Mark Ward
Ceist:780. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing an inpatient perinatal service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24059/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaternity Services
Ceisteanna (780)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (781)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:781. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a timeline for the return to work of landscapers and gardeners given that it is a crucial season for the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24061/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
I am pleased to confirm to the Deputy that under this roadmap, from 4 May, workers who work outdoors can return to work. Full details of measures can be found on Gov.ie https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/0bd80-new-public-health-measures-announced-the-path-ahead/
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.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (782)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:782. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if arrangements will be put in place for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24063/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 (783)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:783. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the assistance available to a person (detail supplied) in order that they can be considered exempt in relation to mandatory hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24065/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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 Act identifies those who are exempt from mandatory hotel quarantine, and a full list of exemptions can be accessed on www.gov.ie/quarantine.
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.
The Government continues to evaluate wider policy on international travel as informed by the epidemiological situation and public health advice, including the possibility of future exemptions, such as for certain categories of essential workers. Public health will remain a paramount consideration.
As of 17th April, passengers who are 'fully vaccinated' and have the documents to confirm this are no longer required to complete mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival in Ireland. Dependents, including children, will also be exempted from the requirement to complete mandatory hotel quarantine in this instance. Please note that the 4 EMA approved vaccines currently accepted have specific definitions for when a person would be considered 'fully vaccinated'.
All guests are responsible for the full cost of their stay in a quarantine facility, including their initial booking as well as any additional costs which might be incurred.
It should be noted that in some limited and exceptional cases, such as emergency repatriation of a citizen, a deferral on the requirement to pre-pay for quarantine while booking may be granted by the Department of Foreign Affairs. This deferral does not remove the responsibility of such guests to pay for the full cost of their quarantine in a designated facility.
The provisions of the Act allow for travellers to request a review of decisions relating to their quarantine in a designated facility; however, this can only be undertaken once quarantine has begun.
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.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (784, 786, 787)
Mark Ward
Ceist:784. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the CHO areas which have been selected as a pilot site for the implementation of the model of care, adults accessing talking therapies while attending specialist mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24073/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMark Ward
Ceist:786. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the criteria used in choosing the pilot sites for the implementation of the model of care, adults accessing talking therapies while attending specialist mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24075/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMark Ward
Ceist:787. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the expected date for the first person to access talk therapy using the scheme in relation to the model of care, adults accessing talking therapies while attending specialist mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24076/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 787, 784 and 786 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (785)
Mark Ward
Ceist:785. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if CHO7 is one of the pilot sites for the implementation of the model of care, adults accessing talking therapies while attending specialist mental health services; if so, the location of the three general adult community mental health teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24074/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Questions Nos. 786 and 787 answered with Question No. 785.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (788)
Mark Ward
Ceist:788. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of creating an IT dual diagnosis care plan system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24039/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (789)
Johnny Mythen
Ceist:789. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the immediate plans that are in place to deal with the severe waiting lists for autism spectrum disorder assessments in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24086/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (790)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:790. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the plans to vaccinate persons aged 18 to 25 years against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24090/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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/
Question No. 791 answered with Question No. 695.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Ceisteanna (792)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:792. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if it will be ensured that the cost of medical cannabis is met at source for persons receiving cannabis under a Ministerial licence rather than through a reimbursement system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24094/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am very sympathetic to such cases. I asked my officials to examine this issue.
I would however refer the Deputy to Section 10B of the Health Act 2004 (as inserted by section 6 of the Health Service Executive (Governance) Act 2013), under which the Minister for Health may not give a direction to the Executive in the manner as sought by the Deputy.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (793)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:793. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated by his Department or agencies under his remit to An Taisce in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the expected respective allocations to An Taisce for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24106/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My department made no payments to An Taisce in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021. There are no payments to An Taisce expected in 2021.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (794)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:794. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when members of the Irish Coast Guard will be vaccinated (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24119/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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/
Vaccine registration for those aged 50 to 59 years has begun.
Advanced Healthcare Directives
Ceisteanna (795, 828)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:795. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taking to establish a register for advance healthcare directives as part of the commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. [24123/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Richard Bruton
Ceist:828. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to establish a register for advance healthcare directives as part of the commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 [24259/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 795 and 828 together.
Part 8 of the Assisted Decision Making Capacity Act 2015 provides the legislative framework for Advanced Healthcare Directives, or AHDs. An AHD is a statement made by a person with capacity setting out their will and preferences in relation to treatment decisions that may arise in the future, when they no longer have capacity.
My Department remains committed to commencing these provisions as soon as possible, and work has been underway to develop a code of practice to accompany the AHD provisions. The AHD Multidisciplinary Working Group has developed a draft code of practice which has been submitted to the Decision Support Service and which will be submitted to me, for approval, once finalised.
The establishment of a Register for Advance Healthcare Directives is a complex undertaking. My Department recognises that for this to be both operable and meaningful, the further deployment of health identifiers across the wider health system will be required. We will considermaking such Regulations when national Health Identifiers are deployed acrossthe health system.
However, while Part 8 of the Act of 2015 allows for regulations for the Register of Advance Healthcare Directives, it should be noted that it does not require that this Register is established before the Act is commenced.
There are a number of other interdependencies which must be addressed before Part 8 can be commenced and work is continuing in respect of all outstanding matters. These also include commencing certain other provisions of the Act outside of Part 8 that fall under the remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Justice and Equality.
Maternity Services
Ceisteanna (796)
Seán Canney
Ceist:796. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the reason gynaecologists are not available on site full-time as opposed to being on call in maternity units to deal with emergency issues that may arise, including threatened miscarriage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24143/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.