Written Answers Nos. 1296-1313
1296. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason there is only one dedicated nurse, focused on those aged 0 to 18 years that specialises in Down syndrome; if he will provide investment for a dedicated specialist nurse in each of the nine CHO areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32980/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
1297. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if personnel or section within his Department or the HSE have ever conducted an ethical review of the Groningen protocol which originated in the Netherlands and which permits the active euthanasia or physician assisted death of premature and severely ill newborns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32981/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Groningen Protocol referred to by the Deputy is a medical protocol contained within regulations that apply in the Netherlands and provide for neonatal euthanasia under certain circumstances. My Department has not undertaken an ethical review of this Protocol.
I have referred the question to the HSE for direct reply as to whether there has been an ethical review of this Protocol conducted within the HSE.
1298. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the status of and position regarding the use of do not resuscitate orders within the health care system here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32982/20]
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.
1300. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if his Department is working on legislation to introduce a no-fault compensation scheme for vaccine damages in line with commitments in the programme for Government and previous recommendations made by his Department and public health bodies; when he expects to introduce such legislation; if he expects to expedite such legislation in preparation for a potential Covid-19 vaccine programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33001/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Expert Group was established by the Government in June 2018, chaired by Mr Justice Charles Meenan, to examine the law in relation to personal injuries arising in the healthcare context and to explore alternative mechanisms by which claims could be managed more effectively particularly from the perspective of the person on whose behalf a claim has been made. As part of this process, the Group was to examine whether a mechanism could be established which would deal more sensitively and in a more timely fashion with catastrophic birth injuries, certain vaccine damage claims, or with claims where there is no dispute about liability from the outset. A report from the Expert Group was received by myself and the Minister for Justice. The recommendations of the report are currently being considered by both Departments including the development of any vaccine damage schemes.
1301. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if his Department or bodies under its aegis have plans to introduce a national immunisation registry prior to the introduction of a mass immunisation programme for a potential Covid-19 vaccine; if there are views within his Department or public health officials on whether such a single national system for childhood and adult immunisation records will be required for effective monitoring of a mass immunisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33002/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE is currently working on a project to procure a National Immunisation Information System (NIIS), which will bring together all previous regional and national immunisation databases into one system and will be used to collect immunisation information in an integrated way across the life course. The availability of such a system will be an important element in planning for and implementing an immunisation programme for COVID-19, a task which has already commenced under the auspices of my Department, in conjunction with the HSE and other key public bodies. Decisions will be required in the course of the detailed national planning process as to whether a fully developed NIIS can be in place ahead of a national COVID immunisation programme or whether a satisfactory interim solution should be adopted.
1302. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of healthcare personnel that have been recruited by the HSE since March 2020 whose previous employment was in nursing homes and or caring for the elderly facilities by CHO area and by month, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33013/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter, as soon as possible.
1303. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if he will provide clarity on same and on the model of care adopted for this respite centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33017/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
1304. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons contacted as part of contact tracing efforts that refuse to co-operate with the requests for information and refuse to get tested. [33025/20]
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.
1305. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons contacted each week as part of contact tracing efforts. [33026/20]
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.
1309. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if the means test for medical cards for persons with disabilities will be removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33055/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without due hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure.
The HSE's Expert Group on Medical Needs and Medical Card Eligibility examined the issue of awarding medical cards on the basis of illness or a disability and concluded that it was not feasible, desirable nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. The Expert Group also concluded that a persons means should remain the main qualifier for a medical card. This remains unchanged.
However, it should be noted that since 1st December 2018, the medical card earnings disregard for persons in receipt of Disability Allowance was increased from €120 to €427 per week and applies to the assessment process for both single persons and to family assessments. This measure gave effect to one of the key recommendations of the Make Work Pay for Persons with Disabilities Report and enables persons in receipt of the disability allowance to have a higher level of earnings and still retain their medical card.
Furthermore, since June 1st 2017, all children for whom a Domiciliary Care Allowance is paid automatically qualify for a medical card without assessment.
1310. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive speech and language therapy [33056/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
1311. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be admitted to a unit in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33077/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
1312. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a response to a complaint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33078/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
1313. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health his plans to resume child and adult intellectual disability respite services in County Donegal; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties families are encountering while services are suspended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33079/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
