Written Answers Nos. 173-193
173. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if persons arriving into Ireland from a jurisdiction not on the mandatory quarantining list to attend a wedding is classified as essential travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23348/21]
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.
Passengers who are travelling from non-designated countries and are not required to undergo quarantine in a designated facility are still subject to other travel restrictions, such as the need to provide a negative pre-departure PCR test and complete a period of self-quarantine at home or wherever specified in their passenger locator form.
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.
The Government continues to advise against all non-essential international travel.
174. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health when works to refurbish Monasterevin day care centre will be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23355/21]
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.
175. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will carry out an audit in counties Kildare, Laois and Offaly on the availability of dentists for those with medical cards with a view to addressing the inability of patients to find a dentist accepting public patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23361/21]
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.
176. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will carry out an audit in counties Kildare, Laois and Offaly on the availability of general practitioners for those with medical cards with a view to addressing the inability of patients to find general practitioners accepting public patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23362/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs are self-employed private practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community. Under the provisions of the Health (Provision of General Practitioner Services) Act 2012, a GP can enter into a State contract to provide GP services provided he/she is on the Medical Council's Specialist Register in the Speciality of General Practice, irrespective of the number of GPs who are already established in an area.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the selection process to find a replacement GP. There are currently no GMS GP vacancies in the counties concerned.
While there are no plans to carry out an audit of the GP services in these locations, the Government, aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, has implemented a number of measures to improve recruitment and retention in general practice.
These measures include an increase in investment in general practice by approximately 40% (€210 million) over the period 2019 - 2023 under the terms of the 2019 GP Agreement on contractual reform and service development. The Agreement provides for increased support for GPs working in rural practices and for those in disadvantaged urban areas, and for improvements to maternity and paternity leave arrangements. In addition, the number of GPs entering training has been increased steadily over the past ten years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 213 in 2020, with a further increase foreseen in 2021. The ICGP noted a record number of applications for the 2021 GP training programme.
These measures will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
177. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting an ENT outpatient appointment at Tullamore Hospital for 1,2,3,4 and more than 5 years; the expected wait for new entrants onto the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23364/21]
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.
Elective care in public hospitals was curtailed for the first quarter of 2021, in line with the rapid increase in Covid -19 hospital admissions, with only critical time dependent elective procedures undertaken.
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.
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 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 to improve access to care, €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.
In regard to, the information requested by the Deputy, concerning the expected wait for new entrants onto the ENT waiting list, the NTPF has advised my Department that they don’t hold data to support reporting on expected wait times. The information requested concerning the number of persons awaiting an ENT outpatient appointment at Tullamore Hospital for 1,2,3,4 and more than 5 years, is outlined in the attached document.
ENT OP waiting list Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore as at 25/03/2021
|
0-12 Mths |
12-24 Mths |
24-36 Mths |
36-48 Mths |
48-60 Mths |
60+ Mths |
Grand Total |
|
|
Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore |
2190 |
2558 |
1618 |
1010 |
115 |
39 |
7530 |
|
Grand Total |
2190 |
2558 |
1618 |
1010 |
115 |
39 |
7530 |
178. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if funding can be made available to groups assisting older persons on a multi-annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23366/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra179. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if the application process will be simplified for funding to groups assisting older persons for repeat applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23367/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 179 together.
As these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
180. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the status of the safe access to termination of pregnancy Bill which is listed in the Summer 2021 Legislative Programme as preparatory work underway; the reason this identical status was included in the Autumn 2020 and Spring 2021 Legislative Programmes; the nature of the preparatory work in view of the fact that the drafting of the Bill was approved in July 2018; if there is precedent for the drafting of a Bill by his Department to take up to three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23373/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring access to termination of pregnancy services remains an ongoing priority for the Department of Health.
As I have set out previously, it was originally intended to provide for safe access to termination of pregnancy services in the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. However, a number of legal issues were identified which necessitated further consideration. Given the large volume of priority legislative work which has arisen within the Department of Health during the last year as part of the response to Covid-19, as well as the additional workload across Government, it has been necessary to place work on several areas on hold due to the diversion of resources.
Since services under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 commenced in January 2019, there has been a limited number of reports of protests or other actions relating to termination of pregnancy. This is an extremely positive development, suggesting that termination of pregnancy services have bedded in relatively smoothly to date and are becoming a normal part of the Irish healthcare system, in line with Government policy.
However, where problems do arise with protests outside health care services, there is existing public order legislation in place to protect people accessing services, employees working in the service and local residents. The Department of Health has previously liaised with An Garda Síochána around safe access to termination of pregnancy services, and the Garda National Protective Services Bureau issued a notice to all Garda Stations raising awareness about the issue. The notice directed that any protests be monitored, and breaches of existing law dealt with. The Department has provided information on existing public order and other relevant legislation to the HSE for appropriate distribution.
Services for termination of pregnancy under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 have continued to function during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is regular ongoing engagement between my Department and the HSE to facilitate the smooth-running of the service and to resolve any issues that may arise.
181. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to advance a successor to the dental treatment services scheme considering the recent collapse in the number of dentists contracted on the scheme; if he has engaged with dentists regarding the reason for widespread withdrawal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23382/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. These services are provided by independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. Patients may choose to have their treatment undertaken by any dentist who participates in the Scheme.
I am aware that there has been a reduction in the numbers of dentists participating in the DTSS since the beginning of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Some people are experiencing problems in accessing a service close to their home, however, I have been assured by the HSE that their local services on the ground will assist any persons who are experiencing problems in accessing a service.
I want to ensure the sustainability and viability of the DTSS so that all eligible persons can continue to receive the services that they deserve from their local dentist of choice. My commitment to the profession and to the public is for a review of the Scheme, in keeping with Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy.
182. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he plans to engage with an association (details supplied) in collective bargaining as the representative group of dentists in the same way that he engages with other professional representative groups and trade unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23383/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra238. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a framework agreement has been negotiated between his Department and an association (details supplied) to allow the association to represent its members; the status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23564/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 238 together.
I have given a commitment to the dental profession and to the public for a review of the Dental Treatment Services Scheme, in keeping with Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy.
I am anxious to ensure that there are no barriers to engagement between the Department and the Irish Dental Association (IDA) in this regard. I am aware of the IDA's concerns about its collective bargaining rights and I have asked officials in my Department to engage with the organisation on his matter.
183. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health his plans to adopt the WHO recommendation of 25 March 2021 on the prioritisation of Covid-19 vaccinations for seafarers and aircrew; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23389/21]
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/
It is important to note that the NIAC has advised that there is no evidence to show a significantly increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease, independent of age and other comorbidities, in any occupational group other than frontline healthcare workers to prioritise them for vaccination abovetheir age-cohort.
184. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide some of the anticipated 2021 cost savings from the recent HSE medicines management programme preferred blood glucose strips for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes evaluation to fund the provision of the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23395/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
188. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of meetings held in 2020 and to date in 2021 between the manufacturers of the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system and the HSE PCRS in relation to making the technology available to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; the outcomes of these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23399/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
189. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the decision to make the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system available to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23400/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
190. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the provisions that are in place for housebound persons under 70 years of age to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. [23401/21]
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.
191. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason the medicine toilex for young children with bowel issues is no longer being approved for use (details supplied); when a suitable replacement will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23403/21]
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.
192. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is not receiving the HPV vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23404/21]
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.
193. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide some of the anticipated 2021 cost savings from the recent HSE Medicines Management Programme preferred blood glucose strips for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes evaluation to fund the provision of the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23405/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
