Written Answers Nos. 152-172
152. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice her plans to include the person that highlighted the issue and documentary evidence they possess to assist the investigation in order to advance it in respect of the independent investigation of the catering and ancillary services within the Irish Prison Service with specific reference to the operation of voluntary mess committees. [23371/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Protected Disclosures Act was enacted in 2014 to allow employees to bring alleged wrongdoing to the attention of the appropriate authorities.
The Act also affords very important protections to persons making protected disclosures. I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate therefore that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on, nor confirm the existence of any specific protected disclosure. The protection of those wishing to make a protected disclosure rightly prioritises the confidentiality of the process, which is central to the efficacy of that process.
153. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the progress made to date in respect of the independent investigation of the catering and ancillary services within the Irish Prison Service with specific reference to the operation of voluntary mess committees; the date on which it commenced; the number of persons it has interviewed; the intended date on which it will report; and if she has been supplied with interim reports. [23372/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed that the independent review to which the Deputy refers relates to the operation of the Voluntary Mess Committees in the Prisons and that terms of reference have been drafted and an independent company is in the process of being appointed to carry out the review.
Once commenced, the review is expected to take between four and six months to complete.
154. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the number of breaches of home quarantine that were recorded in each week in March and April 2021; the number of fines levied in each week for breaches of home quarantine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23498/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government's response to the COVID 19 pandemic is led by my colleague, the Minister for Health. The Minister for Health has made a number of public health regulations under the Health Act 1947 (as amended), including penal provisions which are designated as fixed charge offences.
An Garda Síochána receives information from the Department of Health on cases where compliance with a requirement to quarantine at home after arrival into the State could not be established. Checks are currently being conducted in a number of divisions on a pilot basis.
I am advised that up to 29 April 2021, there were a total of 16 confirmed breaches of mandatory quarantine at home. These offences proceed by way of charge/summons and related penalties follow a Court conviction, rather than issuing a fixed penalty notice.
There is no fixed charge offence of 'failing to abide by the mandatory home quarantine requirement' provided in the regulations made by the Minister for Health under the Health Act 1947 (as amended). Consequently, no fixed charge offence fines have been issued for 'failing to abide by the mandatory home quarantine requirement'.
However, Statutory Instrument 135 of 2021 provides, in Regulation 9(1), that a 'relevant traveller' (other than certain exempted categories) shall remain at their place of residence for 14 days after their arrival into the State and this is a penal provision under Section 31A of the Health Act 1947, as amended.
Any person under section 31A (6) who contravenes a penal provision of a Regulation made under this Act; or who obstructs, interferes or impedes a relevant person; or fails or refuses to give relevant information to a relevant person or gives information to a relevant person that, to the first-mentioned person's knowledge, is false or misleading in any material particular, shall be guilty of an offence.
Under section 31A (7) 'A member of the Garda Síochána who suspects, with reasonable cause, that a person is contravening or has contravened a provision of a regulation made under subsection (1) that is stated to be a penal provision, may, for the purposes of ensuring compliance with the regulation, direct the person to take such steps as the member considers necessary to comply with the provision."
Further, section 31A (8) makes it an offence for any person who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a direction under subsection (7). Gardaí may arrest, without warrant, such a person and they are liable to, on summary conviction in Court for a first offence, a fine not in excess of €4,000, a term of imprisonment of up to one month or both. Further penalties apply on subsequent convictions.
For the Deputy's information, details regarding the current level of fixed charge penalties for breaches of the regulations in place issued by An Garda Síochána are published on the Garda website and they are available at the following link:
https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/office-of-corporate-communications/news-media/covid-fines-9-4-21.png
155. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the number of fines levied for breaches of mandatory hotel quarantine since its inception; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23499/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government's response to the COVID 19 pandemic is led by my colleague, the Minister for Health. The Minister for Health has made a number of public health regulations under the Health Act 1947 (as amended), including a number of penal provisions which are designated as fixed charge offences.
I can confirm, however, that there is no fixed charge offence of 'failing to abide by the mandatory hotel quarantine requirement' under the current public health regulations. Therefore, no fixed charge offence fines have been issued for 'failing to abide by the mandatory hotel quarantine requirement'.
All passengers arriving into Ireland from designated states after 4am on the morning of Friday 26 March are required to pre-book accommodation in a designated quarantine facility, and to pre-pay for their stay.
When in mandatory quarantine, it is a criminal offence to act in a manner which endangers the life and health of any other person in the designated facility or to act with reckless disregard for the life and health of any other such person.
Any person convicted of the criminal offences noted above may face a fine of up to €2,000, or one month in prison, or both.
For the Deputy's information, details of the current level of Fixed Charge Penalties for breaches of the regulations issued by An Garda Síochána are regularly published on the Garda website. The relevant details and statistics are available at the following link:
https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/office-of-corporate-communications/news-media/press-release-re-covid-fines-30-04-2021.pdf
156. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if a submission for funding to provide the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need in the National Service Plan 2021 was received from the HSE primary care reimbursement service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23302/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra185. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if a submission for funding to provide the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need in the National Service Plan 2021 was received from the HSE PCRS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23396/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra186. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if he is expecting a submission for funding from the HSE PCRS to provide the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need for inclusion in the National Service Plan 2022. [23397/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra187. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if he has received a submission from the HSE PCRS recommending that the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system is made available to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23398/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra194. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if a submission for funding to provide the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need in the National Service Plan 2021 was received from the HSE primary care reimbursement service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23406/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra195. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he is expecting a submission for funding from the HSE primary care reimbursement service to provide the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need for inclusion in the National Service Plan 2022. [23407/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 156, 185, 186, 187, 194 and 195 together.
I have not received a funding proposal from the HSE in relation to the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system. I understand that the review process in relation to this product is not yet completed.
I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputies regarding the current stage of the review process.
157. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter in relation to palliative care (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23307/21]
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.
158. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if there is a process of quality control and inspection for the hotels being used for mandatory quarantine; the steps or process for persons in quarantine to raise concerns in relation to accommodation, food or medical care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23308/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Health, I am responsible, under the Health Act 1947 (as amended), for the designation of hotels for use as mandatory quarantine facilities. Prior to designation each of the hotels undergo a full inspection by Department of Health, and HSE officials and are subject to strict Public Health protocols on infection and prevention Control. Only facilities that my Department and I consider appropriate for mandatory quarantine, and that are of sufficient quality, to meet the health and welfare of all applicable travellers are approved for use. Any person wishing to raise any concerns during their stay in Mandatory Quarantine can in the first instance raise any issue directly with the hotel management. If they feel their concerns have not been appropriately resolved, the issue can be escalated to the State Liaison Officer, who has a 24/7 presence in every facility. If the State Liaison Officer is unable to resolve any issue they will bring it to the attention of the Department of Health for resolution.
159. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of capital works planned for a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23310/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
160. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for glasses by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23313/21]
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.
161. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the medical and scientific evidence available to him to justify the reason a hotel restaurant is safer than that of a regular restaurant or gastropub when hotel restaurants are allowed to reopen on 2 June 2021 but other restaurants will not reopen in July; the medical and scientific reasoning for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23318/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere 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.
It is important to note that while there is now scope to ease 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.
As part of the plans announced by Government last week, a phased reopening of the hospitality sector is envisaged. From 2 June, accommodation services can reopen and from 7 June outdoor services in restaurants and bars can resume. The resumption of indoor hospitality more broadly will be considered at the end of June. As set out above, there is still a high level of infection nationally, therefore this phased approach is recommended to ensure that reopening is sustainable.
It is important to note that indoor restaurant and bar services within hotels and other accommodation facilities must be restricted to overnight guests/residents only. This is currently the case for those staying in these facilities for essential purposes and is also in line with previous practice for these facilities during periods of Level 3 restrictions.
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.
162. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health his views on the increase in dementia adviser numbers nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23315/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s (ASI) Dementia Adviser Service provides emotional support, advice and signposting services to people who are concerned about their cognitive health or have a diagnosis of dementia, and their families and friends, at all stages of their dementia journey.
A 2017 mapping exercise conducted by the National Dementia Office (NDO) and the ASI found gaps in access to dementia-specific community-based services and supports across the country. To help address this, additional funding was allocated in the HSE’s 2020 National Service Plan to recruit an additional 10 dementia advisers, with a further 11 to be recruited under the 2021 National Service Plan. This will bring the total number of dementia advisers employed by the ASI countrywide to 29, ensuring that a service is available to people in all counties. The ASI has confirmed that all ten advisers provided for in 2020 have now commenced in their roles, together with a national coordinator for the service.
The dementia adviser service is one part of a broader package of supports for the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy funded by the Government in Budget 2021 and included in the HSE’s 2021 National Service Plan. This package of supports includes provision for in home day care for people with dementia, the development of new memory clinics, and provision for a minimum of 250,000 hours of dementia-specific home supports in 2021.
163. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health when the Health Protection Surveillance Centre plans to resume its reporting on underlying conditions in confirmed cases of Covid-19. [23316/21]
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.
164. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if maritime workers who are Irish citizens are exempt from the mandatory hotel quarantine system if they work on oil rigs abroad and are returning home to visit family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23319/21]
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 unless they are an exempted traveller under the Act. The full list of exempted travellers is available on gov.ie/quarantine.
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.
The Act refers to a "...maritime master or maritime crew who arrives in the State in the course of performing his or her duties" as an exempted traveller. This provision applies only to maritime crew on-board ship serving Irish ports who arrive in the state as part of their duties.
Neither I as Minister for Health nor my Department have any role in decisions relating to whether individual persons must enter mandatory quarantine or whether individual persons are exempted travellers. All such decisions are to be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
165. 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. [23323/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
166. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if gyms can open earlier given that the number of cases in County Kerry is currently at zero (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23324/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra201. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health when gyms and swimming pools will be reopened to the public under the current reopening guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23438/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 201 together.
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.
Under this roadmap, it is envisaged that gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres will reopen from the 7 June for individual training. At present, restrictions are being eased at a national level and not at a regional or county level.
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.
167. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if the HSE can negotiate that all health workers working in vaccination centres should not pay parking fees which are very pricy in some areas for the full days they are in situ (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23325/21]
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.
168. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the process by which companies were selected by his Department and the HSE to carry out Covid-19 testing; if a public tendering process took place; if so, the number of applicants who applied; the number that were subsequently interviewed and so on; the names of the successful companies; the amount they tendered for; the total paid to date to any such companies; the marking scheme used to rank any such tenderers; the length of time the current tendered contracts are in place for; the expected date for when further tendering processes will open to companies in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23328/21]
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.
169. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on the finding in the Ombudsman for Children's report Safety and Welfare of Children in Direct Provision that Tusla, the HSE and IPAS have failed to collaborate to provide on-site preventative and early intervention services and to gather data on national trends of referrals to services which was a recommendation of the McMahon report. [23344/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOverall responsibility for the Direct Provision system rests with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, while the Department of Health and the HSE are responsible for the policy and provision of health care service for persons in the protection system.
Primary care services are currently provided to persons living in Direct Provision on the same basis as Irish nationals. A person seeking international protection can apply for and be assessed for a medical card. Services provided include access to a GP, medical prescriptions, dental care, optician care, pregnancy services and children’s health.
The Deputy will also be aware that my colleague Minister O’Gorman published A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to establish a New International Protection Support Service on 26 February 2021. The new International Protection system will respect the rights of children and will provide child-friendly services, including a child-friendly vulnerability assessment.
As part of the white paper, the Department of Health and the HSE have proposed an enhanced model of health care for international protection applicants. It responds to the main issues facing this population group, covering public health, mental health and physical health. The model is in line with the HSE intercultural health strategy and the Sláintecare reform programme.
The HSE’s approach to intercultural health as outlined in the ‘Second National Intercultural Health Strategy 2018- 2023’ is to support the diverse ethnic and cultural groups in obtaining equal access and opportunities across the Irish health care services. The HSE recognise that a coordinated approach is important in the planning of new accommodation centres and agree that health services need to be involved at an early stage to assess local capacity to meet increased demand. Existing primary care services must be supported when new centres are opened.
A new Vulnerability Assessment process is being piloted by IPAS. The purpose of these assessments is to determine if an applicant is deemed to have special reception needs, to identify those needs and to identify what actions might be required to address those needs. Assessment questions are based on the various categories of vulnerability identified within the EU Reception Conditions Directive 2013/33/EU.
I welcome the publication of the Report of the Ombudsman for Children on the Safety and Welfare of Children in Direct Provision and have considered its findings as they relate to the health services. I am committed to working with the HSE to meet the health needs of people seeking international protection in direct provision centres, in collaboration with IPAS and other service providers.
170. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to provide accessible information on contraception and family planning including information accessible to persons with intellectual disabilities, persons that are deaf, hard of hearing or non-verbal, persons that are blind or vision impaired and Irish speakers and non-native English speakers. [23345/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key aim of the National Sexual Health Strategy is to ensure that everyone living in Ireland will receive comprehensive, and age-appropriate sexual health education and information.
To this end, the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme carries out a wide range of sexual health promotion campaigns, communications and information projects, both online via the www.sexualwellbeing.ie website and through the provision of hard copy resources.
I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with more detailed information on this as soon as possible.
171. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to provide accessible information on informed decisions related to unplanned pregnancy including information accessible to persons with intellectual disabilities, persons that are deaf, hard of hearing or non-verbal, persons that are blind or vision impaired and Irish speakers and non-native English speakers. [23346/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for a direct reply to the Deputy.
172. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to provide accessible information on informed decisions related to fertility treatment including information accessible to persons with intellectual disabilities, persons that are deaf, hard of hearing or non-verbal, persons that are blind or vision impaired and Irish speakers and non-native English speakers. [23347/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question seeks information that relates to service matters, I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply.
