Written Answers Nos. 2408-2426
2409. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if general practitioners in rural practices will be provided with vaccines to vaccinate persons aged 60 to 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20744/21]
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.
2410. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of women and or families of women currently involved in court cases, litigation and negotiation with the HSE regarding the alleged misreading of their smear tests. [20748/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra2411. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of women and or families of women who took legal proceedings against the HSE regarding the alleged misreading of their smear tests since 2018. [20749/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2410 and 2411 together.
The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of Delegated State Authorities including the Health Service Executive. The State Claims Agency has provided me with the following information, in respect of the Deputy's question.
The information contained within this report has been extracted from the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as per the below criteria.
Criteria used
Question 1 below details claims where proceedings have been issued in relation to the Cervical Check issue
Question 2 relates to claims that are currently in the litigation stage in relation to the Cervical Check issue and excludes those that have been already concluded.
This report is correct as of 20/04/2021.
199 legal proceedings have been issued to date relating to the Cervical Check issue, of which 195 were claims received since 01/01/2018. 170 relate to the alleged misreading of a smear of a service user. The remaining 29 claims are from family members/dependents alleging psychological injuries.
There are 172 claims in the active litigation stage relating to the Cervical Check issue. 144 relate to the alleged misreading of a smear of a service user. The remaining 28 claims are from family members/dependents alleging psychological injuries.
2413. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1445 of 24 March 2021, if he will request the HSE to respond to a question (details supplied). [20752/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has advised that they provided the Deputy with a reply on 25 March, a copy of which is attached.
2414. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 730 of 17 February 2021, the way he received confirmation on a matter (details supplied) in relation to CervicalCheck ; if this was written confirmation; the person from whom the confirmation was received; and the date he received such confirmation. [20753/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to previous responses provided to the Deputy in December 2020, February 2021 and earlier this month.
I wish to affirm the Health Service Executive, National Screening Service did not comment on any specific individual case. The HSE clarified their position in regards to the matters raised through statements and replies provided in response to media queries during the week of 7th to 11th December 2020.
2415. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of HPV vaccinations administered in the State in each of the past five years and to date in 2021. [20754/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra2416. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the percentage uptake for the HPV vaccination for eligible students in each of the past five years and to date in 2021. [20755/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2415 and 2416 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2417. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if services at a school (details supplied) will be retained. [20762/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I have agreed with the HSE to pause the removal of therapists from all Special Schools who deliver on-site therapies while further engagement takes place. It is an issue for the HSE to engage with stakeholders in the relevant areas to ensure the rollout of the Progressing Disability Services (PDS) programme continues in light of this change to its implementation, which is an operational matter for the HSE.
I will be continuing to meet with the HSE to monitor its progress of the Programme, which I firmly believe will ensure that all children with special needs are supported and services are delivered in the most efficient, fair and timely way.
The HSE is continuing the roll out of the Progressing Disability Services for Children Programme in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders. Implementation Plans are being adapted in light of the pause to movement of onsite Special School therapists. The target for establishment of the remaining Children’s Disability Network Teams is June 2021.
2418. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20767/21]
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.
On 23 March the HSE published the “Safe Return to Health Services Plan”. This plan outlines a three phased approach 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.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2419. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if exceptions can be made in the case of a person (details supplied). [20768/21]
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/
2420. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of public health nurse visits that have been missed in 2020 and to date in 2021 with new mothers by CHO area broken into specific areas under CHO area in tabular form. [20769/21]
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.
2421. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will proactively co-ordinate stakeholders’ engagement in relation to the future of a service (details supplied) in view of the serious concerns and worry currently being experienced by residents, their parents and their relatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20784/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlmost ten years ago, the Time to Move on from Congregated Settings Report identified approximately 4,000 people with disabilities living in congregated type settings. The 2011 Report expected that decongregation could happen at a much faster pace than was actually possible.
Since 2014, the Transforming Lives Programme provides the framework for implementation and for putting policy into practice across key reports, including Time to Move on from Congregated Settings in respect of residential centres,
Today less than 2,000 people live in congregated settings.
The Programme for Government – ‘Our Shared Future’ includes a commitment to continue with moving people out of old style congregated settings, into new homes within the community, with the necessary supports.
Today, people are being supported to live lives of their choice out in the community. Several congregated settings have closed fully and many more have closed specific units within the centres.
Thoughtful planning, capacity building work with stakeholders and sharing the learning across services is enabling meaningful person-centred planning and transitions that are sustainable.
While the pace of change has been slow in some services, there is momentum and progress is being made.
Budget 2021 provides for an unprecedented level of investment in disability services, with the investment of €100m for new initiatives in 2021. The increased level of funding in 2021 will enable us to build on initiatives currently underway, including the decongregation programme, with a renewed focus on assisting people to move out of congregated settings to homes in the community. The HSE has prioritised the transition of a further 144 people from congregated settings in 2021 under its Service Plan.
As the numbers in the large settings continues to fall, the people still remaining in these services have access to better living conditions and share with fewer people.
As the specific question raised is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2422. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if St. Joseph's Community Hospital, Stranorlar, County Donegal will continue to be used to provide dental treatment to patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20790/21]
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.
2423. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if residential care will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20791/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2424. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health his plans to add i-ports for children to the long-term illness scheme or otherwise reimburse costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20792/21]
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.
2425. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the plans and timelines for the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out in County Donegal for housebound persons by the National Ambulance Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20793/21]
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.
2426. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long on a vaccine; the reason they are not made a priority for the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20815/21]
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/
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee's (NIAC's) 'Updated Recommendations: Priority Groups for COVID-19 Vaccination', dated 29 March 2021, states the following:
"No vaccine has currently been approved for ages younger than 16 years.
Vaccine trials in children are planned or underway for all four authorised COVID-19 vaccine, with results expected in 2021.
There is no evidence to recommend vaccination of children at present. NIAC will keep this under review."
