Written Answers Nos. 276-295
276. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if it may not be possible to carry out complete foetal anomaly scans in University Hospital Galway’s maternity services due to Covid 19 restrictions, the implications for foetal health care and maternal health care if such a critical scan is not being completed for pregnant patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26062/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra“As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
277. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the number of persons over 70 years of age who have registered to receive a vaccine and are still waiting; the number who are housebound and still waiting; and if a strategy will be put in place to accelerate the clearing of such persons who remain the highest risk categories. [26067/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
278. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to retain remote consultation for early abortion care as an option within the model of care for termination of pregnancy beyond the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26077/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to protect public health and limit the spread of COVID-19, the Department of Health and the HSE worked together to put new arrangements in place to allow termination of pregnancy services in early pregnancy to be provided remotely.
For the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency, where the need for social distancing, reducing personal contacts and reducing the burden on medical practitioners are paramount, it will be possible for a woman to access a termination under section 12 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (i.e. before 12 weeks) from her medical practitioner by telephone or video conference consultation.
The arrangement enabling remote consultation will be reviewed once the public health emergency is declared over. There is regular ongoing engagement between the Department of Health and the HSE to monitor service provision, facilitate the smooth-running of the service and resolve any issues that may arise.
279. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to deal with orthodontic waiting lists in CHO1 given that current waiting lists are three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26080/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra“As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
280. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the number on orthodontic waiting lists in CHO1 in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form; the average time from assessment to treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26081/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra“As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
281. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the age at which children in County Laois are receiving their first dental intervention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26083/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra“As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
282. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of children in County Laois currently awaiting dental intervention in each priority group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26084/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra“As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
283. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE dental surgeon positions and the details of vacancies in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26085/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra“As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
284. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of data breaches suffered by his Department in each of the past five years and to date in 2021. [26101/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below sets out the number of personal data breaches identified by my Department since the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to date.
Personal data breaches are dealt with in line with the Department’s Data Breach Management Policy and as required under Articles 33-34 of the GDPR.
|
Years |
Number of Data Breaches |
|
2018 |
4 |
|
2019 |
2 |
|
2020 |
16 |
|
2021 |
9 |
285. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health if a package of health and personal social services and other supports will be made available to survivors of thalidomide as per the spring legislation programme; if so, when this will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26110/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWork is underway in the Department to bring forward Heads of a Bill to provide on a statutory basis for health and personal social services for Irish survivors of thalidomide. It is not possible at this stage to provide a timeframe for this work.
The Deputy may be aware that following an Irish Government decision in January 1975, the Government granted an ex-gratia sum equivalent to 4 times the German lump-sum and an ex-gratia monthly allowance for life equal to the German monthly allowance, to each of the Irish children found to have thalidomide related injuries. There are currently 29 Irish people in receipt of ex-gratia monthly payments from my Department.
The German monthly payments are made by the Contergan Foundation, which is established under German legislation. From 1 August 2013, the Foundation substantially increased its monthly payments to thalidomide survivors, including Irish survivors. Both the German payments and the Irish ex-gratia payments made to the survivors are exempt from tax, including DIRT and are not reckonable as means for the purpose of Social Welfare payments. The rate of payment is related to the survivors' level of thalidomide related injury.
In addition to the initial lump-sum and monthly payments for life, the supports provided to each Irish survivor include a medical card on an administrative basis regardless of mean, provision of appliances, artificial limbs, equipment, housing adaptations and access to a full range of primary care, hospital and personal social services. There is a designated senior manager in the Health Service Executive who liaises with Irish thalidomide survivors and assists them to access supports towards their ongoing health and personal social service needs.
It is important to note that the German Contergan Foundation has confirmed that since 2013 it is accepting applications from individuals for compensation for thalidomide related injury. It is open to any Irish person to apply to the Foundation for assessment of their disability as being attributable to thalidomide. Any Irish person who establishes that their injury is attributable to thalidomide will be offered appropriate supports by the Irish Government, commensurate with those currently provided to Irish thalidomide survivors.
286. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to lifting the ongoing restrictions on the receipt of sacraments for sixth class pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26112/21]
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 adherence by the public to the public health measures in place, and this progress has been sustained during recent phases of reopening in April and May. 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.
On 28 May, Government decided to move ahead with the process of lifting restrictions further and a range of measures were eased in June.
The Government has indicated that a further easing of measures will be considered from 5 July subject to the epidemiological situation at the time and this would include permitting confirmations to take place. Government will give consideration to whether this further easing can proceed as planned next week.
As outlined on Gov.ie, when confirmations are permitted, any related family gatherings should strictly adhere to the prevailing public health advice on household mixing, including visitors to your home and indoor and outdoor dining and any decision to schedule such ceremonies should take account of the disease situation in the local community (www.gov.ie/en/press-release/7894b-post-cabinet-statement-resilience-and-recovery-the-path-ahead/#what-you-can-do-in-july-subject-to-the-public-health-situation-at-the-time).
While there has been scope to continue with the easing of public health measures, our 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 ensure that our progress in controlling the virus is maintained.
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. To protect the gains of recent months we must continue to practice basic preventative behaviours and to follow public health guidelines.
287. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan 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. [26114/21]
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, As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point
288. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan 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. [26115/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26116/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra290. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he has received a submission from the HSE primary care reimbursement service 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. [26117/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 288 to 290, inclusive, together.
I have not received a funding proposal or a recommendation 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 by the HSE.
291. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of meetings that have been held in 2020 and 2021 between the manufacturers of the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system and the HSE primary care reimbursement service 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. [26118/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
292. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding timelines for the processing of forestry thinning applications; the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33627/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA tree felling licence application was submitted for the person named in April 2020. This is a large, complex site, which is near overwintering grounds for Hen Harrier. The site is over peat of varying depths, near to Lough Derg and there are restrictions on proposed operations, outside the bird nesting season, which brings a risk to water quality.
The Department’s Ecology Unit is currently examining this application and expect that a decision will issue within two to three months.
293. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 529 of 25 May 2021, if both of the two senior forestry inspectors share the same roles and responsibilities; if not, the way in which these roles and responsibilities are split; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33673/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are two forestry Senior Inspectors. Both are permanent staff members. They do not share the same role.
One is the Head of the Forestry Inspectorate Division whose main responsibilities are to manage Forestry Inspectors, Ecologists and Archaeologists within this Division in the implementation of licence and scheme delivery, enforcement and monitoring. In addition, this Senior Inspector is also responsible for Forest Health, which amongst other things is related to import controls at some of the Irish ports, export certification, regulatory aspects of Wood Packaging and regulatory aspects of Forest Reproductive material.
The other Senior Inspector is responsible for the Forest Sector Development Division which looks after forest and climate policy, implementation of the European Timber Regulation and collecting data and publishing Irelands National Forest Inventory. This Division is also responsible for Ireland's international forest reporting requirements on greenhouse gas inventories and representation at EU forums on forest policy. He is also responsible for the coordination and facilitation of the COFORD Council and its associated working groups.
Both Senior Inspectors report directly to the Assistant Secretary with responsibilities for forestry.
294. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 530 of 25 May 2021, if he is now stating that he is not going to adhere to the charter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33674/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe question of customer communication is being dealt with under Working Group 3 of Project Woodland.
I wish to reiterate our commitment to the improvement of customer relations and to better meeting customer expectations. I, along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett who has responsibility for forestry, will be examining in detail the recommendations when they come from the Working Group with a view to their early implementation.
295. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 531 of 25 May 2021, if it can be shown or proven that a district inspector has not adhered to these circulars, the sanctions that can be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33675/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department issues forestry related circulars to the forestry sector on a regular basis. These circulars are issued to the trade and clarify or amend Department policy. Such policy clarification or change would then fall to be implemented by Department staff as per the contents of the circular.
Where anyone has information that a District Inspector is not following proper procedure, this information should be forwarded to the Department.
This issue would then be addressed, in the first instance, with the District Inspector by their line manager with a view to ensuring that the staff member is fully aware, trained and follows all relevant procedures that are laid down.
