Written Answers Nos. 237-251
237. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of women who attended a hospital in CHO 1 for haemorrhaging or complications after an early medical abortion from 1 January 2019 to date; the number admitted and not admitted, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39063/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra238. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of women who attended a hospital in CHO 2 for haemorrhaging or complications after an early medical abortion from 1 January 2019 to date; the number admitted and not admitted, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39064/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra239. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of women who attended a hospital in CHO 3 for haemorrhaging or complications after an early medical abortion from 1 January 2019 to date; the number admitted and not admitted, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39065/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra240. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of women who attended a hospital in CHO 4 for haemorrhaging or complications after an early medical abortion from 1 January 2019 to date; the number admitted and not admitted, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39066/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra241. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of women who attended a hospital in CHO 5 for haemorrhaging or complications after an early medical abortion from 1 January 2019 to date; the number admitted and not admitted, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39067/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra242. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of women who attended a hospital in CHO 6 for haemorrhaging or complications after an early medical abortion from 1 January 2019 to date; the number admitted and not admitted, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39068/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra243. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of women who attended a hospital in CHO 7 for haemorrhaging or complications after an early medical abortion from 1 January 2019 to date; the number admitted and not admitted, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39069/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra244. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of women who attended a hospital in CHO 8 for haemorrhaging or complications after an early medical abortion from 1 January 2019 to date; the number admitted and not admitted, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39070/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra245. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of women who attended a hospital in CHO 9 for haemorrhaging or complications after an early medical abortion from 1 January 2019 to date; the number admitted and not admitted, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39071/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 237 to 245, inclusive, together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible
246. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if wedding numbers will be increased to 50 in the event of an easing of restrictions to level 3. [39084/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to assure you that the Government is committed to ensuring a balanced and proportionate response to COVID-19 by finding ways to implement public health measures in response to the pandemic in a way that is fair, reasonable and proportionate.
As the Deputy is aware, the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 was published by the government. This 5 level Framework 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.
Any measures introduced at any level of the Plan are aimed at limiting the spread and damage of COVID-19, and are necessary to protect our key priorities of supporting and maintaining health and social care services, keeping education and childcare services open and protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities.
As I'm 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. The number of people allowed to gather in different scenarios in the Government's Framework are based on a review of international practice and the judgment of public health experts. It seeks to balance the risks of different types of gatherings against the desire to allow normal activities to proceed in so far as possible.
With regard to weddings, restrictions apply at all Levels and these restrictions are set out in the Plan.
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. It is not possible to say what will happen in the future.
247. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a report regarding meetings he or his officials have held with the board or management of a facility (details supplied) to seek to alleviate concerns for a vital community service; and his views on the ongoing funding concerns. [39097/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSt. Joseph's Centre in Shankill is a part of the St John of God Hospitaller Services Group. It provides residential care for up to 60 residents and approximately 120 day care places per week. All service users have a diagnosis of dementia. The majority of the residential places receive funding support through the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS). Separately, the HSE contracts for approximately 25 Day Care places per day at St Joseph’s.
The NHSS, commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has been designated by the Minister for Health pursuant to Section 40 of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 as a body authorised to negotiate with proprietors of non-HSE registered nursing homes to reach agreement in relation to the maximum price(s) that can be charged for the provision of long-term residential care services to NHSS residents.
As part of this function, the NTPF will enter into "Approved Nursing Home Agreements" with registered private and voluntary nursing homes to record the maximum price(s) that have been negotiated. It will be appreciated that particulars of all such negotiations and reviews are a matter between the nursing home and the NTPF. Accordingly, the NTPF does not discuss publicly the details of negotiations with individual nursing homes.
The NTPF has statutory independence and as Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, I have no role in NHSS price negotiations. I understand however, that engagement through the established mechanisms has occurred.
You will be aware that a wide range of financial and non-financial supports related to COVID-19 have been made available to the private and voluntary nursing home sector. Among other supports, this includes the Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme for Nursing Homes, now extended to June 2021, and the ongoing provision of PPE. I encourage St Joseph's to ensure that it is availing of all relevant supports during this time.
I am committed to supporting the nursing home sector especially during these unprecedented times and officials and I meet regularly to discuss a range of matters with sector representatives.
248. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the investigations that have been carried out regarding outbreaks of Covid-19 in meat processing plants since August 2020; if he will provide all documentation associated with the investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39099/20]
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.
249. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if options have been explored for the capturing of place of work information from all positive cases of Covid-19 in meat processing plants; if a decision has been made on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39100/20]
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.
250. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if there have been instances whereby meat processing plants have not alerted public health if they are informed of or suspect cases of Covid-19 among the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39101/20]
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.
251. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if occupational health and translation services have been contracted by all meat processing plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39102/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe contracting of occupational health and translation services by meat processing plants is a private matter for meat processing plants and, as Minister for Health, I have no statutory responsibility in this regard.
