Written Answers Nos. 906-924
906. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the implementation of a report issued by an organisation (details supplied) in October 2011 with a series of recommendations on vaginal birth after caesarean birth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16496/21]
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.
907. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the safeguards in place to ensure timely implementation of a report issued by an organisation (details supplied) in October 2011 with a series of recommendations on vaginal birth after caesarean birth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16497/21]
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.
908. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a Covid-19 vaccine. [16500/21]
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.
909. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE staff working from home who have received a vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16501/21]
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.
910. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will review the short-stay charges regime at St. Camilus' Hospital, Limerick in order that medical card holders are no longer charged a weekly rate of €179; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16509/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
911. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reasoning that led to the termination of the gender identity adolescent service in Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16525/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra912. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the engagement he has had and the plans he has considered to provide access to the gender identity adolescent service at Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16526/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 911 and 912 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
913. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation and the progress made to improve access to healthcare under the LGBTI+ national youth strategy, the national LGBTI+ inclusion strategy and the HSE Final Report of the Steering Committee on the Development of HSE Transgender Identity Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16527/21]
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.
914. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who applied for the shorter working year scheme at Cork University Hospital; and the number of applications that were granted. [16561/21]
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.
915. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if provisions will be made to prioritise staff in special schools for the Covid-19 vaccination given that administration staff in non-front-line or contact settings are being vaccinated ahead of them. [16564/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
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.
On the 30th of March, the Government approved a further update to the COVID-19 Vaccination Allocation Strategy. Based on clinical, scientific and ethical frameworks produced by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee and my Department, following the vaccination of those most at risk, future groups will be vaccinated by age, in cohorts of 10 years (i.e., 64-55; 54-45, etc.).
The move to an age-based model better supports the programme objectives by:
- protecting those at highest risk of severe disease first, which benefits everyone most;
- facilitating planning and execution of the programme across the entire country; and
- improving transparency and fairness.
Further details are available here:
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/93f8f-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-irelands-vaccination-prioritisation-list/
916. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons over 70 years of age who are currently detained in prison; the number of those who have received their first Covid-19 vaccine dose to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16565/21]
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.
917. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if all persons detained in prison will be vaccinated in accordance with the Covid-19 vaccine allocation strategy and on an equivalent basis to those receiving vaccines in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16566/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
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.
On the 30th of March, the Government approved a further update to the COVID-19 Vaccination Allocation Strategy. Based on clinical, scientific and ethical frameworks produced by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee and my Department, following the vaccination of those most at risk, future groups will be vaccinated by age, in cohorts of 10 years (i.e., 64-55; 54-45, etc.).
The move to an age-based model better supports the programme objectives by:
- protecting those at highest risk of severe disease first, which benefits everyone most;
- facilitating planning and execution of the programme across the entire country; and
- improving transparency and fairness.
Further details are available here:
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/93f8f-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-irelands-vaccination-prioritisation-list/
918. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the current public health information campaigns available on accessing mental health support. [16569/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra919. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will implement a public health campaign on accessing suitable therapy services for mental health treatment. [16570/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra920. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will implement a public health campaign on caring for mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic. [16571/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 918 to 920, inclusive, together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
922. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the interaction he has had with a company (details supplied); and the reason it rejected State support to move production facilities to Ireland. [16582/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is participating in an EU Procurement process with a view to accessing a portfolio of candidate vaccines against Covid-19 which are being negotiated with vaccine manufacturers by the Commission acting on behalf of Member States. Emergency Support Instrument (ESI) funding has been leveraged by the Commission to facilitate its negotiations with vaccine manufacturers, including with regard to production costs and securing a reduced per dose cost for Member States.
This process has provided Ireland with access to vaccines (at a reduced cost) that it would find it difficult to access otherwise within a year after the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO. Four of the vaccines in the EU portfolio have already been awarded Conditional Market Authorisation (CMA) by the Commission.
Ireland supports efforts made by the Commission to safeguard the production and delivery of doses of vaccine in the quantities agreed with vaccine suppliers and to ensure that up-front funding provided through ESI has been properly used.
923. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the current percentage of Covid-19 vaccines (details supplied) that have been administered versus the number in supply. [16585/21]
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.
924. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to instances of litigation or the threat of litigation arising from the inclusion of social clauses in public procurement contracts in each of the years 2017 to 2020, inclusive. [16595/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department seeks to use Office of Government Procurement framework and templates when entering into contracts valued in excess of €25,000 excluding VAT. These contracts incorporate clauses promoting compliance with environmental, social and labour laws.
I am not aware of any instances of litigation or threat of litigation arising from the inclusion of social clauses in public procurement contracts in my Department in each of the years 2017 to 2020.
