Thomas Pringle
Ceist:1535. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health when persons with multiple sclerosis will receive their Covid-19 vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18166/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraVaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (1535)
Freagraí scríofa
The 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/
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (1536)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:1536. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 219 of 25 March 2021, the number of fines issued following the 590 checks on persons quarantining at home that were conducted between 24 February and 14 March 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18168/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
SI No. 135/2021, with limited exemptions, places obligations to self-quarantine in a place of residence on those international travellers who are not required under the Health Act to quarantine in a designated facility. The monitoring of compliance with these requirements and enforcement of breaches is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (1537)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:1537. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the legal basis under which student nurses who have refused a Covid-19 vaccine have been informed they will not qualify as a general nurse without taking the vaccine; if the Covid-19 vaccine is mandatory; the legal basis for making this vaccine mandatory for students; his views on whether this decision breaches a student’s right to refuse certain medical treatment or their right not to be put under undue pressure to receive a vaccination against their will; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18170/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Maternity Services
Ceisteanna (1538)
Seán Canney
Ceist:1538. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health his plans to prioritise the reintroduction of maternity support services in the reopening of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18173/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 (1539)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:1539. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that the recent events involving a hospital (details supplied) and the Covid-19 vaccine do not reoccur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18184/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Internships
Ceisteanna (1540)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:1540. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the way he and the Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE plan to facilitate the commencement and completion of clinical placements by unpaid first, second and third year student nurses who are unvaccinated or decline to be vaccinated and who are due to commence HSE clinical placements from 1 April 2021; the way the HSE will facilitate a person (details supplied) who has a documented medical contraindication to vaccination to commence and complete their clinical placement in a context in which Waterford Institute of Technology has recently informed them that they cannot commence their HSE clinical placement as planned.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18186/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, on 26 March 2021, Dr Colm Henry, HSE Chief Clinical Officer wrote to all Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) regarding vaccinations for healthcare students on clinical placement.
On 12 April 2021, Dr Henry wrote an additional memo to the HEIs stating inter alia that“…clinical placements for all healthcare students (those who have and have not received/taken a vaccine) may continue in HSE facilities subject to students' continuing compliance with public health recommendations and infection prevention and control practice.” Dr Henry stated that this memo superseded his memo of 26 March 2021.
With regard to the clinical placement mentioned by the Deputy, the Clinical Allocations Officer for that HEI has confirmed that all placements in the area are in place.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (1541)
Seán Canney
Ceist:1541. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the provisions that are included in the quarantine system for a family returning from the UAE who have a child with special needs; the way in which this child will be facilitated; if the family will be required to quarantine in a hotel facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18187/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Act 1947, as amended, provides that all persons arriving in Ireland from a designated state, or having travelled through a designated state in the previous 14 days, are required to undergo mandatory quarantine in a designated facility unless they are an exempted traveller under the Act.
The safety, wellbeing and comfort of all guests quarantining in a designated facility is a priority of the mandatory quarantine system, along with the ultimate goal of protecting public health by limiting the potential spread of COVID-19 variants of concern.
All guests undergoing mandatory quarantine in a designated facility are being provided with access to a 24/7 on-site healthcare team who hold clinical responsibility for their wellbeing during their stay. The on-site healthcare team are available to address any wellbeing concerns of guests through both scheduled daily check-in calls during a guest's stay as well as through direct engagement if requested. Guests requiring any specific, urgent or emergency care which cannot be provided on-site at a hotel may also be referred to a dedicated medical facility by the on-site healthcare team.
Guests who wish to access other services, such as consular services, may arrange to do so through normal channels. The hotel service provider will endeavour to facilitate any requests for assistance in accessing such channels, such as by arranging for translation services if requested.
The State Liaison Officer (SLO) will have staff onsite 24/7 at each designated facility to liaise between guests and the service provider if required.
All reasonable efforts will be made by both service provider staff and the on-site health team to facilitate a comfortable stay in a designated facility.
The provisions of the Act allows for travellers to request a review of decisions relating to their quarantine (independent appeals process); however this can only be undertaken once quarantine has begun and on a limited number of grounds. Public health will remain a paramount consideration. The State Liaison Officer (Irish Defence Forces) in the hotel provides passengers with information on how to apply.
Covid-19 Tests
Ceisteanna (1542)
David Cullinane
Ceist:1542. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to events at a residential care facility (details supplied) as reported in the media; the steps he has taken to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18189/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Health, my primary concern is the safety and protection of vulnerable people in the care of our disability residential services and I take any issues raised regarding their care extremely seriously.
All centre-based residential and respite care facilities for people with disabilities, including Sunbeam House Services, are subject to full registration and inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), the independent regulatory authority charged with ensuring high-quality and safe care for people using our health and social care services in Ireland. The purpose of regulation is to safeguard and support the delivery of person-centred care to vulnerable people of any age who are receiving residential care services and to ensure that their health, well-being and quality of life is promoted and protected. I support the work of HIQA in this regard.
In August 2016, on foot of concerns raised by families of service users attending Sunbeam House Services, the Health Service Executive (HSE) commissioned an independent Assurance Review of the system of governance and management in Sunbeam House Services. The report on the Assurance Review was completed in April 2017 and accepted by the Board of Sunbeam House Service, who put in place an Improvement Plan to address the Review’s recommendations. The HSE, which has overseen implementation of the Improvement Plan, has advised my Department that the Review recommendations have been substantially implemented by Sunbeam House Services.
My Department has no role in the regulation of individual services but continues to liaise closely with HIQA in terms of the broader regulatory framework for the health and social care sector established under the Health Act.
Compliance with HIQA standards for residential centres is a requirement under the Service Level Arrangements between the HSE and voluntary service providers.
My Department is aware of concerns raised recently in relation to the care of service users at the residential care facility referred to by the Deputy and has brought these concerns to the attention of the HSE and HIQA and asked them to investigate these matters.
As the specific issues raised by the Deputy are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (1543)
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:1543. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the main initiatives undertaken by his Department since 27 June 2020 to engage with healthcare assistants on the way their roles can be developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18191/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Health Care Assistants have played a valuable role in the HSE’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. At present, the HSE are progressing the implementation of the National Review of the Role of the Health Care Assistants which, unfortunately, was delayed due to the onset of the pandemic. Meetings between HSE officials, Industry Representatives and Union Officials are currently ongoing.
In addition, and in response to the Government initiative to expand the scope and number of apprenticeships available in the public sector, the Health Service Executive has committed to establishing a NFQ level 5 apprenticeship for the occupation of Health Care Assistant. Officials from my Department will be working with colleagues in the Department of Further, Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the HSE to develop this apprenticeship model of training for Health Care Assistants. This initiative will be undertaken in conjunction with the implementation of the National Review of the Role of the Health Care Assistants and together will enhance the role and career development of Health Care Assistants.
It is worth noting that in terms of the Health Care Assistant role and the Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix Framework, the Health Care Assistant role development is not part of Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix Framework. However, it does provide policy direction for an appropriate skill mix, which recognizes the essential supportive role that Health Care Assistants play in delivering patient care. Across all care environments that have applied the Safe Nurse Staffing Framework, the role of Health Care Assistants is recognized and included in the necessary staffing levels to meet patient care needs.
Phase 3 of the Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix Framework focuses on the long-term residential care setting for older persons, A critical factor in defining the Safe Nurse Staffing requirement is establishing the correct skill mix ratio of Registered Nurses to Health Care Assistants The selected ratio is based on international research and available evidence of best practices and will be monitored for confirmation during the pilot testing of this phase.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (1544)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:1544. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health his views on delays in childcare staff being contacted by public health regarding close contact notifications and the risk of the delays resulting in an increased spread in Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18199/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 (1545)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:1545. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if childcare workers will receive the Covid-19 vaccine as a group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18200/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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/
Health Screening Programmes
Ceisteanna (1546)
Johnny Guirke
Ceist:1546. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that attended a symptomatic breast disease clinic for a diagnostic test in each month from January 2020 to January 2021; and the percentage of these appointments that were seen within the recommended timeframe in tabular form. [18203/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Screening Programmes
Ceisteanna (1547)
Johnny Guirke
Ceist:1547. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that received a diagnostic test at a rapid access lung clinic in each of the years 2018 to 2020; and the percentage of these patients that received a diagnosis of cancer in tabular form. [18204/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Screening Programmes
Ceisteanna (1548)
Johnny Guirke
Ceist:1548. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that received a diagnostic test at a rapid access prostate clinic in each of the years 2018 to 2020; and the percentage of these patients that received a diagnosis of cancer in tabular form. [18205/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 (1549)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:1549. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) who is over 70 years of age and has an underlying health condition will receive the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18210/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 (1550)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:1550. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have received the Covid-19 vaccination that have died within 28 days of receiving this vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18213/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 (1551)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:1551. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that have received vaccination ahead of the cohort they are sequenced in; the circumstances in which this occurred; if there is a notification process for vaccines used out of sequence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18226/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 (1552)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:1552. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to vaccinate those with heart failure against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18237/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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/
People with heart failure will be vaccinated in Cohort 7 (People aged 16-64 who have an underlying condition that puts them at high risk of severe disease and death).
Data Collection
Ceisteanna (1553, 2212)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:1553. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that no dossiers are held on families impacted by epilim - sodium valproate historically or otherwise. [18246/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:2212. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if no dossiers are held on families who have been adversely impacted by epilim sodium valproate historically or otherwise by his Department and or other State bodies. [20138/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1553 and 2212 together.
It would not be appropriate for me to make a statement on individual patients or families in this context. An individual can request a copy of their personal data, if any, processed by my Department by contacting the Department and making a Subject Access Request. Further information is available on the Department’s website at:
https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/381552-protecting-personal-data-health/