Written Answers Nos. 1403-1427
1403. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on lasting service improvements particularly with regard to recruitment, retention and waiting lists resulting from the CAMHS enhancement project across teams served and each discipline in CHO4 since it commenced in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14132/21]
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.
1404. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if he has considered making NPHET meetings public given his views that it is imperative that there is a full and accurate account of each meeting; if so, when this will be implemented; if not, the statutory reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14133/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) is the mechanism for coordinating the health sector response to significant public health emergencies. It facilitates the sharing of information between the Department of Health and its agencies. It is a long-standing structure, which has been utilised over many years to provide a forum to steer strategic approaches to public health emergencies in Ireland and mobilise the necessary health service responses.
Recommendations and updates from National Public Health Emergency Teams are communicated to the relevant parties to inform policy and operational approaches, depending on the nature of the emergency. Key to this is the role of the Minister for Health, who receives recommendations and updates for consideration in terms of health policy and further consideration, if needed, for a wider cross-Government approach. This public health approach is in line with the advice of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) for COVID-19 provides guidance, support, and expert advice on the development and implementation of a strategy to manage COVID-19 in Ireland. It advises Government on the public health aspects of what is a cross-Government response to COVID-19.
The NPHET is committed to transparency in how it conducts its business. Directly following each meeting, the recommendations of the NPHET are communicated by letter to the Minister for Health for consideration, and these recommendations are used to assist Government in informing its decisions in responding to the public health emergency.
The relevant actions and decisions arising from NPHET meetings are also communicated to the HSE CEO by letter, as required.
Actions and recommendations arising from the NPHET meetings are communicated publicly and are announced through press releases. In addition, the Department of Health and NPHET Members provide regular media briefings to this end. Planned briefings are now scheduled twice weekly. There is also a dedicated webpage on the Department of Health website, where agendas and minutes of previous meetings are published as soon as practicable, once approved by the NPHET:
https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/691330-national-public-health-emergency-team-covid-19-coronavirus/
The Deputy is advised that as NPHET meetings involve discussions relating to the deliberative process of the Department of Health (including opinions, advice, recommendations, and the results of consultations), public broadcast thereof is not facilitated. However, as detailed above, the NPHET and the Minister for Health ensure the greatest possible level of transparency around NPHET meetings through the publication of the NPHET’s recommendations, letters, and minutes, as well as via the Department’s communications work.
1405. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if he has considered broadcasting NPHET meetings (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14135/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) is the mechanism for coordinating the health sector response to significant public health emergencies. It facilitates the sharing of information between the Department of Health and its agencies. It is a long-standing structure, which has been utilised over many years to provide a forum to steer strategic approaches to public health emergencies in Ireland and mobilise the necessary health service responses.
Recommendations and updates from National Public Health Emergency Teams are communicated to the relevant parties to inform policy and operational approaches, depending on the nature of the emergency. Key to this is the role of the Minister for Health, who receives recommendations and updates for consideration in terms of health policy and further consideration, if needed, for a wider cross-Government approach. This public health approach is in line with the advice of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) for COVID-19 provides guidance, support, and expert advice on the development and implementation of a strategy to manage COVID-19 in Ireland. It advises Government on the public health aspects of what is a cross-Government response to COVID-19.
The NPHET is committed to transparency in how it conducts its business. Directly following each meeting, the recommendations of the NPHET are communicated by letter to the Minister for Health for consideration, and these recommendations are used to assist Government in informing its decisions in responding to the public health emergency.
The relevant actions and decisions arising from NPHET meetings are also communicated to the HSE CEO by letter, as required.
Actions and recommendations arising from the NPHET meetings are communicated publicly and are announced through press releases. In addition, the Department of Health and NPHET Members provide regular media briefings to this end. Planned briefings are now scheduled twice weekly. There is also a dedicated webpage on the Department of Health website, where agendas and minutes of previous meetings are published as soon as practicable, once approved by the NPHET:
https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/691330-national-public-health-emergency-team-covid-19-coronavirus/
The Deputy is advised that as NPHET meetings involve discussions relating to the deliberative process of the Department of Health (including opinions, advice, recommendations, and the results of consultations), public broadcast thereof is not facilitated. However, as detailed above, the NPHET and the Minister for Health ensure the greatest possible level of transparency around NPHET meetings through the publication of the NPHET’s recommendations, letters, and minutes, as well as via the Department’s communications work.
1406. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if the details of NPHET's secretariat minute-taking process will be provided, specifically the procedural steps in line with best practice in order to ensure factual accuracy and representation of discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14136/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 NPHET is supported by a dedicated Secretariat that works diligently to prepare high-quality minutes for publication as quickly as practicable.
Given the significance of NPHET meetings and the importance of its work in the context of the State’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that a full and accurate account of each NPHET meeting is maintained. NPHET agendas cover a wide range of very complex and technical public health issues and NPHET discussions are by their nature, lengthy, fast-paced, and multifaceted.
To ensure factual accuracy and representation of discussions, the NPHET Secretariat’s minute-taking process involves a number of procedural steps in line with best practice, as follows:
- Sections of the minutes are drafted by members of the Secretariat team.
- The draft minutes are reviewed internally.
- The draft minutes are circulated to the NPHET Members in advance of the NPHET meeting. Members are invited to provide their observations on same.
- Observations received from the NPHET Members are incorporated into the minutes.
- A final ‘for adoption’ version of the minutes is then circulated to the Members for their final review.
- At the NPHET meeting, the Chair invites the Members to endorse the minutes. Further observations may be received at this stage.
- Following endorsement, the minutes are published on the Department of Health website.
As illustrated above, the minute drafting process takes time and cannot be dispensed with in the interest of ensuring quality and accuracy. NPHET Members must be afforded the opportunity to correct any errors in the minutes before their adoption.
The Deputy may wish to note the NPHET minutes are published up to 18th February 2021 at the address below.
https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/691330-national-public-health-emergency-team-covid-19-coronavirus/
1407. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if he has considered providing additional resources to the secretariat of NPHET given the drafting process of minute-taking takes time and cannot be dispensed with in the interest of ensuring quality and accuracy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14137/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is advised that the Department of Health manages the allocation of its human resources/staff complement effectively, responding to staffing needs as they arise. The NPHET Secretariat is adequately resourced at present. NPHET meeting minutes are drafted promptly by the NPHET Secretariat, reviewed as appropriate, and published on the Department of Health website, following their endorsement by the NPHET Members.
1408. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 733 of 3 March 2021, if further clarity will be provided in relation to the publishing of NPHET minutes; if a rolling schedule means that the minutes will be available weekly Monday to Friday; if not, if minutes will be released on Saturday and Sunday as is common for rolling schedules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14138/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is advised that NPHET minutes are published on the Department of Health website as soon as practicable, following their endorsement by the NPHET Members. The Secretariat aims to publish NPHET minutes during normal business hours, on a rolling basis, subject to their endorsement.
The Deputy may wish to note the NPHET minutes are published up to 18th February 2021 at the address below.
https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/691330-national-public-health-emergency-team-covid-19-coronavirus/
1409. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for children for speech and language therapy by CHO in tabular form; and the length of time each age group is waiting. [14144/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1411. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for children for occupational therapy by CHO in tabular form; and the length of time each age group is waiting. [14146/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1412. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for children for assessment of needs by CHO in tabular form; and the length of time each age group is waiting. [14147/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1418. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of in-person assessments for children requiring speech and language therapy undertaken since January 2021, by CHO area in tabular form. [14153/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1409, 1411, 1412 and 1418 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
1410. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for children for audiology therapy by CHO in tabular form; and the length of time each age group is waiting. [14145/21]
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.
1413. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children for ophthalmology assessment and intervention by CHO in tabular form; and the length of time each age group is waiting. [14148/21]
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.
1414. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children for dietetics assessment and intervention by CHO in tabular form; and the length of time each age group is waiting. [14149/21]
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.
1415. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children for psychology assessment and intervention by CHO in tabular form; and the length of time each age group is waiting. [14150/21]
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.
1416. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children for physiotherapy assessment and intervention by CHO in tabular form; and the length of time each age group is waiting. [14151/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
1417. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of speech and language therapists that have been vaccinated by CHO in tabular form. [14152/21]
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.
1419. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the process by which a person (detailed supplied) can obtain records. [14155/21]
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.
1420. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons employed on the MyOptions helpline; the process by which persons were recruited; the qualifications needed to work on the helpline; and the body and or group which provides the training. [14163/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1421. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of pregnant women the MyOptions helpline engaged with via webchat in 2019 and 2020; and the number that subsequently opted for an abortion following their webchat contact. [14164/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1420 and 1421 together.
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for a direct reply to the Deputy.
1422. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of abortions that took place in 2019 after 20 weeks gestation under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. [14165/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under section 20 (1) of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, a notification of each termination of pregnancy carried out under the legislation must be notified to the Minister for Health within 28 days of it being carried out.
The notifications are recorded on the form entitled “Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (Notifications) Regulations 2018” (Statutory Instrument No. 597 of 2018). The following information is included in the form:
- Medical Council registration number of the medical practitioner who carried out the termination of pregnancy;
- The section of the Act under which the termination was carried out, i.e., section 9, 10, 11 or 12;
- Medical Council registration number(s) of the medical practitioner(s) who made the certification concerned;
- The county of residence, or place of residence (where the woman resides outside of the State) of the woman concerned;
- The date on which the termination of pregnancy was carried out.
No other information is notified to the Minister.
All the information permitted to be published under the Act for terminations of pregnancy carried out in 2019 was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 30 June 2020 and subsequently published the same day in the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 - Annual Report on Notifications 2019. The Annual Report is available on the Department of Health’s website.
1423. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the current position of the Irish Coast Guard with regard to the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out; when this cohort can expect to receive the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14167/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1483. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if the risk profile of Garda work has been evaluated in the context of vaccination priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14383/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1508. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with the HSE as to when front-line gardaí can expect to receive their Covid-19 vaccines; the timeline of the roll-out to this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14496/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1509. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health when gardaí working on the front-line can expect to receive the Covid-19 vaccine; if they will receive the vaccine in their role as essential and key workers; the estimated timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14497/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1521. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the priority of members of An Garda Síochána on the vaccine roll-out; the criteria used to decide same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14537/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1538. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his views on a statement by an association (details supplied). [14594/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1540. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to concerns raised by a member of An Garda Síochána (details supplied) in respect of their current designation in the vaccine roll-out list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14599/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1423, 1483, 1508, 1509, 1521, 1538 and 1540 together.
On 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.
The ongoing review process will continue to look at the other priority groups yet to be vaccinated, along with the competing needs of those working or living in high-risk situations, carers who deliver essential services to highly dependent individuals in the home setting, and those who are socially vulnerable/disadvantaged.
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.
1425. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the management of the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar are advising staff that have not been vaccinated for Covid-19 that they should not attend the reopened canteen in the hospital despite the fact that vaccine is not mandatory; his views on whether staff are being discriminated against; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14177/21]
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.
1426. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if arrangements are in place for patients of a general practitioner that retires or is struck off (details supplied) to ensure continuity of care is provided; the role the HSE has in ensuring general practitioner cover; if medical card patients are treated differently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14182/21]
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.
1427. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health the provisions for the vaccine roll-out in relation to high risk persons with Down's syndrome that live at home with family members and are not accessing day services given concerns that they could possibly be overlooked it is important that they are vaccinated under the revised prioritisation. [14184/21]
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.
