Written Answers Nos. 636-657
636. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the reason a service (details supplied) was still operating until recently on a reduced two-day service despite Covid-19 restrictions being lifted; the reason it is currently closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54534/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra637. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the resources that have been put in place to support the families that are unable to avail of the day services at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54535/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra638. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been put in place to address the staff shortages in a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54536/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 636 to 638, inclusive, together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
639. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of overtime hours worked on a weekly basis by medical and nursing grade staff in each of the years 2017 to 2020, in tabular form. [54537/21]
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.
640. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of annual leave days forgone and unused by nursing, midwifery and medical staff in each of the years 2017 to 2020. [54539/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
641. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of occasions on which a nursing and midwifery or medical grade staff were called back prematurely from a period of leave; and the number of staff affected, in each of the years 2017 to 2020, in tabular form. [54540/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this operational matter.
642. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists in each CHO and sub-CHO area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54541/21]
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.
643. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the population of each CHO and sub-CHO area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54542/21]
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.
644. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the status of the public health obesity Bill which was pledged under the Programme for Government. [54544/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe policy instrument for obesity in Ireland is “A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), which was launched in September 2016 as part of the Healthy Ireland Framework. The OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. The OPAP provides for a mid-term review to be carried out, which will lead to a refreshed and updated Plan with a revised set of actions for the remaining lifetime of the OPAP. This review provides the opportunity to consider developments and new evidence since the publication of the OPAP, and to assess which elements might best be further progressed by legislation (such as the Public Health (Obesity) Bill), or by other means.
The review will be informed by an evaluation of the OPAP which is being carried out by the Health Research Board Centre for Health and Diet Research, University College Cork. This process has included an assessment through an online survey by numerous experts and stakeholders, and the final report is expected to be received shortly. A strong evidence base will be required for any new legislative measures, and the review of the OPAP will build on the work already underway to identify gaps in the implementation of the Plan, including where actions need to be progressed, whether by legislative or other means, and where further research is required.
Given the multi-faceted nature of the obesity crisis, a high level of interdepartmental collaboration will be required to implement measures aimed at tackling obesity and in the preparation and implementation of legislation, as well as extensive stakeholder consultation. The existing relationships with other Departments through the Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group, and the work which Healthy Ireland has undertaken over the years in identifying and developing relationships with stakeholders, provides a strong basis upon which to examine the issues and implications involved.
645. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if it is planned to set up a Covid-19 test centre in Connemara given the upsurge in cases in view of the long distances that persons from Connemara have to travel at present for a Covid-19 test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54550/21]
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.
646. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to recruit more genetic consultants in Ireland in view of the fact that presently there are only three and estimates suggest 15 are needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54551/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
647. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1150 and 1151 of 31 March 2021, when his Department will act on the recommendation of a company (details supplied); the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54552/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a tender by the Office of Government Procurement, Mazars conducted a review of the governance structures around the HSE's drug reimbursement process. The report was submitted to my Department in January 2020.
The review made recommendations in respect of the HSE’s systems, structures, processes, governance arrangements and use of specialist resources in respect of the drug reimbursement process.
The report was under consideration by officials, however the focus of the Department of Health changed to the immediate public health considerations of the COVID-19 pandemic and the preservation of life. This meant that this work stream was suspended to reallocate resources to support essential services.
My Department aims to complete its consideration of the report’s recommendations in the near future.
649. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be arranged as soon as possible in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54572/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
650. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his Department plans to publish a successor strategy for rare diseases following the expiration of the National Rare Disease Plan 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54574/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA 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.
651. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to roll-out the Covid-19 vaccination programme to those under 12 years of age; if there will be a prioritisation of vulnerable cohorts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54575/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The Committee reviews data relating to Covid-19 vaccines on a rolling basis and makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department.
Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the NIAC develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and include guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.
You can read the guidelines at: www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf
On the 28th of May, the EMA recommended an extension of the use of the Pfizer vaccine to include those aged 12 to 15 years. The EMA subsequently advised an extension of indication for the Moderna vaccine to include use in children aged 12-17 years. The NIAC reviewed these findings and has recommended that vaccination be extended to those aged 12 -15 years, those in this age group will be offered an mRNA vaccination to protect themselves from COVID-19. There are currently no vaccines authorised for use for those aged under 12 years old.
Clinical trials to assess the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in children under 12 years of age are currently ongoing, with results expected later this year. Vaccine manufacturers Pfizer and Moderna are conducting trials in healthy children between the ages of 6 months and 11 years old using lower vaccine doses. Children have different reactions to medications and vaccinations, so conducting clinical trials specific to that population is important to fully understand the benefits and potential side effects of COVID-19 vaccines in this group. Once the data becomes available, it will be thoroughly reviewed by the EMA and the NIAC prior to the vaccines being administered to children under age 12.
652. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of capital project applications which have been submitted by each hospital, by hospital group, for new bed units and wards and treatment capacity expansion, for example, theatres; the number sought; the stage at which each of these applications is at; the estimated cost of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54576/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
653. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies by staffing category and grade at each hospital, by hospital group; the length of time these vacancies have been open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54577/21]
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.
654. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average length of time it takes to recruit a replacement for a vacancy; the average length of time it takes to recruit into a new post across medical and nursing and midwifery staff grades for each hospital group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54578/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
655. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health when a decision letter will issue to a person (details supplied) in relation to a freedom of information request; and the reason this Deputy’s office has been left waiting in excess of three months for a decision on this request. [54579/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA decision letter in respect of the Freedom of Information request referred to in the Deputy's question will be issued as soon as possible.
Officials in my Department have been in contact with the requester previously to explain that the response to the request has been delayed due to the impact of the cyber-attack on the Department of Health this year, and due to the volume of work on hand in the Unit concerned.
656. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he has considered including cariban on the drug payment scheme for persons suffering with hyperemesis gravidarum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54584/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Minister for Health has no role in these decisions.
Under the legislation, there are formal processes which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and only licensed products are added to the formal GMS Reimbursement List. Licensing a product requires the manufacturer to submit a dossier to either the European Medicines Agency or alternatively the Health Products Regulatory Authority in Ireland.
The HSE have advised that Cariban (doxylamine / pyridoxine) is an unlicensed product that is not reimbursable under GMS and Community Drug Schemes. Therefore, the HSE does not intend to reimburse Cariban under Community Drug Schemes or to review the clinical evidence for this unlicensed product.
657. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average length of time each stage in the capital application process takes in the context of new build acute inpatient beds; the length of time of the application process, the funding approval process, the procurement process and the build process, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54587/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
