Written Answers Nos. 600-624
600. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by the HSE on capital projects at Naas General Hospital in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; and the status of each project [8777/20]
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.
601. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if he will direct that the fair deal scheme will apply to a person (details supplied). [8784/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as A Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their income and assets while the State pays the balance of the cost.
The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings. An applicant to the scheme can choose any public, voluntary or approved private nursing home. The home must have availability and be able to cater for the applicant's particular needs.
Bloomfield Health Services is not an approved nursing home under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act (2009); in order for a nursing home to qualify for the NHSS they must first register with Heath Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and must have in place an agreement with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on the maximum amount to be charged for the provision of nursing home care services. As Bloomfield Health Services does not meet the legal requirements in relation to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, it is not possible for the NHSS to apply in the circumstances referenced.
Further, as Minister for Health, under section 10B of the Health Act 2004, as amended, I am precluded from making a direction of the nature suggested.
602. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of expanding the current public health nurse sponsorship programme by 200 nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8789/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, sponsorship is available from the HSE for nurses who want to become public health nurses (PHNs). The programme runs for one academic year starting in September. The number of sponsorships advertised each year by the HSE is based on the projected vacancies arising within individual HSE Community Health Organisations ( CHOs). Successful applicants for sponsorship are required to give a written undertaking that, following successful completion of the programme, he/she will immediately register as a PHN with the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) and accept an initial assignment in their sponsoring CHO.
I have been advised by the HSE that the cost to train one PHN is made up mainly of two elements, salary costs and course fees for the one year programme. The current annual salary cost for a Student PHN ( including employer's PRSI at 11.05%) is €37,466 and course fees are €8,500, giving a total cost per student of just under €46,000. The cost of expanding the PHN sponsorship programme by training an additional 200 PHNs would therefore amount to €9,200,000.
The Deputy may wish to note that the recurring annual cost of employing an additional PHN is approximately €66,000 per whole time equivalent PHN. This figure is based on the 5th point of the salary scale (€52,462), plus employer's PRSI at 11.05% and a further 15% for overhead/travel costs.
603. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if injections and procedures will continue for a person (details supplied). [8795/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer all non-urgent elective scheduled care activity, including outpatient clinics. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the World Health Organisation, and the National Action Plan published on 16 March. The trajectory of the disease means there is now an opportunity for increasing the provision of non-covid care including more routine care. It is envisaged that the private hospitals will play an important role in this regard.
My Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund are currently working together to estimate the impact of Covid 19 on Scheduled Care waiting lists, in order to be prepared to address any backlog or pent up demand. My Department continues to ensure that the resources available throughout our health system are best utilised at this unique and challenging time.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
604. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of children who have a severe or profound disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8797/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
605. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in a submission by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8814/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, I would like to acknowledge the vital role played by voluntary organisations, such as those represented by the Disability Action Coalition, in providing a flexible and person-centred response to ensure continued support for our most vulnerable citizens during this challenging period, and as we prepare for the next phase of our response.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Disability Action Coalition comprises eight voluntary organisations who provide specialist disability services and receive funding from the HSE under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004.
The Government recognises the difficulties presented by the COVID-19 outbreak for organisations that rely on fundraising and other income raising activities. In this context, a €35m COVID-19 Stability Fund for Community and Voluntary Organisations, Charity and Social Enterprises was recently launched by the Department of Rural and Community Development. This scheme, which is administered by Pobal, aims to support not-for-profit organisations who are experiencing financial difficulties due to a reduction in their fundraising income and/or traded income as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is hoped that such organisations can resume their income raising activities in the near future, in line with the Government’s roadmap for re-opening society and businesses.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has agreed to allocate substantial additional funding to the Health Vote to meet the costs associated with the implementation of the measures outlined in the National Action Plan in response to COVID-19. The HSE Executive Management Team has agreed a structured approach to addressing the financial challenges of Section 39 Agencies due to COVID-19. The objective of this approach is to provide a structured governance process and modus operandi through which such agencies can engage through the HSE to ensure, where appropriate, continuity of provision of essential services. Furthermore, the HSE has given both Section 38 and Section 39 providers of disability services and supports assurance that budget allocations confirmed to each provider via the relevant CHO, will remain in place to year end, subject to co-operation with the HSE and compliance with the relevant Service Arrangements.
The Independent Review Group on the role of voluntary organisations in the health and social care sector contained a broad range of recommendations in its report, including a strengthening of the relationship between voluntary organisations and the State. In this regard, I have established a dialogue forum, as recommended by the Review Group, to consider the report's recommendations. The forum, which is chaired by Peter Cassells, has met on a number of occasions to date. The most recent meetings of the Forum had to be postponed due to Covid-19, but I understand that the Chair has been in touch with Forum members in the past week in relation to continuing the good work that the Forum has started. The challenge of and the response to Covid-19 has brought into focus even more the importance of the relationship between the State and voluntary organisations and the interdependency of that relationship. I believe that there is an opportunity to build on good practices and collaborative working developed as part of the Covid-19 response and I look forward to engaging with the Forum as it continues its work.
In respect of the issue of pay restoration for Section 39 organisations, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) agreement reached in October 2018 provided for pay restoration in relation to 50 pilot organisations in the first instance. Pay restoration for these bodies commenced in April 2019 with further payments due in October 2020 and October 2021 as appropriate. The agreement recognised that some of the remaining Section 39 organisations were also likely to have pay restoration issues and a process to address these issues commenced in recent months under the auspices of the WRC. Despite the engagement which took place, it was not possible to reach agreement. However, HSE management remains available and committed to the process and it is hoped that engagement with the WRC can re-commence when the demands of the pandemic allow.
606. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if funding will be expedited for the accommodation and care of a person (details supplied). [8830/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
607. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to a previous parliamentary question relating to a person (details supplied) and response from the HSE of 25 November 2019, his views on the response; the steps he has taken to provide services and supports for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8831/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
608. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the pension entitlements of a person (details supplied); and if the full details of the person's pension and benefits will be released. [8832/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to refer directly to the Deputy.
609. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health when an assessment of need will be carried out for a child (details supplied); if the child can be provided with speech and language therapy in addition to occupational therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8839/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
610. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will consider using a statutory instrument to lift visiting restrictions on condition of adherence to HSE guidelines for social distancing and use of appropriate PPE and with the agreement of the management and medical staff at end-of-life care establishments or hospices for the families whose loved ones are resident and do not have long to live. [8841/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile visiting restrictions are required in the context of a pandemic situation, national guidance issued by the HSE and available on the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) website advocates a compassionate and practical approach in relation to visiting by friends and family, particularly in the context of the care of the dying.
Interim Public Health and Infection Prevention Control Guidelines on the Prevention and Management of COVID-19 Cases and Outbreaks in Residential Care Facilities published by the HSE on 4 May 2020 state that all but essential visiting by family and friends is suspended in the interests of protecting residents at this time. However, the Guidelines also acknowledge that a compassionate, pragmatic and proportionate approach is required in the care of those who are dying. The presence of a person close to the resident should be facilitated in so far as it is possible, and they should be aware of the potential infection risk. The language used in the Guidelines emphasises the need for compassion towards both the person who is dying and their family members.
In addition, a guidance document on Infection Prevention and Control Precautions for Possible or Confirmed COVID-19 in a Pandemic Setting was published on the HSPC's website on 8 May 2020. It notes that in the context of a pandemic situation, visiting restrictions will be required. However, local risk assessment and practical management must be considered, ensuring the response is both pragmatic and proportionate. Again, specific scenarios where a compassionate and practical approach is required include care of the dying. Both guidance documents note the need for hand and respiratory hygiene and for the wearing of PPE when required.
611. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if some radiologists or radiographers have resigned recently in the radiology department at University Hospital Kerry; and if so, the way in which this will impact the implementation of the recommendations from the report regarding appropriate staffing in the department. [8842/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
612. Deputy Ossian Smyth asked the Minister for Health the way in which private hospital capacity is being used in County Limerick to relieve pressure on University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8844/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraA major part of the Government's Action Plan in response to Covid-19 was to substantially increase the capacity of public healthcare facilities to cope with the anticipated additional demand. In order to urgently ramp up capacity for acute care facilities, an arrangement was agreed with the private hospitals to use their facilities as part of the public system on a temporary basis, to provide essential services. A Heads of Terms of an Agreement between the HSE and the Private Hospitals was agreed at the end of March 2020 and all 18 of the acute private hospitals signed up to it. Under the arrangement, all patients in the private hospitals are treated as public patients and their treatment is prioritised based on clinical need. Provision was made under the agreement to allow for continuity of care for patients who were in a private hospital or attending for treatment at the time the Heads of Terms of the Agreement were agreed, on the grounds that these patients would be treated as public patients.
The agreement was reviewed at the end of May and the Government decided that the existing arrangement should not be extended beyond the end of June. It has however mandated the HSE to negotiate a new arrangement with private hospitals which would provide the HSE with full access to private hospital capacity in the event of a surge of Covid-19 and separately with ongoing agreed access, to enable the HSE to meet essential and elective care needs.
Guidance on patient pathways to mitigate the risks associated with the delivery of non-covid care, for patients and healthcare workers, and support safe delivery of care has been developed under the auspices of the Expert Advisory Subgroup of NPHET (EAG) and approved in principle by NPHET. It is recommended that in-patient occupancy levels are maintained at 80% to facilitate the requirement to address surge safely. Utilisation rates show a growing increase in the rate of use of inpatient beds in private hospitals. As of 28th May 2020, 54% of private inpatient beds were in use, up from 43% at the start of May.
The HSE is currently working to develop a continuity of services plan to examine how healthcare activity suspended because of Covid-19 can be resumed while maintaining acute occupancy at 80% to provide for surge capacity in the event of a further wave of Covid-19. This work should enable non-urgent elective care to resume within the necessary constraints. The latest information available with regard to the level of activity in the Bons Secours in Limerick is that it is utilising 63% of its in-patient capacity as of 28 May 2020.
613. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if reflexology and similar complementary therapies can be identified in the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; and the guidelines on appropriate measures that must be taken. [8847/20]
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.
Finally, I would note that reflexology and similar complimentary therapies are not regulated professions engaged in the Public Health Service.
614. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a scheduled operation will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [8852/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer all non-urgent elective scheduled care activity, including outpatient clinics. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the World Health Organisation, and the National Action Plan published on 16 March. The trajectory of the disease means there is now an opportunity for increasing the provision of non-covid care including more routine care. It is envisaged that the private hospitals will play an important role in this regard.
My Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund are currently working together to estimate the impact of Covid 19 on Scheduled Care waiting lists, in order to be prepared to address any backlog or pent up demand. My Department continues to ensure that the resources available throughout our health system are best utilised at this unique and challenging time.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
615. Deputy Norma Foley asked the Minister for Health the reason dentists treating patients on behalf of the HSE are without the necessary PPE to carry out their work in view of the fact the receipt of same was guaranteed within 48 hours (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8853/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
616. Deputy Norma Foley asked the Minister for Health the provision being made for the return to work of speech and language therapists (details supplied); and the point at which speech and language therapists will be free to return to work in view of the fact it is unclear in the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. [8856/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
617. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 609 of 20 May 2020, if the work location of a person diagnosed with Covid-19, that is, a small retail, large retail, warehouse, construction, transport, hairdressing and so on will be included in the NPHET daily reports or a weekly report; and his views on whether this would assist in highlighting industry together with issues regarding public health guidelines in the Covid-19 crisis. [8860/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Infectious Diseases Regulations 1981, and subsequent amendments, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre is authorised by law to collect information from doctors and laboratories, via Medical Officers of Health, about diagnoses of certain infectious diseases in Ireland. These diseases are referred to as notifiable diseases.
The most recent amendment to the Regulations is the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 53 of 2020) which added COVID-19 to the list of notifiable diseases.
While occupation related information is not currently collected in the manner referred to in the Deputy's question, I understand work regarding improvements in this area is underway. Defining the wide range of professions and occupations undertaken across the country in such a way as to enable it to become a meaningful data source is a complex and technical exercise. I have therefore asked the HSE to provide further information directly to the Deputy on this important matter.
618. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the measures the HSE has taken to reschedule surgeries and other non-emergency medical procedures which have been postponed due to Covid-19 (details supplied). [8865/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer all non-urgent elective scheduled care activity, including outpatient clinics. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the World Health Organisation, and the National Action Plan published on 16 March. The trajectory of the disease means there is now an opportunity for increasing the provision of non-covid care including more routine care.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has approved a number of recommendations relating to protecting and maximising the delivery of essential time-critical non-Covid-19 care alongside Covid-19 care. On 5 May, NPHET agreed that its recommendation of 27 March, in regard to the pausing of all non-essential health services should be replaced, in relation to acute care, with a recommendation that delivery of acute care be determined by appropriate clinical and operational decision making. The HSE advise that following this recommendation, they issued advice to clinicians regarding the application of essential risk mitigating steps to be taken in acute settings, in order to ensure the safety of staff and patients. This will have operational implications, which will impact on throughput. Hospitals have now begun to resume elective care in the context of this advice and guidance.
My Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund are currently working together to estimate the impact of Covid 19 on Scheduled Care waiting lists, with a view to informing activity going forward. As the system continues to deliver Covid-19 and non-Covid 19 care side-by-side over a more prolonged period, my Department and the HSE will continue to work closely together to protect essential non-Covid 19 acute care and progress the provision of more routine non Covid-19 care.
Where possible, hospitals are working to find innovative ways to enable service provision, which include virtual clinics for some outpatient department appointments. The HSE website provides details on services currently available and operational in each hospital on its website. This information is reviewed frequently and provides up-to-date announcements on services available at each site (https://www2.hse.ie/services/hospital-service-disruptions/hospital-service-disruptions-covid19.html).
619. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health when non-emergency procedures and surgeries that were scheduled to take place in private hospitals prior to the start of the Covid-19 crisis will recommence. [8866/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraA major part of the Government's Action Plan in response to Covid-19 was to substantially increase the capacity of public healthcare facilities to cope with the anticipated additional demand. In order to urgently ramp up capacity for acute care facilities, an arrangement was agreed with the private hospitals to use their facilities as part of the public system on a temporary basis, to provide essential services. A Heads of Terms of an Agreement between the HSE and the Private Hospitals was agreed at the end of March 2020 and all 18 of the acute private hospitals signed up to it. Under the arrangement, all patients in the private hospitals are treated as public patients and their treatment is prioritised based on clinical need. Provision was made under the agreement to allow for continuity of care for patients who were in a private hospital or attending for treatment at the time the Heads of Terms of the Agreement were agreed, on the grounds that these patients would be treated as public patients.
The agreement was reviewed at the end of May and the Government decided that the existing arrangement should not be extended beyond the end of June. It has however mandated the HSE to negotiate a new arrangement with private hospitals which would provide the HSE with full access to private hospital capacity in the event of a surge of Covid-19 and separately with ongoing agreed access, to enable the HSE to meet essential and elective care needs.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer all non-urgent elective scheduled care activity, including outpatient clinics. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for COVID-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the World Health Organisation, the measures set out in the Action Plan in Response to Covid-19 and the recommendation of NPHET. The NPHET has now recommended that steps be taken to resume non-urgent scheduled care in the context of the safe care guidelines set out by its Expert Advisory Group.
620. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health the work being carried out by his Department to educate young persons on the dangers of nitrous oxide abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8871/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to a health-led approach to drug use and to developing harm reduction interventions for at risk groups, as set out in the national drugs strategy Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, a health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2020.
The Department of Health works with the HSE to raise awareness of the dangers associated with drugs through the Drugs.ie website. The site provides a comprehensive range of information and supports related to substance use.
Recently, the HSE launched Know the Score, the first national evidence-based resource on alcohol and drugs for senior cycle students. It aims to engage young people in exploring and considering a wide range of topics related to the risks associated with alcohol and drugs.
The HSE monitors trends and considers the need for new material in relation to drugs based on national reports through stakeholder networks and recommendations from other countries. Emerging trend content is published through the Drugs.ie website and affiliated social media channels.
The Department of Health, as part of the introduction of the Health Diversion Programme, is providing €100,000 in 2020 to develop a national harm reduction campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with drug use. This will include the use of club drugs, festival drug use and new trends. While this campaign was originally scheduled for the latter part of 2020, this timetable may need to be revised given the draw on resources in dealing with Covid 19.
Nitrous oxide has been raised by the HSE as an emerging issue at different points this year. The HSE warned young people regarding the danger of using nitrous oxide (sometimes referred to as ‘laughing gas’) through a media release in January. New content was added to Drugs.ie outlining the effects and risks associated with nitrous oxide.
Parents play an important role in educating young people on the risks regarding substance abuse. Evidence based content is available on Drugs.ie regarding nitrous oxide, as well as a HSE booklet providing advice for parents on how to talk to young people about the risks associated with drug and alcohol use.
We must be especially vigilant in protecting young people from threats to their health and wellbeing from misuse of substances, including nitrous oxide. I believe that a multi-faceted approach, involving online resources, in-school interventions and targeted awareness campaigns, can minimise the risk of substance misuse among young people.
622. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the difference in the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business which allows, dentists, chiropodists and so on to operate (details supplied) compared to the way in which they operated before the Covid-19 crisis. [8893/20]
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.
623. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health when cervical cancer screening and BreastCheck screening will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8894/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
624. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if guidance can be given to paediatric occupational therapists and speech and language therapists as to which phase under the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business they can resume delivering therapy services to children. [8895/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
