Written Answers Nos. 789-806
789. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date to put in place a system of medical exemption from Covid-19 vaccination due to allergies and other health related issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52001/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current high level of COVID-19 infection and the dominance of the significantly more transmissible Delta variant poses a very substantial threat, particularly to those who are not fully protected through vaccination. Public health advice remains that those who are not fully vaccinated should avoid congregated indoor settings for their own and others safety.
The National Public Health Emergency Team gave some consideration to the issues arising for those people that can’t receive a COVID-19 vaccine for medical reasons as part of its discussions on the 18th October 2021 on the continuing response to COVID-19 and the extension of Covid Pass arrangements. The matter is being given further consideration.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that on 15 July, NIAC made a recommendation, which was endorsed by the Chief Medical Officer and accepted by the Minister for Health that while the preference was for homologous vaccination regimens (using the same vaccine as part of a two dose regime) that selective use of heterologous vaccination schedules (two different vaccines used as part of two dose regime) should be permitted where a second vaccine dose of a homologous regimen is contraindicated, irrespective of whether the first dose was an mRNA or adenoviral vector vaccine. NIAC in conjunction with the RCPI and the Irish Association of Allergy and Immunology have prepared a guide to aid vaccinators and other healthcare workers on how to advise allergic individuals in respect of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, this guide is available here: rcpi-live-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/FAQs-about-COVID19-Vaccines-and-Allergies_12August2021.pdf.
790. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if the HSE raised any concerns with the relevant authorities in relation to services at a hospice (details supplied) the funding of posts and financial losses in the restaurants of same; if so, the response the hospice provided to explain these procedures in filling posts and losses at the facilities involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52013/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
791. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide a clinic for children diagnosed with retinoblastoma; the reason the previous clinic at CHI Temple Street Children’s University Hospital was discontinued; and the number of children with this diagnosis currently in the State. [52026/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
792. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if he will develop a national ambition to reduce pregnancy and infant loss; if he will establish a committee tasked with examining stillbirth and neonatal death in Ireland with a view to producing recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52032/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
793. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if his Department plans to run an awareness campaign to inform pregnant women and persons of the risk of stillbirth and the importance of foetal movement during the third-trimester. [52033/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
794. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health his views on the need to provide additional self-isolation supports for Roma families through the pandemic following the closure of the Covid-19 response for vulnerable people service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52035/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE put in place interim public health measures for vulnerable groups where self-isolation due to Covid-19 was required. The HSE has ceased this service as the hotel being used is no longer available.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
797. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if assistance will be provided to a person (details supplied) to secure a place in an adult training hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52041/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
798. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health the reason for the inconsistencies taken by his Department and the HSE in recognising the humanity of the unborn child in different contexts (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52043/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe term ‘foetus’ is commonly used in medical practice and is well understood by medical practitioners and healthcare staff.
The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 defines a termination of pregnancy as “a medical procedure which is intended to end the life of a foetus”.
In providing information or responding to queries concerning termination of pregnancy, my Department routinely uses the language set out in the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 to ensure clarity and consistency.
799. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if his Department receives regular reports on the number of assessments of need for children that are carried out, the number of therapeutic supports that are delivered to children who have been assessed and the average waiting time; and if he is satisfied that the system is making best use of available professional resource given the repeated complaints from parents. [52051/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE submits monthly reports to the Department having regard to the progress of eliminating an historical backlog which had built up in relation to overdue Assessments of Need.
As the Deputy will be aware, in August 2020 the HSE secured Sláintecare funding of €7.8m to address the issue of overdue Assessments of Need (AON).
This funding was provided on a once off and strictly time bound basis to eliminate all AONs overdue at 30th June 2020. While the number of overdue Assessment of Need stood at 6,558 in June 2020, through a combination of different measures, by the end of September 2021 approximately 6,040 children have had their assessment completed, thus reducing the backlog to 520 cases. An overall reduction of 92% to date.
6 CHOs have now cleared their backlog, one of which has exceeded its target, while another 2 CHOs have completion rates of 98%.
The HSE also submits a management report on a quarterly basis to the Department, in relation to the overall numbers of children currently having an Assessment of Need.
I acknowledge that there has been an inconsistent approach to how assessments were historically carried out, as well as inequity in terms of time afforded to ‘assessment’ versus ‘support or treatment’ interventions with children and their families.
To address waiting times for an assessment, the HSE implemented a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Assessment of Need process from January 2020 to ensure that children with disabilities and their families access appropriate assessment and intervention as quickly as possible and that the approach to Assessment of Need is consistent across all areas.
A Preliminary Team Assessment, usually undertaken by a Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) will identify initial interventions and any further assessments that may be required. While not required by the Act, diagnostic assessments will continue to be provided, as appropriate, and these will be captured in the child’s Service Statement as part of the Assessment of Need process.
These improvements, particularly the new Preliminary Team Assessment, will facilitate children with disabilities to access assessment much quicker. This is borne out by the latest data I have from the HSE which indicates that over 90% of children who have had a Preliminary Team Assessment are referred for intervention.
All of these improvements are intended to alleviate the current situation where children in some parts of the country may have to wait a number of years before they can access an assessment and I am satisfied that the system is making best use of available professional resource.
800. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that young persons are waiting up to 20 weeks for an appointment with Jigsaw; and the plans that are in place to reduce the waiting times. [52052/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
801. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health further to a response from the HSE of 20 September 2021 (details supplied), if urgent intervention will be provided to ensure that medical card holders in the Drogheda area of County Louth have access to dental treatments under the medical card scheme considering that more practices have now closed their GMS provision; if advice will be provided to medical card holders in relation to the steps they can take in cases in which they cannot access dental treatments under GMS in Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52062/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
802. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will be seen for intervention. [52063/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
803. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the number of inspections carried out the HSE and HSA Covid Compliance officers; the number of inspectors currently recruited per county; and if there are plans to increase enforcement particularly in view of this next wave of rising cases. [52089/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra804. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the fines issued or penalties that have been invoked under the Health Act 1947 (Operation of certain indoor premises) Regulations 2021 by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52090/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra866. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of enforcement actions undertaken by the Health and Safety Authority or any other relevant body under the provisions of the Health Act 1947 within sections 31AE, 31AF, 31AG and 31 AH since the enactment of the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2021. [52274/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra905. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the number of inspections made in the hospitality sector to ensure proper implementation of EU Digital COVID Certificates as implementation of other necessary compliance measures for the safety of staff and patrons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52387/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra906. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the process a person should follow if they are concerned that a business is not in compliance with Covid-19 restrictions such as the checking of EU Digital COVID Certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52390/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 803, 804, 866, 905 and 906 together.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) were both identified as relevant bodies under the Health Act 1947 (Sections 31AB and 31AD) (Covid-19) (Operation of certain indoor premises) Regulations 2021 and are collaborating closely in relation to compliance activity.
I have been advised by the HSE that, in relation to Indoor Dining Regulations and the expanded scope of premises under the Regulations, the HSE will ensure that Compliance Officers (COs) will be in place to conduct the necessary checks across the hospitality sector, including the night-time economy.
Over 300 HSE Environmental Health Officers are/were designated as COs under the Indoor Dining Regulations. This was to ensure COs were authorised and available in all counties.
The HSE is continuing to carry out COVID19 checks, using existing resources and on a risk prioritisation basis. Responsibility for compliance with this legislation rests in the first place with the business operator who must ensure that they are aware of their legal obligations and are fulfilling them. This includes the checking of EU Digital COVID Certificates across the hospitality sector before patrons enter business premises and verifying that the holder in each case is the person to whom the certificate refers. HSE designated officers have been continuing to support, educate and encourage businesses and the public in the achievement of compliance with this important public health intervention.
Where additional measures or non-compliances have been identified, appropriate follow up and engagement is undertaken by the HSE’s COs to ensure compliance.
Where persistent non-compliance is observed, formal enforcement action is initiated by the HSE. This has resulted to date in the serving of 2 Written Directions and 1 Compliance Notice by the HSE and the granting of 1 Emergency Cessation Order by the District Court The latter relates to a business operator in Galway.
HSE data available up to 29th October shows that 11,948 compliance checks have been undertaken by the HSE. Of these compliance checks, 26% related to operators who had chosen not to provide indoor hospitality facilities, whilst a further 12.7% related to business which it transpired were either not trading or were not accessible at the time of the visit.
In total, 7318 compliance checks have been completed in businesses offering indoor dining under these regulations.
Of these 7318 checks:
- 70% (5110) were found to be in compliance
- 3% (246) were found to be non-compliant.
The remainder 27% (1962) were found to require additional compliance measures. In businesses where additional measures were found to be required, HSE designated Compliance Officers continue to actively engage and follow-up with business operators to ensure full compliance.
I have been advised by my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment that up to 29 October 2021, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has undertaken 634 Compliance Checks in businesses under the regulations.
Of the compliance checks completed:
- 96% of indoor operators were found to be in compliance.
- 4% of indoor operators were found to be in non-compliance.
- 14% of indoor operators required additional compliance measures.
Where a person has a concern that the requirements of the regulations are not being complied with, they may communicate this via the HSELive helpline on 1800 700 700 (7 days a week).
805. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when an EU Digital COVID Certificate will be issued to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; the reason for the delay;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52096/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDigital COVID Certificates are being issued automatically for persons who have completed a full course of vaccination in a vaccination centre in Ireland. A dedicated team have been working proactively to resolve any outstanding queries and requests sent to the contact centre with the utmost urgency.
Individuals may contact the DCC helpline directly on 1800 807 008 if they are experiencing difficulties, or can access the dedicated online portal: www.covidcertificateportal.gov.ie/en-US/issue-vaccine-cert/
It is also important to note that the EU Digital COVID Certificate is not a requirement for travel, but rather a record of a medical event which can make freedom of movement with the European Union easier.
806. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme in its current model in providing healthcare will extend beyond 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52097/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme (NI PHS) has been in effective operation since 1 January 2021. This Scheme was introduced to mitigate the loss of access to care from private providers in Northern Ireland under the EU Cross Border Directive, which ceased to apply as a result of Brexit. The Government intends to place the administrative NI PHS on a statutory basis and an extensive examination of options to inform the drafting of a General Scheme is currently underway. I can confirm that the administrative scheme will remain until such time that a statutory scheme is in place.
