Written Answers Nos. 508-529
508. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when the provision of new and upgraded accommodation at a health facility (details supplied) will progress to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7075/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
509. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if 20 July 2020 is the designated date for reopening of self-catering holiday accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7076/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business, published on 1 May 2020, sets out an indicative path to the easing of COVID 19 restrictions and other actions in order to facilitate the reopening Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner. The Roadmap specifies that decisions in relation to which actions will be taken and which public health measures might be lifted will be made in accordance with the Framework for Future Decision-Making which is as follows:
1. Before each Government consideration of the easing of restrictions, the Department of Health will provide a report to the Government regarding the following on/off trigger criteria:
a. The latest data regarding the progression of the disease,
b. The capacity and resilience of the health service in terms of hospital and ICU occupancy,
c. The capacity of the programme of sampling, testing and contact tracing,
d. The ability to shield and care for at risk groups,
e. An assessment of the risk of secondary morbidity and mortality as a consequence of the restrictions.
2. It will also provide risk-based public health advice on what measures could be modified in the next period.
3. The Government would then consider what restrictions could be lifted, having regard to the advice of the Department of Health as well as other social and economic considerations, e.g. the potential for increased employment, relative benefits for citizens and businesses, improving national morale and wellbeing etc.
4. It is acknowledged that there is also an ongoing possibility that restrictions could be re-imposed and this process will be carried out on an ongoing basis once every 3 weeks.
As is clear from the framework, it is the Government rather than I or my Department that will decide on any modifications to the current public health measures in place and those decisions will be informed by the status of the on/off trigger criteria and the public health advice received at the time that a decision is being made.
Guidance in relation to specific sectors of the economy should in the first instance be sought from the Government Department with responsibility for that sector.
510. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the statistics regarding contact tracing since the first case of Covid-19; the operation infrastructure behind the contact tracing process; and the details of referencing the chronological connection between positive test results and follow-up contact tracing in tabular form. [7082/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the HSE has responsibility, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
511. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of new primary healthcare facilities in Clondalkin and Rowlagh, Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7085/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
512. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his plans to use medical detection dogs in the fight against Covid-19 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7093/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no plans in this regard.
513. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a hospital. [7099/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
514. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of orders made pursuant to section 18(4)(a) and or (b) of the Mental Health Act 2001 as amended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7121/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe temporary amendments made to the Mental Health Act, 2001 under the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 included changes to section 18(4) of the 2001 Act.
Section 18(4) sets out how mental health tribunals can be adjourned for an initial period of 14 days by either the tribunal or the patient. Under the 2001 Act, an additional adjournment of 14 days can be requested by the patient, if the tribunal agrees it is in the interest of the patient and if the relevant admission or renewal order will still be in force by the end of expiration of the adjournment.
The temporary measures introduced in the 2020 Act retain the existing provisions in section 18(4), but also allow for the tribunal to initiate the additional adjournment if it is necessary to do so due to the exigencies of the public health emergency, while having due regard for the interests of the patient.
As of 15 May 2020, there were six adjournments under section 18(4), as amended. During the same period in 2019, there were four adjournments under the regular section 18(4).
515. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of times a mental health tribunal of one member has been appointed pursuant to section 48(3)(a) of the Mental Health Act 2001 as amended; the number of times a mental health tribunal consisting of one member has sat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7122/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mental Health Commission has confirmed that as of 14 May, no one-person tribunals have taken place under the amended Act.
Under section 48 of the Mental Health Act, 2001, Mental health tribunals review the admission or renewal order of an involuntarily detained patient. Tribunals are comprised of three people (a chair, who is a solicitor or barrister, a consultant psychiatrist and a lay person.) In making its decision, a tribunal reviews the order, the patient's record, input from the patient or a legal representative, input from the patient's consultant psychiatrist and a report from an independent consultant psychiatrist, who examines the patient and interviews the responsible consultant psychiatrist.
The amendments to the 2001 Act, which were the result of detailed consultation by the Department with the Mental Health Commission and the HSE, were necessary to ensure that the rights of involuntarily detained patients under the 2001 Act would continue to be vindicated in the current public health emergency.
The Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 introduced a "cascading" approach to provisions under section 48 of the 2001 Act. Under the new, temporary measures, every effort is made to maintain three-person tribunals, including remote working. However, in circumstances where three-person tribunals cannot take place due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, one-person tribunals, comprised of the Chairperson, are provided for. The amendments retain the key features of the tribunal process - independent legal representation, report by an independent consultant psychiatrist and an independent review of the patient’s detention.
516. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of providing ten additional chemotherapy slots per day in University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7123/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSaolta Hospital Group advise that a number of improvements were made in University Hospital Galway in 2019 to streamline processes, thereby facilitating an increase in the number of chemotherapy slots per day from 16 to 22.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the feasibility and estimated cost of providing further additional chemotherapy slots at the hospital.
517. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health when mental health practitioners may resume face-to-face patient consultations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7132/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business (Government of Ireland, 1 May 2020) is a living, flexible document and will be subject to regular review, in the context of the progression or suppression of COVID-19 in Ireland at different points in time, new guidance and evidence from the research, experience and findings of international bodies and of other countries and consideration of the utility and outcomes of taking particular measures. This public health-led approach is to inform a slow, gradual, step-wise and incremental reduction of the current social distancing measures, in a risk-based, fair and proportionate way, with a view to effectively suppressing the spread of COVID-19 while enabling the return of social and economic activity. Psychiatrists', counsellors' and psychotherapists' work on essential cases can be considered part of essential Social Care services. Subject to adhering to the current public health guidelines around social distancing, it is up to the individual's own judgement as to whether to meet clients face-to-face or through remote means. I fully appreciate that there is significant planning required for mental health practitioners to move to a new model of operating with the challenges of COVID-19. It is, however, the responsibility of employers (and self-employed people) to apply a risk-based approach to returning to work and to prepare to apply the precautions necessary to comply fully with public health advice.
I would also draw your attention to the Return to Work Safely Protocol, which was published by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation on 9 May. This detailed guidance document was developed to assist employers and employees in the coming period. I would also note that other Government agencies have now been advised to consider developing sector-specific advice and guidance, where required.
518. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health when physical therapists may resume face-to-face patient consultations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7133/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business, published on 1 May 2020, sets out an indicative path to the easing of COVID 19 restrictions and other actions in order to facilitate the reopening Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner. The Roadmap specifies that decisions in relation to which actions will be taken and which public health measures might be lifted will be made in accordance with the Framework for Future Decision-Making which is as follows:
1. Before each Government consideration of the easing of restrictions, the Department of Health will provide a report to the Government regarding the following on/off trigger criteria:
a. The latest data regarding the progression of the disease,
b. The capacity and resilience of the health service in terms of hospital and ICU occupancy,
c. The capacity of the programme of sampling, testing and contact tracing,
d. The ability to shield and care for at risk groups,
e. An assessment of the risk of secondary morbidity and mortality as a consequence of the restrictions.
2. It will also provide risk-based public health advice on what measures could be modified in the next period.
3. The Government would then consider what restrictions could be lifted, having regard to the advice of the Department of Health as well as other social and economic considerations, e.g. the potential for increased employment, relative benefits for citizens and businesses, improving national morale and wellbeing etc.
4. It is acknowledged that there is also an ongoing possibility that restrictions could be re-imposed and this process will be carried out on an ongoing basis once every 3 weeks.
As is clear from the framework, it is the Government rather than I or my Department that will decide on any modifications to the current public health measures in place and those decisions will be informed by the status of the on/off trigger criteria and the public health advice received at the time that a decision is being made.
520. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the income and allowances of front-line nurses will be maintained at their current weekly levels if they are stood down from work due to close contact with Covid-19 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7144/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetailed guidance and FAQs have been prepared and circulated by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to payment for public servants while on special leave in relation to a COVID 19 related absences.
As per the DPER FAQ document, where employees are eligible to receive special leave with pay while absent from work due to COVID-19, payment is based on basic salary and fixed allowances only and excludes unsocial hours premium payments. This applies to all public sector employees.
A copy of DPERs document is available to view publicly here:
https://www.gov.ie/en/news/092fff-update-on-working-arrangements-and-leave-associated-with-covid-19-fo/
521. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will make the FreeStyle Libre device available to all type 1 diabetics under the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7148/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
523. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if dentists and their assistants that have remained open to perform urgent treatment on patients and children are covered under the new childcare package for essential workers. [7156/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSeveral options to support essential workers who are parents and have childcare difficulties have been considered, and unfortunately none of the options are without their challenges in the current circumstances.
While the Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers that Dr Katherine Zappone, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs was to establish regrettably cannot proceed as planned, I understand that the HSE is engaging extensively with essential healthcare workers on flexible working arrangements to support their childcare responsibilities while enabling them to attend work (e.g. roster changes; flexible working hours etc).
524. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the correspondence between the Chairperson of the HSE, the CEO of the HSE, the Secretary General of his Department and him pertaining to Covid-19 testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7176/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe letters the Deputy is referring to were published on the website of the Department of Health on 14 May 2020 and are available at https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/aa1253-view-the-latest-correspondence-covid-19-department-of-health-hse/
525. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for a CAMHS appointment at 30 April 2020 or the latest date available in Cherry Orchard, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7204/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
526. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for a CAMHS appointment at 30 April 2020 or the latest date available in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7205/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
527. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if it is permitted for general practitioners not to accept medical card patients; and if patients that pay privately for such general practitioners can be reimbursed for subsequent prescription charges. [7257/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlthough GPs will ordinarily accept new patients who hold a medical or GP visit card on to their GMS panel, a GP may choose not to accept such a patient.
Additionally, the GMS GP contract stipulates that the maximum number of medical card or GP visit card patients that a GP can have on his/her panel is 2,000, or 2,200 if the GP also holds an under 6 contract, except in exceptional circumstances where the HSE decides to apply a higher limit. However, as of 1st of May 2020, only 7 of the 2,506 GMS contract holders in the country have reached or exceeded the 2,200 maximum patient limit.
Where a GMS patient experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept him/her as a patient, the HSE has the power to assign that person to a GP's GMS patient list where the person has unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area who hold GMS contracts.
Medical card holders are liable to pay a prescription charge for prescribed medicines received without charge, with exemptions for certain medical card holders.
528. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the purpose of the refurbishment works that are taking place in the Wicklow Municipal District Hospital, Wicklow Town, County Wicklow. [7264/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra529. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the immediate and future plans for the Wicklow Municipal District Hospital, Wicklow Town, County Wicklow. [7265/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 528 and 529 together.
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
