Thursday, 9 Sep 2021

Written Answers Nos. 1151-1170

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (1151)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1151. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the additional resources he will make available in order to provide HPV vaccination options to secondary schools for those not vaccinated in the 2020-2021 term considering the figures to date which show a considerable reduction on the uptake in the previous two years; the way students from low income families can still avail of the vaccine without having to pay for it privately in cases in which the vaccination was missed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41876/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The Committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. The NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.

The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by the NIAC in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases. As the HPV vaccine is preventative it is intended to be administered, if possible, before a person becomes sexually active, that is, before a person is first exposed to HPV infection. Therefore, the gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school to provide maximum coverage. All vaccines administered through the School Immunisation Programme are provided free of charge.

My Department will continue to be guided by NIAC's recommendations on any emerging evidence on this issue in the future.

It is important to note that the schools-based immunisation programme for the 2019/2020 academic year has been completed and the uptake rates for the HPV vaccine in that academic year are 82% for the first dose of the vaccine and 77% for the second dose. This is the highest uptake for the HPV vaccination programme since 2015/2016 and is particularly encouraging because it was the first year that boys were included in the programme and it shows that the provision of vaccine in community clinics did not adversely affect the uptake.

The programme for the academic year 2020/2021 was paused during the first few months of 2021 due to school closures and redeployment of staff to the COVID-19 immunisation programme. The inputting of uptake information for the schools-based programme has also been delayed due to redeployment of administrative staff. However, Community Healthcare Organisations have reported that the vast majority of second level schools had their first dose of HPV vaccine delivered between October and December 2020.

Anyone not in 1st year of secondary school or age equivalent in special schools or home schooled during the 2020/2021 school year who wishes to get the HPV vaccine, must go to their GP or sexual health clinic and pay privately for the vaccine and its administration. This applies to everyone whether or not they have a medical card/GP visit card, as it is outside of the HPV immunisation programme.

The uptake rate for the first dose of the HPV vaccine, in the 2020/2021 academic year, is 72% as of 17 August 2021, and this figure is expected to increase because data input on vaccine uptake is ongoing. The HSE expects the HPV vaccination programme for 2020/2021 to be substantially complete before the start of the 2021/2022 academic year.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (1152, 1163)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

1152. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the options available to a person who had a severe reaction to their first Covid-19 vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41877/21]

Réada Cronin

Ceist:

1163. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if a policy of exemption to the EU Digital COVID Certificate will be formulated and applied for persons who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons or in cases of an adverse reaction to the first dose of a vaccine which medically prevents them from having the second dose given the option of having a Covid-19 test each time they wish to have a cup of coffee or a meal indoors is not practical, workable or affordable for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41905/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1152 and 1163 together.

The EU Digital COVID Certificate is proof that a person has either been vaccinated against COVID-19 or received a negative COVID-19 test result or recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months.

While the EU Digital COVID Certificate initiative can support safe travel within the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic it is not a precondition for travel.

Individuals who have received one vaccination dose can request a certificate of this dose through the online Digital COVID Certificate portal

Health Service Executive

Ceisteanna (1153)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

1153. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the total amount spent to date by the HSE in rebuilding systems after the cyber-attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41879/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (1154)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

1154. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the average wait time for orthopaedic treatment nationally; the average waiting for orthopaedic treatment for County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41880/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last eighteen months as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently as a result of the ransomware attack. While significant progress was made in reducing waiting times from June 2020 onwards, the surge in Covid-19 cases in the first quarter of 2021 and the associated curtailment of acute hospital services, coupled with the ransomware attack of May 2021, has impacted waiting times. However, the HSE advise that acute services are now almost all fully restored to pre cyber-attack levels, and are operating in line with relevant Covid protocols.

My Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) are focusing on improving access to elective care in order to reduce waiting times for patients. These plans include increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations, providing virtual clinics and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.

An additional €240 million has been provided in Budget 2021 for an access to care fund, €210m of which has been allocated to the HSE and a further €30m to the NTPF. This is to be used to fund additional capacity to address the shortfall arising as a result of infection control measures taken in the context of COVID-19, as well as addressing backlogs in waiting lists.

My Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund are currently working on a Multiannual Waiting List Plan to address waiting lists and bring them in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years.

In relation to average waiting times, the NTPF has advised that the health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate average wait times. In particular, the time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. The NTPF collects data on patients currently on the waiting list and the average time that these patients have been waiting is provided here.

orthopaedics

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (1155)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

1155. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the closure of applications for the pre-exposure prophylaxis scheme in a number of hospitals (details supplied); the steps he is taking to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41881/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Since November 2019, HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is available, free of charge through the HSE, to those at substantial risk of acquiring HIV through sexual activity. PrEP is delivered through approved services that meet the National Standards for PrEP Service Delivery and is being rolled out in a phased manner. There are currently thirteen public and nine private approved PrEP service providers in Ireland www.sexualwellbeing.ie/getprep.

The roll-out of the national PrEP programme was a significant landmark in the implementation of the National Sexual Health Strategy, 2015-2020 . Funding of €5.4 million was secured for PrEP in 2020, including allocations for the recruitment of additional staff. Funding and roll-out of the programme continues in 2021.

Whilst the PrEP programme remains fully funded, implementation has been impacted as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. All health services, including STI/HIV/PrEP services, are continuing to face constraints, resulting from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. These include attendance by appointment only, or online as a result of the need to maintain social distancing, and the necessary redeployment of personnel to diverse COVID-19 related duties, which include testing, contact tracing, vaccination and front-line patient care.

However, despite Covid-19 related restrictions, the national PrEP programme has continued to expand. At the end of Q1 2021, there was a total of 2,995 persons registered and clinically approved for reimbursement. Data for Q2 2021 is awaited, but has been delayed owing to the recent cyber-attack.

-	Q4 2019	Q1 2020	Q2 2020	Q3 2020	Q4 2020	Q1 2021
Number of new individuals registered for PrEP	658	674	301	502	547	313

Despite significant service restrictions in 2020/21 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, PrEP services continued to see new and review existing PrEP service users. Many services adapted how they worked, delivering some care on a virtual platform.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the HSE SHCPP has been in regular communication with public STI/PrEP services and community partners, and is working together with HIV Ireland to maintain an updated list of service availability. Information for users on how to access services is available here, www.hivireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/Sexual-Health-Service-Restrictions.pdf.

Services have been working hard to restore and increase service capacity throughout 2021 notwithstanding the challenges faced by the ongoing pandemic, the recent cyber-attack and, most recently, a national Early Infectious Syphilis outbreak.

I advised by the HSE that while two of the four Dublin based services have indicated that they currently need to limit new PrEP appointments, the other two services anticipate some additional capacity in the coming months. Of note, two large Dublin based services have reported an increase in the number of patients not attending their appointments, which has generated some extra capacity but an additional associated workload in determining the needs and wishes of those who have not attended for appointment.

Service users seeking appointments in Dublin should continue to visit service websites for updates on availability or endeavour to contact services to obtain an appointment or be put on a waiting list for an appointment. The full list of approved PrEP services and contact details is available on www.sexualwellbeing.ie/getprep.

Service users are advised to use condoms while they are awaiting an appointment. Condoms are available for free from a range of settings including public STI clinics; NGO and community organisations; and third level institutions, through the National Condom Distribution Service. For more information, please see the 2020 NCDS activity report here: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/health-and-wellbeing/national-condom-distribution-service.pdf

Regular STI testing is an integral part of care for those taking HIV PrEP. The current availability of free online testing for those in Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare, Cork and Kerry has increased STI testing access. Information on STIs, testing, safer sex and HIV prevention is available on https://www.sexualwellbeing.ie/.

Needless to say, funding remains in place for the national PrEP programme and it is hoped that this service can be delivered to its full potential and developed further, once pandemic related constraints on the health service as a whole can be reduced safely.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1156)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1156. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41885/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1157)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

1157. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment. [41888/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1158)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

1158. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment. [41889/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1159)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

1159. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment. [41893/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (1160)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1160. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the future of Sruthan House, Dundalk, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41897/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (1161)

Danny Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1161. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41902/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (1162)

Danny Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1162. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41903/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 1163 answered with Question No. 1152.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (1164)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1164. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position with regard to the harm reduction worker who was assigned to the Drogheda area in 2020 to manage the concerning lack of needle exchange provided by the HSE in the area; the reasons for this absence; if any other relevant details will be provided in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41911/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 1165 answered with Question No. 1022.

Health Strategies

Ceisteanna (1166)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

1166. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the amount of the €23 million announced in Budget 2021 for Sharing the Vision that has been released to the HSE to date; if a full breakdown will be provided of the way the €23 million has been spent to date in tabular form; if any of the funding has been used to fund existing levels of service.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41920/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Of the €23 million allocated to commence implementation of many of the short-term recommendations of Sharing the Vision in 2021, €2.773 million has been released to the HSE. This funding has enabled the HSE to progress initiatives agreed in the National Service Plan 2021 and Sharing the Vision, including the peer support programme, individual placement support, development of the national clinical programme for early intervention psychosis, DBT programme and the recruitment of a bereavement co-ordinator under Connecting for Life, the National Strategy to Reduce Suicide.

Proposals involving a further €6.223 million in expenditure are under consideration in my Department with a view to being released as soon as possible.

I am happy to confirm that the funding allocated for new developments is being used solely for new developments. Much of the funding is for new posts and it is envisaged the majority will be filled in quarter three and quarter four of this year.

I would note that Covid-19 and the cyber-attack have negatively impacted the HSE's capacity to progress work on new developments but I would assure the Deputy that I am, along with the Department and HSE, fully committed to implementing the new developments as soon as possible.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (1167)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

1167. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the amount that was spent in 2020 to expand the provision of talking therapy in Ireland; his plans to continue to increase access to talking therapies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41921/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (1168)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

1168. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the consideration he has given to persons who, for medical reasons, cannot receive a first and or second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine; the steps he will take to ensure they are not unfairly discriminated against in the rollout of the Digital Covid Certificate or in the return to workplaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41929/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The EU Digital COVID Certificate is proof that a person has either been vaccinated against COVID-19 or received a negative COVID-19 test result or recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months.

While the EU Digital COVID Certificate initiative can support safe travel within the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic it is not a precondition for travel.

Hospital Staff

Ceisteanna (1169)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

1169. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the details of the current vacancies in CUH in tabular form; if they have been advertised; and the length of time they have been vacant. [41936/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (1170)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

1170. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the payments made by large pharmaceutical companies based in Ireland in the past five years; the amounts involved in these payments; and the purpose of the payments. [41939/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I am not aware of my Department receiving payments from large pharmaceutical companies based in Ireland in the past five years.