Written Answers Nos. 460-470
460. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the resources he has made available regarding the enforcement of the terms and conditions attached to the locator form; the procedures in place to track and engage with persons that are non-compliant; if gardaí have arresting and or supervisory powers in relation to the locator form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13096/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn behalf of my Department, the Border Management Unit of the Department of Justice oversees the collection and processing of COVID-19 Passenger Locator forms. The BMU also conducts a system of follow up phone calls to verify that the information provided on the form is accurrate. The data provided on the form may also be used for the purposes of contact tracing in the event there is a suspected or confirmed case on board a flight or ferry.
The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Requirements) (COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form) Regulations 2020 provides for offences related to the COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form which are enforceable by An Garda Síochána.
461. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to increase compliance with mask wearing in public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13108/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra569. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if regulations will be published that make the wearing of face coverings mandatory on public transport and in certain settings, such as hairdressers, in circumstances in which social distancing guidelines cannot be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13676/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 461 and 569 together.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) provided guidance in relation to face coverings in its advice to Government in relation to Phase 2 of the Roadmap for Reopening Business & Society on 4 June.
The NPHET advice sets out circumstances under which the wearing of a non-medical face covering is recommended. These are when using busy public transport, when in indoor public areas including retail outlets, by people visiting the homes of those who are cocooning, by people who are being visited in their homes by those who are cocooning, all visitors to residential care facilities and in indoor work environments where it is difficult to maintain a two-metre distance. The wearing of face coverings in other environments should accommodate individual judgement or preference or where it is difficult to maintain a 2-metre distance.
It is important to emphasise that the wearing of face coverings is an additional hygiene measure and should not take the place of good hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and other personal protective public health measures. Face coverings should be used properly, in line with the guidance and to wash hands before putting them on and taking them off.
NPHET, at its meeting on Thursday 11 June, recommended that the focus in the first instance should be on increasing compliance with the current recommendations on the use of face-coverings, through the development and implementation of a national communications campaign.
On the 15th June, the Government and the National Transport Authority launched a national communications campaign which outlines best practice for the use of face coverings in retail outlets, on public transport and in other public locations in which it is difficult to maintain social distancing or where this distance cannot be guaranteed, and will communicate to the public about:
- who should wear face coverings
- in what settings, and
- how to wear and remove face coverings correctly.
Guidance on how to make and safely use face coverings is available on gov.ie/facecoverings and the HSE website.
The Government has agreed to the mandatory use of face coverings mandatory on public transport and the development of Regulations in this regard is underway.
The NPHET keeps the position on the wearing of face coverings under continual review.
462. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has had their home help hours reduced from ten to five hours and then to three hours; if the hours will be increased again; the reason there has been such a delay in commencing the home help; when a person will be assigned to provide the home help; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13111/20]
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.
463. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be provided with the special bed for their home due to their long-term illness; when it will be delivered to the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13112/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
464. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some general practitioners in County Carlow are charging for the taking of blood samples; the steps he will take to enforce the provisions of the Health Act 1970 to ensure that persons covered by the general medical services scheme are not being incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13114/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraPersons who are eligible for GP care without charge under the Health Act 1970 are not subject to any co-payments or other charges in respect of such services. There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition and the HSE has advised GPs accordingly. I am aware that some GPs are charging GMS patients for phlebotomy services in some circumstances. I understand also that this issue was discussed during GP contract negotiations in 2019 but that it did not prove possible to achieve agreement that no charges for blood tests would be applied in any circumstances. The GP chronic disease management programme which is being phased in from this year will involve the ongoing monitoring of patients’ condition and any blood tests required in this context will be covered by the fees payable for this care.
However it remains a matter of concern to me that a GMS and GP visit card patient might be charged for blood tests which are clinically necessary and I have asked my officials to discuss with the HSE what further solutions to this issue may be possible. If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office.
465. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when those providing complementary therapies, such as reflexology, will be given a definitive indication as to when they can begin to see patients and resume professional activity; if he will communicate with an organisation (details supplied) in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13119/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, on 19 June 2020, the Taoiseach, on behalf of the Government, announced the restrictions that would be eased and the measures that will be in place in Phase 3. On Thursday 25 June, the Government confirmed the move to Phase 3 of Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business from Monday, 29 June 2020. Information and advice about the restrictions that have been eased as part of Phase 3 and the measures that are now in place are available on the Government website at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d06271-easing-the-covid-19-restrictions-on-29-june-phase-3/
The Government also agreed to bring forward actions in the remaining phases of the Roadmap and plan for four phases rather than the five originally indicated. This will be subject to continued progressive improvements in the health indicators identified in the Framework for Future Decision-Making described in the Roadmap.
I wish to clarify to the Deputy that complementary therapies are included in these measures and may now recommence under Phase 3 of the Roadmap. As public health restrictions are lifted, and there are no longer detailed rules in place imposed by the State, everybody in society will now need to exercise their own judgement and take personal responsibility for decisions that they make about the risk of infection to themselves and to others in different situations. A risk assessment framework or Public Health Checklist has been drafted by the National Public Health Emergency Team and agreed by Government to assist businesses in making decisions about how to assess the risk of different activities and take actions to lower the risk of spreading infection. It is important that there is continued commitment across society from all arms of the State, organisations, employers, businesses and individuals to work together to collectively promote, support and encourage everyone in the community to adhere to the core public health principles as effectively as possible, as often as possible, and in as many situations as possible for the benefit of all.
The Public Health Checklist which refers to health and well-being services under Phase 3 of the Roadmap can be found on the Government website at https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/77452/39d51b02-5633-4e2f-a070-4551a3521081.pdf#page=9
I would also wish to draw the Deputy's attention to the Return to Work Safely Protocol which was published by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation on Saturday 9 May last. This detailed guidance document was developed to assist employers and employees in the coming period and 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 right across the economy. Specific sectors may need to introduce additional safeguards, but this document sets out the standard set of measures required in every workplace.
466. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 753 of 3 June 2020, the breakdown of the HSE 2020 allocation of €774 million of capital funding by project in tabular form. [13120/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra542. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 753 of 3 June 2020, if he will provide a breakdown of the projects being undertaken under the HSE’S 2020 allocation of capital funding; and if he will outline the projects, inclusive of their timelines of start and completion dates in tabular form. [13502/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 466 and 542 together.
The Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery and management of healthcare infrastructure.
All capital development proposals must be approved by the relevant Hospital Group or Community Health Organisation (CHO) before being forwarded to the relevant HSE Directorate for support/approval and prioritisation. The proposal is then submitted to the HSE National Capital and Property Steering Committee. The committee comprises of officials from the acute care and community care directorates, along with HSE Finance and the Estates Office. The role of the National Capital and Property Steering Committee is to prioritise projects and recommend them for inclusion in the HSE’s multi-annual Capital Plan, subject to funding availability.
The HSE has developed a draft Capital Plan for 2020 having regard to the available funding, the number of large national capital projects currently underway, and the cashflow requirements and priorities attaching to each project. All projects are considered as part of this process.
It is important to recognise that all capital development proposals must progress through a number of approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, including detailed appraisal, planning, design and procurement before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established.
The final decision to proceed with the construction of a project cannot be made until the tender process has been completed and the costings reviewed to ensure that the proposal delivers value for money and remains affordable, and that sufficient funding is available to fund the project to completion, including equipping and commissioning costs.
The delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, which can impact on the timeline for delivery.
The HSE actively manages the capital programme in order to ensure it has flexibility to progress as many projects as possible within the available funding, particularly in the event of any project not progressing as anticipated.
At present the draft Capital Plan 2020 is being reviewed and revised to take account of the impact of Covid-19, which resulted in delays on many projects and the funding of an emergency Covid-19 programme of works. Once the HSE has finalised its Capital Plan for 2020, it will then be submitted to me for consideration.
467. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans and the plans of the HSE for restarting healthcare; if this will be delegated to hospital and local level; if there will be a HSE plan which will be followed at acute and primary care level; the details of the plan including timelines and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13121/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Covid-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented interruption to normal health services both in the community and acute hospitals. While many vital services were maintained or restructured to respond more appropriately to Covid-19 related risks and evolving needs, other services were suspended or delivered on a reduced basis.
To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically aligned and prioritised way, the HSE have published a Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 8 June. The document can be found at the following link https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/service-continuity-in-a-covid-environment-a-strategic-framework-for-delivery.pdf .
The implementation of the Framework will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated and phased manner. It will consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge.
While not all services can return to previous levels immediately, many health services have already resumed, particularly for priority cases. The HSE are currently developing a Service Continuity Roadmap for the resumption of services across the health system.
468. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his Department and the HSE will raise awareness of a card (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13122/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Health, I have no functions relating to the provision of, or access to, public toilets or those situated in private businesses and the services described in the Deputy’s questions are not matters within the remit of my Department. The provision of public facilities, where they exist, is a matter for Local Authorities which are under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage
469. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if provisions are being made for frontline health workers that have been forced to use up their annual leave for childcare purposes and are facing a situation in which they no longer have time to take off despite fronting the national effort to overcome Covid-19. [13126/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
470. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons employed in June 2018, 2019 and 2020 in community psychiatry, community psychology and community CAMHS areas in County Kildare by area; and the positions recruited since January 2020 in County Kildare in these sectors. [13134/20]
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.
