Written Answers Nos. 1598-1623
1598. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of claims made and proceedings initiated against the HSE or hospital groups by persons or groups of persons whose loved ones died after contracting Covid-19 in a hospital setting. [34475/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra2279. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons and families who have taken cases, issued letter of claim and initiated proceedings against the HSE regarding the death of a loved one who died having contracted Covid-19 in a HSE-run nursing home, residential care facility or hospital. [37223/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1598 and 2279 together.
The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of Delegated State Authorities including the Health Service Executive. I have been informed by the SCA that the information contained below was extracted from the National Incident Management System (NIMS) according to the below criteria:
- The explicit reference to ”hospitals”, “nursing homes” or “residential care facility” is interpreted as claims notified to the SCA against the HSE which relate to incidents occurring within a nursing home, hospital or a community health organisation location/unit.
- Claims arising could relate to the death of a service user or staff member.
The number of claims against the HSE, notified to the SCA, which relate to the death of a family member/dependent as a result of contracting Covid-19 in a Nursing Home, healthcare facility or hospital setting is 16. Each claim relates to a single death of a family member/dependent.
1599. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if all of the 270 families affected by the keeping of records by his Department in relation to possible litigation cases over services for children diagnosed with autism have been contacted by a liaison person and offered support; if not, the support he plans to offer those families who have not been contacted to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34476/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI take the allegations made in recent media reports including the RTÉ Investigates broadcast of 25 March extremely seriously.
The Report of the Department of Health team set up to establish the facts in respect of specific allegations by RTÉ Primetime Investigates Programme was published on 21st April. This report deals with each of the allegations made in the programme and related articles on the website. The Department of Health has never gathered sensitive medical and educational information on children involved in court cases in the manner portrayed. It also found there was no evidence that the Department of Health was secretly compiling dossiers on children with autism involved in Special Educational Needs litigation as alleged.
The Department of Health has appointed an Independent Support Liaison Officer to engage directly with the 29 families involved in open Special Educational Needs litigation related to these allegations. These families are being contacted through the solicitor on file offering the opportunity to engage directly with the Independent Support Liaison Officer.
1600. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his Department is now in a position to respond to persons by email and postal correspondence following the cyber-attack; if all families affected by the keeping of records in relation to possible litigation cases over services for children diagnosed with autism will be contacted by his Department in the coming period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34477/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI take the allegations made in recent media reports including the RTÉ Investigates broadcast of 25 March extremely seriously.
The Report of the Department of Health team set up to establish the facts in respect of specific allegations by RTÉ Primetime Investigates Programme was published on 21st April. This report deals with each of the allegations made in the programme and related articles on the website. The Department of Health has never gathered sensitive medical and educational information on children involved in court cases in the manner portrayed. It also found there was no evidence that the Department of Health was secretly compiling dossiers on children with autism involved in Special Educational Needs litigation as alleged.
The Department of Health has appointed an Independent Support Liaison Officer to engage directly with the 29 families involved in open Special Educational Needs litigation related to these allegations. These families are being contacted through the solicitor on file offering the opportunity to engage directly with the Independent Support Liaison Officer.
I must advise the Deputy that there continue to be IT access issues arising from the cyber security incident. Dependent on the nature of the query, these issues may affect the Department's ability to respond in full.
1601. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if advice will be provided on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34478/21]
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. The 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 the NIAC in relation to reducing the dosing interval for the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine from 12 weeks to 8. Extensive planning was required to put in place a programme that would see the remaining, approximately 450,000 people, in receipt of the AstraZeneca vaccine fully immunised through the administration of this second dose and this was substantially completed by 19 July.
1602. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing an inpatient perinatal service in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34479/21]
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.
1603. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of clinicians employed in specialist eating disorder team; the number of vacancies; the number of clinicians needed for 16 specialist eating disorder hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34480/21]
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.
1604. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of implanting surge capacity for mental health services for public patients in a private setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34481/21]
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.
1605. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of implanting the commitment in the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders published by the HSE in 2018 of putting in place 16 specialist eating disorder hubs nationwide over five years; the number of the recommended 16 specialist hubs that are fully operational at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34482/21]
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.
1606. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated capital cost and revenue cost of moving to a seven-day week outpatient model of child and adolescent mental health care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34483/21]
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.
1607. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of a 10% increase in homeless mental health care services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34484/21]
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.
1608. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of doubling investment in site maintenance and upgrading approved mental health centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34485/21]
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.
1609. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of establishing an advocacy service for mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34486/21]
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.
1610. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of implementing the new mental health strategy Sharing the Vision over a five-year timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34487/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMental Health is a priority for me and for the Government. Supporting positive mental health is particularly important during the current pandemic.
The Government has invested significantly in enhancing mental health services. The Budget 2021 allocation for mental health is in excess of €1.1 billion, an increase of €50 million over 2020. Of the additional €50 million for 2021, €23 million is being used to commence implementation of many of the short-term recommendations in Sharing the Vision. This will fund an additional 153 staff in enhancing community mental health teams, including CAMHS, clinical care programmes, bereavement counselling, employment supports and crisis resolution.
The existing base budget each year plus any additional allocation will allow us to develop a more modern mental health service, which is recovery-focused and community based. One of the priority actions for 2021, as set out in the HSE National Service Plan, is to develop a sustainable costed plan for the governance, model of service and implementation of the national policy for mental health, Sharing the Vision, which has a ten-year implementation roadmap, overseen by the National Implementation and Monitoring Committee (NIMC). The funding required will be based on the NIMC’s work plan, which will identify developments for each year. This funding will then be sought as part of the estimates process and in close conjunction with the development of the HSE’s National Service Plan each year.
Sharing the Vision is not prescriptive on staff numbers, however the composition and skill mix of each community mental health team (CMHT), along with clinical and operational protocols, should take into consideration the needs and social circumstances of its sector population and the availability of staff with relevant skills. Providing the core skills of CMHTs are met, there should be flexibility in how the teams are resourced to meet the full range of needs where there is strong population-based needs assessment data.
1611. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated capital cost and revenue cost to achieve a 24/7 crisis intervention service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34488/21]
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.
1612. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing universal access to counselling without charge on a general practitioner referral basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34489/21]
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.
1613. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34490/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the matter which has been raised by the Deputy. The Cross-Border Directive (CBD) and the analogous Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme (NIPHS) allows for patients that are normally resident in Ireland and availing of public health services to avail of treatment in another EU/EEA Member State, for the CBD, or Northern Ireland, for the NIPHS. Reimbursement under these schemes is made at the lesser of either the cost of the treatment in Ireland, or the cost in the other State. Details are available from the HSE's CBD National Contact Point (NCP). The CBD is designed to assist the mobility of patients by reimbursing them for healthcare accessed in Member States other than their Member State of Affiliation across the EU/EEA.
There is no scheme available for the reimbursement of treatment costs where a patient has accessed private care within the State.
1614. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health when 25 to 29 year olds can expect to register and receive their Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34491/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE is currently offering everyone who registers online an mRNA vaccine - either the Moderna or Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine - when it is available. People waiting for their first vaccination appointment also have a choice to opt-in or out of getting the AstraZeneca vaccine if it is available earlier than an mRNA vaccine. If opting for this vaccine, a person may be vaccinated sooner, depending on the availability of supply.
Alternatively, an individual can get a COVID-19 vaccine at a local pharmacy if not already vaccinated and are aged:
50 or over
18 to 34
Availability of pharmacy vaccines will depend on supply. Many pharmacies are offering people in these age groups the Janssen vaccine.
The latest group who can register online to get a COVID-19 vaccine are people aged 16 to 17.
If over 18, people can still register if they haven't already.
1615. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when his Department will release guidelines regarding the resumption of wedding bands and disc jockeys at wedding receptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34492/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, on 29 June, Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead.
While significant progress is being made in relation to the roll-out of our vaccination programme, the rapidly increasing prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant, and the significant risk this poses, in particular to those who are not yet fully vaccinated, meant that a number of higher risk indoor activities did not recommence as planned on 5 July, pending the implementation of a system to verify vaccination or immunity status. However, as an exception, weddings already planned have been allowed to proceed with the planned increase in the number of guests to 50 at the wedding reception with protective measures from 5 July.
Unfortunately, the outlook for the coming weeks is very uncertain and there is not yet an indication of when live music and performances will be permitted at weddings. This is outlined further in the Fáilte Ireland guidelines. These guidelines can be found online: covid19.failteireland.ie/operational-guidelines/. The epidemiological situation will be monitored on an ongoing basis and the level of restrictions will be kept under review by Government.
Significant and sustained 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.
1616. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on consultancy firms (details supplied) in 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; the projects associated with the firms; the amount spent and outcome of each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34493/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available. I will ask my officials to collate the information and will respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1617. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the way consultancy firms utilised by the HSE strategy and planning will be managed in the future; the steps that are currently being undertaken by his Department to ensure that HSE staff are utilised in place of consultancy firms moving forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34494/21]
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.
1618. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the transposing of the EU Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM into Irish law (details supplied); the work that the strategic workforce planning unit in his Department has carried out on this objective to date; the timeline he is working toward to fully implement the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34495/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCouncil Directive 2013/59/EURATOM (the BSSD), insofar as it relates to the designation of referrers, was fully transposed by the European Union (Basic Safety Standards for Protection Against Dangers Arising from Medical Exposure to Ionising Radiation) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 256 of 2018).
These regulations designate those who may refer for radiological tests, those who may carry them out and other functions; nurses, doctors, dentists and radiographers are designated as appropriate. Physiotherapists are not designated in the regulations and were not designated as referrers under the previous regulations.
It should be noted that not all statutorily regulated professions are designated for the purposes of the BSSD.
The Strategic Workforce Planning Unit in my Department is liaising closely with various stakeholders, including the HSE and colleagues in other government departments to ensure that the introduction of new models of healthcare are planned and managed effectively to ensure that we have the health professionals required to meet future healthcare needs.
1620. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the full details of the contract terms that were previously agreed for a vaccination centre (details supplied); the reason the vaccination centre was not used for the remaining contract term of three weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34503/21]
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.
1621. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the costs for the fitting out of a vaccination centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34504/21]
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.
1622. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the costs for the fitting out of a vaccination centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34505/21]
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.
1623. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if the HSE plan to arrange a shuttle bus service for passengers in Arklow, County Wicklow to travel to the Kilanerin Covid-19 vaccination centre given there is no direct public transport route from Arklow, County Wicklow to attend this centre; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many persons who do not drive are finding it difficult to get to the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34515/21]
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.
