Written Answers Nos. 1971-1990
1971. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his views on the proposed closure of the medical assessment unit in Mallow General Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19464/21]
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.
1972. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if the programme highlighted in the recent document prepared by a person (details supplied) and published in December 2020 will be expanded once the Covid-19 restrictions have been fully removed in the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19470/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1973. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if additional resourcing will be provided and research carried out for the ARCS initiative in order to explore the changing roles of artist and care setting staff in the design and delivery of art in care initiatives, to identify additional training and support needs and the way in which these can be met in view of the changed circumstances brought about by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19471/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1974. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if additional research will be carried out to further understand the experience of the ARCS initiative from the perspective of older persons in residential and daycare settings; if he will ensure that they play a more active and central role in the design and delivery of art in care initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19472/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1975. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if further research stemming from a recent report (details supplied) will be considered in order to examine ways in which the artist in residence in a care setting initiative can further develop meaningful links with the community in which the care setting is located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19473/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1976. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if further funding (details supplied) will be considered for the artist in residence in a care setting initiative in order to further expand and mainstream this beneficial initiative to the wider residential and day care sector for older persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19474/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1972 to 1976, inclusive, together.
The recently published research commissioned by Age & Opportunity concerns the capacity of care settings in Ireland to interact with the arts during the COVID-19 pandemic and it also considers how to embed the arts in the culture of care settings more generally. The research was forwarded to the Department last month for information.
I understand that the research was funded through a partnership between the all-of-government Creative Ireland Programme and Age & Opportunity. The substance of the report relates to a programme implemented by Age & Opportunity within residential care settings that has been funded since 2017 by the Arts Council, the HSE and the Creative Ireland Programme.
I am unaware of any application to provide additional funding in this area. However, the research notes that it is planned to continue to implement the initiative in 2021 in various care settings and that this will take place in the context of the evolving situation regarding COVID-19, and the significant impact the pandemic has had on residents and attendees in these settings, and on the nature and scope of the services provided in such settings.
In this context I have asked the HSE to provide further details of the initiative to the Deputy, including any further potential funding opportunities.
1977. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will provide clarity on medical or humanitarian grounds for exemption from quarantine (details supplied); the decision making process behind making judgements on such cases; if travellers can apply for same pre-travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19476/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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, regardless of vaccination status, unless they are an exempted traveller under the Act.
A specific exemption is defined under the Health Act 1947, as amended by the Health (Amendment) Act 2021, for a person "who travels to the State for an unavoidable, imperative and time-sensitive medical reason and that reason is certified by a person who is a registered medical practitioner or a person holding an equivalent qualification outside the State".
The provisions of the Act also allows for travellers to request a review of decisions relating to their quarantine; however this can only be undertaken once quarantine has begun. This might include a review in relation to medical or other exceptional reasons. Such reviews are undertaken by an independent panel of appeals officers. All decisions on such appeals are to be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
Neither I as Minister for Health nor my Department have a role in decisions relating to whether individual persons must enter mandatory quarantine or whether individual persons are exempted travellers.
1978. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the average length of time it takes for an ambulance to arrive at a scene after a call was received; and the number on a response area basis. [19484/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1979. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the current average ambulance response time in each area of County Tipperary.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19485/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1978 and 1979 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1980. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently on hospital outpatient waiting lists; the number of persons waiting on a six month incremental basis; and the number on a hospital basis. [19486/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt 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.
On 23 March the HSE published the “Safe Return to Health Services Plan”. This plan outlines a three phased plan for the proposed restoration of services across Community Services, Acute Hospital Operations, Cancer Services and Screening Services. It sets target times for their safe return and details the conditions and challenges that will have to be met.
Every phase of the plan has been informed by clinical guidance and putting patient and staff safety first.
Decisions in relation to the type and volume of activity will be made at site level based on local COVID-19 numbers, available capacity and guidance from national clinical leads.
The schedule outlined in the plan for resumption of services will be regularly monitored by the HSE and updated as appropriate, dependant on public health advice and healthcare capacity.
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 (NTPF). This includes 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. 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 data requested by the Deputy is outlined in the attached documents. This information is also available on the NTPF website at: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm.
1981. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the status of the reimbursement process for zolgensma; the progress made on this issue to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19490/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In line with the 2013 Health Act and the national framework agreed with industry, if a company would like a medicine to be reimbursed by the HSE, the company must submit an application to the HSE to have the new medicine added to the reimbursement list. Reimbursement is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria, including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).
I am advised by the HSE that, in April 2020, the NCPE received a reimbursement application dossier for Onasemnogene abeparvovec (Zolgensma). On 13 May 2020, the NCPE completed a rapid review with respect to this application and recommended a full Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of Zolgensma compared with the current standard of care.
This HTA is now being undertaken as a part of the Beneluxa collaboration as a joint HTA between Ireland, the Netherlands and Belgium, with Austria acting as a reviewer.
The assessment, due to be concluded in April 2021, will be followed by further discussions among the participating countries regarding pricing and reimbursement.
1982. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided to a mental health organisation (details supplied) in order for it to continue operating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19492/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1983. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if patients have a right to be informed of the risks of vaginal birth after caesarean; if a fully independent hospital wide review of vaginal birth after caesarean counselling will be carried out at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19495/21]
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.
1984. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to improve vaginal birth after caesarean counselling in hospitals here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19496/21]
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.
1985. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the path for resumption of maternity care and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19498/21]
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.
1987. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he plans to offer another vaccine to those under 30 years of age in view of the links between a vaccine (details supplied) and blood clots, particularly in young women and the UK advice that persons under 30 years of age should receive an alternative vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19511/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra2149. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the latest advice received from NIAC regarding a Covid-19 vaccine (details supplied); the implications of this for those under 60 years of age who have received one dose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19983/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1987 and 2149 together.
On 7 April 2021, the European Medicine Agency (EMA) announced that they had concluded an investigation into a number of very rare, unusual blood clots occurring with low platelets in people following vaccination with Vaxzevria (formerly COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca). The EMA’s safety committee (PRAC) concluded that unusual blood clots with low blood platelets should be listed as very rare side effects of Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca but that the benefits of this vaccine continue to outweigh the risks.
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) on the 12th April 2021 revised recommendations for the use of Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca. In line with these recommendations,
All of those aged 60 years and older can get any authorised COVID-19 vaccine, including Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca;
Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca is not recommended for those aged under 60 years including those with medical conditions with very high or high risk of severe COVID-19 disease;
For people who have already received Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca:
- Those aged 60 years and older should continue to receive their second dose 12 weeks later as scheduled,
- Those aged under 60 years with an underlying condition (those identified in cohort 4 and cohort 7) should continue to receive their second dose 12 weeks later as scheduled,
- Those aged under 60 years with no underlying condition (therefore not identified in cohort 4 and cohort 7) should have the scheduled interval between their first and second doses extended to 16 weeks to allow for further assessment of the benefits and risks as more evidence becomes available,
- Those who have developed unusual blood clots with low platelets after the first dose of Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca should not be given a second dose.
Rollout of the vaccination programme has been adjusted following receipt of the NIAC guidance on the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
1988. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health his plans to re-draft the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19514/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra2109. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the preparation of legislation on assisted human reproduction; when it is expected to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19884/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1988 and 2109 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, drafting of a bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research, based on the published General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill, is ongoing by officials in my Department, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. I can assure the Deputy that publication of this legislation is a priority for my Department and the Government, and a commitment to enact this legislation is included in the Programme for Government, “Our Shared Future”.
This comprehensive and far-reaching piece of legislation encompasses the regulation, for the first time in Ireland, of a wide range of practices, including: gamete (sperm or egg) and embryo donation for AHR and research; domestic surrogacy; pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of embryos; posthumous assisted reproduction; and embryo and stem cell research. The General Scheme also provides for the establishment of an independent regulatory authority for AHR.
Overall, the provisions outlined within the Bill will ensure that AHR practices and related areas of research are conducted in a more consistent and standardised way and with the necessary oversight. The aim of the AHR legislation is to promote and ensure the health and safety of parents and others involved in the process while, most importantly, consideration of the welfare and best interests of children born as a result of AHR is the key principle underpinning all legislative measures in this area.
