Parliamentary questions

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

231. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the spatial criteria for the separation of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 in paediatric emergency departments; and the recommendations regarding meeting the criteria. [42449/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

232. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of public hospitals that do not have spatial capacity in their emergency departments to meet the criteria regarding the separation of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients. [42450/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

233. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the protocol for identifying alternative locations in circumstances in which a public hospital does not have the spatial capacity in its emergency department regarding the separation of Covid and non-Covid. [42451/20]

Patient Transport

Sorca Clarke

234. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the support and resources that will be provided regarding patient transport to and from each setting in circumstances in which a public hospital is considering moving an outpatient department to a facility that is not on site. [42452/20]

Hospital Services

Sorca Clarke

235. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the contract length for temporary circumstances in which a public hospital is considering moving an outpatient department to a private hospital facility on a temporary basis. [42453/20]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

236. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the outstanding issues regarding St. Mary's health campus, Mullingar, County Westmeath obtaining a fire certification; and the expected timeline for the certification. [42454/20]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

237. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current timeline for the St. Mary's health campus, Mullingar, County Westmeath becoming fully operational as a reablement and rehabilitation integrated and intermediate care facility. [42455/20]

Hospital Facilities

Sorca Clarke

238. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of public hospitals currently considering moving a department to a private hospital facility. [42456/20]

Medical Cards

Sorca Clarke

239. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the grounds on which the HSE can continually reassign a medical card holder to different general practitioners after a period of six months. [42457/20]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

240. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the Mullingar resource centre will be reopening in its original location. [42461/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

325. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when restrictions on birthing partners and fathers supporting women through labour in maternity settings are due to be lifted. [40799/20]

Hospital Data

Sorca Clarke

366. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses that applied for the diabetic nurse vacancy in Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar when advertised earlier in 2020. [39301/20]

Hospital Data

Sorca Clarke

367. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if there are nursing staff employed in Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar who can work with children with a diagnosis of diabetes; and if any of those staff members applied for the recently advertised vacancy. [39302/20]

Hospital Data

Sorca Clarke

368. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients under 18 years of age being treated at the diabetic clinic in the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar. [39303/20]

Hospital Data

Sorca Clarke

369. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients over 18 years of age being treated at the diabetic clinic in the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar. [39304/20]

Hospital Data

Sorca Clarke

370. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of staff employed in the paediatric diabetes clinic in the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar. [39305/20]

School Staff

Sorca Clarke

371. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the HSE evidence on which an organisation is basing its decision to deny health and safety leave to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39306/20]

Hospital Services

Sorca Clarke

825. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if there is a proposal agreed or being examined to move outpatient services from the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar to a private hospital in Mullingar, County Westmeath. [38178/20]

Care Services

Sorca Clarke

826. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of staff redeployed from the Phoenix Centre in County Longford to other duties due to Covid-19. [38179/20]

Care Services

Sorca Clarke

827. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of therapy hours not provided to date in 2020 due to Covid-19 redeployment of staff at the Phoenix Centre in County Longford. [38180/20]

Care Services

Sorca Clarke

828. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the additional staff and resources that will be provided to the Phoenix Centre in County Longford to address the backlog of missed therapy sessions due to staff redeployment. [38157/20]

Disabilities Assessments

Sorca Clarke

829. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have their assessment of needs carried out. [38158/20]

Disabilities Assessments

Sorca Clarke

830. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have access to in-person speech and language therapy and occupational therapy in view of the level of additional needs they have. [38159/20]

Dental Services

Sorca Clarke

885. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the dental services currently available to medical card holders. [38544/20]

Dental Services

Sorca Clarke

886. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists by county in tabular form. [38545/20]

Dental Services

Sorca Clarke

887. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists who offer services to medical card holders, by county and in tabular form. [38546/20]

Health Services Provision

Sorca Clarke

910. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be accommodated on the recommended diabetes pump in view of the fact the person has been informed that the criteria are met. [38609/20]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

911. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the diabetes nurse in the Regional Hospital Mullingar, who left the position in September 2019 will be replaced. [38610/20]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

912. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of diabetes nurses by county in tabular form. [38611/20]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

913. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of diabetes nurses who have left their position in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020, who have yet to be replaced. [38612/20]

Health Services Provision

Sorca Clarke

914. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the diabetes services for younger persons available by county. [38613/20]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Sorca Clarke

303. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the requirement of a digital signature for collection of social welfare payments has been reintroduced; and if he will report on the guidance upon which this decision was based given the level 5 restrictions in place nationwide. [37484/20]

Health Screening Programmes

Sorca Clarke

304. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many women from across the country who are awaiting urgent breast ultrasounds and mammograms are arriving to their appointment only to be informed that there are no slots available and they will be issued with a follow-up assessment in the coming weeks; and if he will engage with BreastCheck and other screening clinics across the country to address this situation given this practice is the cause of unnecessary travel expenses and further stress and anxiety for the person. [37486/20]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

305. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the cost to the HSE per hour to section 39 agencies for personal assistants. [37487/20]

General Practitioner Services

Sorca Clarke

306. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the recent closure of the only general practitioner practice in Rathwire, County Westmeath; and if he plans to provide a general practitioner service in the area. [37489/20]

Dental Services

Sorca Clarke

694. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that medical card holders in Athlone, County Westmeath cannot avail of the services of a dentist. [34785/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Sorca Clarke

695. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if the criteria for the roll out of home testing has changed now that level 5 restrictions are in place. [34786/20]

General Practitioner Services

Sorca Clarke

696. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioner vacancies within CHO8 by county in tabular form. [34787/20]

Prescriptions Charges

Sorca Clarke

697. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the promised reduction on charges for prescriptions for medical card holders will be introduced. [34788/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Sorca Clarke

126. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the growing public concern regarding the competency of Covid-19 testing and contact tracing services here. [24106/20]

Disability Services Data

Sorca Clarke

246. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the rate of pay for personal assistants in each CHO area who work with disabled persons to ensure they live independent lives [31971/20]

Disability Services Data

Sorca Clarke

247. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if there is a standard hourly rate paid to agencies that employ personal assistants to work with disabled persons to ensure they live independent lives [31972/20]

Disability Services Data

Sorca Clarke

248. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a standardised rate of pay for all personal assistants employed to work with disabled persons in assisting them live independent lives. [31973/20]

Speech and Language Therapy

Sorca Clarke

253. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason in-person speech and language therapy sessions have not been provided to a person (details supplied) since February 2020; and the reason the person has not been transferred to a primary care centre in which speech and language sessions have been taking place during the same period [30637/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

254. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if clarity will be provided on a statutory instrument (details supplied) as it relates to yoga and pilates studios. [30639/20]

Cancer Services

Sorca Clarke

255. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health his plans to offer screening appointments at the mobile breast screening unit at a care centre (details supplied). [30640/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

256. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason a business (details supplied) was not closed for deep cleaning following five confirmed cases of Covid-19 there. [30641/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

257. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE waited 13 days to inform the manager of a centre (details supplied) following a suspected Covid-19 case that the other members of a class at the centre needed to isolate for 14 days from the day of contact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30644/20]

Medical Cards

Sorca Clarke

249. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the eligibility criteria for medical cards for over 70 years of age. [29206/20]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

258. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the roadmap for returning staff redeployed to Covid-19 duties back to their previous positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27709/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Sorca Clarke

259. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the timeline for recruiting persons to perform swabbing duties in testing centres. [27710/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Sorca Clarke

260. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the longest distance a person will be expected to travel to get a Covid-19 test. [27711/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Sorca Clarke

261. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he plans to reopen the Covid-19 community assessment hubs; and if they will reopen in their previous locations. [27712/20]

Home Care Packages

Sorca Clarke

262. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the average duration spent on the waiting list in counties Longford and Westmeath from when a client or his or her representative or family submits an application for homecare support until the person is approved for homecare support [27713/20]

Home Care Packages

Sorca Clarke

263. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the average duration spent on the waiting list in counties Longford and Westmeath from when a client is approved for homecare support until he or she is provided with homecare support. [27714/20]

Home Care Packages

Sorca Clarke

264. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the average difference for clients in counties Longford and Westmeath between the number of hours of assessed need and the actual allocated hours of homecare support. [27715/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

846. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the Covid-19 testing centre in Longford opened; the number of tests that were carried out when it closed; and if there are plans to reopen the centre. [25625/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

847. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of staff from essential frontline services (details supplied) in counties Longford and Westmeath that were redeployed to Covid-19; the number that have been deployed back to their posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25626/20]

Addiction Treatment Services

Sorca Clarke

848. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons working in the addiction services that have requested naloxone training; and the number working in the addiction services that have received naloxone training. [25627/20]

Addiction Treatment Services

Sorca Clarke

849. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons working in the emergency services that have requested naloxone training; and the number working in the emergency services that have received naloxone training. [25628/20]

Addiction Treatment Services

Sorca Clarke

850. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons of Community First Responders that have requested naloxone training; and the number of Community First Responders that have received naloxone training. [25629/20]

Addiction Treatment Services

Sorca Clarke

851. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons working in homeless services that have requested naloxone training; and the number of working in homeless services that have received naloxone training. [25630/20]

Addiction Treatment Services

Sorca Clarke

852. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioners that have requested naloxone training; and the number of general practitioners that have received naloxone training. [25631/20]

Addiction Treatment Services

Sorca Clarke

853. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons living with a person in addiction that have requested naloxone training; and the number of persons living with a person in addiction that have received naloxone training. [25632/20]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

854. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant radiologists working in Mullingar Regional Hospital [25633/20]

Mental Health Policy

Sorca Clarke

72. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to deal with the mental health crisis, which has worsened since the onset of Covid-19 and the cancellation of services. [23759/20]

Maternity Services

Sorca Clarke

97. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the restrictions in maternity hospitals will be lifted to allow a doula and-or birthing partner to support a pregnant woman in labour and delivery. [23758/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

237. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons presenting for Covid-19 testing in counties Longford and Westmeath that are not registered with a general practitioner. [23208/20]

HSE Staff

Sorca Clarke

238. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of staff in the HSE employed through employment agencies; the cost of same; and if the number has changed since the outbreak of Covid-19. [23210/20]

Health Screening Programmes

Sorca Clarke

239. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when services such as developmental checks for children and health screening services are expected to return to pre-Covid-19 levels. [23215/20]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Sorca Clarke

240. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of young persons who were referred to youth and adolescent mental health services in counties Longford and Westmeath in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; the number of young persons seen by the service in the same period; the number of referrals that were not accepted by the service; and the number of referrals not accepted that were referred onwards to psychology or other pertinent services in the same period in tabular form. [23216/20]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Sorca Clarke

241. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons referred to CAMHS in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020, in counties Longford and Westmeath; the number that were seen by CAMHS in the same period; the number of referrals that were not seen by CAMHS in the same period; and the number of referrals not accepted by CAMHS that were referred onwards to community alcohol and drug service or other pertinent service in the same period in tabular form. [23217/20]

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Sorca Clarke

242. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons by county awaiting eye care treatment through the National Treatment Purchase Fund. [23218/20]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

243. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting an appointment with an optometrist by county. [23219/20]

Disability Services Provision

Sorca Clarke

1422. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will produce a definitive timeline for the reopening of adult day care services for those with a disability (details supplied). [20849/20]

Mental Health Services

Sorca Clarke

1017. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of From Timid to Tiger programmes facilitated by the HSE in 2019 and to date in 2020; and his plans to extend the programme. [18693/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

714. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the guidelines regarding the use of face shields for children participating in group activities such as music, dance and performing arts camps in which social distancing may be difficult to adhere to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17065/20]

Speech and Language Therapy

Sorca Clarke

1276. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the reopening of HSE speech and language therapy sessions. [15884/20]

HSE Agency Staff

Sorca Clarke

1277. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason agency nurses being interviewed for permanent posts within the HSE are being offered zero-hour contracts and in cases in which they refuse, are faced with going through the interview process again for a 39 hour contract post. [15885/20]

Disability Services Provision

Sorca Clarke

861. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when Lisadell day services, Mullingar, County Westmeath will reopen for day care services for those that, due to profound disability, urgently require this reopening; the activities which may not return; if a reduced amount of attending hours is envisaged upon reopening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14480/20]

Disability Services Provision

Sorca Clarke

862. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when day care services will reopen; when each day care service in counties Longford and Westmeath will reopen; when restrictions will be implemented to ensure adherence to health; the activities which may not return; if a reduced amount of attending hours is envisaged upon reopening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14483/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

551. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene in the developing situation with nursing and midwifery staff of Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar that are due to return from maternity leave having utilised all of their other leave entitlements and are now being forced to consider leaving their careers due to the lack of available childcare. [13588/20]

Cancer Services

Sorca Clarke

552. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Longford that have had cancer screening appointments cancelled due to Covid-19; and the additional resources which will be made available to ensure these vital and potentially lifesaving programmes can adequately deal with the additional numbers on their waiting lists. [13590/20]

Cancer Services

Sorca Clarke

553. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Westmeath that have had cancer screening appointments cancelled due to Covid-19; and the additional resources which will be made available to ensure these vital and potentially lifesaving programmes can adequately deal with the additional numbers on their waiting lists. [13591/20]

Hospital Appointments Status

Sorca Clarke

554. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) must wait for an appointment. [13598/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Sorca Clarke

475. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the waiting time for results of Covid-19 testing for care home staff. [10484/20]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

730. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the outpatient appointments that were cancelled in the primary care centres in County Westmeath due to Covid-19; and the current revised waiting list numbers by department in tabular form. [9547/20]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

731. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the outpatient appointments cancelled in the primary care centres in County Longford due to Covid-19; and the current revised waiting list numbers by department in tabular form. [9548/20]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

732. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the outpatient appointments cancelled in Mullingar Regional Hospital, County Westmeath due to Covid-19; and the current revised waiting list numbers by department in tabular form. [9549/20]

Hospital Appointments Status

Sorca Clarke

734. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the status of a MRI for a person (details supplied). [9565/20]

Disability Services Provision

Sorca Clarke

623. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if there are grant schemes available to those with medically certified mobility issues to assist in the purchase of mobility scooters. [8159/20]

Home Help Service

Sorca Clarke

624. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in counties Longford and Westmeath that have been approved for initial or an increase in home help hours but have yet to receive them. [8162/20]

Hospital Appointments Status

Sorca Clarke

625. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied). [8165/20]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

802. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason a temporary physiotherapist from a health centre (details supplied) was laid off in view of the backlog of work; and when the person will be replaced. [6890/20]