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Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 3 Nov 2020

Written Answers Nos. 144-165

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (144)

Gino Kenny

Ceist:

144. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the details of his negotiations with the private hospital sector to ensure increased capacity as the country enters the second wave of Covid-19; the cost per bed of an agreement by ICU and acute bed capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33541/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In March, in anticipation of the projected surge in Covid-19 cases and the expected impact on the health care system, a critical part of the response was to urgently ramp up capacity for acute hospital care facilities. An important element of the strategy was to put in place an arrangement with the private hospitals to use their facilities as part of the public system, to provide essential acute hospital services for the duration of the emergency. Following negotiations with the Private Hospitals Association an overarching agreement with the 18 private acute hospitals was agreed at the end of March. Under the agreement, the HSE secured 100% of the capacity of the private hospitals until the end of June.

Following termination of the agreement, the Government mandated the HSE to seek to agree, with the private hospitals on a new arrangement, which would provide the HSE with full access to private hospital capacity in the event of a surge of Covid-19 cases and separately with ongoing agreed access, in conjunction with the National Treatment Purchase Fund, to private hospital services to address the HSE's priority needs in providing both urgent time-critical care and addressing elective care for public patients experiencing delays.

In August the HSE initiated a procurement process to secure access to additional acute services and diagnostic capacity from private providers which is required to address anticipated shortfalls over the next two years. The process is due to be completed soon, and a panel put in place, following which each hospital will run mini competitions for the services they need. In the meantime, the Department has approved a temporary HSE arrangement for the treatment of patients in private hospitals pending the finalisation of the national procurement process.

The negotiations in the event of a surge are ongoing.

The cost of beds covered by the agreement between the HSE and each private provider is determined under the terms of the procurement process.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (145)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

145. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if a plan has been developed for the future of services at Portlaoise Hospital which will include the continued provision of emergency department services [33283/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Deputy will be aware that the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise has been the focus of a number of investigations and reports in recent years. The reports point to the need to reconfigure some services to ensure that patients are treated in the most appropriate setting by specialist staff who can safely meet their needs. Against that backdrop, the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group submitted a draft action plan for a new model of clinical service delivery at the hospital. That plan takes account of the need to develop services at Portlaoise in the context of developing a model of service provision to span the Hospital Group.

While no decision has yet been taken on the draft action plan, it is important that in any consideration of services at the hospital, patient safety and patient outcomes are the priority. It is also important that any reconfiguration of Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise is undertaken in the context of, and aligned with, the overall Slaintecare process and the progression of the Regional Health Areas.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (146, 1116)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

146. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the steps that will be taken during this lockdown to ensure Ireland is prepared in the event of a third wave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33614/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

David Cullinane

Ceist:

1116. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the steps which will be taken during the current lockdown to ensure Ireland is prepared in the event of a third wave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33740/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 1116 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, ‘Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19’ outlines Ireland's strategy for dealing with COVID-19 over the next 6-9 months. It sets out a Framework of 5 Levels which outlines 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 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. The Plan 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.

Over the past number of months my Department and the HSE have collaborated to increase capacity and readiness across the health service in response to the pandemic. This encompasses developments across all areas of the health service, including with regard to public health teams, contact tracing and acute hospitals.

The HSE now has standing capacity to test 120,000 people every week. As part of its ongoing process improvement, the HSE is currently running a nationwide recruitment campaign for swabbers and contact tracers, setting up temporary swabbing sites and making process improvements to the end-to-end test and trace system. Recruitment is a key focus. 500 additional contact tracers are being hired to provide standing capacity for contact tracing with 280 already in place and a further 60 - 70 being appointed on a weekly basis. A further 180 people have been appointed to date to carry out swabbing activities, whilst additional candidates are currently going through the compliance and interview process.

Work is ongoing to identify the products and funding level required to meet the clinical demand for PPE for the remainder of 2020 and 2021. My Department and the HSE are continuing to engage on future requirements to ensure adequate stocks of all required materials are sourced and maintained in line with forecast demand.

Ireland is also currently involved in an EU Procurement Exercise being operated by the European Commission on behalf of member states to procure suitable, safe and effective vaccines, in sufficient quantities, to combat Covid-19. Both my Department and the HSE have actively engaged in meetings of the Steering Board that is chaired by the Commission which provides the core governance and consultative forum for the EU procurement process.

The arrangements are intended to ensure a coordinated action at the European level to vaccinate the EU population. Ireland has already opted into two Advance Purchase Agreements (APA), (1) with the British-Swedish drug maker AstraZeneca, which is partnering with Oxford University and (2) with Janssen, a Belgian Pharmaceutical company owned by Johnson & Johnson

As the Deputy may be aware, a COVID-19 Immunisation Strategy Group has also been established. The purpose of the Group is to advise on and assist in the development of national policy relating to COVID-19 vaccines.

At the start of the year, permanent adult critical care capacity in Ireland stood at 255 beds, according to the National Office of Clinical Audit. This included 204 Level 3 ICU beds and 51 Level 2 HDU beds. As part of the initial response to the pandemic, funding was provided for an additional 40 adult critical care beds in March 2020 as well as two paediatric beds. The HSE has advised that between 280 and 285 critical care beds are currently open, with the number open any given day subject to fluctuation in respect of available staff and other operational considerations.

Where necessary, the number of critical care beds can surge beyond the baseline of 280-285 as part of an emergency response. However, it is essential to understand that the use of surge capacity for critical care is necessarily tied to a reduction of services in other areas of the hospital. Moreover, the clinical advice is clear that the greater the reliance on surge ICU capacity, the greater the clinical risk with potential impact on patient outcomes.

Our critical care units have coped well so far, largely due to the fact that the curve was flattened successfully in early stages. As a result, our outcomes for Covid patients in ICU have compared well with other jurisdictions including the UK.

Budget 2021 will allocate funding totalling €52m in 2021 to critical care. This will retain, on a permanent basis, the 42 critical care beds put in place on a temporary basis this year and add significant new capacity. Funded adult critical care beds will increase to 321 by end 2021, an increase of 66 over the baseline number of 255 funded beds in 2020. Funding for 2021 will also include money to allow for the development of a workforce plan as well as education initiatives to grow the critical care workforce.

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 WHO.

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.

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.

In addition the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) is currently reviewing strategies to maximise activity and benefit for patients, to include, increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations, funding hybrid services where public and private hospitals contribute to the treatment of patients, virtual clinics and clinical validation.

The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to continuing investment in our health care services in line with the recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review and the commitments in Project Ireland 2040.

The Health Service Capacity Review 2018 found that the net requirement in combination with health system reform is for an additional 2,590 hospital beds by 2031 (2,100 inpatient, 300 day case and 190 critical care). The National Development Plan provides for the addition of the full 2,590 beds by 2027.

This winter is expected to be particularly challenging due to the presence of Covid-19 and the uncertainty around the level of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 healthcare demands. My Department is working with the HSE to increase acute capacity in hospitals throughout the country to meet this and other health demands. Government allocated €236 million revenue and €40 million capital expenditure as part of Budget 2021 to fund additional acute beds on a permanent basis. This funding will provide, by the end of 2021, an additional 1,146 acute beds.

A proportion of these beds will be funded as part of the HSE’s Winter Plan 2020/21. The Winter Plan aims to provide additional health service capacity across a range of services. Initiatives comprise additional acute and community beds to increase acute capacity, help reduce admissions and facilitate egress.

This represents a significant step towards achieving the recommendations in the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review which found that an additional 2,100 inpatient acute beds were required, in a reform scenario, by 2031.

The Deputy may also wish to note that further details in relation to the delivery of health and social care services in the context of Covid-19 can be found in Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19.

Assisted Human Reproduction

Ceisteanna (147)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

147. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the status of and position regarding the publicly funded model of care for fertility treatment as promised in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33471/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware, a commitment to introduce the model of care for infertility which was developed by officials in my Department in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme is included in the Programme for Government, Our Shared Future. This model of care will ensure that infertility issues will be addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary. It will comprise three stages, starting in primary care (i.e., GPs) and extending into secondary care (i.e., Regional Fertility Hubs) and then, where necessary, tertiary care (i.e., IVF and other advanced assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatments). Structured referral pathways will be put in place and patients will be referred onwards for further investigations or treatment as required and as clinically appropriate. It is intended that, in line with available resources, this model of care for infertility will be rolled out on a phased basis over the course of the coming years.

Phase One of the roll-out of the model of care involves the establishment, at secondary care level, of Regional Fertility Hubs in maternity networks. which will facilitate the management of a significant proportion of patients presenting with infertility issues. The initial funding provided to commence Phase One in 2020 is being utilised specifically on the development of the first four of these Hubs, notwithstanding that the work had to be slowed due to the management of the Covid-19 pandemic within the health service. As I confirmed in public statements on the Budget, additional funding is being made available in 2021 to set up the final two Regional Fertility Hubs and facilitate the continuation and completion of Phase One of the roll-out of the model of care.

Phase Two of the roll-out will see the introduction of tertiary infertility services, including IVF, in the public health system. Phase Two will not commence until such time as infertility services at secondary level have been developed across the country and the AHR legislation is commenced. Drafting of the AHR legislation is ongoing in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General.

Overall, the implementation of the model of care will help to ensure the provision of safe, effective and accessible infertility services at all levels of the public health system as part of the full range of services available in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (148)

John Lahart

Ceist:

148. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of children admitted to adult mental health units to date in 2020; the equivalent figure for the same timeframe in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33457/20]

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.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (149)

Mick Barry

Ceist:

149. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health his plans for the distribution of a Covid-19 vaccine when it is available including the procurement of refrigeration equipment, the training of staff and administration support; the policies of prioritisation for the vaccine that will be implemented; if the vaccine will be delivered exclusively by the public sector; if private patients will be able to pay for prioritised access to the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33481/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A COVID-19 Immunisation Strategy Group, chaired by the Department of Health, has been convened. The purpose of the Group is to advise on and assist in the development of national policy relating to COVID-19 vaccines.

In addition, a COVID-19 Immunisation Programme Implementation Team has been established in the HSE.

All of the issues raised by the Deputy are being examined in this context.

Physiotherapy Services

Ceisteanna (150)

Richard O'Donoghue

Ceist:

150. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health when physiotherapy will be reinstated for children with complex medical needs and chronic conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30833/20]

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.

Covid-19 Tests

Ceisteanna (151)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

151. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the average turnaround time from initial contact with a general practitioner to confirmation of the result of a test for teachers. [28430/20]

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.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (152)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

152. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to incorporate services in private hospitals into the public system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33555/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In March, in anticipation of the projected surge in Covid-19 cases and the expected impact on the health care system, a critical part of the response was to urgently ramp up capacity for acute hospital care facilities. An important element of the strategy was to put in place an arrangement with the private hospitals to use their facilities as part of the public system, to provide essential acute hospital services for the duration of the emergency. Following negotiations with the Private Hospitals Association an overarching agreement with the 18 private acute hospitals was agreed at the end of March. Under the agreement, the HSE secured 100% of the capacity of the private hospitals until the end of June.

Following termination of the agreement the Government mandated the HSE to seek to agree, with the private hospitals on a new arrangement which would provide the HSE with full access to private hospital capacity in the event of a surge of Covid-19 cases and separately with ongoing agreed access, in conjunction with the National Treatment Purchase Fund, to private hospital services to address the HSE's priority needs in providing both urgent time-critical care and addressing elective care for public patients experiencing delays.

In August the HSE initiated a procurement process to secure access to additional acute services and diagnostic capacity from private providers which is required to address anticipated shortfalls over the next two years. The process is due to be completed soon, and a panel finalised, following which each hospital will run mini competitions for the services they need. In the meantime, my Department has approved a temporary HSE arrangement for the treatment of patients in private hospitals pending the finalisation of the national procurement process.

The negotiations in the event of a surge are ongoing.

Covid-19 Tests

Ceisteanna (153)

Gino Kenny

Ceist:

153. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health his plans for further investment in testing tracing infrastructure and public health tracing teams in the coming weeks; the number of whole-time equivalents employed in this service since April 2020, by month, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33540/20]

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.

Dental Services

Ceisteanna (154, 1222, 1345)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Ceist:

154. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking in relation to the revision of the dental treatment services scheme; the engagements he has had with representatives of the dental profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33564/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

1222. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will request increased funding further to Budget 2021 to ensure the oral hygiene and dental sector is supported in the form of enhanced subsidies for general medical services, GMS and PRSI patients and increased tax reliefs for private patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32710/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

1345. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if further assistance will be given to help in the provision of health services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33316/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 154, 1222 and 1345 together.

The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental treatments to medical card holders. Services are provided by independent practitioners who have contracts with the HSE. Expenditure on the Scheme was €56 million on 2019.

After an interruption to services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, dental services have been resuming since 18th May, supported by guidance from HPSC. Claims by dentists in the DTSS in June were 27% of the level for the previous year. The corresponding figure for October is 93%.

Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy, published by my Department in April 2019, sets out the new model of care delivery for dental services. The timeframe for the delivery of the Policy, which will be rolled out incrementally, is up to 2026. A review of the provision of dental services for those eligible for public services is required in the context of the implementation of the Policy and the issue of fees paid to dentists will be considered in that context.

My Department has been engaging with the Irish Dental Association (IDA) throughout the pandemic and is preparing for further engagement on any additional measures that might assist the public in accessing oral healthcare during these difficult times.

The Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme comes under the remit of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection. Eligibility for this Scheme is based on a person's PRSI contributions. Tax reliefs come under the remit of the Minister for Finance.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (155)

Gino Kenny

Ceist:

155. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the perinatal mental health services available for women; his plans to improve or add to these services in the near future; the perinatal mental health services available in each county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33544/20]

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.

Home Care Packages

Ceisteanna (156)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

156. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the number of additional homecare support hours recommended by the 2018 Health Service capacity review; the proportion of this provided in Budget 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33459/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Health Service Capacity Review which was published in 2018 outlines projections of demand and capacity requirements for a range of health services to 2031. As our population, particularly our older population continues to grow, key projections from the analysis indicated that for the period 2016-2021 there would be a

- 12% growth in overall population;

- 59% growth in 65+ population; and

- 95% growth in 85+ population.

The review noted that if key reforms and productivity measures are implemented, a 120% increase in home supports will be required by 2031.

In 2018 the HSE began streamlining services by bringing together the funding for home help and standard home care packages, which now operate as a single home support service. This new approach has provided significant benefits including making the services easier to understand; streamlining the application and decision-making processes; and facilitating service users to move to changed levels of service as their assessed needs change, without the need for an additional application process.

Overall, the 2018 HSE National Service Plan (NSP) provided for 17.4 million home support hours to be delivered to 50,500 people at any time. This includes home support hours provided through intensive home care packages. In 2019 the target increased to 18.26 million hours and this year’s National Service Plan provides for over 19.26 million hours of home support.

An additional €150 million is being provided for home support in 2021. A new National Home Support Office will be established along with commencing the roll out of InterRAI, a comprehensive standard care assessment tool. The very significant additional funding will provide a further 5 million hours over this year’ target aimed at keeping older people healthy and happy, in their community, for as long as possible. This represents about a 40% increase in home support hours over the 2018 NSP target.

A high-quality, consistent home-support service, focused on keeping people well in their homes and communities for as long as possible, is a key enabler to ensuring that people across a continuum of care get the right care, in the right place, at the right time. In this regard, my Department is in the process of developing a statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home-support. Work is on-going within the Department to determine the optimal approach to the development of the statutory scheme within the broader context of the on-going reform of Ireland’s health and social care system, as envisaged in the Sláintecare Report (2017).

While work undertaken in 2019 focussed on the design of the scheme, work in 2020 is focussing on the development of a framework for the regulation of home-support services. In addition, the options for the funding of the new scheme are being examined through work with the Economic and Social Research Institute on the projected demand for, and cost of, home-support services in various scenarios. This work will ensure that the funding model developed for the statutory scheme is fit for purpose.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (157)

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

157. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the protocol and processes in place when a Covid-19 contact tracer encounters resistance and a failure to cooperate from the close contact of a positive case. [33173/20]

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.

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (158)

Matt Shanahan

Ceist:

158. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the grant of tender award for development of a second cath laboratory at UHW before Christmas 2020 or sooner (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30915/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of a second Cath lab in University Hospital Waterford. As set out in the Health Service Executive’s options appraisal, the preferred option for development of a second Cath laboratory at UHW is for a lab and associated 12 bed day ward (delivering six additional beds) on the roof of the existing Cardiology Department, which will operate five days per week and provide diagnostic services only.

The HSE has advised that funding was allocated in the Capital Plan for the provision of a second Cath lab at UHW and planning permission was received from Waterford City and County Council in January 2020. The Disability Access certificate was granted on 23rd April 2020. The Fire certificate was granted on 30th June 2020. Preparation of contract documentation commenced, and contractor selection is complete subject to a cooling off period. The project went to tender on the 30th September.

The Procurement process is as per the Government / OGP Construction Procurement Guidelines. The Tender process being used is a 2 Stage process, whereby Main Contractors are first Tendered (using Indicated, Estimated Figures for Specialist Works). The Specialist Works (Mainly Mechanical & Electrical) are then Tendered separately and the successful Specialists are Novated to the selected Main Contractor at their Tendered figures. This 2 stage process is used where the Specialist Works form a large part of the Construction Cost or where particularly difficult Specialist Works are envisaged.?

The HSE require their design team to conclude a comprehensive tender review and assessment process to ensure the tenders received represent value for money and that tender returns are in line with HSE requirements. There is a period of time required prior to issue of the Letter of Intent (LoI) to clarify contract award queries. There is also a mandatory 2-week cooling off period post Letter of Intent (LoI) being issued to unsuccessful contractors prior to awarding the contract.?

Because of the time taken to run these Tender competitions in Series and the time for Tender clarifications and Assessment, at each stage, the process normally takes about 4 months to complete and is expected to be completed at end of Q4 2020.

The works to the new Cath laboratory are due to commence in Q1 of 2021 with a proposed 12-month build.

Audiology Services

Ceisteanna (159)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

159. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the position regarding audiologist consultations in view of the fact that on 1 October 2020 the waiting times for referrals were 79 weeks and 49 weeks for adults and children, respectively in County Mayo; the steps being taken to reduce this backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33530/20]

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.

Disability Services Provision

Ceisteanna (160)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

160. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the shortcomings in day care services for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31355/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The HSE began planning for the resumption of adult disability day services in May, and services have now resumed nationwide. Public health guidance was specifically developed to underpin the safe resumption of services, and this guidance was published in July.

The guidance developed to support the resumption of adult day services 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 they re-opened at approximately 40% capacity. However, the HSE is committed to maximising the support that can be provided within these restrictions.

The government will be investing an additional €100 million in new initiatives in 2021, bringing the total disabilities budget to around €2.2 billion. Regarding day services specifically, this additional investment will build the capacity of our adult disability services nationally, and will 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.

This is in addition to the €7.5 million being made available to support the resumption of day services which I announced in September.

The HSE gathered data at the end of September on the quantum of services currently being provided to individuals, and this will act as a baseline to track additional service levels.

Disability Services Provision

Ceisteanna (161)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

161. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of assessment of needs applications that have been made in County Donegal in 2020; the number that have been processed; the number that have yet to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30633/20]

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.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (162)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

162. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to advance an inquiry into mesh implants and sodium valproate; the progress to date on implementing previous recommendations in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33613/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Considerable work has been done and continues to progress in Ireland in relation to the safe use of mesh implants and sodium valproate; and the patient voice is central to our understanding of these, and similar, issues.

An ongoing priority focus for the Department and the HSE is to put in place the necessary structures for, and the provision of, care of women who have been affected by the use of mesh. As part of the ongoing policy response, my department officials are examining options to establish a process for an independent, compassionate engagement for women affected by mesh to have their voices heard; and will make proposals to me in this regard. Any engagement process will need to take account of the wider context relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Report of the Chief Medical Officer to the Minister for Health on the Use of Uro-Gynaecological Mesh in Surgical Procedures was published in November 2018. Subsequently, the HSE published an Implementation Plan for the complete set of recommendations in April 2019. An ongoing work programme for the clarification and development of treatment pathways and appropriate referral services for women suffering from mesh-related complications is being progressed through the HSE, led by the National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP).

In terms of broader service provision going forward, the HSE’s proposals include the development of multidisciplinary specialist services for women suffering from mesh complications at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) and National Maternity Hospital (NMH) Dublin. Funding of €500,000 has recently been allocated to CUMH to establish the mesh specialist centre. In addition, the NWIHP is continuing to work with the NMH regarding their submission for the establishment of the parallel centre there. In addition, two translabial scanners, were procured by the HSE in late 2019, and are now onsite in both hospitals. However, the first scanning clinic, which was due to take place last March had to be postponed, due to the pandemic.

All women affected by mesh have been strongly encouraged to engage with the relevant HSE contact points and the associated care pathways, to ensure that their service needs can be identified and provided for. Information on this is available on the HSE website.

There are no plans at present to hold an independent inquiry into the use of valproate medicines in Ireland. However, the Minister is scheduled to meet with patient representative groups later this month to discuss this and other issues relating to sodium valproate.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (163)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

163. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the average number of contacts traced in relation to confirmed Covid-19 cases in schools. [28431/20]

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 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (164)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

164. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the nature and composition of a target capacity for test trace and quarantine at the various levels of the Government's roadmap; and if he envisages problems of building the surge capacity or getting compliance with quarantine and isolation [33391/20]

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.

Long-Term Illness Scheme

Ceisteanna (165)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

165. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the FreeStyle Libre to be available on the long-term illness scheme for persons with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33302/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

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