Wednesday, 24 Mar 2021

Written Answers Nos. 1678-1702

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (1678)

Martin Browne

Ceist:

1678. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on families having to access private autism spectrum disorder, ASD, assessments for children before they will be considered for treatment at CAMHS services; his views on the way one family in north County Tipperary is unable to get access for their six-year-old child with ADHD to occupational therapy services with CAMHS due to the fact they have no physical room for them to work in; the reason therapists are not in a position to provide the service to the child in question, who is in need of a multidisciplinary team approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15101/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (1679)

Seán Canney

Ceist:

1679. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will initiate a formal audit of nursing home mortality since the beginning of the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out in both private and public nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15102/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

In 2020, in the early stages of the pandemic, a once off census of mortality in older peoples services, disability and mental health facilities was conducted, which indicated that deaths in settings such as Older Peoples Services were being reported promptly and comprehensively through the standard process of reporting deaths to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

As of February 2020, under the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2020, all medical practitioners are required to notify the Medical Officer of Health in the HSE of certain diseases, including Covid-19.

The case definition for COVID-19 in Ireland has been updated routinely during the pandemic, in accordance with European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) guidance and updates.

Deaths related to COVID-19 are classified as follows:

- Deaths in confirmed COVID-19 case: A death in a person with laboratory confirmation of COVID-19 infection, irrespective of clinical signs and symptoms (including post mortem).

- Deaths in probable COVID-19 case: A death in a person with probable COVID-19 infection as described in the COVID-19 case definition.

- Deaths in possible/suspect COVID-19 case: See below scenarios for possible/suspect cases which should be reported as COVID-19 deaths.

- All deaths in patients suspected of having COVID-19 i.e. patients with symptoms clinically compatible with COVID-19 illness. These suspect cases may or may not have been tested for COVID-19 prior to death. These possible COVID-19 deaths include patients with pending COVID-19 laboratory results.

- All unexplained deaths/sudden deaths in residential facilities with a confirmed/suspected COVID-19 cluster/outbreak of illness unless there is a clear alternative cause of death that cannot be related to COVID-19 disease (e.g. trauma).

Finally, nursing home providers are required to notify the Chief Inspector of HIQA, the independent regulator, about unexpected deaths in their services. These notifications, along with all relevant statutory notifications to the Chief Inspector, are assessed and risk-rated to determine if any regulatory actions are required. These notifications are an important component of the ongoing regulatory oversight of nursing home.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (1680)

Seán Canney

Ceist:

1680. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if his Department is monitoring and recording the number of deaths in long-term care facilities following administration of the Covid-19 vaccine; and if there is an increase in the confirmed deaths of persons aged over 65 in these settings. [15103/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Authorised vaccines are subject to ongoing monitoring in Ireland by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).

Information on national and global safety monitoring experience, including reviews of deaths following vaccination are included in the HPRA and EMA updates published on the respective websites.

The HPRA follows up on reports of suspected adverse reactions received from Healthcare professionals and members of the public through the voluntary reporting system, including any deaths notified following vaccination.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (1681)

Seán Canney

Ceist:

1681. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will enlist the expertise and global logistical contacts of pharma and medical companies in Ireland to accelerate the supply of vaccines to Ireland. [15107/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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, of which Ireland is participating in five.

Government approval has been obtained to opt-into a sixth, but this is conditional on certain trial progression criteria being met.

Ireland has opted-in to pro rata allocation of BioNTech / Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Ireland has also secured additional doses of the BioNTech / Pfizer vaccine via options and top up contracts, which will bring the current total of BioNTech / Pfizer doses secured to approximately 6.5 million doses. Ireland has also signalled interest in obtaining 1.64 million additional doses of the Moderna vaccine. Ireland now expects to receive a total of 1.1 million doses of three of the four approved vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca) from the start of the vaccination programme to the end of March.

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.

The only substantive limitation on the pace of implementation will be supply. As more vaccines are approved and arrive, the delivery schedule will change.

Hospital Staff

Ceisteanna (1682)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

1682. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 749 of 3 June 2020, the status of recruitment for the CHI paediatric complex pain management service; the current staffing composition of the service; the funded staffing composition of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15108/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 (1683)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

1683. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans for the use of ivermectin in the treatment of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15109/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Deputy is advised that, at the request of the NPHET, the HIQA conducted a rapid evidence review to identify studies on the effectiveness of (i) pharmaceutical and (ii) non-pharmaceutical interventions, in the ambulatory setting, aimed at reducing progression to severe disease in individuals with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. This evidence review included a review of relevant studies in relation to Ivermectin.

Low certainty or very low certainty evidence was identified in relation to a small number of interventions. However, the HIQA noted the low quality of the evidence available including the high risk of bias, small sample sizes and short durations of follow-up different trials and advised that results from these studies should not be used to inform decision-making with respect to effectiveness.

The HIQA’s overall finding was that there is currently insufficient evidence of either effectiveness or safety to support the use of any pharmaceutical intervention in the community setting to reduce the risk of progression to severe disease in patients who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 unless as part of an ongoing monitored clinical trial. Furthermore, no evidence was identified for the effectiveness or safety of any non-pharmaceutical intervention in the community setting. 

As confirmed by the HIQA’s COVID-19 Expert Advisory Group: (https://www.hiqa.ie/sites/default/files/2021-02/Interventions-to-prevent-progression_Advice.pdf), evidence regarding the effectiveness of pharmaceutical treatments intended for systemic use, must be subject to the highest standards of rigour. Where a pharmaceutical intervention is recommended in the absence of appropriate supportive evidence, there is a significant potential for harm to the patient. Whereas this risk of harm may be justified in certain circumstances (e.g. the intervention poses minimal risk, or the setting involves patients with high potential to gain due to almost certain risk of severe adverse consequences in absence of any intervention) this is less likely to be the case in the setting of mild disease, where a great number of otherwise well patients would potentially receive the intervention.

The HIQA has also advised my Department that several international health technology assessment or guideline development organisations have specifically reviewed the evidence to date on ivermectin in COVID-19 and have cautioned or advised against the use of ivermectin outside the setting of clinical trials on the basis of the current evidence. The HIQA has also advised that the pharmaceutical company MSD (Merck, USA), which holds a license in the USA for the use of ivermectin as an antiparasitic agent, on 4th February 2021 published a statement including the following:

“It is important to note that, to-date, our analysis has identified:

- No scientific basis for a potential therapeutic effect against COVID-19 from pre-clinical studies;

- No meaningful evidence for clinical activity or clinical efficacy in patients with COVID-19 disease, and;

- A concerning lack of safety data in the majority of studies.

We do not believe that the data available support the safety and efficacy of ivermectin beyond the doses and populations indicated in the regulatory agency-approved prescribing information.”

I trust that the above information satisfactorily addresses your question.

Departmental Transport

Ceisteanna (1684)

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

1684. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by his Department and agencies and semi-State companies under his remit, broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15122/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

My Department has no vehicles owned or leased. In relation to vehicles owned or leased by the HSE I have forwarded your query to the HSE and asked that they respond directly to you on this.

Details for other bodies under the aegis of my Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (1685)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

1685. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of waiting times on surgery waiting lists in Ennis General Hospital, County Clare, for elective and non-elective surgeries; his plans to help reduce the waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15137/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The HSE is currently recommending that only critical time dependent elective procedures are undertaken at this time due to the on-going and significant increased demand for bed capacity related to Covid-19.

This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.

Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.

The HSE continues to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such as the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.

The work of the HSE to improve access to elective care and reduce waiting times for patients is supported by the National Treatment Purchase Fund. This included increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations, funding hybrid services where public and private hospitals contribute to the treatment of patients, virtual clinics and clinical validation.

€240 million has been provided in Budget 2021 for an access to care fund, €210m of which has been allocated to the HSE and a further €30m to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). This will be used to fund additional capacity to address the shortfall arising as a result of measures taken in the context of Covid-19, as well as to address waiting lists.

The National Waiting List Management Policy is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care.

In relation to the information requested by the Deputy, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) advises that the published waiting list reports on Inpatient and Day Case Procedures (IPDC) relate to elective or scheduled surgery, and they do not hold waiting list data for non-elective or emergency surgery.

The IPDC waiting list at the end of February for Ennis General Hospital is outlined in the attached document. The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) publishes the Inpatient and Day Case (IPDC) waiting list on the NTPF website monthly www.ntpf.ie/home/inpatient.htm

IPDC Ennis

Hospital Equipment

Ceisteanna (1686)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

1686. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the way in which health screening and outpatient clinics prepare for appointments with disabled patients (details supplied); the protocol in place; the type of staff training provided to assist disabled patients; if hoists can be made readily available at all times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15138/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (1687)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

1687. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the reason an 80-year-old patient who is in hospital must attend an appointment with the general practitioner for vaccination; the reason patients over 80 years of age cannot receive vaccination in the hospital while being treated; if the hospital is obliged to arrange transport for the patient to and from the general practitioner surgery to receive the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15139/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

National Public Health Emergency Team

Ceisteanna (1688)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

1688. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if the Minister of State with responsibility for disability has made representations to the NPHET committee in terms of her role; if the Minister of State has made representations to request that the NPHET vulnerable groups sub-committee be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15146/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

With regard to the NPHET Vulnerable People Subgroup, the Deputy is advised that the subgroup was established on 3rd March 2020 to support the NPHET in its work by providing oversight and assurance with regard to the specific preparedness measures and actions required to be taken to protect vulnerable groups and individuals in society as part of the COVID-19 response. An integrated cross-Government approach was taken by the Subgroup with the responsibility for the implementation of actions remaining with the relevant Department/Agency. Central to the evolution of NPHET processes is the recognition that health and social care services and, indeed, the wider cross-government COVID-19 response, have to become embedded and 'mainstreamed' in the usual operational response of organisations, as society adapts to the reality of living for the foreseeable future in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In July 2020, as part of a process examining the work of all the subgroups of the NPHET, the Subgroup on Vulnerable People undertook a review of its work. A paper was submitted to the NPHET on 8th July, outlining the view that the Subgroup had met its Terms of Reference regarding preparedness plans being in place across government for vulnerable groups. The Subgroup on Vulnerable People was accordingly stood down and its work was realigned into the appropriate policy and operational functions of the Department of Health or other relevant Departments, organisations, or bodies. The group's final meeting was on 24th June. While the NPHET sub-group has completed its work, NPHET continues to monitor the impacts of the pandemic on vulnerable groups and reports in relation to disability services were submitted to NPHET for its meetings on 17th December and 21st January.

Recognising that vulnerable groups can be disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and as set out in Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19, the Department of the Taoiseach established a Senior Officials Group and sub-groups as needed, to drive implementation of the Plan. This includes a Sub-group on higher risk groups to monitor the spectrum of issues that need to be addressed in relation to groups at higher risk of COVID-19. These groups support the COVID-19 Oversight Group and the Cabinet Committee on the Government Response to COVID-19. The Subgroup on higher risk groups meets on a regular basis.

Furthermore, there are a broad range of mechanisms at both local and national level for disability representative groups, disability services and disability service users to feed into and inform the public health response to COVID-19 in this sector. A series of oversight arrangements in relation to COVID-19 in disability services are in place which involve close working relationships between HSE Disability Services at national and local level, HIQA, disability umbrella bodies, and individual providers. The Department of Health meets regularly with HSE and HIQA to discuss preparedness in disability services.

The Minister of State with responsibility for Disability has discussed several issues, including in relation to the NPHET vulnerable persons sub-group, with a number of members of the NPHET directly, including the Chief Medical Officer, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, and the Assistant Secretary – Social Care Division. In addition, the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability has discussed numerous issues relevant to her brief with the Minister for Health, these have been raised in writing and during in-person meetings.

I trust that the above information satisfactorily addresses your question.

Mobility Allowance

Ceisteanna (1689)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

1689. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health when the replacement scheme for the mobility allowance will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15149/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

By way of background, two schemes, the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant, were put in place in 1979 and 1968 respectively, for operation by the Health Service Executive (HSE) at a time when there was limited availability of accessible public transport.  The Government decided to close these administrative schemes in 2013, on foot of the reports of the Ombudsman in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both Schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts. 

In 2013, the Government also decided to continue payment of the monthly Mobility Allowance on an interim basis, to those who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance at the time that the Scheme closed.  Of the 4,700 individuals in receipt of the Mobility Allowance (€9 million per annum) when the Scheme closed in 2013, there are 3,532 people in receipt of the interim payments at March, 2021. 

At the whole of Government level, the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 sets the overall framework for the equal participation of people with disabilities in society.  Monitoring of the implementation of the Strategy is being overseen by the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group which comprises key Government Departments, the National Disability Authority and the Disability Stakeholders Group.

Under the Strategy,  the Department of Transport, has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of accessible public transport and is committed to the continued development of accessible public transport in recognition of the importance of such services to the lives of people with disabilities. 

Work is ongoing on the policy proposals for the provision of transport supports for people with disabilities.  I intend to revert to Government with proposals in due course.  Recent developments which will impact on the policy options include the following:

- The ongoing progress by the Department of Transport in providing accessible public transport nationally and that Department's public consultation, to review active travel and public transport policy, including accessible public transport;  

- The Cost of Disability Study currently underway which was commissioned by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection as part of Budget 2019.  The research, when complete, will inform policy direction in relation to the provision of adequate supports to meet the needs of people with disabilities, including transport costs;

- The Working Group established under Action 104 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy by the Department of Justice and Equality which states that:- 'We will lead a review of transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities, to enhance the options for transport to work or employment supports for people with disabilities and will develop proposals for development of a coordinated plan for such provision. This plan will have regard to making the most efficient use of available transport resources.” ; and

- The review of the Disabled Drivers and Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme by the Department of Finance. 

Other transport supports available to persons with disabilities in the State include the Free Travel Scheme operated by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection; the Revenue Commissioners Disabled Drivers and Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme; and CLÁR funding, approved by the then Minister for Rural and Community Development, to voluntary organisations providing transport for people with significant mobility issues.

Primary Medical Certificates

Ceisteanna (1690)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

1690. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the backlog in primary medical certificate applications; if he will be working on changes to scheme to adapt the criteria for applicants whose needs are more complex and are not effectively represented in the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15150/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme is underpinned by statute and comes under the remit of the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners. 

The extent of the involvement of Health Service Executive (HSE) Community Medical Doctors 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. 

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 HSE to recommence assessments from 1st January, 2021.

The ability to hold assessments has been impacted by, among other things, the public health restrictions in place to suppress and manage the spread of COVID-19.  Unfortunately there are delays in the processing of assessments due to the involvement of the HSE Medical Doctors in the national COVID-19 response, which I know are causing undue strain on applicants.

I recently met with the HSE to discuss the issues around the delay in accessing Primary Medical Certificate assessments.  The HSE has confirmed that it is continuing to monitor the situation in the context of resuming the range of services that are provided by Community Medical Doctors under the HSE Service Recovery and Restoration Plan, taking into account the pressures and challenges to the health services presented by COVID.

Drugs Payment Scheme

Ceisteanna (1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

1691. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who were reimbursed through the drug payment scheme for the leasing of a CPAP machine in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15157/21]

David Cullinane

Ceist:

1692. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average amount per person that was reimbursed through the drug payment scheme for leasing a CPAP machine in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15158/21]

David Cullinane

Ceist:

1693. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the name of the companies that currently supply the HSE with CPAP machines; the name of companies that supplied CPAP machines to the HSE previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15159/21]

David Cullinane

Ceist:

1694. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount spent in each of the years 2018 to 2020 by the HSE in reimbursing persons who were leasing CPAP machines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15160/21]

David Cullinane

Ceist:

1695. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the current policy with regard to the reimbursement for purchase or rental of a CPAP machine; the cost of reimbursing a purchase; the annual average cost of reimbursing a rental; the average length of time a patient has been reimbursed for renting such a machine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15161/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1691 to 1695, inclusive, 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

Ceisteanna (1696)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

1696. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 contacts to date that were passed to and received from the health protection teams in Northern Ireland, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15162/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ceisteanna (1697)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

1697. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the exchange visits since 2017 between mesh removal surgeons here and colleagues in other jurisdictions; the itinerary followed; the hosts and participants; the observations of mesh removal operations; the training provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15168/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

This question relates to a clinical matter and is therefore referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ceisteanna (1698, 1699, 1700)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

1698. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the legal costs incurred to date in the defence of medical negligence claims relating to mesh implants in circumstances in which the case has been settled and remains open, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15169/21]

David Cullinane

Ceist:

1699. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of medical negligence claims relating to the implantation of mesh implants in circumstances in which the HSE and-or its employees are named as defendants that have been received; the number of these claims that were settled; the settlement amounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15170/21]

David Cullinane

Ceist:

1700. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he has investigated whether the use of mesh implants in the healthcare system is underpinned by a form of indemnity insurance provided by the Government to the manufacturer or provided by the manufacturer to the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15171/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1698 to 1700, inclusive, together.

The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of Delegated State Authorities including the Health Service Executive. The State Claims Agency has provided me with the following information, in respect of the Deputy's questions. 

The below information has been extracted from the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Criteria Used

- This response shows the number of claims received by the State Claims Agency in relation to Transvaginal Implants as recorded on NIMS.

- Transvaginal Implants claims are classified as Type of Mass Injury equal to ‘Transvaginal Implants’.

- This information is correct as of 16/03/2021.

The State Claims Agency is on notice of 56 active claims in relation to transvaginal implants. These claims involve a number of defendants including HSE hospitals, voluntary hospitals, private hospitals, individual clinicians, manufacturers and suppliers of the product in question.

The litigation concerning these cases is on-going and, as a result, the State Claims Agency regrets that it is not in a position to release to the Deputy further details regarding these claims due to the commercial sensitivity of this information.

Regarding the Deputy’s question on the use of mesh implants and the indemnity arrangements in place, the SCA has informed me that typically, a product manufacturer will purchase product liability insurance to cover its product liability exposures. There are a number of product manufacturers involved in the mesh implant cases and, consequently, a number of product liability insurers. The issues of indemnity between parties will be a matter for discussion between the parties as part of each party’s preparation of its defence in the individual cases or an issue ultimately decided by the courts hearing individual cases.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ceisteanna (1701)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

1701. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on the procurement of mesh implants by year since 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15172/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

This question relates to a procurement matter and is therefore referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ceisteanna (1702)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

1702. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of women who were injured by mesh implantation and sent to a person (details supplied) to have complications treated. [15173/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

This PQ relates to a clinical decision matter and is therefore referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.