Written Answers Nos. 1900-1926
1900. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in establishing an inquiry into the historical licensing and prescribing of sodium valproate; if he will take measures to rectify this delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35783/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the proposed inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in Ireland are currently being considered by officials within the Department of Health.
1901. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the availability of funding for replacement of broken equipment in the cardiac rehabilitation unit in Ely Hospital, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35789/21]
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.
1902. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of the mobility aids grant. [35790/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the mobility aids grant scheme is a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
1903. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when he expects an inquiry will be established to investigate the historical licensing and prescribing of sodium valproate to pregnant women without them being made aware of the impacts it could have on their child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35803/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1917. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the status of the promised inquiry into anti-epilepsy drug sodium valproate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35863/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1922. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in Ireland; when the terms of reference will be published; the status of the establishment of a stakeholder group to address ongoing concerns relating to the use of sodium valproate; the membership of the stakeholder group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35875/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1931. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the status of inquiry into anti-epilepsy drug sodium valproate which has been committed to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35886/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra2019. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the proposed establishment of an inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36227/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1903, 1917, 1922, 1931 and 2019 together.
Details of the proposed inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in Ireland, and of the proposed stakeholder group, are currently being considered by officials within the Department of Health.
1904. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when the six epilepsy nurse specialists will be recruited for the pregnancy prevention programme to help ensure pregnant women are fully informed of the side effects of sodium valproate given that to date only two of these nurses have been put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35804/21]
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.
1905. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when the stakeholder group consisting of representatives of those involved in the treatment of women with epilepsy will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35805/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the proposed inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in Ireland, and the establishment of a related stakeholder group, are currently being considered by officials within the Department of Health.
1906. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when the community operations programme will commence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35806/21]
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.
1907. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an SI drafted by an organisation (details supplied) which aims to regulate alcohol delivery services; if he plans to sign this SI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35835/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe licensing for sale and the conditions of sale of alcohol are regulated by the Intoxicating Liquor Acts and enforced by An Garda Síochána. Proposals for changes to such law are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice who has responsibility for that legislation.
1908. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if there is a standard process for selecting candidates to panels for the position of healthcare assistants within HSE hospitals; if so, the details of the process; if case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35836/21]
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.
1909. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the situation of a person (details supplied) who is currently unable to access funding for medicinal cannabis despite being a valid medical card holder. [35837/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health will not comment on individual cases.
The issue of reimbursement of prescribed cannabis-based products is a matter for the HSE. Statutorily this is a matter in which the Minister for Health may not direct the HSE.
Pursuant to Section 10B of the Health Act 2004 the Minister for Health shall not give a direction under section 10, or specify a priority or performance target under section 10A, as respects—
(a) any function of the Executive relating to the provision of treatment or a health or personal social service to any particular person,
(b) any function of the Executive relating to a decision concerning—
(i) whether or not a particular person is eligible for a particular health or personal social service (including the payment of a grant or allowance),
(ii) the extent to which and the manner in which a person is eligible for any such service.
1911. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason the promised speedy inquiry into epilim sodium valproate which was announced in November 2021 has not commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35839/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the proposed inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in Ireland are currently being considered by officials within the Department of Health.
1912. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if any retrospective complaints have been made regarding the sexual abuse of minors in a hospital (details supplied) which may have occurred from the late 1970s until the end of the 1990s; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35849/21]
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.
1913. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the dental treatment and benefits available to a person who is the holder of a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35850/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. These services are provided by independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. Patients may choose to have their treatment undertaken by any dentist who participates in the Scheme.
The DTSS makes available the following dental treatments to medical card holders: Oral examination; Prophylaxis (scale and polish); Restorations (fillings); Exodontics (extractions); Surgical extractions; Miscellaneous (e.g. control of haemorrhage); Endodontics (root canal therapy); Apicectomy (amputation of roots); Protracted periodontal (gum) treatment; Radiographs; Prosthetics (dentures). These treatments are provided by independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. Some are available on demand, for example, all medical card holders may avail of specific dental treatments e.g., a dental examination, two fillings in each calendar year, extractions, as necessary.
The remaining care provision is subject to the prior approval of a dental surgeon in the HSE, who prioritises for high risk and exceptional patients; those requiring emergency care and patients considered to have greater clinical urgency and/or necessity in receiving care.
1914. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if a list will be provided of the State agencies, organisations or boards under the responsibility of his Department or that receive funding from his Department; if he will provide email contact details for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35851/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table provides a list of the organisations under the aegis of the Department of Health. These details are published annually in an Appendix to the published Appropriation Account on the website of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, as they are for all government departments and votes audited by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. Contact details for these organisations are available on their respective websites.
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Health Service Executive |
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Beaumont Hospital |
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Dublin Dental Hospital |
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Leopardstown Park Hospital |
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St. James's Hospital |
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National Paediatric Hospital Development Board |
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National Haemophilia Council |
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Food Safety Promotion Board |
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Food Safety Authority of Ireland |
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Health Information and Quality Authority |
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Health Research Board |
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Health and Social Care Professionals Council (CORU) |
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Irish Blood Transfusion Service Board |
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Health Products Regulatory Authority |
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Mental Health Commission |
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National Cancer Registry Board |
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Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council |
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Health Insurance Authority |
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Risk Equalisation Fund |
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Nursing and Midwifery Board |
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Medical Council |
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Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland |
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Dental Council Board |
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National Treatment Purchase Fund |
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Consolidated Patient Private Property Accounts |
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Health Repayments Scheme (Donations Fund) |
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Special Account for Health Repayments Scheme |
|
Hep C - Insurance Scheme |
1916. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will allow persons vaccinated with a vaccine (details supplied) an exemption from the mandatory hotel quarantine system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35862/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland procures COVID-19 vaccines through its participation in an EU procurement process and their approval is by the Commission following recommendation by the EMA.
At present, the Sinopharm vaccine has not received EMA approval.
COVID-19 vaccines can only be approved and used if they comply with all the requirements of quality, safety and efficacy set out in the EU pharmaceutical legislation. No vaccine will be used until Market authorisation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is obtained and any authorised vaccine will be subject to ongoing monitoring in Ireland by the Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
Passengers who are fully vaccinated in accordance with the table below and have the documents to confirm this are not required to complete mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival in Ireland. Dependents, including children, will also be exempted from the requirement to complete mandatory hotel quarantine.
What 'fully vaccinated' means:
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A full course of any one of the following vaccines |
Regarded as fully vaccinated after: |
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2 doses of Pfizer-BioNtech Vaccine: BNT162b2 (Comirnaty®) |
7 days |
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2 doses of Moderna Vaccine: CX-024414 (Moderna®) |
14 days |
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2 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine: ChAdOx1-SARS-COV-2 (Vaxzevria® or Covishield) |
15 days |
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1 dose of Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Vaccine: Ad26.COV2-S [recombinant] (Janssen®) |
14 days |
1918. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the permissibility of novelty acts at weddings; the measures he is taking to ensure that novelty acts can resume safely at weddings as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35864/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra2015. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if live music is permitted at weddings and wedding receptions; if this matter is under further consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36183/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1918 and 2015 together.
As the Deputies 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.
Music is permitted at a wedding ceremony or service, subject to HPSC guidance available online: www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/funeraldirectorsguidance/COVID_religious%20settings.pdf
Live music, performances and novelty acts are not permitted at wedding receptions at present. This is outlined further in the Fáilte Ireland guidelines which can be found online: covid19.failteireland.ie/operational-guidelines/
Unfortunately, the outlook for the coming weeks is very uncertain and there is not yet an indication of when live music, performances or dancing will be permitted at weddings. The epidemiological situation will be monitored on an ongoing basis and the level of restrictions will be kept under review by Government.
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.
1919. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health when the enquiry into the effects of sodium valproate will commence; the supports that are available for families affected by sodium valproate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35865/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the proposed inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in Ireland are currently being considered by officials within the Department of Health.
The question of supports for families is 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.
1920. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 436 of 1 June 2021, if the second operating theatre in Merlin Park University Hospital, on which construction is due to be completed by the end of 2021, will also begin to carry out surgical operations by the end of 2021; if not, the timeline for when it will be fully fitted out and operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35873/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMerlin Park University Hospital provides elective Medical and Surgical (Orthopaedic and minor surgery) services, renal services including a Haemodialysis unit, two designated rehabilitation units along with a number of specialist outpatient clinics.
Funding has been provided in 2021 for this project which will deliver two Orthopaedic Theatres with ancillary accommodation for the provision of elective procedures. The theatres will be located in the vicinity of the existing main hospital block adjacent to the ground floor of the building. There will be a link corridor from the theatres to the existing hospital block.
Construction work on the development commenced in March 2021 with the project due to be completed by year end 2021. The Theatres currently under construction are expected to be equipped and become operational by the service in January 2022.
This theatre facility will replace the theatre capacity lost and will also provide some additionality as the existing theatre could be used for injection/less complex cases.
1921. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 376 of 1 April 2021, the timeline for when the temporary emergency department in Galway University Hospital will be fully fitted out and operational; the details of the handover plan regarding the internal replanned area of the temporary emergency department; if fitting out will be carried out before or after the handover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35874/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraApproval has been granted to complete a temporary extension to the Emergency Department to provide additional accommodation, in the first instance related to Covid requirements. The Temporary ED project and associate works will also service as an enabling works project for the proposed permanent ED by helping to free up the site required for the proposed new block.
The accommodation includes segregated waiting areas, segregated treatment areas, isolation rooms, additional resuscitation spaces and additional support accommodation to take account of new requirements to treat Covid-19 patients and improved Infection Control and Prevention requirements for ED. External works in support of this temporary accommodation includes enabling works by way of roads and car-park reconfigurations, utilities and drainage diversions, all to the east of the Main Block of University Hospital Galway.
The Temporary Emergency Department extension building will be single storey, with a rooftop plant room and will be connected to the main hospital block at the existing Emergency Department entrance. Site works have been underway for some time, and it is expected that this project will be completed in Q2 2022.
1923. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of a registry of women who have been prescribed sodium valproate during pregnancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35876/21]
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.
1924. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of epilepsy specialist nurse posts in the State; the number of these which are unfilled; the location of each epilepsy specialist nurse post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35877/21]
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.
1925. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 616 of 5 May 2021, the status of the review of the dental treatment services scheme; the timeline for the review; the terms of reference for the review; the person or body that will be carry out the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35878/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1926. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the analysis his Department has carried out or commissioned into participation by dentists in the dental treatment services scheme; his plans to facilitate an increase in participation by dentists in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35879/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra2135. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the status of medical card holders with respect to dental treatment; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many dentists are no longer accepting medical cards as a payment means for dental procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36651/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra2212. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that certain dentists are refusing to carry out dental treatments for medical card holders unless they pay for the treatment themselves citing the recent cyber-attack; the steps he is taking to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36971/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra2243. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the present status of medical card holders with respect to dental treatment; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that dentists are no longer accepting medical cards as a payment means for dental procedures; if his Department is responsible for any new orders with respect to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36645/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra2295. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of talks with dental representatives in regard to the medical card scheme. [37279/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra3190. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the position regarding reported refusal by some dental practices to accept appointment requests from medical card holders; the responsibilities which dental practices have to medical card holders who request appointments and subsequently require treatment; the dental services which are currently covered by the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40646/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1925, 1926, 2135, 2212, 2243, 2295 and 3190 together.
Approximately 1,200 contracted dentists provide oral healthcare to medical card holders under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS). From March 2020 until the end of April 2021, approximately 200 dentists left the Scheme. A further 112 applications for new contracts have been received. The HSE will assist anyone experiencing problems accessing a service.
The approach to future oral health service provision will be aligned with Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy (2019). The aim of the policy is to develop a model of care that will enable preventative approaches to be prioritised, improve access, and support interventions appropriate to current and future oral health needs.
I am committed to ensuring the sustainability of the DTSS, but recognise that it needs to be aligned with the new Policy. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the roll-out of the National Oral Health Policy to be delayed, and the proposed review of the DTSS contract to be deferred. However, Officials in my Department and from the HSE are currently engaging with the Irish Dental Association on matters relating to the provision of services under the DTSS.
