Wednesday, 13 Jan 2021

Written Answers Nos. 883-907

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (884)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

884. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the public funding received by the youth mental health organisation Jigsaw in 2019 and 2020, respectively. [45146/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (885)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

885. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the public funding spent on HSE youth and adolescent mental health services in 2019 and 2020, respectively. [45147/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

National LGBTI+ Strategy

Ceisteanna (886)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

886. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the status of action 15.1 of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021 to update the National Sexual Health Strategy in 2020 to include the needs of the LGBTI+ community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45174/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Organisations representing the LGBTI+ community are key stakeholders in the implementation of the National Sexual Health Strategy (NSHS) and Ministers and officials from my Department have met several times with such organisations in recent years, including the Gay Health Network, ACT UP, BeLonG To, and Pride festival organisers.

Support for sexual health initiatives is provided by the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP). The SHCPP is also in regular contact with relevant LGBTI+ stakeholders and organisations.

Key initiatives delivered under the National Sexual Health Strategy and of clear benefit to the LGBTI+ community include HIV Ireland's MPOWER and the Man2man programmes, the HIV Fast Track Cities initiative, the national PrEP programme, expansion of the National Condom Distribution Service and expansion of the HPV Vaccination scheme to included gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men as part of wider public STI and HIV related services.

The Deputy will be aware that 2020 was intended to be the final year in the lifetime of the current NSHS.

It had been envisaged that the Department of Health and the HSE Sexual Health Crisis Pregnancy Programme would, in 2020, review the position with regard to the future direction of the Strategy. However, it was necessary to postpone this work due to the urgent need to mobilise and prioritise resources in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is the intention of this Department that the review of the NSHS will take place as soon as possible in 2021. While the outcome of this review will determine the future direction of the Strategy, it will also be necessary to ensure that any remaining work items arising from the current Strategy continue to be implemented.

In light of this, officials from my Department recently wrote to the Interim Programme Lead for the HSE SHCPP, suggesting that we extend the lifetime of the current NSHS to the end of 2021, and requesting that the HSE take any necessary measures to incorporate this into the service planning process.

Consultation with the relevant stakeholders, including those organisations representing the LGBTI+ community, will be carried out as a key element of the review process.

Cancer Services

Ceisteanna (887)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

887. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if there have been supply disruptions for medication for chemotherapy at Tullamore hospital (details supplied); if there is a risk of supply-related issues in the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45176/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) advise that there have been no disruption to the supply of Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) to the Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore. There was a potential delay to delivery on 22 December but this did not transpire.

In relation to the supply of parenteral SACT, the Department of Health, the HSE and the Health Products Regulatory Authority, together with the makers of parenteral SACT, wholesalers and pharmacists, are continually working to review the supply of parenteral SACT to Ireland with a view to anticipating, and responding to in so far as is possible, any potential vulnerabilities in supply.

Question No. 888 answered with Question No. 765.

Primary Medical Certificates

Ceisteanna (889)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

889. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the recommencement of assessments for primary medical certificates. [45192/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme comes under the remit of the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners. The extent of the involvement of Health Service Executive (HSE) personnel in the Scheme relates to making a professional clinical determination as to whether an individual applicant meets the specified medical criteria for a Primary Medical Certificate. This determination is undertaken by Senior Medical Officers for the relevant HSE Community Health Organisation on behalf of the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.

The Deputy will be aware that following a Supreme Court decision of June 2020, the assessment process for Primary Medical Certificates was suspended at the request of the Minister for Finance. In order to allow for the Primary Medical Certificate assessments to recommence, the Minister for Finance brought forward amendments to the Finance Bill to provide for the existing medical criteria in primary legislation.

Following a request from Minister Donohoe, my colleague the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly T.D. issued an instruction to the Chief Executive Officer of the Health Service Executive on 22nd December, 2020, to the effect that Primary Medical Certificate assessments can recommence with effect from 1st January, 2021.

Eating Disorders

Ceisteanna (890)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

890. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the inpatient and outpatient services available for persons suffering from an eating disorder; the budget allocated for these services over the past three years; the amount of the budget that is underspent or exceeded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45201/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Eating Disorders

Ceisteanna (891, 892)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

891. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient beds available for persons suffering from an eating disorder per hospital in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45202/20]

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

892. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of presentations to the HSE made by persons suffering from an eating disorder per hospital in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45203/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 891 and 892 together.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Question No. 893 answered with Question No. 767.

Questions Nos. 894 and 895 answered with Question No. 765.

Respite Care Services

Ceisteanna (896)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

896. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will consider adding additional respite resources for carers in the home who are caring for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45207/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (897)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

897. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to manage and communicate the scheduling of the roll-out of vaccines to all care settings such as nursing homes, congregated settings, group homes and hospitals for patients, staff and service users; his plans to issue timescales specific or non-specific; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45208/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 (898)

Emer Higgins

Ceist:

898. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the extent to which vitamin D is being used by the HSE to treat and-or prevent Covid-19 in healthcare settings here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1002/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

This is an operational matter which is the responsibility of the HSE. I have asked the Executive to reply directly to the Deputy in this regard.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (899)

Emer Higgins

Ceist:

899. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the status of the ongoing observational studies that are currently evaluating the role of vitamin D in preventing and treating Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1003/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is an operational matter within the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, I have asked the Executive to examine the issues raised and reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Food Safety Authority of Ireland

Ceisteanna (900)

Emer Higgins

Ceist:

900. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the terms of reference given to the Food Safety Authority ahead of the publication of its vitamin D scientific recommendations for food-based dietary guidelines for older adults in Ireland; if this study was requested to look at vitamin D in the general population in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1004/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Scientific Committee of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland was requested to fast track their current work on Vitamin D and older people to provide an evidence-base to the Department of Health to underpin public health policy for vitamin D supplementation in older people aged 65 plus years.

Under the Terms of Reference, the Scientific Committee was asked to:

1. Look at the vitamin D requirements for older adults and their current vitamin D intake status.

2. Consider how best to achieve vitamin D requirements, taking total vitamin D intake into consideration.

3. Determine the older population sub-groups that need vitamin D supplementation.

4. Determine the level of supplementation required within these sub-groups and the appropriate vitamin D supplement.

5. Consider any special circumstances.

6. Deliver scientific advice for population-based guidance to the Department of Health before the end of September 2020.

Covid-19 Tests

Ceisteanna (901)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

901. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the way in which different strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are being identified and analysed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1007/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 (902)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

902. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the cooperation or synchronisation there has been on SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics with the Department of Health in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1008/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Department of Health (ROI) and Health Service Executive are in regular communication with the Department of Health and Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland in relation to population-level approaches to testing for SARS-CoV-2. The purpose of this is to share information and learnings to optimise control of the pandemic in both jurisdictions.

Question No. 903 answered with Question No. 798.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (904, 1024)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

904. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the use of community centres as vaccination centres given their accessibility and availability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1018/21]

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

1024. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if centres or premises have been secured in counties Laois and Offaly in terms of the roll-out of vaccinations. [1463/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 904 and 1024 together.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 905 answered with Question No. 765.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (906)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

906. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the reason University Hospital Limerick was not included in the first tranche of the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out, given the consistently and worryingly high numbers attending the hospital. [1029/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 (907)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

907. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if it is planned for the Covid-19 vaccine to be administered seven days a week. [1030/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.