Holly Cairns
Ceist:1135. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure the resumption of chiropody services for public patients in Bantry, County Cork. [53357/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Services
Ceisteanna (1135)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (1136)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:1136. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to provide public dental services in Bantry, County Cork. [53358/21]
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.
Substance Misuse
Ceisteanna (1137)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:1137. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the amount of the additional €6 million announced in budget 2022 for the drugs strategy that will go to the local and regional drug and alcohol task forces drug projects. [53359/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In Budget 2022, an additional €6m was provided for new measures to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy, 'Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery'. This funding will be used to strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use and to support the strategic priorities for 2021-2025 identified in the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy (to be published shortly).
The Department of Health has published a factsheet on new funding provided for in Budget 2022 which can be found at www.gov.ie/en/publication/001fc-budget-2022-factsheet/.
The additional funding includes €0.5m to increase access to and provision of community-based drug and alcohol services for women, ethnic minorities and LGBTI+. The funding will address the barriers than women and minority groups can face in accessing services. The lived experience of people who use drugs will be central to the design and delivery of the new services, as will the network of drug and alcohol task forces.
Details of the new measures and the associated outputs will be set out in the HSE national service plan for 2022.
I am committed to working with drug and alcohol task forces to increase access to and provision of drug and alcohol services in the community.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (1138)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:1138. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 871 of 10 March 2021, the status of improving funding of dental healthcare through the medical card system. [53360/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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. Funding of €56 million is being allocated to the DTSS in 2022. Additional funding of €10 million has also been provided in Budget 2022 to fund improvements in the provision of oral health care to the eligible population. This will enable the delivery of services to be aligned with the National Oral Health Policy, "Smile agus Sláinte" (2019) and will bring about improvements in the day-to-day provision of services under the DTSS.
Question No. 1139 answered with Question No. 1121.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (1140)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:1140. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will set a national ambition to reduce the number of stillbirths and neonatal deaths. [53362/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Women & Infants Health Programme has been established within the HSE to lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services. I am therefore referring this enquiry to the HSE for direct reply to you, as soon as possible.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (1141)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:1141. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will establish a committee unit to study stillbirth and neonatal death as a public health issue and to make recommendations for reducing the number of stillbirths and neonatal deaths, including testing and screening for group B strep, vasa praevia, pre-eclampsia and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. [53363/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Women & Infants Health Programme was established within the HSE to lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services. I am therefore referring this enquiry to the HSE for direct reply to you, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1142)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:1142. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the progress made in regard to a report recommendation (details supplied). [53364/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Women & Infants Health Programme was established within the HSE to lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services. I am therefore referring this enquiry to the HSE for direct reply to you, as soon as possible.
Health Strategies
Ceisteanna (1143)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:1143. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the progress made on developing a comprehensive, time-bound and fully costed national maternity strategy implementation plan which spans the remaining timeframe of the strategy. [53365/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In line with recommendations made by HIQA in its 2020 Overview Report of its monitoring programme against the National Standards for Safer Better Maternity Services, the National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) has produced a revised implementation plan for the National Maternity Strategy covering the remaining period of the Strategy’s lifetime from 2021 to 2026. The plan has been finalised and submitted to the Department for review. With regard to the plan's publication, as this is a matter for the National Women & Infants Health Programme, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Strategies
Ceisteanna (1144)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:1144. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the status of the revision of the HSE national clinical practice guideline for the management of multiple pregnancy; and if the process will include a public consultation. [53366/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Women & Infants Health Programme was established within the HSE to lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services. I am therefore referring this enquiry to the HSE for direct reply to you, as soon as possible.
Health Strategies
Ceisteanna (1145)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:1145. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will put in place a strategy on mental health for bereavement care for families who have suffered pregnancy or infant loss or the loss of a child. [53367/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Women & Infants Health Programme was established within the HSE to lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services. I am therefore referring this enquiry to the HSE for direct reply to you, as soon as possible.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (1146)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:1146. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason an infant patient (details supplied) will have to wait for five years for a rheumatology appointment at CHI, Crumlin hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53378/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (1147)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1147. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the details of the quantities of mRNA vaccines currently in stock; the schedule of expected deliveries and quantities between now and the end of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53381/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland has entered into seven Advance Purchase Agreements, subject to regulatory approval, for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccine from a range of manufacturers. Four vaccines have been authorised by the European Medicines Agency to date; Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech), Spikevax (Moderna), Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) and Janssen.
As of 25 October, over 7.48 million doses of the four approved vaccines have been administered since the programme commenced in December 2020. 91.6% of the eligible population have now received a vaccine dose with in excess of 90% having been fully vaccinated.
The following table provides an overview of the quantity of mRNA vaccines by manufacturer administered in the vaccination programme.
Overview of Authorised mRNA Covid Vaccines Supply Procured and Administered for Ireland (In Millions)
|
Vaccine Manufacturer |
Amount administered – 25.10.21 |
|
Pfizer/BioNTech |
5.3 |
|
Moderna |
0.57 |
|
Total |
5.87 |
Ireland has procured significant quantities of vaccines to facilitate the continuation of the Covid-19 vaccination programme and the continued rollout of the booster programme over the coming months. The specific delivery schedules of individual manufactures to year-end are yet to be confirmed.
National Maternity Hospital
Ceisteanna (1148)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1148. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the preparation of a first business case for the relocation of the new national maternity hospital as required under the public spending code; the timeframe to which he is working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53382/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The business case for the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) to Elm Park is well advanced. In line with the provisions of the Public Spending Code, once approved by the HSE as the Sponsoring Agency, the business case will be submitted to my Department, as Approving Authority, and to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (D/PER) for technical review in due course.
However, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible, to provide an update on the status of the business case.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (1149)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1149. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the official public health advice in respect of ventilation in domestic home settings, school settings, hospitality settings and workplace settings. [53383/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Building ventilation has remained one element of the broader infection prevention and control (IPC) response over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. The appreciation of the role of ventilation has evolved in the context of developing experience and evidence. Guidance, training, and measures implemented reflect this learning.
The NPHET for COVID-19 regards ventilation as an important IPC measure. This has been reflected in the NPHET’s work over the course of the pandemic.
In its most recent advice of 18 October, the NPHET emphasised the importance of the continuation of non-pharmaceutical interventions currently in place across sectors such as the use of face masks as appropriate, improved ventilation in closed spaces and physical distancing measures until February 2022. The NPHET recommended that sector specific guidance, protocols and communications be reviewed and strengthened where necessary. The NPHET's letter is available to read here:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/ba4aa0-letters-from-the-cmo-to-the-minister-for-health/.
It is the responsibility of individual Government departments to provide sector-specific COVID-19 advice on ventilation as per their respective remits. In this regard, the Deputy’s attention is drawn to the large volume of published guidance across a number of sectors, cited below. If additional information on the role of ventilation as part of the IPC guidance being applied within a specific sector is required, the Deputy is advised to contact the relevant Government department/agency with responsibility for developing said guidance.
HSE guidance for the General Public on COVID-19 transmission
Guidance for the general public on how they can protect themselves and others from spreading COVID-19 in their daily lives, including in domestic settings, is available on the HSE website. This guidance highlights that crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation can sometimes result in droplets containing the virus spreading over long distances, and points to the practical steps that all individuals can take to mitigate the risk of this happening. This includes meeting outdoors rather than indoors where possible, avoiding crowded or poorly ventilated places, and opening windows, doors, and vents to the greatest extent possible if meeting people indoors. The HSE’s guidance is available in full here: www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/preventing-the-spread/how-coronavirus-spread/.
Education sector:
- Education Guidance - Health Protection Surveillance Centre (hpsc.ie)
- www.gov.ie/en/publication/ad236-guidance-on-ventilation-in-schools/.
Workplaces, Businesses (including hospitality), Retails Settings, and Shopping Centres:
- A revised Work Safely Protocol (previously the Return to Work Protocol) was published on 16 September as a collaborative effort between employers and employees, which was led by the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Health, with the support of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and with significant input by public health from the Health Service Executive (HSE). The revised Protocol incorporates the current advice on the Public Health measures needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community and workplaces including enhanced detail on ventilation: www.gov.ie/en/publication/22829a-return-to-work-safely-protocol/.
- The Health and Safety Authority has also published checklists, including one on the topic of ventilation, to support employers preparing for the return of employees to the workplace: www.hsa.ie/eng/topics/covid-19_coronavirus_information_and_resources/
- The National Standards Authority of Ireland has also published workplace, shopping centre, and retail protection and improvement guides, About our COVID-19 Resources | NSAI
- HPSC COVID-19 has published “COVID-19 Guidance for Hospitality Businesses V1.8 01.10.2021” Hospitality guidance.pdf (hpsc.ie)
- Fáilte Ireland Operational Guidelines | Business Supports | COVID-19 Support Hub | Fáilte Ireland (failteireland.ie)
Sport:
- Sport Ireland has published a return to sport guidance note with information on ventilation: Return to Sport and Physical Activity | Sport Ireland
The Arts:
- The Arts Council has published a guidance note for the Arts Sector: Covid - 19 Guidance for the Arts Sector (artscouncil.ie)
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (1150)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1150. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the recommended standard for face masks for use by the public; and the steps being taken to publicise this. [53384/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, the evidence relating to COVID-19, and the decisions necessary to protect everybody living in Ireland from its effects is constantly evolving. The public health advice relating to COVID-19, including face masks, is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), by my department and by the Government. The measures in place and the public health advice have been adapted to the changing circumstances and this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future.
The current advice regarding face coverings, including the circumstances in which it is mandatory to wear a face covering, is available at: www.gov.ie/facecoverings/.
Guidance on type and standard of face mask is available on the HSE website at Types of face coverings, masks and visors - HSE.ie.
Guidance on how and where to wear face coverings is also available on the HSE website at Face masks: when and how to wear one - HSE.ie.
To inform national efforts in response to COVID-19, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is developing Health Technology Assessment evidence summaries to answer specific research questions posed by the NPHET. HIQA evidence summaries on various topics, including on the use of face masks in the community is available at: www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/health-technology-assessments.
My Department and the Government has invested in significant public health campaigns to ensure that all members of the community are aware of all public health guidelines relating to COVID 19 including face masks.
Covid-19 Tests
Ceisteanna (1151)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1151. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the recommended standard for antigen tests for use by the public; and the steps being taken to publicise this. [53385/21]
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.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (1152)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1152. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the recommended standard for CO2 monitors for use by the public; and the steps being taken to publicise this. [53386/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Notwithstanding sector specific guidance published by the relevant departments and agencies, there is no specific NPHET recommendation for members of the public to utilise CO2 monitors in their everyday lives.
The absence of a specific recommendation on this matter is not a barrier for those who wish to use such equipment.
For further information on CO2 monitors, I would point the Deputy to the Expert Group on Ventilation's (Department of the Taoiseach) second report available at the link below. This report provides broad information on the utility and general use of such devices:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/aa43c-expert-group-on-the-role-of-ventilation-in-reducing-transmission-of-covid-19/.
With regard to current public health advice on COVID-19, communications and messaging continues to focus on easily implementable practices and the basic protective steps that individuals can take. The Deputy’s attention is drawn, in this regard, to information directed at the public on the HSE website on how COVID-19 is spread and how individuals can protect themselves and others from the airborne spread of the virus www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/preventing-the-spread/how-coronavirus-spread/.
The Minister for Health and the NPHET’s representatives also publicise, at every available opportunity and through targeted communications campaigns, the key practical steps that members of the public can take to protect both themselves and others, including:
- avoiding small, crowded, poorly ventilated/stuffy spaces as much as possible;
- opening windows, doors, and air vents to increase airflow; and
- meeting up outdoors where possible.
These basic steps, alongside adherence to our fundamental public health measures of hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, mask wearing as appropriate, and seeking a test as necessary remain the key actions members of the public can take to reduce the risk of contracting/spreading COVID-19.
In its most recent advice of 18 October, the NPHET emphasised the importance of the continuation of non-pharmaceutical interventions currently in place across sectors such as the use of face masks as appropriate, improved ventilation in closed spaces and physical distancing measures until February 2022. The NPHET further recommended that sector specific guidance, protocols and communications be reviewed and strengthened where necessary. The letter is available to read here:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/ba4aa0-letters-from-the-cmo-to-the-minister-for-health/.