Written Answers Nos. 444-459
446. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health if he will allow the Covid-19 vaccination when administered to be documented on the World Health Organisation Recognised International Certificate of Vaccination to assist Irish persons who require the certificate in order to volunteer abroad (details supplied). [25366/21]
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.
447. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health when the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out for pregnant women will commence (details supplied). [25367/21]
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.
448. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health if strong guidelines will be issued which will allow pregnant and labouring women to have a birth partner during scans, appointments and during the early stages of labour (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25368/21]
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.
449. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when the report promised by the National Ambulance Service at a virtual meeting with public representatives recently into the optimum location for a further ambulance deployment base in Connemara, County Galway and the type of base that would be required will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25374/21]
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.
450. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if an indicative date will be provided for the approved opening of amusement parks nationwide; and the reason amusement parks remain closed while other outdoor attractions such as zoos, pet farms, heritage sites and play parks have been given permission to reopen. [25385/21]
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. Further detail is available on Gov.ie: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/0bd80-new-public-health-measures-announced-the-path-ahead/
NPHET advise that this phased plan for the months of May and June can be considered low to medium risk. However, they also advise that a faster reopening, in particular involving a greater level of indoor mixing, over these months would be very high risk.
I can confirm to the Deputy that amusement parks are not permitted to reopen under current public health restrictions commencing on the 10 May. The level of restrictions will be kept under review by Government.
It is important to note that while there is now scope to ease a range of public health measures, this 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.
451. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to differences in funding support for clinical psychologists doctoral training compared to educational psychologists and counselling psychologists; the way he plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25396/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
452. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of outbreaks of Covid-19 that have been recorded in early childhood education and care facilities each month to date in 2021. [25400/21]
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.
453. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of outbreaks of Covid-19 that have been recorded in prisons here in each month to date in 2021. [25401/21]
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.
454. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of outbreaks of Covid-19 that have been recorded in direct provision centres in each month to date in 2021. [25402/21]
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.
455. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the extent to which each of the recommendations of the National Maternity Strategy have been implemented in full, in part or yet to be implemented; the date by which each recommendation not implemented in full will be implemented in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25403/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s first National Maternity Strategy was published in 2016 and is currently being implemented on a phased basis by the National Women & Infants Health Programme. In relation to your question on the extent of the implementation of each of the Strategy’s recommendations, I have asked the National Women & Infants Health Programme in the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
456. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of alongside birth centres established pursuant to the National Maternity Strategy; the location of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25404/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraImplementation of the National Maternity Strategy, including the provision of appropriate maternity environments in our hospitals, is being led by the HSE National Women & Infants Health Programme. I have therefore asked the HSE to reply to you directly, as soon as possible.
457. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if guidance will be provided in relation to the number of guests entitled to attend a wedding service that is scheduled to take place in a hotel setting on 3 June 2021 to be in compliance with Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25406/21]
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.
The recent announcement included the following changes to the measures applying to weddings: as of May 10, there can be an increase in the number of guests attending wedding services to 50 which brings this figure in line with the numbers permitted at religious services.
This increase to 50 guests relates to the service (both religious or civil) only. The number of guests attending a wedding celebration or reception should remain at 6 guests for indoor gatherings and 15 guests for outdoor gatherings. From 7 June, subject to the epidemiological situation at the time, it is envisaged that the numbers of guests attending a wedding celebration or reception will increase to 25.
It is important to note that while there is now scope to ease a range of public health measures, this 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.
458. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when the terms of reference will be published for the inquiry into the prescribing of sodium valproate during pregnancy which he committed to in November 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25411/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra459. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will establish a valproate stakeholder group which would report to his Department to address the ongoing concerns regarding women of childbearing age taking valproate and low awareness of the associated risks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25412/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra461. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of women of childbearing age who are taking sodium valproate; the number of these who are on a pregnancy prevention programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25414/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 458, 459 and 461 together.
Officials in my Department are considering terms of reference for the proposed inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in Ireland, as well as the establishment of a stakeholder group to address ongoing concerns relating to the use of this drug. The HSE does not collate comprehensive data on the number of women of childbearing age who are taking sodium valproate in Ireland; however, the agency is working to develop a registry to record women who have been prescribed sodium valproate during pregnancy.
