Written Answers Nos. 787-805
787. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that Dublin Fire Brigade paramedics have not yet received their vaccination (details supplied); the reason for the delay in the vaccinations; and the governance arrangements under which Dublin Fire Brigade receives vaccinations. [6694/21]
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.
788. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of the pilot telepsychiatry service as set out in the programme of Government (details supplied); if the service has commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6699/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is as service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
789. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the details of the reproductive services available in County Sligo; the steps his Department is taking to address gaps in services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6700/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 services for termination of pregnancy are available in this country in both hospital and community settings.
Terminations up to 9 weeks of pregnancy are provided in the community setting by General Practitioners. Terminations up to 12 weeks of pregnancy are currently available in 10 maternity hospitals. My Department continues to engage with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme in relation to plans for the further rollout of termination services in additional maternity hospitals.
There is regular ongoing engagement between my Department and the HSE to facilitate the smooth-running of the service and to resolve any issues that may arise.
As the Deputy has requested details of the services available in County Sligo, which is a service issue, I have referred his question to the HSE for answer as soon as possible.
790. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have been recruited by the HSE since January 2020; the total increase of HSE employment this represents in net terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6701/21]
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.
791. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioner services that have suspended CervicalCheck examinations since 1 December 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6702/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraGeneral practice has continued to operate during the Covid-19 public health emergency and GPs are still seeing patients where necessary, albeit with infection-control measures in place. However, the exceptional circumstances faced by medical practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a change in how GP services are delivered.
The CervicalCheck programme are continuing to operate their services during the current level 5 restrictions, however they may have reduced capacity in the short-term. The National Screening Service (NSS) are notifying women that they do not need to book with their own GP and that a list of registered screeners and information on booking with alternative sample takers in their area is available on their website www.hse.ie/cervicalcheck
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
792. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an assessment nurse (details supplied) will be provided in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6705/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
793. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of days testing per week being carried out for Covid-19 in County Cavan and at the county GAA grounds in County Monaghan; his plans to relocate the test centres with a view to having one for both counties; if a preferred location has been chosen for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6714/21]
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.
794. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies in Cavan General and Monaghan hospitals unfilled or filled on a temporary basis; and the details of each by categories (details supplied). [6720/21]
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.
795. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) must pay a high cost for a weekly prescription; if there is an alternative to this medication that is funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6726/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the particular issue raised relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
796. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to enhance services at a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6734/21]
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.
797. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of attendances to a hospital (details supplied) between 2010 and to date in 2021; if there are plans to return this service to seven days per week or open late evenings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6735/21]
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.
798. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 841 and 842 of 24 November 2020, the status of plans for the project referred to (details supplied) for Cavan General Hospital; the stage the plans are at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6736/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
799. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of services for persons with Parkinson's disease in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the locations in which services are available, that is, in primary care or a hospital setting; his plans to introduce a dedicated nurse in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6737/21]
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.
800. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of pregnant mothers who used a scanner (details supplied) in Cavan General Hospital to date per month since its introduction to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6741/21]
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.
801. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6742/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
802. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health when a facility (details supplied) will open; if funding will be secured for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6759/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
803. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if he will consider increasing the number of medical officers in the HSE who are responsible for issuing primary medical certificates on a temporary basis to reduce the growing waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6784/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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, which is a requirement for the Scheme. 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 may 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, Paschal Donohoe T.D.. Following the approval of the Finance Act 2020 which provides for the medical criteria in primary legislation, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, T.D., issued an instruction to the Chief Executive Officer of the HSE to the effect that Primary Medical Certificate assessments can recommence with effect from 1st January, 2021.
Separately, the ability to hold assessments may be impacted by, among other things, the public health restrictions in place and the role of the HSE Medical Officers in the roll out of the COVID vaccination programme. I understand that the HSE is considering the matter of Primary Medical Certificate assessments in the context of their revision of the HSE recovery and restoration plans, taking into account the pressures and challenges to the health services presented by COVID.
As the issue raised by the Deputy relating to a temporary increase in the number of Medical Officers to undertake Primary Medical Certificate assessments is a service matter, I have arranged to have the question referred to the HSE for consideration and direct reply to the Deputy.
804. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns about places on the list of priority for vaccine roll-out for persons with multiple sclerosis in treatment cycles who are particularly vulnerable; and the steps he will take to resolve the matter. [6786/21]
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.
The next group to be vaccinated are those aged 70 and older in the following order: 85 and older, 80-84, 75-79, and 70-74. Vaccination of this group will begin this month.
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.
805. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if first class pupils in County Longford who did not receive an appointment with the school dentist in 2020 due to Covid-19 will be facilitated in 2021 alongside 2020-21 first class pupils (details supplied). [6791/21]
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.
