Written Answers Nos. 518-540
518. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if the HSE is keeping weekly or monthly breakdowns of the number of patients in ICU beds in hospitals who are vaccinated and unvaccinated; and if so, if the most recent statistics can be published. [58343/21]
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.
519. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of dentists who currently as of 22 November 2021 provide treatment under the medical card scheme in counties Mayo, Galway, Sligo and Roscommon in particular emergency treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58349/21]
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.
520. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) is not able to avail of various therapies such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and dietician services while they attend a special school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58356/21]
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.
521. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason for delay in deciding on a medical card application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58357/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
522. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if additional funding will be allocated to help alleviate the pressure on Temple Street and Crumlin Children’s Hospitals in particular for the waiting lists of those children who are waiting to have surgery to combat scoliosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58362/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Children’s Health Ireland’s (CHI) paediatric orthopaedic service, most scoliosis cases are treated at Crumlin and Temple Street, with Crumlin providing specialised multi-disciplinary treatment for the most complex patients. The National Orthopaedic Hospital at Cappagh provides additional capacity for the treatment of less complex orthopaedic patients, including routine scoliosis procedures. By using the capacity provided by Cappagh, CHI can free up space in order that complex orthopaedic procedures, including scoliosis spinal fusions, can be carried out centrally at CHI sites.
More specifically, additional theatre capacity at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh commenced on the 26 April 2021 for daycase surgery. CHI has advised the Department of Health that this should result in a positive impact in reducing long waiting times for general orthopaedics, in addition to consequential capacity gains for scoliosis patients. In 2022 CHI is planning to undertake a range of inpatient, daycase and outpatient orthopaedic appointments in Cappagh.
Funding proposals submitted to the HSE by Children’s Health Ireland to increase capacity and activity for both orthopaedic and scoliosis patients are considered under the HSE National Service Plan 2022 and under the HSE Capital Plan. Improving access to scheduled care capacity remains a priority for me and my Department as we work to finalise next years’ Service Plan.
Improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures remains a commitment of this Government. For 2022 an additional allocation of €250 million, comprised of €200 million to the HSE and €50 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund has been provided in respect of work to reduce hospital and community waiting lists. The €250 million will be used to fund additional activity in both the public and private sectors. The €50 million additional funding provided to the NTPF brings its total allocation for 2022 to €150 million, and as a consequence there will be a budget of €350 million available to support vital initiatives to improve access to acute hospitals and community health services.
In addition, my Department, the HSE and the NTPF are working on a Multi Annual Waiting List Plan to bring waiting lists in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years. This process will be overseen by a Ministerial Taskforce, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and includes representatives from the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund. The plan will be informed by the lessons learned from the successful Vaccine Taskforce.
523. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health when spinal treatment for a child (details supplied) will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58363/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI acknowledge that waiting times for many hospital procedures and appointments are unacceptably long. It is of particular regret that children can experience long waiting times for orthopaedic treatment, especially for time sensitive procedures, and I remain acutely aware of the impact that this has on children and their families.
Children’s Health Ireland continues to examine new and innovative ways to improve access to orthopaedic services. “Cappagh Kids” at the National Orthopaedic Hospital at Cappagh provides additional theatre capacity for non-complex, age appropriate, orthopaedic procedures, freeing up much needed space at central CHI sites for children with complex, multi-disciplinary needs. Additional orthopaedic outpatient sessions are also now held at Cappagh, providing additional capacity to see and assess children on the outpatient waiting list.
In addition, a fast-track orthopaedic pathway has been developed as part of outpatient reduction plans. Paediatric Active Clinical Triage has already been introduced for the longest waiters (over 12 months) on the paediatric outpatient list.
Improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures remains a commitment of this Government. For 2022 an additional allocation of €250 million, comprised of €200 million to the HSE and €50 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund has been provided in respect of work to reduce hospital and community waiting lists. The €250 million will be used to fund additional activity in both the public and private sectors. The €50 million additional funding provided to the NTPF brings its total allocation for 2022 to €150 million, and as a consequence there will be a budget of €350 million available to support vital initiatives to improve access to acute hospitals and community health services.
In addition, my Department, the HSE and the NTPF are also working on a Multi Annual Waiting List Plan to bring waiting lists in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years. This process will be overseen by a Ministerial Taskforce, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and includes representatives from the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund. The plan will be informed by the lessons learned from the successful Vaccine Taskforce.
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 regarding a date for a procedure for the person concerned, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
524. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58367/21]
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.
525. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health when Epidyolex will be available to patients. [58376/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list.
Reimbursement is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).
The HSE advises that it received three applications for the reimbursement of Cannabidiol (Epidyolex):
- for use as adjunctive therapy of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome in conjunction with clobazam, for patients two years of age and older (received 5 February 2020);
- for use as adjunctive therapy of seizures associated with Dravet Syndrome in conjunction with clobazam, for patients two years of age and older (received 5 February 2020);
- for use as an adjunctive therapy of seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) for patients 2 years of age and older (received 9 June 2021).
The final decision-making authority in the HSE is the HSE Executive Management Team (EMT). The HSE EMT decides on the basis of all the demands with which it is faced (across all services) whether it can fund a new medicine, or new uses of an existing medicine, from the resources that have been provided to it in line with the 2013 Health Act.
The HSE has advised that reimbursement has been approved for Epidyolex 100 mg/ml oral solution via the High Tech Drug Arrangements for the three above indications.
From December 1st 2021 approved prescribers will be required to provide confirmation that Cannabidiol (Epidyolex®) 100 mg/ml oral solution is being prescribed in accordance with the licensed indications and in line with the terms of reimbursement approval given by the HSE.
526. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the current position in which a person for people who have identified themselves as Covid-19 positive in accident and emergency units have to isolate them from other patients attending the same department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58377/21]
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.
527. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58378/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI acknowledge that waiting times for many hospital procedures and appointments are unacceptably long. It is of particular regret that children can experience long waiting times for orthopaedic treatment, especially for time sensitive procedures, and I remain acutely aware of the impact that this has on children and their families.
Children’s Health Ireland continues to examine new and innovative ways to improve access to orthopaedic services. “Cappagh Kids” at the National Orthopaedic Hospital at Cappagh provides additional theatre capacity for non-complex, age appropriate, orthopaedic procedures, freeing up much needed space at central CHI sites for children with complex, multi-disciplinary needs. Additional orthopaedic outpatient sessions are also now held at Cappagh, providing additional capacity to see and assess children on the outpatient waiting list.
In addition, a fast-track orthopaedic pathway has been developed as part of outpatient reduction plans. Paediatric Active Clinical Triage has already been introduced for the longest waiters (over 12 months) on the paediatric outpatient list.
Improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures remains a commitment of this Government. For 2022 an additional allocation of €250 million, comprised of €200 million to the HSE and €50 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund has been provided in respect of work to reduce hospital and community waiting lists. The €250 million will be used to fund additional activity in both the public and private sectors. The €50 million additional funding provided to the NTPF brings its total allocation for 2022 to €150 million, and as a consequence there will be a budget of €350 million available to support vital initiatives to improve access to acute hospitals and community health services.
In addition, my Department, the HSE and the NTPF are also working on a Multi Annual Waiting List Plan to bring waiting lists in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years. This process will be overseen by a Ministerial Taskforce, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and includes representatives from the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund. The plan will be informed by the lessons learned from the successful Vaccine Taskforce.
528. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason women, who were previously married, but subsequently obtained a divorce, are being asked to secure the signature of their divorced partner when they attempt to register the birth of a child with their new partner. [58390/21]
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.
529. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health his views that student nurses have to pay car parking fees of €75 per week while on placement in hospitals; and if he will confirm that he will work with the Minister for Further and Higher Education; Research; Innovation and Science to put in place a waiver for student nurses from paying hospital car parking fees when on placement in hospitals. [58395/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for consideration and direct reply to the Deputy.
530. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if the tender competition for the construction of phase 1 development planned for St. Vincent’s Community Nursing Home, Mountmellick, County Laois has been completed and approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58398/21]
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.
531. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will increase the number of neurology nurse specialists at St. James’s Hospital Dublin 8; the number of such nurses currently available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58400/21]
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.
532. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to a proposal to give recipients of the one-shot vaccine (details supplied) a booster from three months after the injection in view of the fact that some territories do not consider these persons fully vaccinated. [58401/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra577. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health when the NIAC advice surrounding the vaccine (details supplied) and the booster programme will be implemented by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58671/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 532 and 577 together.
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 25 November the NIAC recommended that a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine be offered to all persons aged 16 years and older. The NIAC advised that persons aged between 16-39 years who received an mRNA vaccine as their primary vaccine should be vaccinated in descending order by age cohort. Those aged 16-29 years who received Covid-19 vaccine Janssen as their primary vaccine can be offered a booster vaccine in parallel with those aged 30-39 years. Booster doses should be offered to those in previously recommended groups before progression to younger age cohorts.
The NIAC had previously 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 booster should be given after a minimum interval of five months following completion of the primary vaccination schedule for those that received Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty) Spikevax (Moderna) and Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca). Recipients of Covid-19 vaccine Janssen should receive an mRNA booster dose after an interval of three months. The Chief Medical Officer has endorsed these NIAC recommendations and has written to the HSE requesting they be operationalised as soon as possible.
533. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of surgeries excluding emergency surgeries that were carried out in each hospital in the South/SouthWest Hospital Group on weekends in each of the years of 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [58406/21]
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.
534. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant paediatric cardiologist attached to CHI Temple Street in each of the past four years, in tabular form. [58407/21]
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.
535. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE staff nurse in cardiology at Nenagh Hospital in each of the years 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if this number will be further increased. [58408/21]
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.
536. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant ENT surgeons attached to Cork University Hospital in each of the past three years, in tabular form. [58409/21]
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.
537. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if there is a plan in relation to the cohort of recovered persons and the extensions on their EU Digital COVID Certificates as a result of antibody testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58428/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 issuing of a Recovery Certificates is on the basis of a positive NAAT test result only.
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)’.
538. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if negative antigen testing will be considered for the EU Digital COVID Certificates to allow for attendance in bars, restaurants and so on as per the UK method; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58429/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware a COVID-19 pass, based on certification of vaccination or recovery, is required for indoor hospitality, cinemas, theatres and events. Government keeps all measures under review on an ongoing basis.
539. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons contact traced using the passenger locater form in each month in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58430/21]
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.
540. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of passenger locater forms submitted in each month of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58431/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll passengers arriving into the state are required to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form (PLF) in accordance with SI 45/2021. There are limited exemptions from this requirement, as set out in the regulations, such as for international transport workers or for diplomats.
It should be noted that PLF data does not constitute formal arrival data into the state, due to the different intended purpose for the system and also the number of exempted persons as set out above. In addition, some passengers may complete a PLF in advance but be unable to travel as intended, and the data below may include some duplicates for certain travellers. Passengers may have completed a PLF and continued their journey without staying overnight in the state or having transiting onto Northern Ireland.
The data below is an indicative number of passengers including children who completed a Passenger Locator Form
The figures below are subject to change due to ongoing data cleansing e.g. duplication where passengers completed the PLF twice.
|
2021 Month |
Number |
|
January |
93,341 |
|
February |
48,334 |
|
March |
55,088 |
|
April |
61,833 |
|
May |
78,836 |
|
June |
136,803 |
|
July |
317,139 |
|
August |
629,856 |
|
September |
693,622 |
|
October |
792,766 |
