Parliamentary questions

Hospital Waiting Lists

David Cullinane

523. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting and wait times, including for diagnosis, on cardiac care wait lists in County Waterford in each of the years 2017 to 2019, inclusive, and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30125/20]

Health Services Provision

David Cullinane

525. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the costs to date associated with Citywest; the projected future costs; the current and proposed future uses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30141/20]

Cancer Services

David Cullinane

528. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of cancer referrals in the first nine months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30150/20]

Cancer Services

David Cullinane

529. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of cancer diagnoses made in the first nine months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30151/20]

Cancer Services

David Cullinane

530. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of cancer patients that saw a consultant in the first nine months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30152/20]

Cancer Services

David Cullinane

531. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of cancer procedures by type conducted in the first nine months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30153/20]

Cancer Services

David Cullinane

532. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of cancer surgeries made in the first nine months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30154/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

533. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of critical care beds available in the private healthcare system that would form part of a HSE deal with private sector hospitals to access their capacity in the event of a lack of public capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30171/20]

Health Services

David Cullinane

534. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied). [30173/20]

Vaccination Programme

David Cullinane

230. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans for the delivery by pharmacists of off-site vaccination clinics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29063/20]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

David Cullinane

634. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his views on the import and distribution of medicinal cannabis through community pharmacies following a referral from a general practitioner or consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28119/20]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

David Cullinane

635. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the process for access to medicinal cannabis through the EMA compassionate use access programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28120/20]

Dental Services

David Cullinane

640. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children on dental and orthodontic services waiting lists; the number waiting 0 to 6, 6 to 12 months, 1 to 2, 2 to 3 and 3 plus years, by LHO in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28157/20]

Dental Services

David Cullinane

641. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with special needs on dental and orthodontic services waiting lists; the number waiting 0 to 6, 6 to 12 months, 1 to 2, 2 to 3 and 3 plus years, by LHO in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28158/20]

Dental Services

David Cullinane

642. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on dental and orthodontic services waiting lists; the number of persons waiting 0 to 6, 6 to 12 months, 1 to 2, 2 to 3 and 3 plus years at the end of quarter 2 and 3 2020 compared to quarter 2 and 3 2018 and 2019, by LHO in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28159/20]

Dental Services

David Cullinane

643. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of appointments attended in HSE primary care dental services nationally for the period from 4 March 2019 to 31 May 2019 and from 2 March 2020 to 29 May 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28170/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

644. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of patients that had their appointments cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic from 2 March 2020 to 1 September 1 2020, by HSE CHO region in tabular form; the number of these cancellations that refer to patients from mainstream national schools, special classes in mainstream schools, special schools, adults in special care, other special care children and orthodontic patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28171/20]

Dental Services

David Cullinane

645. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of students in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th class by CHO region that prior to service disruption due to Covid-19, that is the beginning March 2020, were targeted for dental services for the academic year September 2019 to June 2020, by class; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28172/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

646. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average WTE number of dental staff redeployed as part of the Covid-19 efforts, by HSE CHO region, on a weekly basis from 1 March to 1 September 2020, comprising dentists, dental nurses and dental hygienists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28173/20]

Dental Services

David Cullinane

647. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of adults by HSE CHO region that are waiting for dental treatment under general anaesthetic; the maximum waiting period per region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28174/20]

Dental Services

David Cullinane

648. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children by HSE community healthcare organisation, CHO, region who await dental treatment under general anaesthetic; the maximum waiting period per region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28175/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

649. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of staff redeployed and deployed through the Be on Call for Ireland campaign and other campaigns as part of the swab, test and trace system to identify Covid-19 cases by origin that is, HSE pre-existing, HSE new for Covid-19, Be on Call and so on, by occupation, by CHO, and by weekly average for the period 1 March to 30 September 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28183/20]

Health Services

David Cullinane

722. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his views on legislating to allow nurses to prescribe controlled drugs and opiate substitution therapy, for example, methadone and buprenorphine, as was previously done on controlled drugs in areas such as palliative care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28684/20]

Addiction Treatment Services

David Cullinane

723. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his views on enhancing independent regulatory oversight and inspection on addiction treatment services, such as through HIQA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28685/20]

Addiction Treatment Services

David Cullinane

724. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans for reform and investment in addiction treatment services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28686/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

732. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 319 of 29 September 2020, the amount of additional Covid-19 related Exchequer expenditure for 2021 for his Department and the breakdown by line items of this additional expenditure [28716/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

741. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated expenditure by his Department in 2021 compared to 2020, disaggregated by precommitted expenditure such as by demographics, PSSA and so on, Covid-19 related expenditure and other additional expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28738/20]

Medical Aids and Appliances

David Cullinane

389. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reason dexcom G6 glucose monitoring systems are only available for those of certain ages through the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28033/20]

Legal Aid Service

David Cullinane

205. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice the steps that can be taken regarding health and safety concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27524/20]

Hospital Staff

David Cullinane

211. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies across the health service by CHO, hospital group and hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27360/20]

Health Services Staff

David Cullinane

215. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the occupational and regional breakdowns and associated costs of the 2,760 staff for 2020 and the 7,500 recruitment target for quarter 1 of 2021 outlined in the winter plan 2020-21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27407/20]

Information and Communications Technology

David Cullinane

223. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE does not have a single integrated finance and procurement information technology system; his plans for ensuring a system will be put in place; if an integrated system will be expedited due to the failings the current system is causing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27462/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

226. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in the Be on Call for Ireland pool; the number who have been assigned or placed in services; the number of staff hired through Be on Call for Ireland with HSE contracts; the number with agency or temporary contracts; the reason staff are being hired as agency or temporary staff when there is a demonstrated need for them to be employed as HSE staff; if his Department is seeking to avoid employer obligations by hiring staff as temporary or agency staff; if all employed to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic are working on valid contracts; the number who are working on temporary contracts which have expired; if he can guarantee that not a single worker brought on to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic is working on an expired contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27484/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

227. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on an item of correspondence (details supplied); the steps that he or his Ministerial colleagues are taking to ensure compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27486/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

228. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reason some community testers and contact tracers and those offered jobs through Be on Call for Ireland and other recruitment pathways to join the health service are only being offered temporary employment through agencies and are not being employed directly by the HSE or his Department; if this is congruent with the objective of employing a dedicated testing and tracing workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27489/20]

Treatment Abroad Scheme

David Cullinane

231. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reason for removing the treatment abroad scheme funding for mesh-injured persons; the reason for removing funding for travel abroad for translabial scans; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this is interrupting patients' treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27528/20]

Health Services Provision

David Cullinane

232. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the rehabilitative supports being made available to mesh-injured patients; if expedited pain management physio and counselling treatment will be delivered in line with the CMO report on the matter; if this can be accessed privately instead of through the public system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27529/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

293. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Finance the total Covid-19 related expenditure incurred by his Department to date; and if this will be counted a pre-committed expenditure for budget 2021. [27044/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

294. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Finance the total Covid-19 related expenditure over and above his Department's 2020 budget; and if this additional expenditure will be factored into the base in budget 2021 or if it will be repeated as Covid-19 related expenditure in budget 2021. [27045/20]

Special Educational Needs Staff

David Cullinane

468. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education if an SNA employed by her Department can increase their pension contributions through additional voluntary contributions through her Department to their occupational pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26697/20]

Medical Cards

David Cullinane

820. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when the HSE clinical advisory group report on medical cards will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26492/20]

Mental Health Guidelines

David Cullinane

822. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the protocols for giving sedatives to persons with dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26503/20]

Drugs Payment Scheme

David Cullinane

897. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 392 of 15 October 2019, the estimated cost in 2021 of reducing the monthly threshold for the drug payment scheme by €1; the estimated cost to reduce the threshold to €114 and €100; and the estimated full-year cost of same. [26898/20]

Hospital Data

David Cullinane

935. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that saw a consultant, by type, in the first eight months of 2020; the number and breakdown for same in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27040/20]

Vaccination Programme

David Cullinane

936. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated total cost in 2021 of a total population vaccination campaign, assuming near 100% uptake with reasonable exceptions for those that cannot be safely vaccinated, scaled on the usual quantity percentage breakdown across quadrivalent influenza vaccine and live attenuated influenza vaccine and other types of vaccine by cost of vaccine and administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27041/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

937. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total Covid-19-related expenditure incurred by his Department to date; and if this will be counted a pre-committed expenditure for Budget 2021. [27042/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

938. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total Covid-19-related expenditure over and above his Department’s 2020 budget; if this additional expenditure will be factored into the base in Budget 2021; and if not, if it will be repeated as Covid-19 related expenditure in Budget 2021. [27043/20]

Disability Services Provision

David Cullinane

941. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of child development clinics and associated services which took place in the first eight months of 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27077/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

945. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the guidelines for persons when a member of their household displays symptoms of Covid-19; if they should self-isolate until a negative test is returned; if his attention has been drawn to HSE guidance being issued to persons that says a member of a household is not required to isolate while their household member with symptoms is waiting for a test; his views on whether this is not the appropriate guidance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27118/20]

Hospital Equipment

David Cullinane

970. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken by University Hospital Waterford to provide insulin pump therapy as a treatment option to all eligible adults with type 1 diabetes; the plans of the hospital to provide type 1 diabetes self-management education to adults attending its clinic; if the hospital has included the specialist nursing staff and dieticians required to provide insulin pump therapy for adult diabetes services within its budget proposal; if he will fund same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27225/20]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

David Cullinane

971. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the position regarding medicinal cannabis; the position regarding the delivery of medicinal cannabis by the HSE nationwide originating from another EU state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27228/20]

Vaccination Programme

David Cullinane

176. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if adequate stockpiles of the flu vaccine have been secured; the reason for the delay in securing these and rolling out the flu vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25703/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

213. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the provisions being made to provide PPE to dental surgeries, general practice, pharmacies and other non-HSE aspects of the healthcare system; if provision will be made to allow them to procure PPE VAT-free; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25874/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

745. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the measures taken to date as a consequence of the HSE publication Covid-19 Testing and Tracing: Roadmap to enhance capacity and turnaround published 14 May 2020; the progress made on the measures identified within; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24960/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

746. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 swab tests conducted at each community testing centre, each hospital and by the National Ambulance Service, on a weekly basis since 1 April 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24961/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

747. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 tests evaluated at each testing laboratory involved on a weekly basis since 1 April 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24962/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

748. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons involved in Covid-19 swabbing, test evaluation and tracing by occupation and county in each testing site since 1 April 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24963/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

749. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of drive through testing facility lanes available on a weekly basis since 1 April 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24964/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

750. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the opening hours and staffing levels by occupation for each swabbing centre in each week since 1 April 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24965/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

751. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if all swab data is now fed directly from Swiftqueue to the laboratory information system [24966/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

752. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if the results data transfer between NVRL and Case Tracker CRM has been fully automated or the percentage that has been automated since 1 May to date [24967/20]

Health Services Staff

David Cullinane

773. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that nurses that answered the HSE Be On Call campaign and were placed in the health service are working on expired contracts; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that there are no standard entitlements to sick pay for such nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25158/20]

Health Services

David Cullinane

781. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when developmental checks for children previously administered by the HSE will recommence; the estimated number of checks missed; the number of checks and referrals to early intervention teams, speech and language therapists and other health professionals from March to September this year; the number of checks and referrals to early intervention teams, speech and language therapists, and other health professionals in the same period for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25219/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

792. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average Covid-19 test turnaround by county and nationally from general practitioner referral to communication of results for community testing in each week since 1 April to 14 September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25319/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

802. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if weekly Covid-19 testing turnaround time data will be published as is done in other jurisdictions similar to the daily and weekly reporting of Covid-19 testing numbers and case numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25345/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

804. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the occupational grade of all persons employed for Covid-19 testing; the number at each grade; the additional hires being provided for as indicated in the Plan for Living with Covid-19 which sets a target of a 3,000+ dedicated workforce; the number of the 3,000+ that are new hires; the number that have been seconded or transferred within the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25350/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

805. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of the 700 swabbers and 500 contact tracers outlined in the Plan for Living with Covid-19 that have been hired; the number in a pool; when all 1,300 staff will be hired; the locations in which the staff will be located by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25351/20]

Health Services Staff

David Cullinane

806. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if staff hired as part of a dedicated Covid-19 testing workforce that come from other parts of the health service will be replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25352/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

807. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated percentage of the population which lives within one hour of a Covid-19 swab test centre; the estimated percentage which will have access to the service within one hour of their home as envisaged under the Plan for Living with Covid-19; the time frame for the service to materialise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25353/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

808. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the targets, and associated timelines for Covid-19 swabbing, testing, and contact tracing; if there is an ambition to test more than 100,000 a week; if so, the number and timeline for reaching same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25354/20]

Cross-Border Health Initiatives

David Cullinane

818. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the protocol in place between both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland for contact tracing as it relates to cross-Border workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25426/20]

Cross-Border Health Initiatives

David Cullinane

819. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the procedure for communication between the HSE and HSC to ensure that cross-Border workers are included in contact tracing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25427/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

820. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the procedures in place in circumstances in which a person works here but lives in Northern Ireland and is a close contact of a confirmed Covid-19 case at the workplace here; the jurisdiction responsible for contact tracing in this event; if residents of one jurisdiction are included in contact tracing conducted by the other jurisdiction; the situation in the inverse scenario; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25428/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

821. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if work colleagues in Northern Ireland of a person that lives here but works in Northern Ireland are included in contact tracing and considered close contacts and vice versa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25429/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

184. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of medical scientists employed in laboratories which are conducting Covid-19 tests; his plans to increase the number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24495/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

185. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the cost of hiring an additional one medical scientist in testing laboratories. [24496/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

186. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the cost of providing at 10% pay rise to medical scientists and the hiring of an additional one medical scientist with this in mind [24497/20]

Disease Management

David Cullinane

207. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans for tackling asthma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24607/20]

Air Pollution

David Cullinane

208. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans for acting on smoky coal and air pollution and their impact on health; the extent of his cooperation and engagement with other Departments on the matter to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24608/20]

Long-Term Illness Scheme

David Cullinane

212. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to include asthma on the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24615/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

129. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when pharmacies will receive the PPE, in particular surgical masks, that was promised by the HSE to keep pharmacy staff and their vulnerable customers safe from the potential risk of catching or spreading Covid-19 infection in the course of their working day in the pharmacy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24261/20]

Health Services

David Cullinane

31. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the measures he has undertaken or will undertake as part of the winter plan to protect capacity in the health service, to ensure maximum possible uptake of the flu vaccine, secure sufficient staffing levels and bed availability, deliver Covid-19, non-Covid-19 and catch-up care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23639/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

33. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure a proactive and robust testing and tracing regime to support the plan for living with Covid-19; the way in which Ireland compares with the EU and other comparator states such as New Zealand in terms of testing and tracing capacity and performance by tests per capita; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23640/20]

Budget 2020

David Cullinane

34. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if promised medical card eligibility expansions and reductions in prescription charges made in budget 2020 will be commenced in 2020; the reason for the delay; if funding is being made available for same in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23641/20]

Medical Cards

David Cullinane

61. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce medical cards for cancer patients and terminally ill patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23643/20]

Dental Services

David Cullinane

68. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to tackle waiting lists and deliver public dental and orthodontic care; his further plans to expand eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23645/20]

Maternity Services

David Cullinane

76. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to re-evaluate and relax restrictions on pregnant parents being accompanied by their partners in hospitals before, during and after birth on compassionate grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23644/20]

Hospital Waiting Lists

David Cullinane

81. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to deliver on commitments to persons with scoliosis and reduce wait times for care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23646/20]

Medical Inquiries

David Cullinane

89. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to advance an inquiry into mesh implants and sodium valproate; his further plans to gather better data to understand the extent of the impact of same; if an expert panel will review the UK report on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23647/20]

Medical Inquiries

David Cullinane

626. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to advance an inquiry into mesh implants and sodium valproate; his further plans to gather better data to understand the extent of the impact of same; if an expert panel will review the UK report on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23642/20]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

David Cullinane

669. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when diabetes reviews of hospitals and prairie care settings resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23393/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

700. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 tests conducted to the end of August 2020; the number and percentage which were positive; the estimated number and percentage of false positives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23522/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

846. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the details of the Covid-19 testing and tracing regime; the structures and leadership of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24122/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

847. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the staffing requirements for meeting 100,000 Covid-19 swabs and tests per week; the associated cost related to each staffing category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24123/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

848. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the staffing and laboratory requirements for conducting and evaluating 100,000 Covid-19 tests per week; the associated cost related to each staffing category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24124/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

849. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels related to the Covid-19 testing and tracing regime; the number employed directly for this purpose; the number seconded; the areas from which they are seconded; the agency staff and associated costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24125/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

850. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the measures that will need to be taken to deliver 100,000 Covid-19 swabs and tests per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24126/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Cullinane

851. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the Covid-19 contact tracing regime; the number employed for same; the number seconded from elsewhere; the areas from which they are seconded; his plans to recruit and train contact tracers; the estimated number of contact tracers required; the associated costs in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24127/20]

Covid-19 Tests

David Cullinane

852. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 tests conducted, evaluated, results delivered and contacts traced in each of the weeks since the beginning of March 2020 to the end of the second week of September 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24128/20]

Vaccination Programme

David Cullinane

234. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans for expanding free access to the HPV vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23193/20]