working up to 40 weeks or 200 days per year without pay; and if he will meet with their representatives to discuss their experience. [14650/21]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

1562. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 400 student radiographers on clinical placement are not in permanent placements and are often forced to travel to different areas of the county and that they often have to cover some of the costs which adds to the financial burden. [14651/21]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

1563. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if measures will be put in place to assist student radiographers who are losing time for their studies due to mandatory isolation brought about by working in hospitals, travelling to different regions of the country and the need to work second jobs to cover their living costs. [14652/21]

Hospice Services

Sorca Clarke

1847. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the geographical location of the two new inpatient unit hospices being considered for palliative care in CHO8. [15670/21]

Palliative Care Services

Sorca Clarke

1848. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to develop two new palliative units in the CHO8 region in terms of timescale, location, capacity and funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15671/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

251. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the contract will be signed for the vaccination centre in County Longford. [13855/21]

Nursing Staff

Sorca Clarke

252. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of senior nurses currently employed on a full-time permanent basis at Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [13859/21]

Nursing Staff

Sorca Clarke

253. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if the nurses employed at Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar are on full-time HSE contracts. [13860/21]

Nursing Staff

Sorca Clarke

254. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of trained emergency department nurses employed at Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [13861/21]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

255. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the ratio of consultants to nurses at Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [13862/21]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

256. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 670 of 20 January 2021, the number of the confirmed 75.5% vacant positions at Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar; the number of these positions per department that are currently advertised for recruitment; and the number of these positions that are currently filled by agency staff. [13863/21]

Hospital Services

Sorca Clarke

797. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the status of the paediatric diabetes service in the Regional Hospital, Mullingar (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12732/21]

Hospital Services

Sorca Clarke

995. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if the outpatient service at Mullingar Regional Hospital is still under consideration for temporary relocation to a hospital (details supplied) in view of the recent announcement of increased investment in the outpatient department. [13532/21]

Hospital Services

Sorca Clarke

996. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if Mullingar Regional Hospital is still considering relocating its paediatric emergency department to its current outpatient department given the recent announcement of increased investment in the outpatient department. [13533/21]

Hospital Services

Sorca Clarke

997. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if provisions have been made to ensure that the paediatric emergency department at Mullingar Regional Hospital will be able to function within social distance guidelines if the outpatient service is not relocated to a hospital (details supplied) on a temporary basis. [13534/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

910. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged in dialogue with the religious groups on the possibility of opening up places of worship on a restricted basis. [11769/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

911. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the risk assessments with regard to restricted public religious worship that has been conducted; and the risks associated with opening churches and other religious institutions. [11770/21]

HSE Staff

Sorca Clarke

912. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if the staff of a service (details supplied) will receive backpay or compensation for the stoppage of incremental pay increases since 2012 which they were contractually entitled to. [11777/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

995. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce an initiative under which taxi drivers could provide a door-to-door transport service on a flat rate cost per kilometre for those who have no other method of transport given the distances required to travel to vaccination centres in rural areas in counties Longford and Westmeath. [12084/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

763. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the contact regarding the Covid-19 vaccination centre in County Longford will be finalised. [9417/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

764. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the role the Defence Forces will have in the set-up, running and maintenance of the 37 announced Covid-19 vaccination centres. [9418/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

765. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason only one vaccination centre will be established in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9419/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

766. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if a person can avail of the Covid-19 vaccination at a centre that is not in their county but closer to them geographically. [9420/21]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

853. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time pulmonary function physiotherapists working in Mullingar Regional Hospital in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [9769/21]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

854. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time consultants in paediatric audio vestibular medicine at CHI, Crumlin. [9770/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

856. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the persons or group responsible for identifying the 37 vaccination centres; and the criteria used. [9782/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

857. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the term of the contracts for the 37 Covid-19 vaccination centres. [9783/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

858. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the average cost of each of the Covid-19 vaccination centres, in tabular form. [9784/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

869. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current criteria for testing patients for Covid-19 upon discharge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9849/21]

Medicinal Products

Sorca Clarke

870. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if dupilumab has been approved for use in patients with severe eczema. [9850/21]

General Medical Services Scheme

Sorca Clarke

871. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if those who are holders of a full medical card are obliged to pay for routine blood tests. [9856/21]

Substance Misuse

Sorca Clarke

872. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who presented to the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar having overdosed on illegal drugs in 2019 and 2020, and to date in 2021, in tabular form [9857/21]

Substance Misuse

Sorca Clarke

873. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who presented to the Regional Hospital Mullingar having overdosed on prescription drugs in 2019 and 2020, and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [9858/21]

Suicide Prevention

Sorca Clarke

874. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who presented to the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar having attempted suicide in 2019 and 2020, and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9859/21]

Suicide Prevention

Sorca Clarke

875. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if a comprehensive list will be provided of suicide prevention agencies, and the funding allocated to each, in operation in counties Longford and Westmeath for the years 2019 to 2021, inclusive, in tabular form [9860/21]

Addiction Treatment Services

Sorca Clarke

876. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if details will be provided on active addiction support services and the funding allocated to each in 2019 and 2020, and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [9861/21]

Substance Misuse

Sorca Clarke

877. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the additional resources his Department will make available to tackle effectively the substantial increase in drug misuse by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9862/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

878. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of SNAs working directly with children and adults who cannot adhere to hygiene etiquette who have been vaccinated to date by county. [9863/21]

Primary Medical Certificates

Sorca Clarke

879. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when patients awaiting primary medical certificates from the primary care health centre in Mullingar, County Westmeath, since March 2020 will have their cases assessed by a medical examiner. [9864/21]

Primary Medical Certificates

Sorca Clarke

880. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the additional staff who will be recruited to address the backlog of primary medical certificate assessments in County Longford; and when the recruitment process will start. [9865/21]

Primary Medical Certificates

Sorca Clarke

881. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the additional staff who will be recruited to address the backlog of primary medical certificate assessments in County Westmeath; and when the recruitment process will start. [9866/21]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

882. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of women waiting for gynaecology appointments by hospital in tabular form. [9867/21]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

883. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time by gynaecology appointment by hospital in 2018, 2019 and 2020. [9868/21]

Hospital Data

Sorca Clarke

884. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of women who were diagnosed with cervical cancer following gynaecology consultation in 2018, 2019 and 2020. [9869/21]

Hospital Data

Sorca Clarke

885. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients by hospital with a cancer diagnosis who had surgery delayed as a result of Covid-19 in tabular form. [9870/21]

Hospital Data

Sorca Clarke

886. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients with a cancer diagnosis attending Tallaght Hospital, Dublin, for treatment who had surgery postponed as a result of Covid-19. [9871/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

887. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if those who are employed to carry out maintenance work such as the engraving of additional names on graveyard headstones are considered essential workers. [9874/21]

Maternity Services

Sorca Clarke

888. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health his views on whether women should be facilitated with a supportive partner while presenting at hospital due to pregnancy loss. [9876/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Sorca Clarke

1023. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department has expended to date on awareness-raising campaigns regarding Covid-19 in national newspapers, regional newspapers, national radio, regional and local radio stations and across social media platforms; and the amount committed for expenditure under any current contracts or agreements with same, in tabular form. [10475/21]

Health Services Provision

Sorca Clarke

714. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason the business case for a second diabetes clinical nurse specialist, CNSp, post, which was approved locally, was rejected by the Ireland East Hospital Group for Mullingar Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8146/21]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

716. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the urgent steps he is taking to address the vacancy levels as of the 1st of February of over 75 whole-time equivalent staff at Regional Hospital Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8148/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

693. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the most recent medical advice regarding pharmacists providing Covid-19 vaccinations. [6328/21]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

718. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently waiting on bone anchor hearing aids, by hospital, in tabular form. [6408/21]

Hospital Data

Sorca Clarke

719. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of bone anchor hearing aids fitted in each of the years from 2018 to 2020 in Tullamore Hospital. [6409/21]

Hospital Data

Sorca Clarke

720. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of bone anchor hearing aid procedures due to take place in Tullamore Hospital in 2021; and the number that took place in each of the years from 2018 to 2020. [6410/21]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

721. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the input surgeons have in the decision-making process of prioritising those suffering from hearing loss for bone anchor hearing aids. [6411/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

224. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if there have been communications from medical representative groups or other lobbyists seeking exclusivity on the provision of vaccinations to an age group, to a group of persons with underlying medical conditions or a group of persons within a specific geographic region thereby impacting the pace of vaccine roll-out due to the exclusion of other qualified persons capable and willing to vaccinate for Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6260/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

284. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if transplant recipients and patients undergoing dialysis are to be prioritised for Covid-19 vaccine; the vaccination group they are in; and when they can expect to receive a vaccination.. [4870/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

289. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the additional mental health supports available to front-line health workers given they are now in the midst of the greatest pressures they have faced since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and while exhausted continue to persevere, despite high levels of stress and anxiety, to protect the public and keep the health service from collapse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4907/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

387. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the position regarding family carers now considered as likely to be categorised as front-line workers in relation to the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination; and when a decision on their categorisation will be made. [3226/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

396. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health his plans for the Covid-19 vaccination schedule to be operating seven days per week and outside standard office hours, given the exponential growth of the virus in our communities and the urgency to ensure the maximum roll-out is achieved to ensure public health is maintained. [3250/21]

Eating Disorders

Sorca Clarke

397. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the total allocation for the treatment of eating disorders and by comparison the amount expended on actual treatment of eating disorders and in which an underspend occurred by which the unspent moneys were utilised in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form. [3251/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

401. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the cohort of vaccine recipients to which student teachers belong; if they will be classed alongside others in the education sector; and if not, the reason consideration was not given to the Teaching Council requirement of face-to-face teaching, which would lead these student teachers to be in the same work environment as qualified colleagues and subject to the same risk. [3264/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

424. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when pharmacists will be offered the Covid-19 vaccination, given the nature of their work, which involves high levels of face-to-face contact with the public. [3302/21]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

669. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of graduate nurses and midwives in 2019 and 2020 who have been provided full-time permanent contracts. [2930/21]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

670. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of job vacancies at Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar by department, job title and the length of time each position has been vacant. [2931/21]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

754. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if a commitment will be given that staff working in the integration, intervention services will not be redeployed when the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination commences. [44659/20]

Disability Services Provision

Sorca Clarke

755. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his Department will publish the timeline for the 100% return of disability services. [44660/20]

Disability Services Data

Sorca Clarke

756. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of disability services by county; the current capacity of each; and the plan to address the backlog of therapy sessions. [44661/20]

Departmental Functions

Sorca Clarke

336. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if disability functions will be transferred to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; and if so, the timeline for same. [43962/20]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

337. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his Department will provide funding for the recruitment of an additional paediatric endocrinologist for Temple Street Children's Hospital, Dublin. [43965/20]

Disability Services Provision

Sorca Clarke

94. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the plight of parents of children with Down’s syndrome who have been without services since March 2020; if his Department will allocate additional resources to deal with the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40784/20]