Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:167. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health when the ongoing maintenance work in Belmullet hospital, County Mayo will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32099/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (167)
Freagraí 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.
Hospital Data
Ceisteanna (168)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:168. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of beds in Belmullet hospital, County Mayo in use or available for use, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32100/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (169)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:169. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if patients will be referred directly from general practitioners to Belmullet Hospital, County Mayo without having to be sent first to an acute hospital facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32101/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services Provision
Ceisteanna (170)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:170. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if a space is available for a person (details supplied) in a service shortly or in the next term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32107/20]
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.
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 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (171)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:171. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the evidence-based scientific study he and the HSE are currently using to justify denying women their internationally recognised human right to a birth partner of their choice physically present with them throughout pregnancy, labour and birth a blatant violation of their human rights [32109/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (172)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:172. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the evidence-based reasoning that he and the HSE are currently using for choosing to go directly against the World Health Organization guidelines that specifically state that Covid-19 should not pose a barrier to a woman having a partner of their choice physically present with them throughout their labour and birth even in which Covid-19 is suspected or confirmed [32110/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (173)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:173. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his plans for the way in which he and the HSE plan to provide for the additional perinatal mental health needs of the many women and families left traumatised by the current policy of some Irish hospitals, including Letterkenny University Hospital, County Donegal of not allowing women a partner of their choice to be physically present with them to support them throughout major milestone scans, labour and birth, including those women and families that have had to go through the unmitigated tragedy of pregnancy or baby loss alone, scared and devastated. [32111/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this relates to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (174)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:174. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the reason for adhering to international best practice guidelines in maternity care, such as but not limited to, the World Health Organization position that all women should continue to have access to a birth partner of their choice during the Covid-19 pandemic is allowed to be optional in Irish hospitals [32112/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question relates to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Residential Institutions
Ceisteanna (175)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:175. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the status of his Department’s implementation of the health and well-being package of supports for former residents of Mother and Baby Homes and Related Institutions announced in 2019. [32122/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The package of health and wellbeing supports for former residents of Mother and Baby Homes and Related Institutions includes the provision of additional counselling services to help support the needs of former residents, the introduction of a dedicated patient advocacy liaison service for former residents and the commencement of a targeted health research study, which will assist in the development of any future service responses that may be required.
Funding to begin implementation of the counselling and patient liaison services was sanctioned from Quarter 1 2020. However, progress on these initiatives has unfortunately not been possible due to the need to prioritise the response to Covid-19, including a significant expansion of mental health counselling services and supports for the wider population.
I appreciate that this may be disappointing news for former residents, but I can assure them that my officials are engaging with the HSE to establish how best the introduction of these supports can now be progressed in the current environment.
The targeted health research study, which will be carried out by TILDA - The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing - was also temporarily put on hold as a result of public health restrictions but work has now recommenced on this project.
Proposed Legislation
Ceisteanna (176)
David Stanton
Ceist:176. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the status of legislation for the regulation of the removal, retention, storage, use and disposal of human tissue from deceased persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32126/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to "Enact the Human Tissue Bill”.
Work is progressing on the drafting of the Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill in collaboration with the Office of Parliamentary Council.
Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme has been undertaken by the Joint Committee on Health and the Committee's report is awaited.
It is envisaged that the drafting process will be complete, and Government approval secured to publish the Bill, in early 2021.
Home Care Packages
Ceisteanna (177)
Johnny Mythen
Ceist:177. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the cost per hour for an individual HSE staff member providing homecare assistance; the hourly fee charged by agencies for an individual employee providing homecare assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32130/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Home Care Packages
Ceisteanna (178)
Johnny Mythen
Ceist:178. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the cost for travel allowance for HSE staff providing homecare assistance; the travel fee charged by agencies providing homecare assistance; the top mileage allowed per homecare assistance staff member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32131/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Drugs Payment Scheme
Ceisteanna (179)
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:179. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health when the reduction in the drugs payment scheme to €114, as announced in budget 2020, will be applied in view that it was to be applied from 01 September 2020 and which has not taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32141/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Budget 2020 provided for a reduction in the monthly threshold of the Drugs Payment Scheme from €124 to €114. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that this reduction will take effect from 1 November 2020.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (180)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:180. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if a Covid-19 safe process is being formulated in which partners of expectant mothers can attend ante-natal appointments and births in maternity hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32151/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (181)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:181. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if service providers such as hairdressers and beauticians are allowed to continue to do house calls under the new level 3 guidelines from 14 October 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32152/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 which was published by the Government sets out Ireland's approach to managing and living with COVID-19 in a range of areas over the next 6 - 9 months.
The plan 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 aims to allow society and businesses to be able to operate as normally as possible, while continuing to suppress the virus.
Each level outlines what is permitted for social or family gatherings, work and public transport, bars, hotels and restaurants, exercise activities and religious services. Any measure included at any level in this plan is underlined by expert advice and recommendations from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
As the Deputy is aware, the Government has decided that Ireland will move to level 5 of the framework from midnight Wednesday 21st October. At level 5, the public health advice is to stay at home. There should be no visitors to home or garden, with the exception of visits for essential purposes.
Under level 5 restrictions only essential retail and services remain open. All other retail and personal services including hairdressers and beauticians remain closed.
Details of the public health measures, including essential retail and essential services are outlined at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/level5/.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (182)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:182. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting in excess of one year for a neurosurgery appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32155/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. 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) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.
The resumption of services from June onwards has allowed for increased activity, with the HSE utilising innovative methods including telemedicine to facilitate patient appointments. Patient safety remains at the forefront of service resumption. To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols which has resulted in reduced capacity and activity.
The HSE continues to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.
The National Treatment Purchase Fund has also recommenced arranging treatment in both private and public hospitals for clinically suitable patients who have been waiting for long periods on public hospital waiting lists.
Under 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 is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 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.
In relation to the particular query raised, 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 (183)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:183. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health when further stocks of the flu vaccine will be received to ensure as many persons can be vaccinated as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32156/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is expanding the provision of vaccination without charge to all of those in the at-risk groups, including healthcare workers, and to all children aged from 2 to 12 years. Vaccines will be administered via GPs and pharmacists, as in previous years.
The HSE has placed orders for 1.35 million doses of the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (QIV) for the forthcoming winter. This vaccine will be made available to all persons in an at-risk group from 6 months up. The HSE has also ordered 600,000 doses of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV), which is delivered via nasal drops rather than by injection and will be made available to all children aged from 2 to 12 years old inclusive.
Following a delay in the delivery of the first batch of vaccines, the first delivery cycle of QIV influenza vaccines to all sites (GPs, pharmacists, nursing homes etc.) started on 17th September, with deliveries continuing to all sites every two weeks.
By the end of the second cycle of deliveries last week, approximately 800,000 doses of influenza vaccine were delivered to over 3,000 sites across the country. This represents an increase of 25% in quantities of vaccine delivered when compared with 2019. To date all sites have received 75% of the quantity used last season, and the allowance for the third delivery which began from 15th October will increase this to 90%. Further stocks will be available for the fourth round of deliveries.
The HSE is satisfied that sufficient vaccine has been ordered to vaccinate all those in the HSE defined at-risk groups and all shipments will have arrived into Ireland before the end of October. The current distribution process to GP, pharmacists, hospitals and nursing homes will ensure an equitable distribution of the vaccine to all target groups for vaccination around the country.
Deliveries of the children’s flu vaccine started on the 28th of September, and all of the total order of 600,000 doses is expected by mid-October, as planned.
Those not covered by the publicly funded influenza vaccination programme can avail of influenza vaccination from GPs and pharmacists on a private basis. It is understood that stocks of vaccine for private administration are now being distributed.
Disability Services Provision
Ceisteanna (184)
Malcolm Noonan
Ceist:184. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if a residential place will be expedited for a person (details supplied) in view of the recommendation received from Tusla [32160/20]
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.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Drug and Alcohol Task Forces
Ceisteanna (185, 186)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:185. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the allocation in Budget 2021 for local drug and alcohol taskforces to support local projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32166/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraRóisín Shortall
Ceist:186. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the allocation in Budget 2021 for drug and alcohol taskforce; if this allocation is already committed in the three-year Strategic Health Initiatives or if it is in addition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32167/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together.
Budget 2021 allocated €10m in new developments for drug and alcohol services and inclusion health. This includes €1m for targeted drug and alcohol initiatives through the network of drug and alcohol task forces. This new funding is separate to that previously allocated in 2019.
It is my intention that the new resources should be directed towards new and emerging needs, informed by the mid-term review of actions in the national drugs strategy. I will announce details of the new funding in due course.