Written Answers Nos. 1026-1044
1026. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time and part-time contact tracers, respectively currently working within the Covid-19 test and trace system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16887/21]
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.
1027. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the criteria the HSE used when distributing vaccines to general practitioner clinics to decide which clinics received the vaccine first; and if it was alphabetical or based on other criteria. [16890/21]
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.
1028. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if the delay regarding general practitioner clinics that did not receive vaccines supplies on time will alter or affect future deliveries of vaccines to those clinics. [16891/21]
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.
1029. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the position of persons with Addison’s disease on the Covid-19 vaccine allocation strategy priority list of groups for vaccination; the way persons in this group will access the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16900/21]
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;
- 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/
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.
1030. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the process that will be used to identify persons with asthma for vaccine allocation; and the way persons in this group will access the vaccine. [16901/21]
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.
1031. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the criteria that will be applied in respect of persons with severe asthma who are currently categorised as group 7 in the COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy to determine continuous or repeated use of systemic corticosteroids; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16902/21]
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.
1032. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if an exception will be made to the criteria regarding the treatment abroad scheme for a person (details supplied). [16913/21]
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.
1033. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16914/21]
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.
1034. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to Covid-19 vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16916/21]
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 Marketing 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.
1036. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the support being offered to parents of infants and young children with Down's syndrome born during the Covid-19 pandemic who have not been able to access the same range of support due to restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16952/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
1037. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the training given to public health nurses to support the parents of infants and young children with Down's syndrome born during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16953/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
1038. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the barriers that women with disabilities experience in accessing health screening services resulting in lower uptake of breast and cervical cancer screening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16954/21]
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.
1039. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to provide accessible information across all stages of reproductive decision making; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16955/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy’s question relates to a service provision issue, I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply.
1040. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure Irish sign language interpretation services are available to all general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16956/21]
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.
1041. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure Irish sign language interpretation services are available in all acute hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16957/21]
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.
1042. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the training offered to health professionals regarding the support needs of disabled persons accessing reproductive services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16958/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
1043. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the way in which data is collected and examined regarding the provision of reproductive services to disabled persons including abortion services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16960/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn respect of termination of pregnancy services specifically, section 20(1) of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 requires a notification of each termination of pregnancy carried out under the legislation to be sent to the Minister for Health. The notification form requires the Medical Council registration number(s) of the medical practitioner(s) involved, the section of the Act under which the termination was carried out, the county or place of residence of the woman, and the date on which the termination of pregnancy was carried out. No other information, including any personal or medical details on the pregnant woman, is collected as part of this notification.
As the provision of reproductive services more broadly is a service-related matter, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the HSE for direct reply.
1044. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that hoists are available in all BreastCheck facilities for persons who need to have an alternative wheelchair to their own when using the mammogram machine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16961/21]
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.
