Written Answers Nos. 1328-1352
1328. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the findings of the 2019 review on the governance structures in relation to the HSE drug reimbursement process by a company (details supplied); if he will publish the review in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13947/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2019, following a tender by the Office of Government Procurement, Mazars conducted a review of the governance structures around the HSE's drug reimbursement process. The report was submitted to my Department in January 2020.
The review made recommendations in respect of the HSE’s systems, structures, processes, governance arrangements and use of specialist resources in respect of the drug reimbursement process.
The report was under consideration by officials earlier last year, however the focus of the Department of Health changed to the immediate public health considerations of the COVID-19 pandemic and the preservation of life. This meant that this work stream was temporarily suspended to reallocate resources to support essential services.
My Department aims to complete its consideration of the report’s recommendations in the near future.
1329. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if a review of the terms of reference for the HSE rare diseases technology review committee is scheduled; if it will consider moving its process to earlier in the reimbursement pathway for medicines for rare diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13948/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
1330. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the work of the national screening advisory committee regarding its consideration of expanding the national newborn bloodspot screening programme to test for more rare diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13949/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) was established in 2019 with the remit to advise the Department of Health and the Minister for Health on all new proposals for screening and on revisions to existing programmes. The expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme remains a priority work programme for the NSAC.
Important progress has already been made in 2020 on the expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme. In July 2020, the NSAC approved the application to add ADA-SCID (adenosine deaminase deficiency-severe combined immunodeficiency) to the list of conditions screened under the Programme. As Minister, I approved this recommendation and the HSE are now preparing for the addition of ADA-SCID to the Programme which will bring the number of conditions that are currently screened for in Ireland from eight to nine.
I am committed to ensuring that any expansion of the programme will be safe, ethically robust and evidence based. In examining the best approach, the NSAC have commissioned the specialist team who are in place in HIQA to support the Committee's work, to examine the international evidence in terms of the conditions screened for in existing bloodspot screening programmes; the decision-making processes that lead to the inclusion of a condition in an individual country’s newborn bloodspot screening programme; and the role of emerging technologies in programme expansion. I am determined to see the foundations laid for the ongoing expansion of the programme that maximises health outcomes for newborn babies.
This important work will assist the NSAC in its consideration of the best approach to the expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening programme in line with international best practice.
I have requested that the NSAC provide an update on progress and I expect to receive this update in the near future.
1331. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when an appointment with a psychologist will be arranged in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13950/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1332. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the vaccination priority of a vulnerable group (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13956/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 23 February 2021, 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/
The next cohort to be vaccinated (Cohort 4) are those aged 16-69 and at very high risk of severe illness and death. Vaccination of this group began in March.
It is important to emphasise that vaccination is only one part of our response to the prevention of COVID-19 infection. People who are vaccinated need to continue with all the public health measures that have been proven to reduce the risk of infection, i.e., limiting our social contacts, physical distancing, wearing a mask, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoiding non-essential travel until a sufficiently large proportion of the population are immune.
1333. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if the recent report of the Health Information and Quality Authority which found that that the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic started on 22 November 2020 during the second lockdown, which lasted until 1 December 2020, undermines his confidence in the efficacy of lockdowns as a means of combatting Covid-19. [13958/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy is referring to the ‘Epidemiological report of COVID-19 cases in Ireland during the third pandemic wave; November 22nd to February 21st 2021’ from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (available here:
https://ndsc.newsweaver.ie/4otaa688p3/1060ohucrlq?lang=en&a=2&p=58872704&t=31302947).
The report states that the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic started on 22nd November before the beginning of the phased easing of restrictions on December 1st.
As the Deputy will be aware, on the 15th October, the NPHET recommended that the country move to Level 5 restrictive measures to protect public health in the first instance, particularly in relation to those most vulnerable to the severe outcomes of COVID-19; to ensure the safe delivery of health services for health needs unrelated to COVID-19; to enable safe provision of childcare services and to ensure that schools could remain open. At that time, community transmission of COVID-19 was widespread and there was growing evidence that health system capacity would be overwhelmed if stronger measures were not taken urgently.
In its subsequent letter of 26 November 2020, the NPHET highlighted the positive impact of those Level 5 measures implemented in October on the disease trajectory:
“Over the past five weeks, through widespread commitment and adherence to the public health restrictions put in place by Government, much of the potential impact of this second wave has been averted, the objectives advised by the NPHET have been met and transmission of the disease has reduced significantly. This is particularly evident by reference to the experience of almost all other countries in Europe. In early October, Ireland was mid-table in Europe in terms of disease incidence. The measures in place since then have seen a sharp reduction in incidence, hospitalisation, critical care admissions and mortality. In that time period, most of Europe continued on a path of increasing incidence which led to levels of hospitalisation, ICU admission and mortality which have been largely averted in Ireland by the Government’s pre-emptive action”.
The NPHET estimated that if case numbers and mortality in Ireland had followed the EU27/UK average at the time, this trajectory would have resulted in a peak incidence of 2,600 cases per day in Ireland in early November, and a death rate of approximately 40 deaths per day by 26 November. Actual case numbers and mortality were much lower.
The NPHET also examined the likely impact of the public health measures introduced in October by comparing model projections of likely case numbers if Level 3 measures had been maintained from that date (assuming R between 0.9 to 1.2) with actual case numbers to 24th November.
These modelling estimates show that the public health measures introduced are likely to have prevented between 21,000 and 54,000 cases to end-November 2020. The prevention of these cases would, in turn, avert at least 800-2,200 hospitalisations, 130-320 ICU admissions and 100-270 deaths to end-November 2020. Further details of these analyses are available in the letter to the Minister for Health, dated 25th November which can be accessed here:
https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/ba4aa0-letters-from-the-cmo-to-the-minister-for-health/#august-december-2020.
The Deputy will also be aware of the very significant impact that current Level 5 measures have had on suppressing transmission of COVID-19 since the beginning of this year.
It is clear from experience to date during all three waves of infection, that population wide restrictive measures have been essential to suppress transmission and regain control over the disease. It is also true that any restrictive measures are only as successful as the public’s compliance with those measures, and we have frequently seen pre-emptive action on the part of the public both when restrictions have been increased and when they have been relaxed. This was the case in late November and was noted in NPHET’s letter of 3rd December which states that “measures of mobility and contact appear to have increased in anticipation of the recent relaxation of Level 5 measures”.
1334. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the additional steps that have been taken to help front-line drug services cope with the additional challenges that Covid-19 and Covid-19 lockdowns have had on drug treatment services and the increased mental health difficulties many of the clients attending or linking in with those services have experienced in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13960/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCovid-19 has created a time of uncertainty and anxiety. The restrictions on social interaction, the requirement for self-isolation and the restructuring of services, can be particularly difficult for people who use drugs or are dependent on alcohol. The Department of Health is committed to the safe resumption of drug and alcohol services, including community-based services, residential programmes and recovery support groups.
HSE Addiction service continues to operate and provide appropriate care to individuals with addiction problems. Treatment services have continued for people on opioid substitution treatment (OST), with where appropriate and consultations and care are provided remotely if necessary. An additional 905 people were in receipt of OST at the end of January 2021 when compared with January 2020 representing an 8.64% increase. A further €4.2 million is provided to support these additional service users in the HSE national service plan for 2021.
The Department has developed a 'Framework for the Restoration of Drug and Alcohol Services', in a planned and appropriate manner in line with public health advice. The working group of frontline service providers identified issues on which guidance and supports are required. The framework is a living document and is being updated to take account of level 5 restrictions.
In addition, the Department issued guidance for the continuation of drug and alcohol support groups and treatment programmes during the pandemic in line with the public health advice. The guidance recognises the important role of support groups and programmes in helping individuals to build recovery capital and to avoid relapse into harmful patterns of substance use.
The Department provided once-off funding of €480,00 in November 2020, to support the resumption of drug and alcohol services including the adaptation of services, premises, online meetings and personal protective equipment. This funding was distributed to frontline service providers through the national network of 24 Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. Each task force could apply for up to €20,000 in once-off funding to meet Covid-19 related costs. This new funding is an important component of the Framework for the Restoration of Drug and Alcohol Services.
From the outset of the pandemic, proactive measures were put in place to respond to an increase in mental health needs. While some face-to-face mental health services are limited because of COVID-19, a number of organisations are providing online counselling and support, phone support and or text support. A comprehensive list of mental health supports and services during Covid-19 is available on HSE.ie.
Additional resources have been provided for drug and alcohol services working with the homeless population during the pandemic. Here are some headline statistics:
- 282 medically vulnerable homeless individuals in shielding facilities
- 65 DRHE Covid positive homeless service users in our DRHE/HSE Covid Isolation facilities
- 105 DRHE service users who are suspect or close contact cases in our DRHE/HSE Covid Isolation facilities
- 1,000 service users who are accommodated in LTA or other facilities who receive significant support and hand have complex health vulnerabilities
- 52 staff in DRHE funded services who are Covid positive are being supported.
I believe the experience of Covid-19 has reinforced the need to treat drug and alcohol misuse as a public health issue. The national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery, provides the roadmap to a health-led approach to drug and alcohol misuse. I am currently overseeing a mid-term review of the strategy, which build on the many innovative measures developed during Covid-19.
1335. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will donate a small portion of land in its ownership (details supplied) to allow for the expansion of a school in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13964/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
1336. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the timeline on the full implementation of the HSE National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders; if his attention has been drawn to reports that three years into the programme just three of the 16 promised hubs with specialist teams are operational across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13971/21]
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.
1337. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of front-line healthcare workers in group two of the vaccine allocation programme; the number of healthcare workers in group six of the vaccine allocation programme; the number of each group that have received their vaccine to date; the reason healthcare workers in group six that are receiving the vaccine ahead of those in groups three to five; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13975/21]
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.
1338. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with an association (details supplied) to discuss its ongoing issues of concern; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13982/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to assure the Deputy that I intend to meet with the Association in due course and will be in touch with the Association to arrange a meeting as soon as possible.
However, I am sure that the Deputy can appreciate that there are competing priorities at the moment.
1339. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will reverse the proposed cut from 28 to 12 intern doctors in University Hospital Kerry in July 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13983/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the past number of weeks, my Department and the HSE have been reviewing the option to increase the number of medical intern places for July 2021.
I have announced an increase of 120 medical intern posts for July 2021. The increase in the number of intern places will be supported with accompanying increases in postgraduate training places, to ensure these doctors can avail of the next step in the training pathway following completion of an internship.
The six Intern Training Networks, that organise and oversee intern training in Ireland, are responsible for the allocation of intern posts within their particular networks. The networks have now been informed of the additional intern posts for July 2021, and will allocate the additional posts appropriately.
1340. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the funding provisions that have been made for eating disorder services in 2021; if promised funding for eating disorder services has been utilised to provide support to those with eating disorders; the breakdown of eating disorder funding use per month from March 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13985/21]
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.
1341. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the number of persons working on genome sequencing of Covid-19 variations in the HSE to date; the way in which Ireland compares to other EU countries; if he is satisfied that this number is sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13987/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs these are service related matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
1342. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns with respect to the education, training and retention of student radiographers (details supplied); if he will accede to a request for a meeting with student radiographer representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13988/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraRadiography students do not receive an allowance to support time spent on placement as part of their course and there are no plans to change this.
I can also confirm that in 2020, assistant radiographers were employed on a 3-month contract following completion of their final year clinical placement, subject to the needs of the Health Service. As their skills were identified as being required during the COVID-19 response and subject to the needs of each acute hospital, they were offered a temporary 3-month assistant radiographer role following successful completion of their 7-week final year clinical placement. The 3-month period commenced on 18 May 2020.
It should be noted that across the health and social care disciplines, there could be over 8,000 students on placement in hospital and healthcare settings. Of this number, around a third are final year students. The length of placements and the activities performed during these placements vary between the disciplines. These students are not employees and in many cases the nature of the placement can, in the main, be limited to participation in an observing and a learning capacity.
Uniquely for student nurses and midwives there is, in the final year, a paid salary when they are specifically employed on an internship placement. Student nurses and midwives’ final year internship placement consists of a continual 36-week rostered clinical placement, including annual leave. The internship placement is a paid placement as the student nurses and midwives take a reduced caseload. During these placements, students are under supervision and are considered as 0.5 WTE of the workforce. In addition, Intern students can be allocated across all shift patterns including nights, weekends and 12-hour days.
Student nurses and midwives undertaking unpaid supernumerary clinical placement as students are currently in receipt of an allowance. Again, given the unique requirements of these training programmes attendance at many placement sites is required, some of which are at a distance to base training hospital and the current allowance is to contribute to the cost of alternative accommodation / travel.
1343. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide free psychological support for victims of institutional abuse following the court case being finalised (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13991/21]
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.
1344. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will implement the recommendations made in the review of hospital car park charges which he received in November 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13992/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government makes a commitment to introduce a cap on the maximum daily charge for patients and visitors at all public hospitals, where possible and to introduce flexible passes in all public hospitals for patients and their families. Accordingly, my Department and the HSE are currently examining the issue, including consideration of the review submitted in 2018.
1345. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health when those who fall into cohort 4 of the vaccine roll-out can expect to receive notification and administration of their Covid-19 vaccine from their general practitioner or their consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13993/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1424. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the situation in which persons in the vulnerable and high risk category for vaccine roll-out are being instructed by the HSE not to contact their general practitioners but to instead wait to hear from their hospital consultants (details supplied). [14176/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1345 and 1424 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1346. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if he will support the development of standardised allowances, placement grants and payment for work carried out by radiography students; if he will meet with representatives of student radiographers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13999/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraRadiography students do not receive an allowance to support time spent on placement as part of their course and there are no plans to change this.
I can also confirm that in 2020, assistant radiographers were employed on a 3 month contract following completion of their final year clinical placement, subject to the needs of the Health Service. As their skills were identified as being required during the COVID-19 response and subject to the needs of each acute hospital, they were offered a temporary 3 month assistant radiographer role following successful completion of their 7 week final year clinical placement. The 3-month period commenced on 18 May 2020.
It should be noted that across the health and social care disciplines, there could be over 8,000 students on placement in hospital and healthcare settings. Of this number, around a third are final year students. The length of placements and the activities performed during these placements vary between the disciplines. These students are not employees and in many cases the nature of the placement can, in the main, be limited to participation in an observing and a learning capacity.
Uniquely for student nurses and midwives there is, in the final year, a paid salary when they are specifically employed on an internship placement. Student nurses and midwives’ final year internship placement consists of a continual 36-week rostered clinical placement, including annual leave. The internship placement is a paid placement as the student nurses and midwives take a reduced caseload. During these placements, students are under supervision and are considered as 0.5 WTE of the workforce. In addition, Intern students can be allocated across all shift patterns including nights, weekends and 12-hour days.
Student nurses and midwives undertaking unpaid supernumerary clinical placement as students are currently in receipt of an allowance. Again, given the unique requirements of these training programmes attendance at many placement sites is required, some of which are at a distance to base training hospital and the current allowance is to contribute to the cost of alternative accommodation / travel.
1347. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the vaccine category a person (details supplied) falls into; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14013/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 23rd of February 2021, 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/
The next cohort to be vaccinated (Cohort 4) are those aged 16-69 and at very high risk of severe illness and death. Vaccination of this group began in March.
In relation to the categories of very high risk and high risk conditions, this list is not exhaustive. It may also include people who have been classed as at very high risk, based on clinical judgement and an assessment of need. It is recommended that the individuals concerned discuss this with their treating physician who is in the best position to give appropriate advice.
It is important to emphasise that vaccination is only one part of our response to the prevention of COVID-19 infection. People who are vaccinated need to continue with all the public health measures that have been proven to reduce the risk of infection, i.e., limiting our social contacts, physical distancing, wearing a mask, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoiding non-essential travel until a sufficiently large proportion of the population are immune.
1348. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the current status of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2019; the provision being made within the Bill for those receiving income support to access assisted human reproduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14014/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDrafting 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, is ongoing by officials in my Department, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. The publication of the AHR Bill is a priority for the Department and the Government, and a commitment to enact this legislation is included in the Programme for Government, “Our Shared Future”.
Separately from the Bill, a commitment to introduce the model of care for infertility, which was developed by officials in my Department in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme, is included in the Programme for Government. This model of care will ensure that infertility issues will be addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.
It comprises of three stages, starting in primary care (i.e., GPs) and extending into secondary care (i.e., Regional Fertility Hubs) and then, where necessary, tertiary care (i.e., IVF and other advanced AHR treatments). Structured referral pathways are being put in place and patients will be referred onwards for further investigations or treatment as required and as clinically appropriate. It is intended that, in line with available resources, this model of care for infertility will be rolled out on a phased basis over the course of the coming years.
It should be noted that while AHR treatment is not currently funded by the Irish public health service, a defined list of fertility medicines needed for fertility treatment is covered under the High Tech Arrangements administered by the HSE. Medicines covered by the High Tech Arrangements must be prescribed by a consultant/specialist and authorised for supply to the client’s nominated community pharmacy by the High Tech Hub managed by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service. The cost of the medicines is then covered, as appropriate, under the client’s eligibility, i.e., Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme. Given the costs associated with certain fertility medicines, I am aware that these schemes can have a material impact on the total cost of AHR treatment for individuals who avail of them.
In addition, there is other support available in that patients who access IVF treatment privately may claim tax relief on the costs involved under the tax relief for medical expenses scheme.
1349. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if he will prioritise pregnant women on the vaccine sequencing plan in view of a number of recent stillbirths which may have been related to Covid-19 and in line with the call from the master of the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14017/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPregnant women are at a similar risk to non-pregnant women of contracting COVID-19 disease. Most pregnant women who are infected with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms, and the risk of passing COVID-19 virus to the baby is low.
However, pregnant women who become ill from COVID-19 are more likely to be admitted to hospital, to need care in an ICU, and to die when compared with non-pregnant women patients.
Women from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds may be more likely than other pregnant women to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19 disease.
Pregnant women who are healthcare workers or who have medical conditions which put them at high risk of severe disease are included in the respective priority groups. The priority for other pregnant women will be determined when more evidence is available.
It is important to emphasise that vaccination is only one part of our response to the prevention of COVID-19 infection. People who are vaccinated need to continue with all the public health measures that have been proven to reduce the risk of infection, i.e., limiting our social contacts, physical distancing, wearing a mask, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoiding non-essential travel until a sufficiently large proportion of the population are immune.
1350. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to protests outside a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14024/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to assure the Deputy that ensuring access to termination of pregnancy services remains an ongoing priority for the Department of Health.
Since services under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 commenced in January 2019, there has been a limited number of reports of protests or other actions relating to termination of pregnancy. This is an extremely positive development, suggesting that termination of pregnancy services have bedded in relatively smoothly to date and are becoming a normal part of the Irish healthcare system, in line with Government policy.
However, where problems do arise with protests outside health care services, there is existing public order legislation in place to protect people accessing services, employees working in the service and local residents. The Department of Health has previously liaised with An Garda Síochána around safe access to termination of pregnancy services, and the Garda National Protective Services Bureau issued a notice to all Garda Stations raising awareness about the issue. The notice directed that any protests be monitored, and breaches of existing law dealt with.
The Department has provided information on existing public order and other relevant legislation to the HSE. The Department also informed the HSE that An Garda Síochána advised that service providers should contact their local Superintendent to initiate a local solution, tailored to the circumstances and needs of each individual case, and to establish contacts for the service provider to call upon should the need arise. An Garda Síochána also advised that any protests or actions giving rise to a concern should be brought to its notice
1351. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to intern doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14027/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the past number of weeks, my Department and the HSE have been reviewing the option to increase the number of medical intern places for July 2021.
I have announced an increase of 120 medical intern posts for July 2021. The increase in the number of intern places will be supported with accompanying increases in postgraduate training places, to ensure these doctors can avail of the next step in the training pathway following completion of an internship.
Over the next number of months, the HSE will be undertaking a formal review of the number of intern posts and postgraduate training positions to ensure the number of intern places are in line with future medical workforce planning requirements of the health service. As part of this review the clinical sites where additional intern posts are most needed will be considered to ensure that the current configuration provides the most efficient and educationally appropriate model.
1352. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a matter affecting a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14030/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
