Written Answers Nos. 951-970
951. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of staff with disabilities and those without disabilities employed by State-funded disability service providers; if State-funded disability service providers are classed as disabled persons organisations; if they meet the requirements of UNCRPD General Comment 7, Article 4.3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21523/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to General Comment No. 7, a Disabled Persons’ Organisation (DPO) is a civil society organisation of persons with disabilities that is led, directed and governed by persons with disabilities. A clear majority of its membership should be persons with disabilities. The organisation should be rooted in, committed to and fully respect the principles and rights recognised in the UNCRPD. DPOs should be distinguished from organisations “for” persons with disabilities, which provide services and/or advocate on behalf of persons with disabilities. The Committee has also said that while DPOs are a specific type of civil society organisation, there is also a distinction, as the term “civil society organisation” comprises different kinds of organisations, including research institutes, organisations of service providers and other private stakeholders. State-funded disability service providers do not therefore generally meet the criteria of being a DPO.
In relation to the number of staff with disabilities and those without disabilities employed by State-funded disability service providers I have asked the HSE to collate this information and reply directly to you.
952. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the siting issue for a new hospice in Tullamore, County Offaly. [21524/21]
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.
953. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when the vaccination of pharmacy staff will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21532/21]
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.
956. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health his plans for the introduction of a dispensation to the travel restrictions for those travelling to disability sports training based outside of their own county or 20 kilometre range (details supplied); if he will consider introducing a dispensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21547/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland remains in Level 5 of the ‘Framework for Restrictive Measures in Response to COVID-19’ and due to the high level of disease and continuing risks associated with COVID-19, population wide measures remain in place.
The regulations providing for these measures are S.I. No. 168 of 2021 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) Regulations, 2021 (as amended).
S.I. No. 168 of 2021 provides that you can travel within your own county or within 20km of your home if crossing county boundaries and that you can not travel beyond these distances without a reasonable excuse. Regulation 4. (3) of S.I. No. 168 of 2021 sets out a non-exhaustive list of reasonable excuses including at 4. (3)(k) travel to attend to vital family matters, such as providing care to vulnerable people.
Further information on the current domestic travel restrictions is available online here - https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/#travel-restrictions
Statutory Instruments related to the Covid pandemic are available here - https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/
957. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the list of conditions which details were requested on in relation to each of the acute hospitals which have been contacted for lists of patients with regard to the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21554/21]
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.
958. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of persons aged 70 years of age and over in County Tipperary who have been registered by general practitioners to be vaccinated in their own homes under the National Ambulance Service Covid-19 home vaccination service as of 20 April 2021; the number of those persons who have been vaccinated to date; the reason a person in County Tipperary has had their appointment suddenly cancelled and extended by four weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21569/21]
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.
959. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason the accompanying passenger who has to travel with the patient does not have their Covid-19 test which is mandatory covered by the treatment abroad scheme; if he will reconsider same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21580/21]
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.
960. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of fees that are covered for airline tickets and those that are not covered under the treatment abroad scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21581/21]
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.
961. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the status of the quarter 1 prioritisation exercise carried out by HIQA; if an evaluation of the varicella chickenpox vaccine has been included in this work; if this evaluation will be completed in time for consideration as part of the Budget 2022 process and implementation within the childhood immunisation programme as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21583/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HIQA health technology assessment (HTA) topic identification and prioritisation process is currently underway.
The Varicella Zoster Vaccine was proposed for HTA by my Department in December 2019. Unfortunately, HIQA's HTA prioritisation process due to complete in Q1 2020 was paused as the HTA team was diverted to provide evidence synthesis to support the work of the NPHET and associated groups.
This topic will now be considered by HIQA during the 2021 prioritisation process and if prioritised will be included in the HIQA HTA work plan to be approved by the HIQA Board in July 2021.
The target dates for completion of each HTA will be outlined in the work plan.
962. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if advice will be provide on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); if the practice of requiring training in the absence of a job offer is in line with the policy of his Department and that of the HSE; the reason agencies hiring on behalf of the HSE for vaccinator roles are requiring vaccinator training of candidates who have been successful in their application but without offering them a job or renumeration for this training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21584/21]
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.
964. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1028, 1029 and 1030 of 24 February 2021, the details and all documentation related to donations over €100,000 for the past five years. [21600/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra967. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1028, 1029 and 1030 of 24 February 2021, if, benefits from a third party include educational expenses, for example, conference registration, meals, accommodation and travel expenses paid for by a private company; and if educational benefits are not included, the HSE policies on receipt of benefits associated with education from third parties. [21603/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra968. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1028, 1029 and 1030 of 24 February 2021, the amount that is considered of a value greater than nominal. [21604/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra969. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1028, 1029 and 1030 of 24 February 2021, if the policies discussed in the response, for example, National Financial Regulation-17. Voluntary Donations, Gifts, Bequests, Membership of Boards and Committees, applies to charitable organisations associated with publicly funded healthcare organisations such as a foundation (details supplied). [21605/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 964 and 967 to 969, inclusive, together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
965. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if the HSE monitors the information on a website (details supplied) for any purposes, for example, in order to assess whether there might be a potential conflict of interest for the HSE or publicly funded healthcare organisations. [21601/21]
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.
966. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if an audit has been conducted to assess compliance with the HSE national financial regulation No. 17. [21602/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive’s Internal Audit Division is responsible for ensuring that a comprehensive programme of audit work is carried out annually throughout the HSE. The purpose of this work is to provide assurance that controls and procedures are operated in accordance with best practice and with the appropriate regulations.
As the matter you have raised relates specifically to a compliance audit within the Health Service Executive I have asked them to respond to you directly in relation to that detail.
970. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the details of all gifts associated with section 17.5.7 of National Financial Regulation-17 (details supplied). [21606/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this matter is specifically related to the operation of HSE National Regulations I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
