Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 20 Oct 2020

Written Answers Nos. 544-563

Food Safety Authority of Ireland

Ceisteanna (544)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

544. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the status of funding for local authority vets to carry out inspections at local abattoirs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30987/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is the competent authority with overall responsibility for the enforcement of food safety legislation in Ireland. Responsibility for enforcement of food legislation is managed through service contracts between the FSAI and a number of competent authorities, also known as ‘Official Agencies’. These official agencies include the Health Service Executive (HSE); Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM); Local Authorities; and Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority.

Local Authorities, acting on behalf of the FSAI, are responsible for food law enforcement required under EU food law at certain food businesses with the controls carried out by the Local Authority Veterinary Service (LAVS).

The annual funding provided by the Department of Health to the FSAI is inclusive of funding for the LA service contracts. While funded by the Department, the FSAI is independent in the exercise of its functions.

The FSAI and the County & City Management Association (CCMA) have been engaging for some time regarding the funding and effective delivery of the service. The funding allocated by the FSAI to the service for 2020 has not been accepted by the CCMA. The current service contracts with the FSAI are in place until 30th November 2020 and the Authority is working closely with all parties to ensure that a system of food safety controls is in place in LA supervised premises from 1st December 2020.

Pharmacy Services

Ceisteanna (545)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

545. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health his plans to unwind the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act for the community pharmacy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31088/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to fully acknowledge that community pharmacy has played a pivotal role in responding to the health needs of the public during the COVID-19 crisis. It is recognised that community pharmacists have ensured the continued availability of a professional, accessible service for the public and have successfully managed to alleviate the worries and concerns of the population around continuity of medicine supply in the face of great uncertainty.

The regulations to which the Deputy refers, were made under section 9 of the FEMPI Act 2009 and these were set to expire at the end of 2019. It was therefore necessary for my predecessor to enact new legislation under the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017, in order to maintain a statutory basis for contractor payments and to prescribe the fees payable from that date.

The previous Government gave a commitment to commence a strategic review of the role of community pharmacists and to engage with the Irish Pharmaceutical Union to develop revised contractual terms. It is my intention to honour that commitment as the existing GMS pharmacy contract is substantially outdated. It has not kept pace with developments that have taken place over the course of recent years including the increasing emphasis on maximising the proportion of people’s healthcare needs met in primary care, interdisciplinary collaboration and the skillset that pharmacists have by virtue of their education and training.

The comprehensive review of the pharmacy contract will address the role to be played by community pharmacy in the context of Sláintecare. It will consider all aspects of pharmacy service provision including delivery of a multi-disciplinary model of service delivery for patients, ensuring clarity of roles and achieving optimum value for money. However, any publicly funded pharmacy service expansion should address unmet public healthcare needs, improve access to existing public health services or provide better value for money or patient outcomes.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (546, 691)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

546. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if DIY and hardware stores can remain open under level 4 and 5 restrictions; and if same are considered essential retail. [31195/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

691. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if outdoor farmers' markets are classified as essential retail under level 4 of the plan for living with Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31462/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 691 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 was published by the Government on 15 September, 2020. This Plan provides a framework setting out Ireland's approach to managing and living with COVID-19 in a range of areas over the next 6 - 9 months.

The framework sets out five levels of response, each with a number of measures designed to help us all lower COVID-19 transmission and setting out what is permitted at that moment in time. It is framed to account for periods during which there is a low incidence of the disease, with isolated clusters and low community transmission, through to situations where there is a high or rapidly increasing incidence, widespread community transmission and the pandemic is escalating rapidly in Ireland and globally. It recognises the need for society and business to be allowed to continue as normally as possible and is designed so that either national or county level restrictions can be applied.

The Plan reflects a careful consideration of the impact of the introduction of restrictions on employment and livelihoods, keeping as many businesses open as possible at different stages, while acknowledging that some businesses and services are critical. It acknowledges that sports, arts and other social activities are central to our well-being and that sports and arts are also the world of work for our many in our communities.

As I am sure the Deputy can appreciate, COVID-19 spreads when individuals and groups come into close contact with one another, enabling the virus to move from one person to another. COVID-19 is infectious in a person with no symptoms, or for the period of time before they develop symptoms. For this reason, we are all asked to be extra careful when socialising and working with others. For now, we must act like we have the virus to protect those around us from infection.

Ireland has moved from a short-term emergency response approach to a medium-term approach to managing risk and repairing the damage that COVID-19 has inflicted on society. Further information on the public health measures in currently in place in relation to the different Levels can be found at www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/resilience-recovery-2020-2021-plan-for-living-with-covid-19/.

The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 7) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 442/2020) set out the list of essential retail outlets for relevant counties at Level 4.

Under these regulations, markets that wholly or principally, offer food for sale are deemed essential.

The regulations also provide that hardware outlets, builders’ merchants and outlets that provide, whether on a retail or wholesale basis, hardware products necessary for home and business maintenance or construction and development, are also deemed essential.

Further information on essential retail outlets is available at the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/60ecc-essential-retail-outlets-for-level-4/.

Capital Expenditure Programme

Ceisteanna (547)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

547. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 584 of 21 July 2020, the estimated amount of the allocated 2021 Estimate for capital expenditure that is expected to be taken up by the new forensics facility at Portrane. [31251/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery and management of healthcare infrastructure, including the new National Forensic Mental Health Service (Portrane). The construction of the NFMHS is due to be completed in Q4 2020. There have been some delays to the completion of the project due to the response to the Covid 19 National Emergency. As the construction contract is ongoing, the expected cost of the project in 2021 is commercially sensitive at this stage.

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 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.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (548)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

548. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason providers of childcare are expected to pay for flu vaccines for their staff members despite the fact that in other sectors the State has committed to paying for the vaccine. [31080/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Given the potential for the winter flu season in 2020/2021 to coincide with a resurgence of COVID, and the importance of minimising hospital attendance, the Government has expanded the provision of vaccination without charge to all of those in the HSE defined at-risk groups, including healthcare workers. All children aged from 2 to 12 years inclusive will also have access to vaccination without charges.

Vaccination without charges is provided to those most at-risk, and those most likely to require hospitalisation if they contract influenza, in anticipation that the programme will see a reduction in the number of influenza-related hospital admissions, as well as a reduction in the overall spread of influenza in the community. This approach is in line with the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee.

Those not covered by the publicly funded influenza vaccination programme can avail of influenza vaccination from GPs and pharmacists on a private basis.

Disability Services Provision

Ceisteanna (549)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

549. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify alternative plans for day service users who, prior to Covid-19, were being provided with essential services at a centre (details supplied); the status of this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31576/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As part of the overall effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 and in line with public health advice, disability day service locations closed in March. The HSE began planning for the resumption of adult disability day services in May. A group representative of families, service providers and other relevant stakeholders, including Inclusion Ireland, was convened and tasked with the development of a Resumption Plan. On May 31st the Framework for the Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services was published and the guidance to support this framework was published on July 8th.

The guidance is to enable safe and person-centred disability day service supports to be provided in line with current public health advice and infection control guidance. It is not overly prescriptive in terms of detail as there is a wide diversity of disability in the 19,000 adults that received day service supports and day service locations vary enormously in size and capacity. Of this 19,000, approximately 5,000 people receive a day service as part of their residential placement.

The key overarching elements of managing the risk of infection are:

1. Processes to identify people (service users and staff) with communicable infection (including COVID-19) before they access services/attend work or as soon as possible after they access services/attend work.

2. Processes to minimize the risk of spread of infection from people (service users and staff) who access services/attend for work with unrecognized infection (Standard Precautions).

3. Early detection of spread of infection in the service and immediate response to limit harm.

The guidance developed to support the resumption of adult day services also has had to take account of social distancing rules which has meant that there is a reduced number of people in each service location. This means that, when day services re-opened through August and September, they re-opened at 40% capacity. However, the HSE is committed to maximising the support that can be provided within these restrictions. The HSE also plan to capture the detail of the service being provided to each individual over the next few weeks, to get a better understanding of the quantum of service being provided.

The investment of €100 million in the Budget for people with a disability will build the capacity of our adult disability services and increase day services by one day a week, for those whose services were reduced due to COVID-19. It will also support around 1,700 young people who leave school and training programmes in 2021.

In line with the Governments Resilience & Recovery Framework (2020 – 2021), the HSE regards the provision of disability services as essential to maintaining a response to people with a disability, in the same way that schools and creches are. Importantly, Government’s intention is that disability services will remain open at each level of the Resilience and Recovery Framework, subject to public health guidance.

As the Deputy's questions also refers to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Ceisteanna (550)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

550. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to examine the regulations and legislation that apply to cannabis use for medical conditions and palliative care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31610/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

One of the Commitments in the Programme for Government-Our Shared Future is to "Examine the regulations and legislation that apply to cannabis use for medical conditions and palliative care having regard to the experience in Northern Ireland and Great Britain" which Departmental officials are currently working on.

On 26th June 2019, the Minister for Health signed legislation to allow for the operation of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) on a pilot basis for five years.

The Programme will facilitate access to cannabis-based products for medical use in line with legislation and with the clinical guidance for the scheme.

Cannabis products will only be listed in Schedule 1 of the Regulations once they have been considered as suitable for use under the Medical Cannabis Access Programme.

The Medical Cannabis Access Programme will make it possible for a medical consultant to prescribe a cannabis-based treatment for a patient under his or her care for the following medical conditions, where the patient has failed to respond to standard treatments:

- Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis.

- Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.

- Severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy.

The following specified controlled drug products (cannabis-based products) have been accepted as being suitable for use under the Medical Cannabis Access Programme:

- Aurora High CBD Oil Drops.

- CannEpil Oral Solution.

- Tilray Oral Solution THC10:CBD10 25ml.

A fourth product, Aurora Sedamen Softgels from Aurora Cannabis Enterprises Inc. has also been recommended by the HPRA to be considered for inclusion in Schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and control of supply of cannabis for medical use) Regulations 2019, and legislation is currently being drafted to add this product to the regulations.

The programme has not yet commenced while pricing and supply negotiations are ongoing between manufacturers and the HSE.

Ministerial Licence Route

Pending full operation of the MCAP and for medical indications not included in the MCAP, doctors may continue to utilise the Ministerial licensing route pursuant to Section 14 of the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977-2016 to prescribe cannabis-based products for their patients, should they wish to do so.

In line with the Chief Medical Officer's advice, the granting of a licence for cannabis for medical purposes must be premised on an appropriate application being submitted to the Department of Health, which is endorsed by a consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient and who is prepared to monitor the effects of the treatment over time.

Further information on medical cannabis is available on the Department’s website.

It is important to note that the medical decision to prescribe or not prescribe any treatment, including cannabis treatment, for an individual patient is strictly a decision for the treating clinician, in consultation with their patient. The Minister for Health has no role in this clinical decision-making process.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (551)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

551. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which child mental health services are likely to be improved in line with the requirements as set out by indicators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31657/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Autism Support Services

Ceisteanna (552)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

552. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which support services for children with autism can be enhanced, with particular reference to various therapies, including speech and language therapy; if continuity of services for each child can be maintained within a short period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31658/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.

The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (553)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

553. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which child mental health services have been reviewed in an effort to ensure an adequate level of service to meet demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31663/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (554)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

554. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which children with disabilities are on hospital waiting lists for various procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31664/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) currently collects and collates information in respect of the Inpatient, Day Case, and Outpatient (OP) Waiting Lists. The monthly waiting list figures are published on the NTPF website, and a breakdown of the Inpatient/Day Case waiting list by Adult & Child Analysis is published by hospital.

NTPF waiting lists are collected in respect of outpatient specialties and inpatient/daycase procedures. Waiting times can be examined in terms of the appointment or procedure that a patient is waiting for, however it is not possible to identify patients based on their clinical diagnosis.

Disability Support Services

Ceisteanna (555)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

555. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his plans to co-ordinate support services in respect of children with disabilities in order to ensure an adequate and readily available services in all instances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31666/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.

The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Medical Research and Training

Ceisteanna (556, 557)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

556. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which an evaluation has been done into requirements in respect of medical research nationally; his plans to expand the services in the future with particular reference to the experiences of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31669/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

557. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which adequate resources and expertise remain available to ensure sufficient emphasis and investment in medical science here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31672/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 556 and 557 together.

My Department plays a lead role in public health and medical research in Ireland. The Department supports research in these areas through the Health Research Board (HRB), a statutory body under the aegis of the Department and a lead agency in Ireland supporting and funding health research. With an annual budget of approximately €45 million, and management of an investment portfolio of approximately €200 million, the HRB supports the conduct of clinical research and clinical trials, health services research, population health research, as well as managing a number of national health information systems on behalf of the Department.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the HRB have incorporated COVID -19 related research into their work programmes and have already played an important role (among other agencies and the wider academic community) in providing research inputs to the various sub-groups of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). Therefore, increased research in this area is being funded through existing allocations. These significant resources are currently being employed in a number of research projects in the medical research community to respond to Covid-19.

It is important to note also, that the HRB is collaborating with Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the wider research and innovation community to ensure a coordinated and meaningful contribution to solving some of the challenges presented during the current Covid-19 crisis.

Furthermore, on behalf of the Irish Government, the Department of Health is providing funding of up to €2.5 million to enable participation in the SOLIDARITY Trial. The SOLIDARITY Trial is an international clinical trial launched by the World Health Organisation and partners to compare various treatment options for COVID-19. The trial will enable the identification of treatments that will reduce the severity of the infection, decrease the need for intensive care and reduce the infection’s mortality rate.

With regard to the Deputy’s question regarding evaluating requirements in respect of medical research nationally. The HRB monitoring and evaluation processes are delivered in three phases, guided by the Payback Framework and the HRB Evaluation Strategy for Funded Research 2017-2020. These processes evaluate the extent to which their funding is achieving their mission and delivering the intended benefits. The HRB is currently in the process of updating their evaluation strategy.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (558)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

558. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health his views on whether a reconsideration of the HSE's decision to discontinue essential clinical health services relating to PrEP in the gay men's health service is required, as this has left Dublin without any dedicated LGBT sexual health service in a community setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31761/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented interruptions to normal healthcare activity, with most services affected, including STI clinics. However, significant efforts continue to be made in terms of continuing with service provision.

STI Clinics are conducting virtual clinics where possible, with attendance in person limited to appointment only. Service restrictions are predominantly due to social distancing requirements; waiting rooms can now only hold a fraction of patients compared to before the pandemic. Priority is being given to those with symptoms or requiring testing and treatment.

The HSE’s Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme advise that the closure of the GMHS relates to the necessary redeployment of personnel to COVID-19 testing and contact tracing duties. Work is ongoing with other services, stakeholders and community groups in order to provide the best possible service to GMHS service users under the current circumstances.

The public PrEP services in Dublin have been contacted to request accommodation of GMHS PrEP service users, to the greatest extent possible within the context of current service restrictions. More recently, agreement has been reached with the GUIDE Clinic; all GMHS PrEP users will continue to be facilitated in GUIDE for follow up appointments.

Phone lines, the GMHS website and other resources such as man2man,ie and sexual wellbeing.ie are regularly updated to reflect current service delivery and to signpost users to the HSE list of approved PrEP services.

At a national level, the HSE advise that staff recruitment is ongoing with regard to the dedicated provision of COVID-19 services. It is envisaged that this will enable staff from other health services, including GMHS, to return to their respective positions and resume service delivery in due course.

As this is a service matter, I have also asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Patient Transport

Ceisteanna (559)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

559. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if a person driving a patient from Thurles to Limerick three times pera week for dialysis is entitled for be reimbursed for expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30929/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply.

In addition, the Deputy may wish to note that under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, administered by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, a person may be eligible to apply for an Exceptional Needs Payment to help meet essential, one-off, exceptional expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (560)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

560. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a definition of a dance and exercise class as outlined in the plan for living with Covid-19; the reason gymnastic classes can go ahead under level 3 but yoga and dance classes cannot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30938/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware, the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 was published by the Government on 15 September, 2020. This Plan provides a framework setting out Ireland's approach to managing and living with COVID-19 in a range of areas over the next 6 - 9 months.

The framework sets out five levels of response, each with a number of measures designed to help us all lower COVID-19 transmission and setting out what is permitted at that moment in time. It is framed to account for periods during which there is a low incidence of the disease, with isolated clusters and low community transmission, through to situations where there is a high or rapidly increasing incidence, widespread community transmission and the pandemic is escalating rapidly in Ireland and globally. It recognises the need for society and business to be allowed to continue as normally as possible and is designed so that either national or county level restrictions can be applied.

The Plan reflects a careful consideration of the impact of the introduction of restrictions on employment and livelihoods, keeping as many businesses open as possible at different stages, while acknowledging that some businesses and services are critical. It acknowledges that sports, arts and other social activities are central to our well-being and that sports and arts are also the world of work for our many in our communities.

As I am sure the Deputy can appreciate, COVID-19 spreads when individuals and groups come into close contact with one another, enabling the virus to move from one person to another. COVID-19 is infectious in a person with no symptoms, or for the period of time before they develop symptoms. For this reason, we are all asked to be extra careful when socialising and working with others. For now, we must act like we have the virus to protect those around us from infection.

Ireland has moved from a short-term emergency response approach to a medium-term approach to managing risk and repairing the damage that COVID-19 has inflicted on society. Further information on the public health measures in currently in place in relation to the different Levels can be found at www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/resilience-recovery-2020-2021-plan-for-living-with-covid-19/.

Dance, yoga and gymnastics classes are regarded as exercise and sporting events under the Plan and where possible, such classes can be held online.

Under Levels 3, 4 and 5 indoor training is only permitted on an individual basis, therefore exercise and sporting events, including classes, cannot take place.

Under Level 2 restrictions, indoor classes, training and exercise can take place in pods of up to 6 people, once sufficient space is available and strict public health protocols are in place.

Under Level 1 of the Framework, there is no specific capacity limit, with capacity guided by what can be accommodated safely in the venue while ensuring all protective measures are in place, including social distancing.

Further information on exercise and sporting events under the Plan is available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/resilience-and-recovery-plan-for-living-with-covid-19-your-questions-answered/#exercise-and-sporting-events and on Ireland Active at https://irelandactive.ie/news/update-regarding-government-medium-term-plan-re-covid-19-level-2-3/.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (561)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

561. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that trauma orthopaedic clinics in Tallaght University Hospital remain closed due to Covid-19; and when these clinics will recommence [30939/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Covid-19 Tests

Ceisteanna (562)

Alan Farrell

Ceist:

562. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the provisions being made for student nurses and midwives who will need testing for Covid-19 when moving between hospitals as part of their training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30941/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (563)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Ceist:

563. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if the consent of a parent or legal guardian of a person over the age of 16 years and diagnosed with autism or another intellectual disability is required for vaccines (details supplied) in secondary schools. [30945/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

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