Paul Donnelly
Ceist:739. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list for primary care psychology services in Dublin west. [5474/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Services
Ceisteanna (739)
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.
Counselling Services
Ceisteanna (740)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:740. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list for counselling in primary care services in Dublin west. [5475/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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 (741)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:741. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the current Covid-19 related staff redeployment figures from primary care mental health services in Dublin west. [5476/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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 (742)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:742. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the current Covid-19 related staff redeployment figures from CAMHS, AMHS, PoL and rehab and recovery teams. [5477/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (743)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:743. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the way in which staffing figures for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, CAMHS, and adult mental health services in January 2021 compare to January 2020. [5478/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (744)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:744. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the current staffing levels for primary care psychology services in Dublin west. [5479/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (745)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:745. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioner referrals to primary care psychology services in Dublin west by month from 2019 and 2020. [5480/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Counselling Services
Ceisteanna (746)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:746. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioner referrals to counselling in primary care services in Dublin west by month from 2019 and 2020. [5481/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (747)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:747. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioner referrals to CAMHS, AMHS and PoL for 2019 and 2020. [5482/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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. 748 answered with Question No. 696.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (749)
Michael Lowry
Ceist:749. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health when works to construct a second catheterisation laboratory at University Hospital Waterford will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5495/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The preferred option for development of a second Cath laboratory at UHW is for a lab on the roof of the existing Cardiology Department, which will operate five days per week and provide diagnostic services only.
Funding was allocated in the Capital Plan for the provision of a second Cath lab at UHW. Planning permission was received from Waterford City and County Council in January 2020. The Disability Access certificate was granted in April 2020. The Fire certificate was granted in 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 2020. The Tender process being used is a 2 Stage process which normally takes about 4 months to complete. Tenders for the main Contractor were received on the 24th November, while the tenders for the mechanical and electrical sub-contractors were received in on the 21st December. The tenders are now being reviewed by the design team.
Works to the new Cath laboratory are due to commence in Q1 of 2021 with a proposed 12-month build.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (750)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:750. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding booster vaccines for children; if supply issues previously referred to have been resolved; if there is a plan for a catch-up programme; the locations parents can access a booster vaccine for their children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5498/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (751)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:751. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some general practitioners are not filling out forms that require a medical certificate, such as carer’s allowance applications; the alternative methods of completing application forms; if he has considered issuing guidance to general practitioners on the processing of forms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5499/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
While there is currently exceptional demand for GP services in the context of Covid-19, GPs continue to see patients for non-Covid related services where necessary, albeit with infection-control measures in place. Nurse and doctor advice is provided over the phone where appropriate, and patients who are clinically assessed as requiring a face to face consultation with a doctor are referred for an appointment.
Where a face to face consultation is necessary, including those for non-clinical matters, this should be discussed between the GP or GP practice and the person concerned. The requirements for how relevant application forms are completed are determined by the Department or organisation responsible for the application form. The carer's allowance application form (CR1) features a medical report section which must be completed and signed by a doctor registered with the Medical Council.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (752)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:752. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the most up-to-date guidance and regulations with regard to outbound travel; the list of essential reasons a person can depart from an air or sea port; the legal ramifications for persons not adhering to the guidance and regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5501/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I signed new regulations titled S.I. No. 29 of 2021 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No 10) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 ) along with S.I. No. 30 of 2021 (Fixed Penalty Notice Regulations) on Friday 29 January last.
These Regulations outline the following to be reasonable excuses for travel to an airport or port for purpose of leaving the State :-
- To work, comply with a contract of employment or contract for services, or otherwise engage in work or employment
- To provide services to, or perform the functions of, an office holder appointed under any enactment or under the Constitution, or a member of either House of the Oireachtas, the European Parliament or a local authority
- To provide services essential to the functioning of diplomatic missions and consular posts in the State
- To attend, for educational reasons a primary or secondary school, or a university, higher education institution or other education and training facility, to the extent that it is necessary for such educational reasons to attend in person
- To accompany any other person residing with the person, or a vulnerable person, to one of the education facilities mentioned above
- To attend a medical or dental appointment, or accompany, to such an appointment, any other person residing with the person, or a vulnerable person
- To seek essential medical, health or dental assistance for the person, for any other person residing with the person, or for a vulnerable person
- To attend to vital family matters (including providing care to vulnerable persons)
- To attend a funeral
- To fulfil a legal obligation (including attending court, satisfying bail conditions, or participating in ongoing legal proceedings), attend a court office where required, initiate emergency legal proceedings or execute essential legal documents
- if the person is a parent or guardian of a child, or a person having a right of access to a child, to give effect to arrangements for access to the child by the person, or another person who is -
(I) a parent or guardian of the child, or
(II) a person having a right of access to the child,
- where the person is not ordinarily resident in the State, to leave the State
A person whose place of residence is in the State shall not leave it to go to an airport or port for the purposes of leaving the State without reasonable excuse. This is a penal provision and a fixed penalty notice (€500) provision.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (753)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:753. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists in the dental treatment services scheme in 2019 by LHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5529/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Nursing Staff
Ceisteanna (754)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:754. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of recruiting ten additional full-time permanent critical care and intensive care nurses for Mullingar Regional Hospital. [5508/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
Physiotherapy Services
Ceisteanna (755)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:755. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of recruiting ten additional full-time physiotherapist posts for CHO 8. [5509/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
Hospital Equipment
Ceisteanna (756)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:756. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the number of magnetic resonance imaging scanners in Portlaoise Regional Hospital; the number of scans carried out from Monday to Friday; and the number of scans carried out at the weekends. [5510/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 (757)
John Lahart
Ceist:757. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health his views on claims from pharmacists that they have been side-lined from the Covid-19 vaccination programme of persons aged over 70; and if the vaccination of patients over 70 years of age is to be carried out exclusively by general practitioners. [5514/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On 19 January, the Government approved fees for both GPs and pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccines.
The vaccination programme will be expanded as new supplies arrive in Ireland. Pharmacists, GPs, all doctors, nurses, paramedics, nursing home staff and many healthcare professionals will have a role to play in the vaccination programme.
The next major population group to be vaccinated, after health-care workers and those aged over 65 in long-term residential care facilities, will be those aged over 70 living in the community who are recognised as a particularly vulnerable group.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (758)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:758. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will seek and share a detailed report on the causal factors that led to the disposal of 22 vials of a vaccine in the Midlands Louth Meath Community Health Organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5517/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy, the HSE have advised that 22 vials of Covid-19 vaccine that were delivered to a Nursing Home in the Midlands Louth Meath Community Healthcare Organisation were incorrectly stored and the appropriate cold chain was not in place, unfortunately these vials cannot now be used.
The Community Healthcare Organisation will now work with national colleagues to undertake the remaining vaccinations at the LTRC facility as soon as possible.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (759)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Ceist:759. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the five-day mandatory quarantine only applies to persons who do not have a negative PCR test in relation to the recently approved mandatory quarantine rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5518/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In response to the prevailing epidemiological situation and in particular, the risks associated with new variants of concern, the Government has decided to implement new measures applying to international travel including mandatory quarantine and testing policies, measures to enhance North South cooperation on international travel and the suspension of visa free travel from certain countries.
The drafting of legislation to give effect to quarantine requirements, as well as new legislation on pre-departure testing and the COVID-19 Passenger Locator form are at an advanced stage. The Government continues to examine full operationalisation of travel measures announced on 26 January as matter of priority.
Nursing Education
Ceisteanna (760)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:760. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) will be examined; if funding opportunities will be provided in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5532/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 (761)
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:761. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if the National Immunisation Advisory Committee has completed its review of the BCG immunisation programme; if so, the outcome of the process; his plans for the future provision of BCG vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5536/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE were requested, in 2019, to undertake an updated review of the epidemiology of TB in Ireland, considering the public health impact of having no BCG vaccination since April 2015. The review was completed and the National TB Advisory Committee (NTBAC) met to consider its findings on 16 December 2019.
My Department has been informed that the view of the Committee was that universal BCG vaccination should not be implemented at this time. The Committee agreed that the decision on whether a selective BCG vaccination programme targeting at risk groups or no BCG vaccination programme should be recommended, was outside the scope of the NTBAC and should be considered by the NIAC.
The NIAC has been asked to make recommendations to the HSE about the BCG immunisation programme. This work by the Committee was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NIAC had resumed this work and had hoped to report its recommendations on this issue to the HSE before the end of the year. However, the NIAC have been fully engaged in the planning for the COVID-19 Vaccine rollout and thus have had to defer submission of a final paper regarding the BCG immunisation until Q2 of 2021.
The outcome of these processes, once finalised, will guide my Department regarding the future provision of BCG vaccination in Ireland.
Mental Health Policy
Ceisteanna (762)
Mark Ward
Ceist:762. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of the 41 short-term recommendations in the policy Sharing the Vision, A Mental Health Policy for Everyone which have been fully implemented since it was launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5537/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Sharing the Vision aims to enhance the provision of mental health services and supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, during the period 2020-2030.
A ‘whole-of-government’ National Implementation Monitoring Committee (NIMC) with strong service user and voluntary and community sector representation was recently established to oversee the implementation of the recommendations in the policy and to monitor progress.
The NIMC is made up of the NIMC Steering Committee which will be supported by an NIMC Reference Group of Service Users and Families and NIMC Specialist Groups.
The NIMC Steering Committee will drive the implementation of Sharing the Vision and ensure appropriate monitoring and oversight processes are put in place.
The HSE has primary responsibility for the implementation of the majority of the Sharing the Vision recommendations, and is establishing a HSE Implementation Group, which will report to the NIMC Steering Committee.
The ethos of the NIMC is one of partnership, focused on the outcomes achieved for people using mental health services. One of the first tasks of the NIMC, in conjunction with the HSE Implementation Group, will be to ascertain ongoing Sharing the Vision aligned tasks and projects. This work is very much at an early stage. To date, the Steering Committee has met twice, on 11 December 2020 and on 15 January 2021, with meetings scheduled to take place monthly. The minutes of the Steering Committee meetings are available on the Department of Health Website.
In these early stages, the Steering Committee will focus on developing and establishing the structures and processes crucial to a full and successful implementation of the new policy. I am satisfied that the Committee is progressing well in this initial stage of its work, by building on the following initiatives already underway:
- Many significant recent developments in online mental health service provision and positive mental health promotion have been expedited in the advent of COVID-19. These initiatives exemplify the holistic, whole-of-population approach to mental health service development that Sharing the Vision will be promoting and seeking to advance, in parallel with the development of specialist supports.
- Sharing the Vision recommends the continued implementation of the existing National Clinical Programmes in mental health, including Dual Diagnosis, Early Intervention in psychosis, and Mental Health and Intellectual Disability, by specifying the need for their continued phased implementation and evaluation. The Clinical Programmes are at the heart of service improvement, providing clear pathways in addressing a number of mental health conditions, to ensure strategic, standardised, and evidence-based delivery of services and better outcomes for service users and their families. The Clinical Programmes are currently in various stages of design and implementation.
- Furthermore, to address the issue of funding, I secured an additional €50 million for mental health services in 2021, bringing the annual budget to €1,076 billion. €23 million of this is dedicated to commencing implementation of many of the short-term recommendations of Sharing the Vision. This includes establishing the new structures required to implement the policy, and the expansion of the clinical care programmes outlined above.
- It will also fund additional mental health bed capacity, enhanced resources for Community Mental Health Teams, CAMHS Hubs/Teams, Adult Crisis Resolution Services, increased supports in employment, Peer Support Workers, Bereavement Co-ordinator, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, which are specific short term recommendations in the new Policy. Work is progressing in these areas, including the recruitment of the 153 new mental health staff provided for, through 2021 development funding.
- Sharing the Vision additionally recommends that, in keeping with the evolving understanding of human rights to empower people and improve quality of care in mental healthcare facilities, legislation must be updated, and additional supports put in place. As the Deputy may be aware, this is currently being addressed in the review of the Mental Health Act, 2001 which is undergoing a major overhaul, with draft heads of the new bill expected to be published in the very near future.
Speech and Language Therapy
Ceisteanna (763)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:763. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 446 of 10 December 2020 and 931 of 13 January 2021, the number and category of staff to be recruited to serve Dublin 9 and 11 (details supplied); the expected timeframe for recruitment of these staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5538/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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 access to disability 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.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (764)
John Lahart
Ceist:764. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if all persons administering the vaccine under the current Covid-19 vaccination programme have received the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5540/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Diabetes Strategy
Ceisteanna (765)
Cormac Devlin
Ceist:765. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to give a definitive date of when its health technology review which was promised in April 2019 will be published and consideration given to expanding those eligible for the FreeStyle Libre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5548/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Diabetes Strategy
Ceisteanna (766)
Cormac Devlin
Ceist:766. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the number of diabetic retina screen tests conducted in each year since the introduction of the National Diabetic Retinal Screening Programme 2014–2020, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5549/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.