Paul Donnelly
Ceist:179. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if he will address the matter of special leave for a HSE nurse (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57687/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Services Staff
Ceisteanna (179)
Freagraí scríofa
As is set out in the 29th September 2021 DPER FAQs for Public Sector Employees and Employers in respect of HR matters during COVID-19, special leave with pay (SLWP) is used in lieu of sick leave for COVID-19 to assist in the prevention of the possible onward spread of COVID-19 in the work premises.
gov.ie - Update (29 September 2021) on working arrangements and leave associated with COVID-19 for Civil and Public Service (www.gov.ie).
HSE Circular 34/2021 sets out under section 12 sets out that where there may be a reaction to a COVID-19 vaccination and the employee is unfit for work, then the provisions of the public service sick leave scheme apply. However, employees who display symptoms of COVID-19 after vaccination may be granted SLWP for COVID-19 provided they satisfy the qualifying criteria as set out in the DPER FAQ document. www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-034-2021-guidance-and-faqs-for-public-service-employers-during-covid-19-in-relation-to-working-arrangements.html.
Work Permits
Ceisteanna (180)
Verona Murphy
Ceist:180. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his Department sought access for employment permits to address the critical shortage of skills as part of the recruitment resolution to delivering home care support services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57700/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The employment permits system operated by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and or labour shortages. The system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations Lists which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for an employment permit where there is a surplus of those skills in the domestic and EEA labour market.
The Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations Lists are subject to twice-yearly review which is predicated on a formalised and evidence-based process which involves consideration of the research undertaken by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (Solas), the Expert Group of Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the National Skills Council, and input by relevant Government Departments in addition to the public consultation phase.
As part of the most recent review of the occupations lists, officials from my Department engaged in discussions with officials from the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment in respect of submissions received relating to the health sector. The submissions received from the home care sector were considered by the Department of Health, Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment and the Interdepartmental Group for Economic Migration Policy.
The review did not recommend removal of the occupation of care worker/home carers from the Ineligible Occupations List as the evidence suggested that contracts of employment and terms and conditions being offered are significant factors in the recruitment challenges faced by the sector, rather than a demonstrable labour market shortage. To have an occupation removed from the ineligible list, there needs to be a clear demonstration that recruitment difficulties are solely due to skills and labour shortages in Ireland and the EEA and not to other factors such as salary and or employment conditions.
It was not considered appropriate to make any changes to the eligibility for employment permits for home carers on this occasion as there was insufficient evidence that the issue is not one of terms and conditions. A longer-term approach is required to address these challenges and the Department of Health is committed to working with relevant stakeholders to seek to address these issues.
Civil Registration Service
Ceisteanna (181)
John Brady
Ceist:181. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the way a person can currently access the civil registration service in County Wicklow; the opening times of same; when a walk-in service will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57705/21]
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.
Civil Registration Service
Ceisteanna (182)
John Brady
Ceist:182. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that persons are having getting in contact with the civil registration service to register a birth, death or marriage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57706/21]
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.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (183)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:183. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the status of the roll-out of the booster vaccine for persons over the age of 18 with medical vulnerabilities; if there is an ordered list in terms of priority for receipt of the booster vaccine; and if so, if he will publish details of same. [57710/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.
On 15 November the NIAC recommended that a booster of an mRNA vaccine be offered to persons aged 16-59 years with underlying conditions, all residents in Long Term Healthcare Facilities and persons aged 50-59 years. The Chief Medical Officer has endorsed the latest NIAC recommendations and written to the HSE to request that the recommendations be operationalised as soon as possible.
The NIAC has previously recommended that a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (irrespective of whether the primary vaccination course was of an mRNA or adenoviral vector) be offered to those aged 60 years and older and healthcare workers. The booster dose should be given after an interval of six months (or at least five months) following the last dose of any authorised Covid-19 vaccine. I have accepted this advice and the HSE has made the necessary arrangements to operationalise these recommendations with the booster rollout now underway.
The NIAC will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for others in the population where there is evidence of waning immunity and reduced effectiveness and will make further recommendations if required.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (184)
Joan Collins
Ceist:184. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if a series of matters in relation to the non-checking of Covid-19 certificates in a premises (details supplied) will be investigated. [57730/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 (S.I. No 385 of 2021). They are collaborating closely to ensure that they are fulfilling their roles in a consistent manner and to maximise their footprint across all relevant businesses.
These compliance checks are being undertaken across the hospitality sector without prior notice, in all counties and at different times of the day and night and at weekends.
The HSE has advised me that the licensed premises detailed in this PQ are under the supervision of the HSE; however, for operational reasons the HSE does not comment on individual cases.
Responsibility for compliance with this legislation rests with the indoor operator who must ensure that they are aware of their legal obligations and are fulfilling them at all times. Furthermore, responsibility for ensuring that only permitted persons access relevant indoor premises rests with the indoor operator who must satisfy themselves that any person seeking to enter a relevant indoor premises is a permitted person. This is provided for in Section 31AB(3)(a) of the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2021 which requires indoor operators to take “reasonable steps (including by inspecting such documents, if any, as may be prescribed in regulations under subsection (4)) to ensure that a person other than a permitted person is not admitted to a relevant indoor premises”.
Under the Regulations, Compliance Officers do not have the statutory powers to ask to inspect or examine any individual customer’s proof of immunity or proof of identity. However, designated Compliance Officers undertake spot checks of businesses to ensure that the indoor operator has a system in place to check proof of immunity and proof of identity, where necessary, before persons are admitted to the relevant indoor premises.
Where businesses checked by the HSE are found to be requiring additional compliance measures Compliance Officers continue to follow up and engage with those businesses towards ensuring full compliance. Where non-compliance is found to be persistent or overt formal enforcement action is undertaken.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (185, 186, 187)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:185. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health his plans to update the current list of medical conditions to include all long-term chronic illnesses covered under the long-term illness benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57732/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraJackie Cahill
Ceist:186. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the procedure to update the list of medical conditions covered under the long-term illness benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57733/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraJackie Cahill
Ceist:187. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health his plans to overhaul the current long-term illness benefit scheme and establish a new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57734/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 to 187, inclusive, together.
The Long Term Illness (LTI) scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 illnesses covered by the scheme. These conditions are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.
Under the LTI scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. The LTI scheme will be included as part of a review of the current eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy.
In the meantime, for people who are not eligible for the LTI scheme, there are other arrangements which protect them from excessive medicine costs.
Under the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €114 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The maximum payable under the DPS will be further reduced to €100 per month from 1 January 2022. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. In addition, where an applicant is over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
Persons may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
Question No. 186 answered with Question No. 185.
Question No. 187 answered with Question No. 185.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (188)
Seán Crowe
Ceist:188. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of beds Peamount Hospital has for continuing care for neurological illness or acquired brain injury; if all beds are currently staffed full-time and open; and the number of vacancies for medical staff are currently unfilled at the hospital. [57749/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked Peamount Healthcare to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (189)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:189. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason the Covid-19 recovery certificate only remains valid for 180 days after the day of the positive test when a certificate of vaccination has no such limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57758/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The EU Digital COVID Certificate is a document which is issued to help facilitate enable the safe and free international movement of people across the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scope and details to be included in each Digital COVID Certificate has been agreed at EU level and is standardized across the EU to allow for complete interoperability.
The dataset to be included in each Digital COVID Certificate is specified in Annex I of the EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation. The dataset for a certificate of recovery includes the requirement that it is a ‘certificate valid until (not more than 180 days after the date of first positive NAAT test result)’.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (190)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:190. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 492 of 12 October 2021, the details of persons identified as people of trust to act as ambassadors for the vaccine; the numbers of ambassadors identified; the names of all ambassadors; if these ambassadors received payment from either the HSE, his Department or a company (details supplied) on behalf of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57760/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (191)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:191. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 492 of 12 October 2021, the exact date that his Department engaged a company (details supplied); if he will provide all documentation in relation to the contract; the reason it was not possible to put this contract out to tender given that Ireland was at least 10 months into the Covid-19 pandemic and the sense of urgency was not; the number of weekly meetings held; if the minutes of all meetings can be made available particularly in circumstances in which Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas were mentioned; the reason this contract was on 8 October 2021; the details of the final engagement with the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57761/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A core element of the COVID-19 Vaccine communications strategy involved encouraging the public to get the vaccine, informing them who will administer it and where, identifying people of trust to act as ambassadors for the vaccine and addressing emerging mis and disinformation themes relating to the COVID-19 vaccine.
This work was supplemented by the work of Kinzen, a company engaged by my Department in early 2021 to monitor the online dissemination of mis and disinformation relating to COVID-19 and COVID-Vaccines.
The daily report of mis and disinformation topics and trends provided to my Department and the HSE by Kinzen, supported by a weekly meeting involving my officials and officials from the HSE to discuss current themes proved invaluable and, in my opinion, contributed to Ireland's extraordinary success of Ireland's Vaccination Programme.
This enabled my Department to work with public health doctors to address the mis and disinformation and direct the public to official sources of information, such as the Department’s own website, the COVID-19 Data Hub and the HSE’s website. The HSE also undertakes considerable social media advertising campaigns in order to promote public health guidelines, advice and vaccine uptake across platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. The partnership with Kinzen allowed my Department and the HSE to target communications messages in a given week to support vaccine uptake.
Due to the extreme urgency brought about by the unforeseen circumstances pertaining to the global pandemic, the widespread dissemination of vaccine mis and disinformation, and the speed with which Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme was rolled out, it was necessary to procure this service outside of normal tendering processing. As of Friday, 08 October, my Department and the HSEs work with Kinzen has been completed.
The other information requested by the Deputy is not suitable for the Parliamentary Question process. A Freedom of Information request can be sent to my Department to request these records.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (192)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:192. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists with medical card contracts in each of the CHO 4 sub sections in each of the years 2016 to 2021, respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57762/21]
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 (193, 224)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:193. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to requiring Covid certificates (details supplied) for entry into retail outlets of sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57763/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Richard O'Donoghue
Ceist:224. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if discussions are expected that persons attending the gym, hairdressers and beautician should show proof of their EU Digital COVID Certificates as many persons working in these industries are expressing concern; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58027/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 224 together.
A COVID-19 pass is currently in use for indoor hospitality, nightclubs, live entertainment venues, cinemas, theatres and indoor events. Government keeps all measures under review on an ongoing basis
Health Services
Ceisteanna (194)
Mark Ward
Ceist:194. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in feedback to an organisation (details supplied); when there will be a resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57772/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (195)
Pauline Tully
Ceist:195. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of respite services in each CHO which are currently closed; the county within each CHO in which the services that are closed operate; the length of time each of these services have been closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57774/21]
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.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (196)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:196. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses employed in each hospital, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57780/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (197)
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Ceist:197. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the engagement his Department has had with the Department of Justice and the HSE to ensure the booster vaccine roll-out includes the prison population given the nature of the congregated setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57788/21]
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.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (198)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:198. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he plans to introduce a redress scheme to support healthcare staff who have suffered adverse reactions following vaccination or who have suffered from Covid-19 and who have been left unable to work; the avenues of support that are available to such staff; the number of staff that have been redeployed to other services due to being unable to carry out their usual duties due to health concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57796/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy may wish to note that Health Products Regulation Authority (HPRA) closely monitors reported adverse reactions. In its most recent vaccine safety update (published 4th November) it noted that, whilst not experienced by everyone, all vaccines have some side effects, the vast majority of which are mild to moderate in nature. These side effects need to be continuously balanced against the benefits in preventing COVID-19 illness. Overall, the national reporting experience continues to support the favourable assessment that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines massively outweigh the risks. This, of course, does not detract from any adverse reaction individuals may experience but does provide assurance that the vaccines are safe and that we should continue to have confidence in them.
Supports for Healthcare Workers
The Deputy is advised that work is ongoing with respect to the development of a scheme to benefit the families of frontline healthcare workers who died from COVID-19, where it is likely that they contracted the virus in work. A proposal will be brought to Government in respect of the scheme shortly. Details of the scheme will be made available once it has been approved by Government.
Details of the occupational health supports available for those healthcare workers who have been unable to work due an adverse reaction following vaccination or longer-term health issue related to COVID-19 infection, are a matter for the HSE. The HSE have been asked to respond directly to you on these matters.
Broader Vaccine Compensation Scheme
In June 2018, the Government agreed to the establishment of the expert group to review the management of clinical negligence claims. It was chaired by the High Court judge, Mr. Justice Charles Meenan. The expert group examined the system from the perspective of the person who has made the claim to explore if there is a better way to deal effectively, yet more sensitively, with certain cases.
Mr. Justice Meenan submitted the final report on the current system for managing clinical negligence claims to the then Minister for Health and Minister for Justice in January 2020, prior to the onset of the Covid pandemic. The Government subsequently published the Meenan report in December 2020. One of the report's recommendations is that a compensation scheme be established.
On foot of a request from my Department, the Health Research Board, HRB, carried out an evidence review on the vaccine injury redress programme in other jurisdictions, which was completed in March 2019. The expert group's report, in addition to the HRB's evidence review, and consultation with other Departments and relevant State agencies will inform the development of proposals regarding the establishment of a compensation scheme, including the need for primary legislation, and work to advance policy development in this regard is under way in the Department.
Finally, there are no plans at present for the introduction in Ireland of a COVID-19 specific vaccine compensation scheme.