Written Answers Nos. 1260-1277
1260. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if additional resources will be considered for approval for the rheumatology department in University Hospital Kerry (details supplied) to address the care issues resulting in acute anxiety and distress due to the lack of adequate resources. [32823/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1261. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when the next HSE capital plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32824/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health capital allocation in 2021 is now €1,035m (incl. e-Health and ICT) as notified in the context of Budget 2021. This includes additional capital funding of €155m (incl. €25m for the delivery of ICT related COVID-19 actions) provided by the Government for capital projects in response to Covid-19 in 2021.
The National Development Plan 2018 – 2027 sets out the total health capital funding to 2027 for the development of health infrastructure in line with health policies, strategies and in support of the reforms set out in Sláintecare. The Department engages with DPER in the determination of the annual health capital allocation as part of the annual estimates process and with the HSE to finalise a Capital Plan. A Letter of Determination will issue to the HSE to advise it of its funding allocation for 2021 and requesting it to prepare a Capital Plan on this basis.
The HSE is responsible for the delivery and management of healthcare infrastructure and will develop a Capital Plan, guided by national healthcare strategies, policies and Government priorities and having regard to the available funding and the number of large national capital projects currently underway. In drafting this plan, priority must be given to meeting contractual commitments.
The HSE’s National Capital and Property Steering Committee appraises all project submissions to recommend the selection of projects for inclusion in the Capital Plan, subject to funding availability. 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 capital funding for health in 2021 will contribute to the delivery of modern health facilities and equipment to improve and expand service provision and capacity across the country, both key aspects of Sláintecare and Project Ireland 2040.
1263. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the capital projects under way and planned, by county, undertaken by his Department or the HSE, in tabular form; the cost at this point and the budget; the timeline for delivery; the current stage of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32826/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly in relation to this matter.
1264. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if painters and decorators are allowed to enter homes to carry out their work under new level 5 restrictions. [32832/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1280. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if painters are allowed to operate under levels 4 and 5 of the living with Covid plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32906/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1356. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if painting and decorating contractors are deemed an essential service under construction and development as per the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 8) Regulations 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33348/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1264, 1280 and 1356 together.
You will be aware that the situation regarding COVID-19 has been, and continues to be, an evolving situation. COVID-19 is still having a major impact both here in Ireland and elsewhere.
On Tuesday 15 September the Government published ‘Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19’. This Plan outlines a medium-term strategy for COVID-19 and sets out a Framework of 5 Levels which outline the broad measures which will apply depending on the level of the virus at any given time. The Plan is designed to help everyone – individuals, organisations and sectors – to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures that might be introduced to contain transmission of the virus. The intention is that Departments and sectors will provide guidance for specific sectors and activities in line with the 5 level framework.
A range of essential services are permitted to continue under Levels 4 and 5. This includes construction and development activities and specifically the following is permitted - the supply and delivery of maintenance and repair services to businesses and places of residence (including electrical, gas, oil, plumbing, glazing and roofing services). In this regard, painting and decorating can continue to operate as an essential service. However, in the spirit of current measures and efforts to significantly suppress the virus, householders would be expected to pause more routine non-essential jobs until after current restrictions are lifted.
The public health advice relating to Covid-19 is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and it provides advice to Government in line with the current epidemiological position. Details of Level 5 measure are available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/
Current regulations and other Statutory Instruments related to the Covid-19 pandemic are available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/
1266. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE is handing over the governance, care and accommodation needs of vulnerable persons in sheltered accommodation to an approved housing body; and if he will further clarify issues (details supplied). [32840/20]
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.
1267. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if his office receives daily or weekly reports on Covid-19 positive cases and the number of tests taken and contact tracing calls made; if so, the person or body that provides same; the format in which these are presented to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32842/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Protection Surveillance Centre and the HSE provides my Department with all relevant Covid-19 statistical data such as that referred to by the Deputy. These data are presented in a variety of formats as required to inform the work of the Department.
1269. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if there will be a county approach to lifting Covid-19 level 5 restrictions if numbers drastically improve in individual counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32860/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1281. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will consider incentives on a county basis to open up by reducing some restrictions if communities work hard and together to drive down the virus's R number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32914/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1306. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will consider opening up the country on a county-regional basis if those counties are showing enough evidence that suggests the virus is being suppressed; his views on whether counties such as County Donegal that went into different levels for having high numbers could now come out of level 5 if there is a significant and notable decrease in numbers over the next few weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33044/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1269, 1281 and 1306 together.
On Tuesday 15 September the Government published ‘Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19’. This Plan outlines our medium-term strategy for COVID-19 and sets out a Framework of 5 Levels which outline the broad measures which will apply depending on the level of the virus at any given time. It is possible for different regions and counties to be at different levels, depending on the prevailing epidemiological situation. The Plan is designed to help everyone – individuals, organisations and sectors – to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures that might be introduced to contain transmission of the virus.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) continues to keep the epidemiological situation at a national, regional and local level under close review and it continues to consider all options available in relation to the advice it provides to Government.
1271. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will integrate additional software to the Covid-19 tracker app that shows daily incidence figures of those who have recovered from Covid-19, which would create some positivity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32869/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID Tracker App has been subject to continuous improvement since it has been introduced. It is already interoperable with the Northern Ireland App and since the 19th October, it is interoperable with Germany and Italy. Ireland has been one of the first countries to participate in the EU cross-border interoperability service and further cross border interoperability will be available as other EU countries join the service. Use of contact tracing apps and cross-border interoperability allow the acceleration of contact tracing procedures by alerting close contacts earlier. Interoperability enables this on an all-island basis and across participating member states, making the app’s role in contact tracing vital to the continued fight against COVID-19 and supporting the reopening of society and business.
One of the latest COVID Tracker App improvements is the inclusion of a ‘PAUSE’ function so that healthcare workers can temporarily switch off proximity detection whilst on shift and wearing PPE. It is intended that this functionality will avoid the risk of false alerts. Furthermore, an additional improvement is the provision of infection rate data at Local Electoral District Area level.
The Health Service Executive has operational responsibility for the COVID Tracker App. I wish to thank the Deputy for her suggestion which has been passed to the Health Service Executive for consideration.
1272. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if non-contact training outdoors can take place under level 5 restrictions; if so, if children can travel outside the 5km limit to attend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32870/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Tuesday 15 September the Government published ‘Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19’. This Plan outlines our medium-term strategy for COVID-19 and sets out a Framework of 5 Levels which outline the broad measures which will apply depending on the level of the virus at any given time. The Plan is designed to help everyone – individuals, families, organisations and sectors – to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures that might be introduced to contain transmission of the virus.
At Level 5 of the Plan, non-contact training can continue for school aged children, outdoors in pods of 15.
While people are asked to stay at home and exercise within 5km of home at Level 5, exemptions are permitted in a number of situations including to take school aged children to permitted training.
Further guidance is available from Sport Ireland: https://www.sportireland.ie/news/return-to-sport-expert-group-issues-guidance-to-sports-sector
Details of Level 5 measure are available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/
1273. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the number of tests and cases of school-going children since 27 September 2020 to the most recent data available by 0 to four, five to 12 and 13 to 19 years of age, in tabular form.. [32871/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1275. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the efforts he has made in respect of contact tracing in view of the fact close contacts of a person (details supplied) have waited up to five days to be contacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32892/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1276. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health his views on agency staff employed by the HSE; his further views on recruitment within the HSE as a whole; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32893/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAgency staff are a great resource available to the health service in order to temporarily fill gaps. Budget 2021 provides funding for up to 15,738 additional posts in the Health Service Executive, above what was funded for 2020. For this staffing increase in 2021, the aim is that the entirety of the positions announced will be recruited through Health Service Executive contracts.
It is recognised that they may be logistical issues in recruiting and placing these staff in the timeframe needed, and that agency staff may be needed to fill the gaps until permanent employees are in position. However, the Department of Health is working closely with the Health Service Executive on this to ensure this recruitment is achieved and that these employees will be recruited on permanent Health Service Executive contracts by the end of 2021.
1277. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the position regarding high-risk surgical patients; his plans to address the backlog of surgeries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32894/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt 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 has led to an increase in scheduled activity. Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
It remains the responsibility of the treating consultant to clinically prioritise patients for surgery on waiting lists. In the context of Covid 19 the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland issued a Guide for Prioritisation of Urgent Scheduled Surgical Conditions in May this year. It can be viewed here https://hse.drsteevenslibrary.ie/ld.php?content_id=32958556
