Wednesday, 5 May 2021

Written Answers Nos. 556-575

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (556)

David Stanton

Ceist:

556. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the situation with regard to mandatory hotel quarantine regarding persons, in particular Irish citizens, who intend to travel to Ireland and who are fully vaccinated with versions of a vaccine (details supplied) that are manufactured under licence by other companies which are not currently approved by the European Medicines Agency; if he has requested or will request the European Medicines Agency to consider approving such vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22799/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have been given to understand that the vaccine known as Covishield gives equivalent protection to the version known as Oxford-AstraZeneca or Vaxzevria, as approved by the EMA. I have therefore asked that individuals vaccinated with Covishield be treated in the same way as those vaccinated with Oxford-AstraZeneca/Vaxzevria for the purposes of mandatory hotel quarantine.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (557, 559)

Verona Murphy

Ceist:

557. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the status of each of the 86 recommendations in the report from the Covid-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel; the timeline for each of the recommendations to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22806/21]

Verona Murphy

Ceist:

559. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if impediments have been identified with regard to the implementation of the recommendations of the recent meetings of the Covid-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel Implementation Oversight Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22808/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 557 and 559 together.

The Nursing Homes Expert Panel was established, on foot of a NPHET recommendation, to examine the complex issues surrounding the management of COVID-19 among this particularly vulnerable cohort. The Expert Panel report, which was published in August 2020, has added further to our knowledge and learning. This report clearly outlines the key protective measures that we must ensure are in place across our nursing homes. These actions are based on learning from our own and the international experience of COVID-19 to date. The report also recommends additional analysis and examination of the relevant public health and other data sets in order that further causal and protective factors for COVID-19 clusters are identified.

Work to progress the recommendations of the Expert Panel report, particularly those recommendations requiring a priority focus in the response to COVID-19, is ongoing across health agencies and stakeholders. The recommendations of the report are varied and complex, requiring a mix of ongoing operational response to COVID-19 and a longer-term strategic reform. Those strategic reforms are, by their nature, complex and relate to whole of system issues. It is important to note that any such reforms require careful consideration and substantial policy development work. In the case of some recommendations, major legislative reform is required, something that must be approached in a measured and considerate way, to ensure reforms are delivered as intended.

Two progress reports have been published to date, with the third report due to be completed in the coming months. These reports are available on the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel Report: Implementation Oversight Team webpage at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c7f5b-covid-19-nursing-homes-expert-panel-report-implementation-oversight-team/. Additionally, survey work of nursing home providers has now commenced.

Continued learning and understanding of progression of the disease in Ireland is an integral part of those recommendations. Residents of nursing homes are vulnerable because of their age, underlying medical conditions, the extent of their requirement for direct care involving close physical contact and the nature of living in congregated settings. The very infectious nature of COVID-19 makes it difficult to prevent and control in residential care settings. The transmission of the virus into and within nursing homes is multifactorial. As identified by the Nursing Homes Expert Panel, where there is ongoing community transmission, settings like nursing homes are more vulnerable to exposure.

The State’s responsibility to respond to the public health emergency created the need to set up a structured support system in line with NPHET recommendations. This has been a critical intervention in supporting the resilience of the sector in meeting the unprecedented challenges associated with COVID-19. The Expert Panel highlighted the value of those supports and recommended their continuation. These supports continue to be provided.

The range of supports provided to nursing homes include:

- Enhanced HSE engagement

- Multidisciplinary clinical supports at CHO level through 23 COVID-19 Response Teams

- Supply of precautionary and enhanced PPE, free of charge

- Serial testing programme for all staff of nursing homes

- Where possible, access to staff from community and acute hospitals

- Suite of focused public health guidance and training resources

- Temporary accommodation to nursing home staff to support measures to block the chain of transmission

- HIQA implemented a Regulatory Assessment Framework of the preparedness of designated centres for older people for a COVID-19 outbreak and published an Infection Prevention and Control Assurance Framework for Nursing Homes

In addition, a temporary financial support scheme established for private and voluntary nursing homes, has provided over €88.8m in additional funding support as of 29 April. The Scheme opened in April 2020 and was extended until 30 June 2021.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (558)

Verona Murphy

Ceist:

558. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the assessment that has been undertaken to determine the cost entailed in the implementation of each of the 86 measures as recommended in the report from the Covid-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel. [22807/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Nursing Homes Expert Panel was established, on foot of a NPHET recommendation, to examine the complex issues surrounding the management of COVID-19 among this particularly vulnerable cohort. The Expert Panel report, which was published in August 2020, has added further to our knowledge and learning. This report clearly outlines the key protective measures that we must ensure are in place across our nursing homes. These actions are based on learning from our own and the international experience of COVID-19 to date. The report also recommends additional analysis and examination of the relevant public health and other data sets in order that further causal and protective factors for COVID-19 clusters are identified. Work to progress the recommendations of the Expert Panel report, particularly those recommendations requiring a priority focus in the response to COVID-19, is ongoing across health agencies and stakeholders. The recommendations of the report are varied and complex, are both short-, medium- and longer-term in nature, and require a mix of ongoing operational response to COVID-19 and a longer-term strategic reform. Those strategic reforms are, by their nature, complex and relate to whole of system issues.

It is important to note that any such reforms require careful consideration and substantial policy development work. In the case of some recommendations, major legislative reform is required, something that must be approached in a measured and considerate way, to ensure reforms are delivered as intended. Costing of the implementation of recommendations is ongoing, along with the implementation of the recommendations. As noted, longer-term consideration is necessary in costing many of the recommendations, due to the major developmental work that is required in order to accurately cost the defined policy objective and the full range of actions needed to deliver same.

In line with the Government commitment to progress the recommendations of the Expert Panel, up to €40m in funding has been secured to directly progress national recommendations in 2021. Up to €5 million in funding has been allocated to HIQA for 2021 for the implementation of the Panel’s recommendations, with €3.8 million approved for draw down for the recruitment of substantial additional staff required to progress recommendations, including additional inspectors required to increase the frequency of inspections. Given the significant service and policy reforms recommended, many recommendations are currently in the developmental stage, including considerations of the role of the Community Support Teams, Integrated Infection Prevention and Control Strategy and a range of legislative reform analysis. It is anticipated that proposals will be considered by the implementation structures in due course and separately, business cases will submitted to the Department for review.

It is also important to note that significant supports have been provided to nursing homes throughout the pandemic and these supports have been recognised by the Expert Panel in its recommendations. They include:

- Enhanced HSE engagement

- Multidisciplinary clinical supports at CHO level through 23 COVID-19 Response Teams

- Supply of precautionary and enhanced PPE, free of charge.

- Serial testing programme for all staff of nursing homes.

- Where possible, access to staff from community and acute hospitals.

- Suite of focused public health guidance and training resources.

- HIQA COVID-19 quality assurance regulatory framework.

- Temporary accommodation to nursing home staff to support measures to block the chain of transmission.

The inter-agency Implementation Oversight Team, which was established by the Minister for Health, oversees the implementation of the relevant COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel recommendations, and reports regularly to the Minister for Health and the Minister for Mental Health and Older People. Many of the short- and medium-term recommendations have been commenced or delivered on to date, with work continuing to progress other recommendations. Two progress reports have been published to date, with the third report due to be completed in the coming months. These reports are available on the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel Report: Implementation Oversight Team webpage at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c7f5b-covid-19-nursing-homes-expert-panel-report-implementation-oversight-team/.

Question No. 559 answered with Question No. 557.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (560)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

560. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting for an appointment in Drogheda Hospital for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22809/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

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

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (561)

Emer Higgins

Ceist:

561. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the reason those with chronic neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis are no longer part of cohort four for vaccination; and if he will consider including those with a number of underlying health conditions within the high risk and very high risk cohorts for vaccination. [22814/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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/.

It is important to note that Cohort 4 includes ‘Chronic neurological disease or condition with evolving ventilatory failure (requiring non-invasive ventilation), for example, motor neurone disease, spinal muscular atrophy'.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (562)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

562. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) is likely to be called as a vaccinator for Covid-19 vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22815/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible on this operational matter.

Question No. 563 answered with Question No. 493.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (564)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

564. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the status of the promised motorised transport grant which was closed in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22819/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

By way of background, two schemes, the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant, were put in place in 1979 and 1968 respectively, for operation by the Health Service Executive (HSE) at a time when there was limited availability of accessible public transport. The Government decided to close these administrative schemes in 2013, on foot of the reports of the Ombudsman in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both Schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts.

In 2013, the Government also decided to continue payment of the monthly Mobility Allowance on an interim basis, to those who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance at the time that the Scheme closed. Of the 4,700 individuals in receipt of the Mobility Allowance (€9 million per annum) when the Scheme closed in 2013, there are 3,532 people in receipt of the interim payments at March, 2021.

At the whole of Government level, the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 sets the overall framework for the equal participation of people with disabilities in society. Monitoring of the implementation of the Strategy is being overseen by the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group which comprises key Government Departments, the National Disability Authority and the Disability Stakeholders Group.

Under the Strategy, the Department of Transport, has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of accessible public transport and is committed to the continued development of accessible public transport in recognition of the importance of such services to the lives of people with disabilities.

Work is ongoing on the policy proposals for the provision of transport supports for people with disabilities. I intend to revert to Government with proposals in due course. Recent developments which will impact on the policy options include the following:

- The ongoing progress by the Department of Transport in providing accessible public transport nationally and that Department's public consultation, to review active travel and public transport policy, including accessible public transport;

- The Cost of Disability Study currently underway which was commissioned by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection as part of Budget 2019. The research, when complete, will inform policy direction in relation to the provision of adequate supports to meet the needs of people with disabilities, including transport costs;

- The Working Group established the Strategy by the Department of Justice and Equality to lead a review of all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities; and

- The review of the Disabled Drivers and Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme by the Department of Finance.

Other transport supports available to persons with disabilities in the State include the Free Travel Scheme operated by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection; the Revenue Commissioners Disabled Drivers and Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme; and measures funded under the Department of Rural and Community Development CLÁR Programme, including "Mobility Care Transport", to provide grants to voluntary organisations providing transport for people with significant mobility issues.

Covid-19 Paindéim

Ceisteanna (565)

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

565. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Mairéad Farrell den Aire Sláinte cén fáth nach bhfuil daoine in ann clárú i nGaeilge le haghaidh vacsaíní Covid-19. [22820/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Toisc go bhfuil ábhar seirbhís é seo, chuir mé ceist ar Fheidhmeannacht na seirbhíse sláinte freagra a thabhairt go díreach ar an Ionadaí, go tapa.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (566)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

566. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he has considered recognising a vaccine (details supplied) for the purposes of exemption from hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22822/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have been given to understand that the vaccine known as Covishield gives equivalent protection to the version known as Oxford-AstraZeneca or Vaxzevria, as approved by the EMA. I have therefore asked that individuals vaccinated with Covishield be treated in the same way as those vaccinated with Oxford-AstraZeneca/Vaxzevria for the purposes of mandatory hotel quarantine. Covishield was officially added to the list of vaccines accepted for the purposes of exemption from Mandatory Hotel Quarantine on Friday 30th April (SI 211).

Question No. 567 answered with Question No. 493.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (568)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

568. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if travelling abroad to purchase property is considered essential travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22838/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Government is applying more stringent measures applying to international travel in order to mitigate against the risk of new variants being imported through travel and to protect the progress we are making in suppressing transmission domestically.

S.I. 168/2021 states that “an applicable person shall not travel to an airport or port for the purpose of leaving the State without reasonable excuse”. A non-exhaustive list of reasonable excuses is set out in S.I. 168/2021. Statutory Instruments related to the COVID-19 pandemic are published at https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/.

HSE Data

Ceisteanna (569)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

569. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE opticians currently providing services in County Mayo; the areas within the county they cover; the number of vacant positions there are currently; the timeline for filling these vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22840/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

HSE Data

Ceisteanna (570)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

570. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE chiropodists currently providing services in County Mayo; the areas within the county they cover; the number of vacant positions there are currently; the timeline for filling these vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22841/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (571)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

571. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the numbers of persons currently in the acute adult mental health unit in Galway University Hospital whose discharges from hospital have been delayed by one, two, three, four and more than five years, respectively; the number of these persons whose hospital discharge has been delayed as a result of a lack of appropriate follow-on accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22848/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the deputy as soon as possible.

Health Screening Programmes

Ceisteanna (572)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

572. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of claims lodged with the CervicalCheck Tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22853/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The CervicalCheck Tribunal was established on 27 October 2020 under the CervicalCheck Tribunal Act 2019. Establishment of the Tribunal was finalised with the appointment of the nominated members to the Tribunal with effect from 1 December 2020.

The Tribunal has indicated to my Department that it has received three claims as at close of business on 30 April 2021. No claims have yet been heard by the Tribunal; but it is anticipated that Tribunal will be able to facilitate early hearing dates once all parties are ready.

The Tribunal is the most appropriate venue to hear and determine CervicalCheck claims. It has been specifically designed for that purpose. It is, of course, entirely up to eligible women as to whether or not they use it.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (573, 603)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

573. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if Ireland is supportive of the proposed new EU regulation on digital green certificates; if a cross-Departmental group has been established to advance this measure; if software technology can be developed to include persons who have been vaccinated, persons who have recovered from Covid-19 and persons who have received a negative test result; when this measure will be up and running; if Ireland will need a six-week transition period to implement this initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22855/21]

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

603. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on the development of an EU digital green certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23043/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 573 and 603 together.

On 17 March 2021, the European Commission published its proposal for a Regulation to introduce a ‘Digital Green Certificate’ to facilitate safe free movement inside the EU during the pandemic. The proposed regulation lays down a framework for the issuance, verification, and acceptance of interoperable certificates. The intention is for the digital green certificate to be a temporary measure.

The Government is keen to ensure that every effort should be made to achieve alignment across the EU in preparing for reopening of international travel for non-essential purposes as soon as it is safe to do so. An interdepartmental group of senior officials from relevant departments have been progressing policy work in respect of the proposed EU Digital Green Certificate and vaccination certificate.

Operational aspects for the interoperable certificate system are being progressed on a cross-Departmental basis. The software required to create vaccination certificates is being developed, however, the timeframe is very challenging and new operational processes will need to be established to support this service.

The priority in Ireland at the moment is the core systems that support the rollout of vaccines and regaining and maintaining control over the disease and preventing a further wave of infection, until the vaccination programme can offer a widespread population level of protection.

Health Screening Programmes

Ceisteanna (574)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

574. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the conditions, diseases or ailments that are currently part of the pre-natal screening programme. [22899/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (575)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

575. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to caravan parks will be clarified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22900/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

There has been considerable progress in reducing infection levels since the peak of the wave of infection in late 2020/early 2021 because of the widespread commitment and adherence by the public to the public health measures in place. While there is still a high level of infection nationally, the situation is considered reasonably stable and significant progress is being made in relation to the roll-out of our vaccination programme.

In recognition of the improving situation, the Government announced a roadmap on the 29 April for the gradual lifting of some restrictions over the next two months, with a particular focus on allowing more outdoor activities. A range of measures will be eased in May, with a further easing of measures in June subject to the epidemiological situation at the time.

From 10 May, a person can travel between counties in Ireland to their stationary mobile home or caravan if they are the owner of the mobile home or caravan. Details of measures in place from 10 May are available on Gov.ie: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/0bd80-new-public-health-measures-announced-the-path-ahead/#what-you-can-do-in-may.

It is important to note that while there is now scope to ease a range of public health measures, the approach must continue to be cautious, gradual and on a phased basis, with sufficient time between any easing of measures to assess the impact. This will be critical to ensuring the protection of the gains of recent months, the protection of those most vulnerable, and the protection of health and social care, education, and childcare services.

Significant progress has been made on suppressing the virus over recent months due to the huge effort of people across the country. By working together, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland. We all must continue to do everything possible to continue to avoid the virus spreading and to support the safe reopening of activities over the coming months.