Written Answers Nos. 142-161
142. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the examination of the boarding out scheme in the context of the overall reform of older persons services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30451/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe last year has been a very challenging year for the health system in responding to the current pandemic. This has highlighted the continuing importance of the need to support people, including our older people, to access the right care, in the right place, at the right time. The Boarding Out Scheme facilitates older people to remain in their communities where they may otherwise be accommodated in residential care. It can also help to reduce social isolation.
While the use of the Boarding Out Scheme by the HSE has traditionally been small there is value in exploring it further. I have requested that officials in the Department consider this model of care and the Regulations in the context of our overall commitment to enhancing opportunities for older people to stay in their homes and communities for longer. I expect preliminary work to begin later this year.
143. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the delays faced by cohort 7 in getting the Covid-19 vaccines; the steps he is taking to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30452/21]
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 ongoing, 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.
144. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons on national panels for psychologist staff grade posts have not been made aware of the new recruitment campaign and change in the panel process; the steps he is taking to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30453/21]
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.”
145. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the potential of current and planned Covid-19 vaccines to vaccinate children under 15 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30454/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra208. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the roll-out of a Covid-19 vaccination (details supplied) for the 12 to 15-year age bracket for those with underlying conditions. [30668/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 208 together.
Ireland welcomes the EMA age extension recommendation for the COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty to include use in children aged 12 to 15. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee is reviewing the matter and will make a recommendation as appropriate. Currently, Ireland's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is administering vaccines to those aged 16+.
146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the procurement and tendering process for homecare services within the HSE; when a person (details supplied) will receive clarification regarding the procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30455/21]
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.
147. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health when the University of Limerick Hospitals' adult diabetes service will have the level of staffing required to initiate DAFNE (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30456/21]
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.
148. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health when the DAFNE will be operational in University of Limerick Hospital for adults with type 1 diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30457/21]
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.
149. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health when the three whole-time equivalent dietitian posts announced in January 2021, will be recruited as part of a winter plan will commence their posts in University of Limerick Hospital adult diabetes services; the portion of the three whole-time equivalent posts that are assigned to adult diabetes care in the acute services in Limerick, Ennis and Nenagh diabetes clinics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30458/21]
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.”
150. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with diabetes over the age of 18 years attending University of Limerick Hospitals Groups' adult diabetes service who are using insulin pump therapy to manage their condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30459/21]
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.
151. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with diabetes waiting on a first appointment for the outpatients diabetes clinic in University of Limerick Hospitals group; and the number waiting over 12, 24, 36 months, over 4 and over 5 years, in tabular form. [30460/21]
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.
152. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the policies in place to protect patients from adverse effects including stress in cases in which their debts for hospital charges are passed on to debt collectors; if he will consider removing these charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30461/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPatient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the annual National Service Plan.
These charges typically include:
- Out-patient charges;
- Emergency Department charges;
- In-patient charges; and
- Long-term stay charges.
There are cohorts of people who are exempt from these charges, including, but not limited to persons with full eligibility, women receiving services in respect of motherhood, children up to the age of six weeks, children suffering from diseases prescribed under section 52 (2) of the Act, and persons receiving services for the diagnosis or treatment of infectious diseases.
In addition, patients who opt for private in-patient services in public hospitals are liable for a range of private accommodation charges. There are no exemptions from these charges.
Non collection of debts owed directly impacts on the affordability of services provided by the Health Service Executive in any year. It is therefore incumbent on the HSE to take all reasonable steps to pursue amounts owed for services delivered. Debt collection agencies are engaged when normal billing arrangements have been unsuccessful
The operational detail in relation to how outstanding charges are collected from patients by individual service areas within the HSE 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.
153. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if the recommendations of the 2018 Hospital Car Parking Review will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30462/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government makes a commitment to introduce a cap on the maximum daily charge for patients and visitors at all public hospitals, where possible and to introduce flexible passes in all public hospitals for patients and their families. My Department and the HSE are currently examining the issue.
156. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health if he will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the 12-week gap between the first and second dose of a vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30465/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 4 June I announced a shorter interval between doses for the Vaxzevria® (AstraZeneca) vaccine. This follows updated recommendations from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), which have been endorsed by the Chief Medical Officer. NIAC has concluded that those of any age (without any previous COVID-19 infection), who have received their first dose of Vaxzevria® should receive their second dose 8-12 weeks later.The HSE recently received updated advice from NIAC in relation to reducing the dose interval for the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine from 12 weeks to 8. Extensive planning has been required to put in place a programme that will now see the remaining, approximately 450,000 people, in receipt of the AstraZeneca vaccine fully immunised through the administration of this second dose by the end of July.
157. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on the appointment of a dermatologist (details supplied) at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath. [30466/21]
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.
158. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the 12-week gap in the administration of the Covid-19 vaccine in the 60 to 70 age cohort needs to be revisited in view of the Indian variant and UK vaccination advice and the mathematical modelling on the variant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30467/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 4 June I announced a shorter interval between doses for the Vaxzevria® (AstraZeneca) vaccine. This follows updated recommendations from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), which have been endorsed by the Chief Medical Officer. NIAC has concluded that those of any age (without any previous COVID-19 infection), who have received their first dose of Vaxzevria® should receive their second dose 8-12 weeks later.The HSE recently received updated advice from NIAC in relation to reducing the dose interval for the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine from 12 weeks to 8. Extensive planning has been required to put in place a programme that will now see the remaining, approximately 450,000 people, in receipt of the AstraZeneca vaccine fully immunised through the administration of this second dose by the end of July.
159. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if the granting of new protective helmets will be expedited for children (details supplied) with diagnoses of neurofibromatosis, ASD and epilepsy who are at risk of and experiencing drop injuries given that their current helmets are too small; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30468/21]
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.
160. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 583 of 17 December 2020 and 646 of 3 February 2021, the reason that the HSE has refused to disclose the location of the 18 ambulatory care hubs; if his Department has been provided with locations for some or all of these hubs; if so, the locations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30469/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of Ambulatory Care Hubs or, more properly, Community Specialist Teams, is an operational issue and is a matter for the HSE.
The Department was provided with an update from the HSE in April 2021 that work was underway to identify short-, medium- and long-term options for accommodating Specialist Teams across the Community Healthcare Organisations (CHOs). It is understood that this work was conducted in line with standard HSE Estates processes in terms of planning for system wide accommodation needs and included consultation with CHOs and local and national estates.
The Department has not been formally advised by the HSE of the location of the 18 Community Specialist Teams. However, through work on other Oireachtas business, the Department has recently become aware that Community Healthcare West is to develop teams in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway and Galway City in the first phase of the rollout and in Castlebar, Co. Mayo in the second phase.
As noted above, this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue and 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.
161. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the consideration given to accepting a test to detect Covid-19 (details supplied) instead of standard PCR tests for the purposes of travel into and out of the country; the discussions that have taken place a EU level and with the airlines in relation to this matter in view of the imminent introduction of the digital certificate for travelling in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30470/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder current measures negative or non-detected pre-departure Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within 72 hours of arrival are accepted for overseas arrivals into Ireland.
Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests remain the gold standard in terms of COVID-19 testing, particularly in relation to the screening of travellers.
On an ongoing basis, the National Public Health Emergency Team considers and reviews how best to target testing to detect, and mitigate the impact of, the virus across the population. This includes keeping Ireland’s national testing and tracing policy under continuing review.
