Written Answers Nos. 1075-1095
1075. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the temporary accommodation scheme for healthcare workers; if the scheme remains open and available for use by healthcare workers, including healthcare workers who are in the international protection process and would ordinarily be living in direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17064/21]
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.
1076. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the financial supports available for couples going through IVF; the improvements that are planned in terms of financial support for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17085/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) treatment, such as IVF, 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.
Further to this support, 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, “Our Shared Future”. 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 as part of the full range of services available in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Phase One of the roll-out of the model of care has commenced and involves the establishment, at secondary care level, of Regional Fertility Hubs in maternity networks, which will facilitate the management of a significant proportion of patients presenting with infertility issues.
Phase Two of the roll-out will see the introduction of tertiary infertility services, including IVF, in the public health system. Phase Two will not commence until such time as infertility services at secondary level have been developed across the country, required resources have been allocated, and the AHR legislation is commenced. Drafting of the AHR legislation is ongoing, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General.
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.
1077. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the date on which a primary medical certificate application for a person (details supplied) will be assessed; when a certificate will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17099/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for consideration and direct reply to the Deputy.
1078. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he has given instructions to the HSE with regard to plans for the future of the site of the former Crooksling Health Centre, Brittas, County Dublin; the discussions he has had in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17100/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
1079. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if all general practitioner practices in County Mayo have received their supply of Covid-19 vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17112/21]
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.
1080. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when the lease on a hotel (details supplied) expires; and when the terms of the lease are to be reviewed. [17113/21]
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.
1081. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if break clauses were inserted into the HSE deal with a hotel (details supplied). [17114/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
1083. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if certain drugs can be paid for at source, either under the compassionate access programme or under an individual licensing system; if medicinal cannabis products of a company (details supplied) can be funded at source under the compassionate access programme; and if not, if the products can be funded at source using an individual licensing system, if the product is manufactured under EU law and licencing systems. [17213/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very sympathetic to such cases. I have asked my officials to see whether we can fund this at source. I do not yet know whether this is possible.
I would refer the Deputy to Section 10B of the Health Act 2004 (as inserted by section 6 of the Health Service Executive (Governance) Act 2013), under which the Minister for Health may not give a direction to the Executive in the manner as sought by the Deputy.
1085. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if medical information and utilisation data is kept on a central register in the context of the medical cannabis access programme; if clinical patient research is facilitated and recorded; if further amendments to primary legislation are required to further enable this process; if such legislation, if required, is being prepared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17218/21]
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.
1086. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if the HSE maintains a register to facilitate the enrolment and recording of certain data, including patient identifiers prescribers enrolled in the programme and prescribed and supplied medicinal cannabis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17219/21]
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.
1087. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the medical cannabis access programme and other medical cannabis, including international studies data, is analysed currently and since the 2017 Health Products Regulatory Authority report; the findings made by the analysis to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17220/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Products Regulatory Authority’s “Cannabis for Medical Review Use – A Scientific Review” advised that treatment with cannabis is only permitted under a controlled access programme for the treatment of patients with;
a. Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis resistant to all standard therapies and interventions whilst under expert medical supervision;
b. Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, despite the use of standard anti-emetic regimes whilst under expert medical supervision;
c. Severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy that has failed to respond to standard anticonvulsant medications whilst under expert medical supervision.
The programme, included in the HSE Service Plan for 2021, will operate on a five year pilot basis and is expected to commence mid-year.
A programme for appropriate data collection will be developed by the HSE who will manage the MCAP. The MCAP being a five year pilot programme will also be subject to review and that will probably include consideration of relevant national and international data.
1088. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if his Department is actively seeking data for assessment by itself, the Health Products Regulatory Authority or any other body, from prospective suppliers of medical cannabis products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17221/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraProspective suppliers of products to the medical cannabis access programme (MCAP) can apply to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), acting on behalf of the Minister for Health, to have a cannabis product considered for inclusion in the schedule to the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations 2019. Applicants must provide evidence to demonstrate that the proposed cannabis product meets the requirements of a ‘specified controlled drug’ as defined in the MCAP legislation. The onus is on prospective suppliers to submit applications to the HPRA and it has received a number since the introduction of the MCAP.
1089. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if the Health Products Regulatory Authority is actively seeking data for assessment from prospective suppliers of medical cannabis products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17222/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraProspective suppliers of products to the medical cannabis access programme (MCAP) can apply to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), acting on behalf of the Minister for Health, to have a cannabis product considered for inclusion in the schedule to the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations 2019. Applicants must provide evidence to demonstrate that the proposed cannabis product meets the requirements of a ‘specified controlled drug’ as defined in the MCAP legislation. The onus is on prospective suppliers to submit applications to the HPRA and it has received a number since the introduction of the MCAP.
1090. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if the HSE is actively seeking data for assessment from prospective suppliers of medical cannabis products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17223/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraProspective suppliers of products to the medical cannabis access programme (MCAP) can apply to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), acting on behalf of the Minister for Health, to have a cannabis product considered for inclusion in the schedule to the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations 2019. Applicants must provide evidence to demonstrate that the proposed cannabis product meets the requirements of a ‘specified controlled drug’ as defined in the MCAP legislation. The onus is on prospective suppliers to submit applications to the HPRA and it has received a number since the introduction of the MCAP.
1091. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of applications to positions in the HSE relating to the medical cannabis access programme due by the end of February 2021; the breakdown by position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17224/21]
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.
1092. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he is considering the addition of conditions to schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017, SI No. 173 of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17225/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Products Regulatory Authority’s “Cannabis for Medical Review Use – A Scientific Review” advised that treatment with cannabis is only permitted under a controlled access programme for the treatment of patients with;
a. Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis resistant to all standard therapies and interventions whilst under expert medical supervision;
b. Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, despite the use of standard anti-emetic regimes whilst under expert medical supervision;
c. Severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy that has failed to respond to standard anticonvulsant medications whilst under expert medical supervision.
The programme, included in the HSE Service Plan for 2021, will operate on a five year pilot basis.
The Minister will also continue to consider Ministerial Licence applications for cannabis-based products for medical use for conditions outside the scope of the Access Programme, where the treatment has been endorsed by a medical consultant.
Medical practitioners and patients are encouraged to consult the Department of Health website which contains information on medical cannabis, including clinical guidance on the use of medical cannabis and details on how a medical practitioner may apply for a Ministerial licence for medical cannabis.
1093. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of controlled drug licences currently issued for products specified in schedule 2 of SI No. 173 of 2017; if he is considering the addition of licences or the licensing of further products; the number of licences issued for import, supply and possession of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17226/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraProspective suppliers of products to the medical cannabis access programme (MCAP) can apply to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), acting on behalf of the Minister for Health, to have a cannabis product considered for inclusion in the schedule to the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations 2019. Applicants must provide evidence to demonstrate that the proposed cannabis product meets the requirements of a ‘specified controlled drug’ as defined in the MCAP legislation. The onus is on prospective suppliers to submit applications to the HPRA and it has received a number since the introduction of the MCAP. A small number of applications remain under review and, to date, four cannabis products have been accepted for use in the MCAP.
Once a cannabis product has been accepted for use in the MCAP, it will also be included under Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 (S.I. No 173 of 2017). The importer of the cannabis product into Ireland is required to apply for a controlled drug licence in respect of each consignment that it proposes to import. These applications are also processed by the HPRA on behalf of the Minister. A controlled drug import licence is required to accompany each import consignment. As with all Schedule 2 controlled substances, the Irish importer is also required to have a controlled drug annual licence to possess and supply the cannabis product(s). Three wholesalers in Ireland have been issued with a controlled drug annual licence to possess and supply any cannabis product accepted for use in the MCAP.
To date, twelve controlled drug import licences have been issued for the import of consignments of cannabis products by the licensed importers; however, only two of these imports licences have been used.
1094. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if in the context of the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, service users will include persons who sought to access a termination but were refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17227/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1213. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1929 of 24 March 2021, the details of the selection process regarding the persons or bodies that will be commissioned to carry out research for the service user and service provider strands of the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; the status of the selection process; if the selection process has been completed to date; if so, the details of the persons or bodies that will be conducting the research into these two strands; when he expects the final reports on these two strands to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17563/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1214. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1929 of 24 March 2021, the status of the public consultation on the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; when the public consultation will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17564/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1094, 1213 and 1214 together.
I have previously answered questions on the review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 on 24 March 2021 in response to Parliamentary Question No. 1929.
As I set out in my previous reply on this issue, the review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 is scheduled to be progressed in 2021. It is anticipated that it will take a three-part approach to reviewing the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation. Research to inform the service user and service provider strands will be commissioned and carried out independently, while my Department will manage the public consultation.
My Department will collate and analyse the findings of the different strands of the review. Upon completion a full report, with any necessary recommendations, will be submitted to me, as Minister, for consideration.
Officials in my Department are continuing to work on the arrangements to carry out the review of the operation of the Act.
1095. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health his definition of key worker in the context of the vaccination roll-out plan; the person or body that is included within same; the process of arriving at that definition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17232/21]
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/
