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Wednesday, 24 Feb 2021

Written Answers Nos. 811-832

Medicinal Products

Ceisteanna (811)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

811. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if patisiran medication will be provided to a person (details supplied); his plans to provide treatment for such patients should patisiran no longer be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9576/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this refers to an individual case, I have referred this matter to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (812)

Emer Higgins

Ceist:

812. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will discuss with the national immunisation advisory committee when persons with sickle cell disease should receive their Covid-19 vaccination and to determine if they and other vulnerable groups should be included in category 3. [9589/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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: 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 began in February.

On the 23rd of February, I announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy.

In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death.

The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.

The NIAC continues to monitor data around this disease and indeed emerging data on effectiveness of vaccines on a rolling basis.

Further details are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b44b2-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-vaccine-allocation-strategy/

Ministerial Advisers

Ceisteanna (813)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

813. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the names and contact details for each special adviser requested for appointment by him, in tabular form. [9599/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The special advisers appointed by me and the Ministers of State at my Department are set out in the table below. The Deputy may wish to note that I have assigned a second person to work with me as Special Adviser and I anticipate that person will be formally appointed by the Government shortly.

Special Advisers appointed to the Minister for Health and the Ministers of State at the Department of Health

Name of Minister/Minister of State

Name of Special Adviser

Contact details

Minister Stephen Donnelly

Susan Mitchell

susan_mitchell@health.gov.ie

Minister of State Anne Rabbitte

Noel Byrne

noel_byrne@health.gov.ie

Minister of State Mary Butler

Kate Mitchell

kate_mitchell@health.gov.ie

Drugs Payment Scheme

Ceisteanna (814)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

814. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9621/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As 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.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (815)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

815. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if funding is available for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9622/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Many community groups and voluntary organisation around the country provide a welcomed additionality to the Health Service Executives health and social care services. In recognition of their important contribution the Health Service Executive distributes National Lottery funding to these groups via an annual application process.

I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy to provide further detail to the National Lottery Schemes.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (816, 857, 858, 1019)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

816. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the procurement process followed for the 37 mass vaccination centres; the budgeted cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9625/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

857. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the term of the contracts for the 37 Covid-19 vaccination centres. [9783/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

858. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the average cost of each of the Covid-19 vaccination centres, in tabular form. [9784/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Ring

Ceist:

1019. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if contracts have been signed in relation to the Covid-19 vaccination centres; if payment has been agreed; if payment has commenced in respect of the Covid-19 vaccination centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10418/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 816, 857, 858 and 1019 together.

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 Supports

Ceisteanna (817)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

817. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if front-line health workers will be allowed a reimbursement of annual leave for days that have been used for childcare responsibilities during level 5 restrictions when schools have remained closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9626/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In line with DPERs Guidance on HR matters during Covid-19 document which applies equally to all Civil and Public Sector employers and employees (https://www.gov.ie/en/news/092fff-update-on-working-arrangements-and-leave-associated-with-covid-19-fo/), where school closures are in effect across the country due to COVID-19 restrictions, childcare services, including childminders, and other existing childcare arrangements remain open and can continue for children of essential workers and vulnerable children including those employed in the health sector.

In addition, a household of an essential worker, without an existing childcare arrangement, can form a bubble with another household for the purpose of providing childcare.

Where these options are exhausted, employers and employees may, alternative arrangements for flexible working, including working from home and/or working adjusted hours, staggered hours, weekend work etc. should be utilized where possible.

There may be occasions where employees have chosen to utilise existing leave allowances including parental leave and annual leave, however there is no proposal to reimburse leave taken in these circumstances.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (818)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

818. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the seven and 14 day rate of infection for Covid-19 in nursing homes in each week of January 2021; the number of nursing home residents who have contracted Covid-19 since 1 January 2021; the number of nursing home residents who have passed from Covid-19 since 1 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9627/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Medical Cards

Ceisteanna (819)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

819. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with a general practitioner visit card and a medical card, respectively, by age in five-year intervals and those aged over 70; the average cost of a general practitioner visit card and medical card, respectively, for each interval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9630/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Proposed Legislation

Ceisteanna (820)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

820. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to progress legislation on mandatory disclosure; the penalties for non-disclosure; the persons or bodies to which they will and will not apply, respectively; the reason for this disparity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9637/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill provides the legislative framework for a number of important patient safety measures, including: mandatory open disclosure of specified serious patient safety incidents, including a process to designate other patient safety incidents in line with advancements in clinical practice, and the notification of these serious incidents externally to the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA), the Chief of Inspector of Social Services (CISS) and the Mental Health Commission (MHC) to contribute to national learning and system-wide improvements. Mandatory open disclosure and external notification of notifiable incidents will equally apply to the public and private health services.

A Government Decision on the 3 December 2019 approved the text of the Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill 2019, enabling it to be introduced into Dáil Éireann on the 12 December 2019 where it passed the First and Second Stage.

The Bill adopts a dual approach to the designation of notifiable patient safety incidents which are the subject of mandatory open disclosure. Firstly, it lists a small number in Schedule 1 to the Bill and secondly it sets out a process by which the Minister for Health may make regulations expanding the list of notifiable patient safety incidents over time in line with advancements in clinical practice and international developments. The Bill also sets out a process by which the Minister for Health will make regulations expanding the list of notifiable patient safety incidents over time in line with advancement in clinical practice and international developments.

Additionally, the Bill includes a duty of openness and transparency on health service providers. In section 12 of the Bill a specific obligation is placed on health services providers (with an identical one placed on health practitioners) to ensure that all relevant information is provided to the patient and their family in the course of making an open disclosure of a notifiable incident.

The provisions of the Bill will apply to all health services providers and health practitioners. Section 3 of the Bill explains in detail which organisations and individuals fall within the scope of the definition of health services provider. In essence, a health services provider is intended to include public and private organisations and entities involved in providing health services, such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, primary care centres etc. For the purposes of this legislation a health practitioner is defined as including registered healthcare professionals such as medical doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, pharmacists, health and social care professionals and ambulance personnel.

Section 49 of the Bill sets out that a health services provider who fails to comply with the obligations to make an open disclosure of a notifiable patient safety incident (section 5(1), 19(9), 20(5)) to a patient and /or their relevant person, without reasonable excuse, shall be liable on summary conviction to a class A fine. It is open to an individual to take a case against a health services provider who they believe has failed to comply with the obligation to ensure that open disclosure took place as required by the legislation.

If a health practitioner does not engage in open disclosure as they are required to do under this legislation, then this would be a matter for the relevant health professional regulatory body ( such as the Medical Council, the Nursing and Midwifery Board, the Dental Council and other regulatory bodies).

The Bill is part of the current Programme for Government and due to go to Dáil Committee Stage at the earliest opportunity.

Question No. 821 answered with Question No. 771.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (822)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

822. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of mop-up clinics that have been set up to date, by county; the number of mop-up clinics that are still waiting to be set up, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9642/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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 (823)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

823. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if Irish citizens are permitted to travel to the UK for family reunification purposes; if partners are considered family; if family reunification is considered essential travel; if An Garda Síochána accept that this is essential travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9644/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The current Regulations in effect providing for public health restrictions are the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 701 of 2020) as amended by both S.I. No. 4 of 2021 and S.I. No. 29 of 2021.

The regulations provide that a person shall not leave their place of residence, including to go to an airport or port for the purpose of leaving the State, without reasonable excuse. The list of reasonable excuses is non-exhaustive. It includes travel to give effect to arrangements for access to a child for parents or guardians of a child or a person who has a right of access to a child. It also includes travel to return to one’s place of residence and travel to attend to a vital family matter. Enforcement is a matter for An Garda Síochána.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (824, 825, 861, 890, 891, 916, 918, 924, 983)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

824. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if there are plans in place to review the position of persons with cerebral palsy on the prioritisation list for Covid-19 vaccinations, with a view to ensuring they receive vaccinations earlier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9645/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

825. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if there are plans in place to review the position of persons with muscular dystrophy on the prioritisation list for Covid-19 vaccinations, with a view to ensuring they receive vaccinations earlier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9646/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

861. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the position of persons with Addison’s disease on the Covid-19 vaccination schedule; and when persons with the condition can expect to receive the vaccine. [9820/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

890. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the disproportionate mortality rates from Covid-19 among kidney patients, which is similar to that of residents of long-term care facilities; if the vaccination allocation sequencing has been reviewed with this in mind; if he has engaged with advocates of kidney patients such as an association (details supplied) or with the HSE national renal office on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9882/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

891. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if those at high risk due to liver transplants will be prioritised for receipt of the Covid-19 vaccine; and when they can expect to receive the vaccine. [9883/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

916. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if persons with chronic kidney disease will be given the same priority allocation as nursing home residents in the Covid-19 provisional vaccination priority list, given that they are in a vulnerable high-risk group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9961/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

918. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider prioritising persons with cystic fibrosis on the vaccine priority list. [9981/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

924. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when kidney patients are due to be vaccinated against Covid-19; if he will consider examining their place on the prioritisation list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10011/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

983. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in respect of kidney patients and their position in the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10178/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 824, 825, 861, 890, 891, 916, 918, 924 and 983 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: 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 began in February.

On the 23rd of February, I announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy.

In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death.

The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.

The NIAC continues to monitor data around this disease and indeed emerging data on effectiveness of vaccines on a rolling basis.

Further details are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b44b2-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-vaccine-allocation-strategy/

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (826)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

826. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing home residents who have now received their second Covid-19 vaccination; if there are nursing home residents who wish to be vaccinated but have not yet been able to receive the first vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9649/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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. 827 answered with Question No. 771.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (828)

Joan Collins

Ceist:

828. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if meetings have been initiated with the UK Government to access surplus vaccines it has pre-ordered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9654/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Ireland is participating in a Procurement Exercise being operated by the European Commission on behalf of Member States to procure suitable, safe and effective vaccines, in sufficient quantities, to combat COVID-19. Six APAs have been negotiated by the Commission under this process to date.

Ireland has opted-in to five APAs to secure vaccine supplies: BioNTech/Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen/J&J and CureVac. Government approval has been obtained to opt-into the sixth APA (GSK/Sanofi Pasteur), subject to the outcome of clinical trial results.

Ireland has signalled its solidarity with the EU approach and has, through its participation, gained access to a broad range of vaccines that it might not otherwise have access to, and at the cost agreed collectively by the EU.

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (829)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

829. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the number of staff employed in his Department, by gender and by civil service salary scale, in tabular form. [9664/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has 638 staff or 618.6 FTE as of 31 January 2021.

A breakdown of the staff employed in the Department of Health by gender and civil service salary scale, as of 31 January 2021, is set out in tabular form.

Salary Scale

Female

FTE

Male

FTE

Total

FTE Total

AO

38

37.40

31

31.00

69

68.40

AP

112

107.13

72

71.40

184

178.53

ASC

3

2.60

3

3.00

6

5.60

CO

44

42.70

36

35.60

80

78.30

DS

2

2.00

2

2.00

4

4.00

EO

53

50.15

45

44.00

98

94.15

HEO

64

59.60

46

44.90

110

104.50

PO

43

41.93

38

37.20

81

79.13

SG (Inter)

0

0.00

1

1.00

1

1.00

SVO

1

1.00

4

4.00

5

5.00

Total

360

344.51

278

274.10

638

618.61

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (830)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

830. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health when residents of care homes under 65 years of age with underlying conditions and needs will receive the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9673/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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: 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 started in the week beginning the 15th of February.

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.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (831)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

831. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health when a Covid-19 vaccination date will be set for residents of a care home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9674/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Departmental Reviews

Ceisteanna (832)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

832. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the current number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by him; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed, in tabular form. [9686/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available. I will survey the Department and the collated replies will be prepared into a full response to the Deputy as soon as possible.

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