Written Answers Nos. 387-411
387. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the position regarding family carers now considered as likely to be categorised as front-line workers in relation to the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination; and when a decision on their categorisation will be made. [3226/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra398. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the vaccine allocation group family carers fall under; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3256/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra431. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health the position of carers of children with type 1 diabetes on the list of those to be vaccinated (details supplied); if he will protect this vulnerable group by ensuring that their carers are prioritised on the vaccination list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3314/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra437. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if family carers will be a priority group to receive the Covid-19 vaccine once healthcare workers and care home residents have been vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3329/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra463. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if family carers are considered key workers; if they are included in category 6 of the roll-out plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3446/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra464. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will include full-time carers as a priority listing under the vaccination roll-out programme. [3448/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra465. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the position of a cohort of persons (details supplied) on the Covid-19 vaccine list; if they will be prioritised as essential works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3449/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra466. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the position of family carers on the list in relation to receiving the Covid-19 vaccine injection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3450/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra471. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if priority is being afforded to family carers as part of the Covid-19 programme given the important role they play is protecting vulnerable members of society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3485/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra473. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health when family carers will receive Covid-19 vaccinations. [3494/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 387, 398, 431, 437, 463 to 466, inclusive, 471 and 473 together.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
Vaccine allocation is a matter for my Department and further information is available here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.
The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is the responsibility of the HSE.
The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to ensure, over time, that vaccine will become available to vaccinate all of those for whom the vaccine is indicated. Given that there will be initially limited vaccines available, it will take some time for all to receive those vaccines and that has necessitated an allocation strategy to ensure that those most at risk of death and serious illness receive the vaccine first.
The priority is to first vaccinate and protect directly the most vulnerable amongst us, that is, those most likely to have a poor outcome if they contract the virus. The priority is to directly use vaccines to save lives and reduce serious illness, hence the focus on the over 65 year old cohort in long term residential care facilities, and healthcare workers in frontline services often caring for the most vulnerable.
All of the groups will be covered as further vaccine supplies become available and the immunisation programme is rolled out nationally.
The evidence will be kept under review and the allocation groups may be updated, where necessary, in light of new evidence.
Family carers are a diverse group, therefore, each individual will be vaccinated in the group that is appropriate to them.
388. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when Covid-19 contact tracers are conducting a positive patient assessment with healthcare professionals, the breakdown of transmission sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3227/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra389. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when Covid-19 contact tracers are conducting a positive patient assessment with healthcare professionals, the number who indicated that the transmission source was in relation to inadequate PPE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3228/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra390. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when Covid-19 contact tracers are conducting a positive patient assessment with healthcare professionals who have indicated that the transmission source was in relation to inadequate PPE, the hospitals or other care facilities they work in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3229/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 388 to 390, 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.
391. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of healthcare workers on leave due to a positive Covid-19 result; the breakdown of the settings they work in; and the CHO areas of each. [3230/21]
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.
392. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if he is considering lengthening the time between the administration of first and second doses of a vaccine (details supplied) or other Covid-19 vaccines; the consultation that has been had with the manufacturers; if the lengthening of time has been endorsed by the manufacturers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3232/21]
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.
393. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a response will issue to concerns raised by a person (details supplied) diagnosed with motor neurone disease, MND, and the person's need for vaccination priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3240/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
Vaccine allocation is a matter for my Department and further information is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.
The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is the responsibility of the HSE.
The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to ensure, over time, that vaccine will become available to vaccinate all of those for whom the vaccine is indicated. Given that there will be initially limited vaccines available, it will take some time for all to receive those vaccines and that has necessitated an allocation strategy to ensure that those most at risk of death and serious illness receive the vaccine first.
The priority is to first vaccinate and protect directly the most vulnerable amongst us, that is, those most likely to have a poor outcome if they contract the virus. The priority is to directly use vaccines to save lives and reduce serious illness, hence the focus on the over 65 year old cohort in long term residential care facilities, and healthcare workers in frontline services often caring for the most vulnerable.
All of the groups will be covered as further vaccine supplies become available and the immunisation programme is rolled out nationally.
The evidence will be kept under review and the allocation groups may be updated, where necessary, in light of new evidence.
Correspondence was received in my Department, regarding this issue, on the 15th of January and a reply was issued to the correspondent on the 15th of January.
394. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if advice will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3241/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that officials in my Department are in contact with the Deputy regarding this matter.
395. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the status of the delayed provision of an MRI scan and delayed autism assessments and treatments for a person (details supplied). [3245/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The HSE is currently recommending that only critical time dependent elective procedures are undertaken at this time due to the on-going and significant increased demand for bed capacity related to Covid-19.
This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.
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.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
396. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health his plans for the Covid-19 vaccination schedule to be operating seven days per week and outside standard office hours, given the exponential growth of the virus in our communities and the urgency to ensure the maximum roll-out is achieved to ensure public health is maintained. [3250/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to the timely implementation of a COVID-19 immunisation programme.
The National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy, which was prepared by the High-Level Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccination, was signed off by Cabinet on 15 December 2020.
The vaccines will be rolled out in three phases - the initial roll out, a mass ramp-up and open access. The highest priority groups, those over the age of 65 living in long-term care facilities and frontline healthcare workers in direct patient contact, will receive the vaccine first.
Vaccination teams working across the country are administering vaccinations seven days a week. The HSE are finalising plans for the use of Mass Vaccination Clinics. The hours of operation will be dependent on vaccine supply and workforce availability.
397. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the total allocation for the treatment of eating disorders and by comparison the amount expended on actual treatment of eating disorders and in which an underspend occurred by which the unspent moneys were utilised in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form. [3251/21]
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.
400. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when the assisted human reproduction Bill will be published; the steps he is taking to create a legislative framework to govern surrogacy in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3263/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, Government approval was granted for the drafting of a bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research, based on the published General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill. This comprehensive and far-reaching piece of legislation encompasses the regulation, for the first time in Ireland, of a wide range of practices, including altruistic domestic surrogacy. The General Scheme also provides for the establishment of an independent regulatory authority for AHR.
The provisions relating to surrogacy are outlined in Part 6 of the General Scheme. These provisions outline the specific conditions under which surrogacy in Ireland will be permitted, including a requirement for all surrogacy agreements to be pre-authorised by the AHR Regulatory Authority. The General Scheme also sets out a court-based mechanism through which the parentage of a child born through surrogacy may be transferred from the surrogate (and her husband, if applicable) to the intending parent(s).
In addition, under the surrogacy provisions at least one of the intending parents will have to be genetically related to the child. Surrogacy will be permitted on an altruistic basis where the payment of defined and receiptable reasonable expenses will be allowed. However, commercial surrogacy in Ireland will be prohibited as it raises a number of concerns relating to the welfare and commodification of the children involved as well as the potential risks of coercion and exploitation of financially vulnerable women to act as surrogates.
As we continue to deal with the challenge of responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, delays have occurred in progressing normal workstreams in the Department; however, drafting of the Bill is ongoing in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. The publication of the Bill is a priority for Government and a commitment to enact this legislation is included in the Programme for Government.
Overall, the provisions outlined within the General Scheme will ensure that AHR practices and related areas of research are conducted in a more consistent and standardised way and with the necessary oversight. The aim of the AHR legislation is to promote and ensure the health and safety of parents and others involved in the process (such as donors and surrogate mothers), while, most importantly, consideration of the welfare and best interests of children born as a result of AHR is the key principle underpinning the General Scheme.
401. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the cohort of vaccine recipients to which student teachers belong; if they will be classed alongside others in the education sector; and if not, the reason consideration was not given to the Teaching Council requirement of face-to-face teaching, which would lead these student teachers to be in the same work environment as qualified colleagues and subject to the same risk. [3264/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
Vaccine allocation is a matter for my Department and further information is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.
The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is the responsibility of the HSE.
The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to ensure, over time, that vaccine will become available to vaccinate all of those for whom the vaccine is indicated. Given that there will be initially limited vaccines available, it will take some time for all to receive those vaccines and that has necessitated an allocation strategy to ensure that those most at risk of death and serious illness receive the vaccine first.
The priority is to first vaccinate and protect directly the most vulnerable amongst us, that is, those most likely to have a poor outcome if they contract the virus. The priority is to directly use vaccines to save lives and reduce serious illness, hence the focus on the over 65 year old cohort in long term residential care facilities, and healthcare workers in frontline services often caring for the most vulnerable.
All of the groups will be covered as further vaccine supplies become available and the immunisation programme is rolled out nationally.
The evidence will be kept under review and the allocation groups may be updated, where necessary, in light of new evidence.
402. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) with a health condition can expect to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. [3266/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
Vaccine allocation is a matter for my Department and further information is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.
The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is the responsibility of the HSE.
The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to ensure, over time, that vaccine will become available to vaccinate all of those for whom the vaccine is indicated. Given that there will be initially limited vaccines available, it will take some time for all to receive those vaccines and that has necessitated an allocation strategy to ensure that those most at risk of death and serious illness receive the vaccine first.
The priority is to first vaccinate and protect directly the most vulnerable amongst us, that is, those most likely to have a poor outcome if they contract the virus. The priority is to directly use vaccines to save lives and reduce serious illness, hence the focus on the over 65 year old cohort in long term residential care facilities, and healthcare workers in frontline services often caring for the most vulnerable.
All of the groups will be covered as further vaccine supplies become available and the immunisation programme is rolled out nationally.
The evidence will be kept under review and the allocation groups may be updated, where necessary, in light of new evidence.
403. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total additional funding paid to date to nursing homes under temporary assistance payment schemes related to Covid-19; the length of time this will continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3271/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Temporary Assistance Payments Scheme (TAPS) was originally established to support the private and voluntary nursing home sector in the early months of the pandemic and has now been extended to June 2021 to continue that support.
€92.5 million was allocated to the scheme for 2020, with additional funding of €42 million secured to extend the scheme to June 2021. As of 15 January 2021, a total of €63.6 million had been paid out under the scheme.
TAPS is an integral element of a range of supports provided to private and voluntary nursing homes during the pandemic, including:
- enhanced HSE engagement;
- temporary HSE governance arrangements;
- multidisciplinary clinical supports at CHO level through 23 COVID-19 Response Teams;
- access to supply lines for PPE, medical oxygen;
- provision by the HSE of precautionary and outbreak management PPE;
- serial testing in nursing homes;
- access to staff from community and acute hospitals;
- suite of focused guidance, including comprehensive guidance on visiting nursing homes - the latest version of which now fully aligns with the 5-level framework;
- temporary accommodation to nursing home staff; and
- HIQA’s COVID-19 quality assurance regulatory framework.
404. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of hours of home help delivered in November and December 2020 and January 2021 relative to 2019-2020 levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3272/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
405. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 vaccinations administered to HSE staff in the first two weeks of January 2021 by staff category, group and grade for each hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3273/21]
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.
406. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the date the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine commenced in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3274/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra407. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of doses of the Covid-19 vaccine that were allocated to Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3275/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra408. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of doses of the Covid-19 vaccine allocated to Letterkenny University Hospital that have been administered to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3276/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra409. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of frontline staff in direct patient contact in Letterkenny University Hospital that have still to receive the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3277/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra410. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health when the Covid-19 vaccination of frontline staff in direct patient contact in Letterkenny University Hospital will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3278/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra411. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the date on which the next consignment of the Covid-19 vaccine is expected to be allocated to Letterkenny University Hospital in order to complete the roll-out of the first round of vaccinations of frontline staff in direct patient contact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3279/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 406 to 411, 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.
