Duncan Smith
Ceist:487. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an early years intervention assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10568/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (487)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Substance Abuse Prevention Education
Ceisteanna (488)
Mark Ward
Ceist:488. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will create an awareness programme on the dangers of using nitrous oxide as an inhalant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10571/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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 2017-2025.
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.
Departmental Correspondence
Ceisteanna (489)
Niall Collins
Ceist:489. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10578/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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
Disability Services Provision
Ceisteanna (490)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:490. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when services will be resumed at the Central Remedial Clinic, University Hospital Waterford, in view of the fact that services continued during Covid-19 at the clinic in Clontarf, Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10594/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (491)
Patricia Ryan
Ceist:491. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 patients who have been treated in private hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10600/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A 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 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 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
The HSE advise that the available capacity in private hospitals was primarily used to support the provision of non-COVID related care for time- dependent treatments and procedures to patients, including areas such as cancer and cardiovascular surgeries, transplant surgery, chemotherapy, radiological tests and procedures. The range and type of procedures that can be undertaken has been expanded in line with NPHET guidance.
The National Office of Clinical Audit (NOCA) Critical Care Information System was extended to Private Providers to support tracking of COVID related cases. The HSE have advised my Department that the data available shows that 7 such cases were admitted to Critical Care in Private Hospitals.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (492, 493)
Patricia Ryan
Ceist:492. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health when surgical operations will resume in Tallaght University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10603/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraPatricia Ryan
Ceist:493. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health when consultant appointments will resume in Tullamore, Portlaoise and Naas hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10604/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 492 and 493 together.
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 National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), 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.
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. Application of the essential risk mitigating steps set out in the guidance developed under the auspices of the NPHET Expert Advisory group will have operational implications, which will impact on throughput.
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).
A Vision for Change
Ceisteanna (494)
Mark Ward
Ceist:494. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if the updated document A Vision for Change will be published; the reason it has been delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10623/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland’s new mental health policy Sharing the Vision – a Mental Health Policy for Everyone 2020-2030 has been approved by Government and is due to be published on Wednesday 17 June. This policy was developed following a process of research into international innovation and best practice in mental health and an extensive national consultation of over 1,000 service users, family members, friends and carers and other stakeholders. Sharing the Vision comes at a time when Covid-19 has impacted so negatively on the nation’s mental health. It advocates protecting health and wellbeing, getting appropriate care quickly and seeks that services provided are quality assured and safe.
As the publication of new policy is a major undertaking for any government, the view initially held was to wait for a new government to be established in order to provide uniform support for the mental health policy.
Nursing Education
Ceisteanna (495)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:495. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to altering the qualifying criteria for entry to nursing and midwifery courses for applications made via the Public Appointments Service to make allowances for candidates unable to meet the time limit of the aptitude test; and if in such cases consideration could be given instead to such candidates' FETAC qualifications and relevant work experience in the healthcare sector. [10627/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Statutory responsibility for the setting of criteria for entry to nursing and midwifery courses rests with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). Accordingly, I have referred the question to the NMBI and asked it to respond directly to the Deputy.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (496)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:496. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he will address the concerns of residents in respect of travel restrictions and social distancing measures in a number of short-term lettings (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10635/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The matters raised in this question are matters for the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (497, 526)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:497. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the timeframe in which normal visits can be expected to resume between family and residents in view of the HIQA report to the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response of nursing home residents suffering with loneliness and isolation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10636/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Seán Haughey
Ceist:526. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health when visits by family members to relatives in nursing homes will be permitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10845/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 497 and 526 together.
It is important to recognise that the current social distancing measures were introduced for the overarching public health good and for the protection of all people in Ireland, particularly those who are most vulnerable to this virus. We all recognise the unprecedented impact on peoples' daily lives and I am aware of how difficult restrictions on visiting are for both nursing home residents and their families.
While visiting restrictions are required in the context of a pandemic situation, national guidance issued by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and available on the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) website advocate a compassionate and practical approach in relation to visiting by friends and family.
Updated COVID-19 guidance on visitations to Residential Care Facilities was published by the HSE on 5 June 2020 and is effective from 15 June. It sets out the criteria for visiting residential care facilities with no ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and for visiting residential care facilities during an outbreak of COVID-19. Indoor visiting in residential care facilities where there is no ongoing COVID-19 outbreak will be permissible from 15 June in circumstances where certain criteria are followed. During an ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 within a residential care facility, the guidance advises that all but essential visiting is suspended in the interests of protecting residents, visitors and staff. This guidance is available on the HPSC’s website.
Legislative Measures
Ceisteanna (498)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:498. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason legislation (details supplied) was not extended due to Covid-19; if clarity will be provided on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10646/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationship Act 2015 (as amended) commenced on 4 May 2020 and will for the first time, provide a legal framework for registering the births of children who are born as a result of assisted human reproduction involving donated eggs, sperm or embryos. The legislation also requires donor details to be stored through the establishment of the National Donor-Conceived Person Register. This will enable children to access information on their donor should they so wish thus enabling them to exercise their rights to know their genetic identity.
Commencement of Parts 2 and 3 also entitles parents of children born in the State as a result of a donor assisted reproduction procedure performed before the 4th of May to apply to the courts for legal recognition of their parental status, subject to certain conditions.
Following commencement, the legislation prohibits the use of non-anonymous gametes in most circumstances, embedding the rights of children to know their genetic heritage in future years.
I am acutely aware of the difficulties the global COVID-19 pandemic has presented for donor-assisted human reproduction (DAHR). It has led to the closure of fertility clinics for several weeks and some individuals and couples have found themselves in a position where they can no longer use gametes they had previously purchased, or import anonymous embryos for use in fertility treatments in the State.
However, it is now over 5 years since the Children and Family Relationships Act was enacted and while I had intended to commence Parts 2 & 3 last summer I allowed a longer lead time to for people to make arrangements to use gametes that have already been purchased, where appropriate, and to allow a sufficient pool of donors with the appropriate consent to be acquired in advance of commencement of Parts 2 and 3 of the Act of 2015.
Further delay to the commencement of Parts 2 and 3 would have presented an unfair penalty to those parents who have already waited a substantial period of time to have their rights to parentage vindicated in law and most importantly for the State to vindicate the rights of donor conceived children to information about their identity.
Air Pollution
Ceisteanna (499)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:499. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of persons who died due to air pollution in 2019; the identified causes of this pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10661/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (500)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:500. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to a response received from the HSE (details supplied), the exact nature of works being carried out at Our Lady’s Hospital, Cashel, County Tipperary; the breakdown of jobs completed on site and awaiting completion, respectively; the cost of works carried out; the funds from which the works are being paid for; the date on which transfers of patients from St. Patrick's Hospital are due to take place; the length of time it is envisaged that patients from St. Patrick's will remain in the hospital; the future plans for the hospital once the patients from St. Patrick's return there; if the information is not immediately available if it will be provided as soon as it is to hand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10670/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As these queries relate to the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects and operational matters, which the Health Service Executive are responsible for, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (501)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:501. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the nature of works being carried out at St. Michael’s Hospital, Clonmel; the breakdown of works being carried out and works yet to be carried out; the costs of all works; the future intentions for the hospital in a post-Covid-19 environment; if the hospital will be used to provide urgently needed mental health beds in south County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10674/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (502)
Dessie Ellis
Ceist:502. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the reason for the continued placement of a person (details supplied) discharged after eight months from James Connolly Memorial Hospital to St. Margaret’s nursing home, in which the person has been resident for the past ten weeks, as opposed to the person returning home according to the person's wishes and the wishes of the person's family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10681/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (503, 504)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:503. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the locations all staff from St. Brigid's Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir, have been redeployed to, resulting in the closure of the hospital; the number of staff employed by the HSE in CHO5 in response to the Be On Call for Ireland campaign; the number of staff who responded to same in CHO5; the reason staff could not have been taken from this campaign to meet the needs of staff throughout the county to allow staff in St. Brigid’s Hospital to continue to provide respite and convalescence services there; when staff previously employed in St. Brigid’s will return there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10688/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMattie McGrath
Ceist:504. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of additional respite beds being provided throughout south County Tipperary following the closure of St. Brigid’s Hospital; the locations of these respite beds; the facilities accommodating the additional beds that would normally be accommodated in St. Brigid’s; the way in which these facilities have space and capacity to provide additional accommodation; the locations of the three hospice beds previously located at St. Brigid’s being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10692/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 503 and 504 together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (505, 506)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:505. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the high Covid-19 figures in counties Cavan and Monaghan are being investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10700/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraNiamh Smyth
Ceist:506. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason Covid-19 figures are so high in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10701/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 505 and 506 together.
I am advised by the Health Service Executive that since the start of the pandemic and up to 4 June 2020, there were 858 confirmed cases of COVID-19 notified in Cavan and 528 confirmed cases of COVID-19 notified in Monaghan. Of these, 47.6% were linked to outbreaks in Cavan and 67.2% linked to outbreaks in Monaghan. A similar pattern has been identified in the period of 1 May to 4 June although the numbers of confirmed cases have declined significantly.
The Health Service Executive have observed that a higher proportion of cases in both Cavan and Monaghan are linked to outbreaks compared with national data. Outbreaks have occurred in a variety of settings including nursing homes, acute hospitals, private homes and workplaces, including meat/poultry factories and mushroom farms. Regional multi-disciplinary outbreak control teams are investigating and managing these outbreaks.
Although the incidence of COVID-19 cases appears high in Cavan and Monaghan, this needs to be interpreted with caution as incidence rates are sensitive to small changes in case numbers due to the relatively small populations in these counties.
Covid-19 Tests
Ceisteanna (507)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:507. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of days per week testing is being carried out for Covid-19 at locations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10702/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the HSE has responsibility, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
Occupational Therapy
Ceisteanna (508)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:508. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health when county and city council occupational therapists will be allowed back to work in order that assessment of patient needs can be addressed relating to qualifying for adaptation grants for recent amputees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10705/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) Regulations 2020 (SI No. 121 of 2020) were signed by the Minister for Health on 7 April 2020.
Schedule 2 of the Regulations sets out essential services that are exempted from the restrictions and therefore can continue to be provided. This includes (at 15(b)) occupational therapy services as these services are provided by a member of a designated profession within the meaning of section 3 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (No. 27 of 2005).
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (509)
Mark Ward
Ceist:509. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if clarity will be provided on matters (details supplied) regarding gyms operating under phase 2 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. [10730/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I recently signed the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (SI No. 206 of 2020) which are in operation from 8 June 2020 until 29 June 2020.
These regulations replace the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) Regulations 2020 (SI No. 121 of 2020) and subsequent amendments which were in in effect until 8 June 2020. The new Regulations provide for the unwinding of certain restrictions provided for in the earlier Regulations and also provide for continued restrictions for some business and services.
The purpose of this regulatory approach to the implementation of the public health framework is to inform a slow, gradual, step-wise and incremental reduction of the current public health social distancing measures, in a risk-based, fair and proportionate way with a view to effectively suppressing the spread of COVID-19 disease while enabling the gradual return of social and economic activity. The Government, informed by the public health advice provided by the Department of Health, has decided to take a gradual re-opening of society and the economy as risk to human health and life caused by COVID-19 remain and lifting the measures in place carries considerable great uncertainty and risk.
Regulation 7(1) of the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 provides that the occupier, manager, or any other person in charge shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that members of the public are not permitted, or otherwise granted, access to a premises …, or to a part of such premises, where a relevant business or service is carried on or otherwise provided. The relevant businesses or services to which this provision applies are listed in Schedule 2 of the regulation. The businesses and services described which are not permitted to open at this time include gymnasiums (whether indoors or outdoors).
The Deputy may also wish to note the Return to Work Safely Protocol which was published by my colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation on Saturday 9 May. This detailed guidance document was developed to assist employers and employees in the coming period. The Protocol is available at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Return-to-Work-Safely-Protocol.html
The protocol is mandatory and it applies to all workplaces across the economy. I am aware that there is significant planning required to move to a new model of operating with the challenges of COVID-19. It is however, the responsibility of employers (and self-employed persons) to apply a risk based approach to returning to work and to prepare to apply the precautions necessary to comply fully with the public health advice. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is tasked with providing advice and support to employers and employees on what and how COVID-19 measures are applied in the workplace.
The services described in the Deputy’s questions are not matters within the remit of my Department. 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (510)
Peter Fitzpatrick
Ceist:510. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an urgent medical appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10731/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Departmental Reports
Ceisteanna (511)
James Browne
Ceist:511. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a report (details supplied); the number of report recommendations that have been implemented; the number that remain unimplemented; if a progress report on the recommendations will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10734/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.