Seán Sherlock
Ceist:461. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if the treatment abroad scheme is in operation with the advent of Covid-19; and if there are any restrictions in place of same. [26573/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCovid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (461)
Freagraí scríofa
The HSE continues to operate the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS).
In the context of the Covid-19 Pandemic, persons seeking to utilise the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), should review and adhere to the public health guidance and restrictions in place at any point in time. The current guidance, S.I. No. 267 of 2021, provides that a person may not leave his or her place of residence to go to an airport or port for the purpose of leaving the State without reasonable excuse. Such reasonable excuse includes to attend a medical or dental appointment, or accompany, to such an appointment, any other person residing with the person, or a vulnerable person, and to seek essential medical, health or dental assistance for the person, for any other person residing with the person, or for a vulnerable person.
Departmental Communications
Ceisteanna (462)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:462. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the percentage of posts made on each of his Departmental social media accounts and platforms that were exclusively in Irish between 1 May 2020 and 30 April 2021, inclusive; the percentage of posts made on each of his Departmental social media accounts and platforms that featured bilingual translations in Irish and English between 1 May 2020 and 30 April 2021, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26583/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Between May 2020 and April 2021, the number of posts from my Department from the @RoinnSlainte accounts on social media were as follows:
- 2,509 Twitter posts, 1% of them in Irish (27 in Irish).
- 114 Instagram posts, 8% in Irish (9 in Irish).
- 40 Facebook posts, none in Irish.
My Department remains committed to meeting all its obligations under the Official Languages Act and to providing timely and meaningful advice and guidance through Irish during this crisis.
Links shared by my Department on social media direct to the Department's website, gov.ie/health, which is consistently managed to ensure a high level of content available in both English and Irish.
Assisted Human Reproduction
Ceisteanna (463)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Ceist:463. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will address the international surrogacy issue in the assisted human reproduction Bill to reflect that both the child’s intended parents are recognised as their legal parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26602/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, drafting of a bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research, based on the published General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill, is ongoing by officials in my Department, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. This comprehensive piece of legislation will encompass the regulation, for the first time in Ireland, of a very wide range of practices, including domestic altruistic surrogacy.
The General Scheme does not contain provisions to regulate surrogacy arrangements undertaken in other jurisdictions. As issues relating to international surrogacy concern areas of law that intersect across the remits of several Government Departments, my Department is engaging with the Department of Justice and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in respect of this policy area.
Question No. 464 answered with Question No. 402.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (465)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:465. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number and hospital location of international board certified lactation consultants currently employed as lactation consultants in maternity hospitals in tabular form; if the recently announced additional 24 lactation consultants will be international board certified lactation consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26606/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
“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.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (466)
Denise Mitchell
Ceist:466. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting access to a speech and language therapist in CHO9 for over 3, 6, 12 and 18 months in tabular form. [26609/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (467)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:467. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns that persons with ill health and other limiting factors in counties Offaly and Laois are being requested to travel long distances outside their counties and place for residence for receipt of the Covid-19 vaccine despite local vaccine centres being available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26611/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Abortion Services
Ceisteanna (468)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:468. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the review required under section 7 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 which is to take place in 2021; the process for this review; if a review group is being appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26618/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. Section 7 of the Act states that “The Minister shall, not later than 3 years after the commencement of this section, carry out a review of the operation of this Act.
The review is being progressed this year and will be led by an independent expert. It is anticipated that it will take a three-part approach to reviewing the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation. Research to inform the service user and service provider strands will be commissioned and carried out independently, and a public consultation will be held.
Upon completion, a full report, with any necessary recommendations, will be submitted to me, as Minister, for consideration.
I have held a number of meetings with stakeholder groups to discuss the approach for the review; this will be finalised in due course.
Voluntary Sector
Ceisteanna (469)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:469. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the amount the NGO and charity sector receive in funding from his Department per annum. [26626/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Attached is the breakdown of funding the Department has disbursed to the NGO and Voluntary sector from 2000 - 2020.
Funding for NGOs is provided from subhead E.1 and relates to a small number of organisations. Most payments in this time period were for the Institute of Public Health, Dental Health Foundation and the International Society for Quality in Health Care. Funding for the Voluntary sector which included payments to the charity sector were previously made under a National Lottery scheme. Since 01 January 2017, responsibility for this scheme, and the disbursement of funds from this scheme, are the responsibility of the HSE and the Department of Health no longer has direct involvement in this scheme.
|
Year |
NGO's |
Voluntary Organisations |
Total |
|
2000 |
454,566.24 |
2,640,000.00 |
3,094,566.24 |
|
2001 |
774,540.23 |
2,732,000.00 |
3,506,540.23 |
|
2002 |
818,000.00 |
3,476,000.00 |
4,294,000.00 |
|
2003 |
860,439.31 |
3,533,000.00 |
4,393,439.31 |
|
2004 |
978,000.00 |
3,631,000.00 |
4,609,000.00 |
|
2005 |
1,940,929.64 |
3,609,765.00 |
5,550,694.64 |
|
2006 |
1,505,000.00 |
3,815,000.00 |
5,320,000.00 |
|
2007 |
2,006,706.14 |
3,903,000.00 |
5,909,706.14 |
|
2008 |
2,229,651.12 |
3,985,000.00 |
6,214,651.12 |
|
2009 |
2,123,331.93 |
3,985,000.00 |
6,108,331.93 |
|
2010 |
2,125,450.95 |
3,785,999.00 |
5,911,449.95 |
|
2011 |
1,825,794.00 |
3,286,000.00 |
5,111,794.00 |
|
2012 |
1,542,444.55 |
3,286,000.00 |
4,828,444.55 |
|
2013 |
1,585,958.34 |
3,286,000.00 |
4,871,958.34 |
|
2014 |
1,447,309.11 |
3,286,000.00 |
4,733,309.11 |
|
2015 |
1,517,310.76 |
3,286,000.00 |
4,803,310.76 |
|
2016 |
1,488,425.00 |
3,285,659.00 |
4,774,084.00 |
|
2017 |
1,683,350.00 |
1,683,350.00 |
|
|
2018 |
2,126,000.00 |
2,126,000.00 |
|
|
2019 |
2,283,348.92 |
2,283,348.92 |
|
|
2020 |
2,852,517.21 |
2,852,517.21 |
|
|
Total |
34,169,073.45 |
Voluntary Sector
Ceisteanna (470)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:470. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if a record will be provided of the annual funding received by the NGO and charity sector from his Department in each of the years 2000 to 2020. [26645/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Attached is the breakdown of funding the Department has disbursed to the NGO and Voluntary sector from 2000 - 2020.
Funding for NGOs is provided from subhead E.1 and relates to a small number of organisations. Most payments in this time period were for the Institute of Public Health, Dental Health Foundation and the International Society for Quality in Health Care. Funding for the Voluntary sector which included payments to the charity sector were previously made under a National Lottery scheme. Since 01 January 2017, responsibility for this scheme, and the disbursement of funds from this scheme, are the responsibility of the HSE and the Department of Health no longer has direct involvement in this scheme.
|
Year |
NGO's |
Voluntary Organisations |
Total |
|
2000 |
454,566.24 |
2,640,000.00 |
3,094,566.24 |
|
2001 |
774,540.23 |
2,732,000.00 |
3,506,540.23 |
|
2002 |
818,000.00 |
3,476,000.00 |
4,294,000.00 |
|
2003 |
860,439.31 |
3,533,000.00 |
4,393,439.31 |
|
2004 |
978,000.00 |
3,631,000.00 |
4,609,000.00 |
|
2005 |
1,940,929.64 |
3,609,765.00 |
5,550,694.64 |
|
2006 |
1,505,000.00 |
3,815,000.00 |
5,320,000.00 |
|
2007 |
2,006,706.14 |
3,903,000.00 |
5,909,706.14 |
|
2008 |
2,229,651.12 |
3,985,000.00 |
6,214,651.12 |
|
2009 |
2,123,331.93 |
3,985,000.00 |
6,108,331.93 |
|
2010 |
2,125,450.95 |
3,785,999.00 |
5,911,449.95 |
|
2011 |
1,825,794.00 |
3,286,000.00 |
5,111,794.00 |
|
2012 |
1,542,444.55 |
3,286,000.00 |
4,828,444.55 |
|
2013 |
1,585,958.34 |
3,286,000.00 |
4,871,958.34 |
|
2014 |
1,447,309.11 |
3,286,000.00 |
4,733,309.11 |
|
2015 |
1,517,310.76 |
3,286,000.00 |
4,803,310.76 |
|
2016 |
1,488,425.00 |
3,285,659.00 |
4,774,084.00 |
|
2017 |
1,683,350.00 |
1,683,350.00 |
|
|
2018 |
2,126,000.00 |
2,126,000.00 |
|
|
2019 |
2,283,348.92 |
2,283,348.92 |
|
|
2020 |
2,852,517.21 |
2,852,517.21 |
|
|
Total |
34,169,073.45 |
Voluntary Sector
Ceisteanna (471)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:471. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated to each NGO and charity in each of the years 2010 to 2020 by his Department. [26658/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Document 26658-21 contains details of funding provided to NGOs from 2010 to 2020.
The remaining documents detail payments made under the National Lottery scheme to voluntary bodies, including charities from 2010 to 2016. From 01 January 2017, this scheme has continued through the HSE and the Department has no direct involvement in the award of funding under this scheme.
https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2021-06-24_pq471-24-6-21_en.xlsx
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (472)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:472. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he or his Department have the remit and authority to instruct or compel the 19 maternity units to comply with easing restrictions that currently prevent a woman from having a partner of her choice with her at all antenatal appointments, including all scans and throughout the full duration of their labour and birth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26665/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (473)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:473. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if an uniform best practice-based approach to women having full access to a partner will be implemented and enforced across all HSE maternity units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26666/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (474)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:474. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the specific grounds identified by his Department and HSE on which a maternity unit is exempt from lifting partner restrictions for maternity service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26667/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (475)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:475. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the specific grounds identified by his Department and HSE, including but not exclusive to the Covid-19 pandemic, on which a maternity unit is justified in implementing partner restrictions for maternity service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26668/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.