Ivana Bacik
Ceist:299. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the implementation of the National Rare Disease Plan 2014-2018; and the status of the review of same. [44344/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Strategies
Ceisteanna (299)
Freagraí scríofa
A National Rare Disease Plan for Ireland (2014 – 2018) was launched by the Minister for Health in July 2014. This is a generic policy framework for rare diseases. The scope of the plan is broad given that there are approximately 8,000 rare diseases affecting millions of EU citizens; and consequently, there can be a dearth of expertise and knowledge about some rare diseases, simply because they are so rare.
Many of the major recommendations of the plan have already been implemented including the establishment of a HSE National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases and a Rare Disease Office. Building on this progress, themes for inclusion in a roadmap for the coming period were agreed, with the Rare Disease Task Force, which comprises the main rare disease advocacy groups; Rare Disease Ireland (RDI), the Medical Research Charities Group (MRCP), and the Irish Platform for Patient Organisations, Science and Industry (IPPPOSI).
In late 2020, the National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases was operationalised and incorporated into the National Rare Disease Office. So, from 01 September 2020, the NRDO became the main contact point and driver for national HSE rare disease projects and initiatives. The work of the NRDO is overseen and governed by HSE Acute Operations under the governance of the Office of the Chief Clinical Officer, where the National Rare Disease Plan is firmly embedded.
Meetings to ensure that the input and the voice of the patient is represented in the ongoing work in relation to Rare Diseases, took place at regular intervals with the Rare Disease Task Force, the HSE National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases and the Rare Disease Office. Continuing this practice, earlier this year (2021) I met with the HSE, The NRDO and The Rare Disease Taskforce and a very fruitful discussion was held regarding priority areas for the future in order to build on the significant progress made to date in implementing the Rare Disease Plan. A number, of key themes for inclusion in a roadmap for the coming period have been agreed.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (300)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:300. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health his plans to issue Irish citizens who are resident in Northern Ireland and who have been fully vaccinated for Covid-19 by the NHS with an EU Digital COVID Certificate. [44361/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following the successful rollout of the initial implementation phase of the EU Digital COVID Certificate in Ireland, the Government is creating a specific portal to enable Irish citizens vaccinated outside of the EU, with vaccines authorised for use in Ireland, to obtain a COVID certificate valid in Ireland and across the EU.
This portal is currently being advanced on a cross departmental basis involving technical and process development, and resource management. It is expected that an announcement on the launch of this portal will be made shortly.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (301)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:301. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the uptake rate for the flu vaccine in winter 2020 in adults, children over 12 and children under 12 years of age; his plans to encourage increased vaccination rates in each age group during winter 2021; his plans to extend the nasal vaccine to a wider age group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44363/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE is in the advanced stages of planning the 2021/2022 Influenza Vaccination programme. It is anticipated immunisations will begin in early October and will be available free of charge to adults in specified at-risk groups and children aged from 2 to 17 years of age.
As of 10 June 2021, for the 2020/2021 winter season the following claim amounts have been received from GPs and pharmacists in relation to the following categories; approximately 0.97 million claims for administration of QIV to adults, approximately 218,000 and 8,100 claims for the administration of LAIV to children aged between 2-12 years inclusive and 13-17 years inclusive respectively, and a further approximately 52,000 claims for the administration of QIV to children. A report on influenza vaccine uptake for the 2020/2021 winter season in acute hospitals and long-term/residential care facilities will be published in due course by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.
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 (302)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:302. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of adult and child flu vaccine doses respectively received by the HSE to date in September 2021; the number that have been distributed to doctors and pharmacies; the number of adult and child flu vaccine doses respectively, to be delivered by 30 September, by 15 October, by 31 October and by 30 November 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44364/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (303)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:303. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that all staff in his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit who, by necessity of their work have to come into close proximity with others, including other employees or members of the public are provided with medical grade masks in the EN14683 category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44376/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My own Department does not have any employees who, by necessity of their work, have to come into close proximity with others. We are operating in line with the Health and Safety Authority guidelines for workplaces and we have configured our office space to allow for 2 metre social distancing of staff who attend the office. We have mandated the use of face coverings in all communal areas including when working in shared spaces, when circulating around the building, in kitchens, bathrooms, meeting rooms, print rooms etc. We have not specified that staff of the Department are required to use medical grade masks.
A response has been sought from each of the Non-Commerical Agencies under the aegis of my Department in respect of their staff, and when this information has been received and collated, a response will be provided by letter separately.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in respect of their staff and the staff of the Section 38 agencies under their aegis.
Cross-Border Co-operation
Ceisteanna (304)
David Cullinane
Ceist:304. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if Irish citizens can access public funding, either on a standard or exceptional basis for medical treatment outside of the EU, EEA, Switzerland or the UK; the authority that authorises same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44392/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 (305)
David Cullinane
Ceist:305. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if his Department can identify the Irish surgeons who are available to fully and safely remove mesh implants; if the HSE will update its website accordingly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44393/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 (306)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:306. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his plans to reopen a South Doc service in Kinsale, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44404/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Qualifications
Ceisteanna (307)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:307. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of healthcare professionals who applied to have their professional qualifications recognised in this jurisdiction in 2020 and to date in 2021, by county in tabular form. [44410/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It has been clarified that the Deputy seeks information for healthcare professionals with overseas professional qualifications where the Minister and CORU are the relevant Competent Authority for the recognition of such professional qualifications.
In the case of the Minister, this includes the following professions for those seeking to work in the public sector: Audiologist, Clinical Biochemist, Environmental Health Officer, Orthoptist and Psychologist.
Information by county is not available but information by country of qualification and nationality of applicant is provided in the table attached for each of the 5 professions, indicating the successful applicants who applied in 2020 and those who have applied to date in 2021 and for whom a decision has been reached.
With regard to the CORU professions, CORU have been contacted and asked to provide the relevant information directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
healthcare professionals with overseas professional qualifications