Written Answers Nos. 526-548
526. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if persons who are taken to hospital via ambulance are confined in a Covid-19 ward pending a negative PCR test as a matter of policy; if the case of a person (details supplied) is a policy particular to the hospital in question or due to the reason for the person's admission to hospital. [60006/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
527. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will examine and remedy the delay in the assessment of need and diagnosis which is the legal right of a person (details supplied) within the prescribed time period of six months. [60015/21]
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.
528. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the terms of references for and the membership of the contraception implementation group that was established under his Department to support the roll-out of free contraception; the number of times this group has met since its first meeting in July 2021; the work plan submitted to him by the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60024/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Contraception Implementation Group contains representation from the following policy areas: health and wellbeing, sexual health, women’s health, bioethics, and primary care, including medicines, pharmacy, GP and GMS (medical card) services and policy.
The Group will also appoint additional representation as deemed necessary, to be drawn from Department of Health or the HSE.
The Contraception Implementation Group met initially on the 28th July, 2021 and has met on a further three occasions.
In terms of the workplan, the primary purpose of the Contraception Implementation Group is the implementation of the scheme for free contraception scheme for women aged 17-25 years old announced in the Budget and the officials involved on the group are actively working on this. The details of the scheme were announced after the Budget and can be accessed here:
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/830c2-minister-donnelly-secures-free-contraception-for-women-aged-between-17-25-years-in-budget-2022/
The terms of reference of the Contraception Implementation Group are as follows:
The Implementation Group will oversee, coordinate and support the lead Unit in terms of:
1. the implementation of the significant cross-Governmental and societal measures necessary to implement free contraception on a statutory basis, for women ordinarily resident within the State.
2. The introduction of free contraception for 17-25 year old women initially, as per recommendations in the Programme for Government, 2020 and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the 8th Amendment to the Constitution, by the end of 2022.
3. Consultation with relevant stakeholders on necessary legislative change, Budgetary, eligibility, contract negotiations and other relevant matters.
4. Progression of legislation to establish eligibility for free contraceptive to women aged 17-25 in the first instance, while also planning for the longer-term inclusion of wider age cohorts
5. Requests for funding, through the annual Estimates and HSE National Service Plan process,
6. Work to align the provision of free contraception with wider HSE and DoH policy and strategy in the areas of sexual health, obstetrics and gynaecology, women’s health, Primary Care and other relevant policy areas.
7. Negotiation with representative bodies, as appropriate, regarding inclusion of contraception in relevant service contracts, regulations and guidelines.
8. Play an advisory role in informing and supporting Health &Wellbeing Programme “H&WP” and the Women’s Health Taskforce if necessary, in terms of design of information and publicity campaigns to support and promote the roll-out of the scheme, once enabling legislation is enacted
9. Play an advisory role in informing and supporting H&WP in terms of making provision for Surveys, focus groups and other monitoring mechanisms, and collating data from the Primary Care Re-imbursement Service, MyOptions service, HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme and termination of pregnancy services, in order to monitor the impact of implementation.
529. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the external experts outside of Government officials who are being consulted on the work of the contraception implementation group; when the group will publish its report and recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60025/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the recommendations of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, a Working Group on Access to Contraception was established in April 2019 to consider the range of policy, regulatory and legislative issues arising in relation to improving access to contraception in Ireland. The Group’s report, which was published in October 2019, identified the barriers that exist to accessing contraception and the mechanisms available to overcome those barriers.
The report is available online at:
assets.gov.ie/38063/89059243e750415ebf7e96247a4225ae.pdf
The findings of this report made clear that a sizable body of work needs to be addressed in order to develop and finalise the policy approach, bring forward the necessary legislative proposals and ensure the implementation of service delivery arrangements.
The Programme for Government, 2020, Our Shared Future, builds on the Report's recommendations in its commitment to provide free contraception over a phased period, starting with women aged 17-25. The purpose of the Contraception Implementation Group, established in July, 2021, is to address the sizeable body of work identified in the published Report and to implement the Programme for Government commitment.
The Contraception Implementation Group is composed of Department of Health officials, who are regularly engaging with their counterparts in the HSE and reporting their findings back to the Group. Formal consultation and engagement between the Department, relevant Divisions of the HSE, stakeholder representative organizations and with the legislative process will commence in the first quarter of 2022.
A Report and recommendations are already published and publicly available through the Report of the Working Group on Contraception and through the Programme for Government. The details of the free contraception scheme for women aged 17-25 years old were announced after the Budget and can be accessed here:
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/830c2-minister-donnelly-secures-free-contraception-for-women-aged-between-17-25-years-in-budget-2022/
The primary purpose of the Contraception Implementation Group is the implementation of the scheme announced in the Budget and the officials involved are actively working on this.
530. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the discussions that have taken place in his Department with general practitioner representatives following the budget 2022 announcement in respect of free contraception for persons under 25 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60026/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to providing free contraception for women, starting with the 17-25 age cohort; accordingly, funding for free contraception, starting with women aged 17-25, has been allocated in Budget 2022.
It is envisaged that a wide range of contraceptive options, currently available to medical card holders, will be made available through this scheme. The initiative is gradually being introduced by age cohort, starting with younger women who are least likely to be financially independent and where cost has been shown to be a greater barrier to accessing the most effective forms of contraception, long acting, reversible contraception, or LARCs.
In order to give time to bring forward the necessary legislative proposals and ensure the implementation of service delivery arrangements through the appropriate areas of the healthcare system, it is envisaged that the scheme will commence in August 2022, but this is dependent on legislative timelines. My officials will commence engagement with GP representatives on contractual and service arrangements in 2022.
531. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if the HSE National Service Plan 2022 will be considered by Government prior to publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60027/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE National Service Plan 2022 has been submitted and is under consideration in my Department. In the coming weeks, although not required by legislation, it is intended that it will be brought to Government prior to publication, however this is subject to further consideration.
Subsequently, it will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and published. The National Service Plan must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas within 21 days of its approval. Once the service plan is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, the HSE will ensure it is published at the earliest possible time.
532. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if a person can receive confirmation of the actions taken in cases in which they report alleged breaches of Covid-19 regulations by a business. [60040/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am taking it that the Deputy is referring to alleged breaches by indoor operators in businesses regulated under the the Health Act 1947 (Sections 31AB AND 31AD) (Covid-19) (Operation of certain indoor premises) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 385 of 2021), as amended.
The HSE and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) were both identified as relevant bodies under the above regulations and are collaborating closely on this.
I have been advised by the HSE that it does not comment on follow up action in individual cases for operational reasons. My colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has also advised that the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has a similar policy in place.
533. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the additional resources that have been put in place to tackle domestic violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60046/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment policy in relation to addressing Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is set out in the National Strategy on DSGBV, which outlines a whole of Government approach to delivering on the actions in the Strategy and the development of the third strategy on DSGBV is underway. The Department of Justice coordinates the implementation of the strategy.
The HSE National Social Inclusion Office works in partnership with other government departments and agencies including the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Justice and TUSLA in order to respond to the health needs of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
In 2021, I provided an additional allocation of €175,000 to the HSE for initiatives for victims of domestic violence and the LGBTI community. From this allocation, €50,000 is provided for on-line training programmes for health care professionals responding to victims of domestic violence. Due to COVID-19, training is not currently being provided and the HSE are awaiting the outcome of the research below to inform the training programme going forward.
534. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the role pharmacies will play in delivering booster vaccinations and help prevent large queues at booster centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60050/21]
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 Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the current shortfall of more than 100 nurse specialists in neurology in the Irish healthcare system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60051/21]
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.
536. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health when the current shortfall of nurse specialists in neurology in Sligo University Hospital (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60052/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
537. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the way a person can enter into an independent contract with the HSE in order to transport dialysis patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60053/21]
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.
538. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if new long-term stay residents will be accepted in a nursing home (details supplied) from 1 January 2022. [60054/21]
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.
539. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to instances of mesh-injured women who availed of removal services abroad on the understanding they would be reimbursed; if these women will be reimbursed; if they will receive relevant aftercare; the steps he has taken to improve removal and aftercare services in this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60056/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWomen’s health is a priority for this Government and since this matter emerged, the ongoing priority focus for both the Department and the HSE has been to meet the care needs of women experiencing mesh complications. Although it is not appropriate for me to comment on individual cases, I wish to assure you that my Department has ongoing engagement with the HSE’s National Women and Infants Health Programme in relation to matters related to women who have suffered mesh complications including availability of mesh removal for women in Ireland.
Regarding steps taken to improve services in this jurisdiction, I wish to advise that since concerns about mesh complications came to attention in late 2017, both my Department and the HSE have been working to prioritise the provision of necessary services for women who have suffered complications from the use of mesh implants. In 2020 a national multidisciplinary mesh specialist service for women suffering from mesh complications was established across two centres, Cork University Maternity Hospital and the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin. This multidisciplinary service includes access to a range of medical specialities including Consultant Gynaecology, Consultant Urology, Consultant Colorectal, Consultant Pain Specialist, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Psychologist and Specialist Physiotherapy and these centres have received specific funding from the HSE for provision of these services.
The HSE have advised my Department that they are engaging with stakeholders to provide a solution for patients who have exhausted the services in this jurisdiction, provided the clinicians feel the patient will benefit from further intervention. Department officials are continuing to engage with the HSE’s National Women and Infants Health Programme in this regard.
I note that the further aspects of this Parliamentary Question, regarding reimbursement and provision of aftercare to individuals, relate to operational matters, and I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
540. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if negotiations are taking place with the European Commission for a joint procurement agreement for the supply of Covid-19 antiviral drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60057/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra541. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department has considered a national supply purchase agreement as the fastest route to supply of Covid-19 antiviral drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60058/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra542. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the expected date he plans to sign a national supply purchase agreement guaranteeing that Ireland will have supply of Covid-19 antiviral drugs for patients here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60059/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra543. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the way he is ensuring there will be an availability of Covid-19 antiviral drug stock in Ireland over the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60060/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra544. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been reached by his Department and the HSE to join several other countries in pre-ordering Covid-19 antiviral drugs to avoid delays in getting this product to Irish patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60061/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra545. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department has engaged with the antiviral Covid-19 drug companies approved by the European Medicines Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60062/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 540 to 545, inclusive, together.
The Department of Health, in conjunction with our sectoral stakeholders are presently evaluating the potential clinical requirements and benefits of all potential covid therapeutics currently awaiting or having recently received EMA approval, including a range of antivirals and monoclonal antibodies, and are currently reviewing all potential options for supply, including EU JPA mechanisms as well as bilateral agreements negotiated through existing national processes.
546. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 224 of 24 October 2018, if he will ensure that medical training is provided by the HSE to schools with a pupil with a prescribed adrenaline autoinjector to ensure they are in a position to properly manage anaphylaxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60069/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTraining within schools in the circumstances outlined by the Deputy is a matter for the Department of Education and Skills in the first instance. I have asked my Department to engage with the HSE to clarify its role in providing appropriate support to schools so that the care needs of the pupils involved can best be met. I will revert to the Deputy with this information shortly.
547. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons living with type 2 diabetes who are eligible for the type 2 diabetes cycle of care programme through having a GMS card or a general practitioner visit only card; the number of persons living with type 2 diabetes who attended the programme in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60073/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn October 2015, the Diabetes cycle of care programme was introduced nationally by the HSE. Under this programme, adult GMS patients, those who hold a medical card or GP visit card, with a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes are eligible to be managed as part of the programme by their GP.
The 2019 GP Agreement introduced the chronic disease management programme for GMS patients who have one or more specific chronic diseases, of which Type 2 Diabetes is one. The structured programme commenced in 2020 and is being rolled out to all adult GMS patients over four years (2020 to 2023). This year the programme has been rolled out to those aged 65 years and over. The chronic disease management programme will replace the Diabetes cycle of care programme as it is rolled out.
In relation to the number of persons registered to the Diabetes Cycle of Care programme in the years 2017 to date, as this programme is run by the Health Service Executive, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
548. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the campaign by an organisation (details supplied) seeking, among other things, a ban on the advertising of unhealthy food and drink products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60082/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra578. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will address obesity in Ireland with a public health (obesity) Act including restricting the marketing of unhealthy foods to children; and if he will introduce regulations for online and social media marketing of unhealthy foods also extending the broadcast ban to 9pm as per the proposals made by an organisation (details supplied). [60263/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra614. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the status of measures being taken to tackle obesity; the work that has been undertaken with key stakeholders to introduce a public health (obesity) Act including examining restrictions on promotion and advertising aimed at children; the timeframe for the introduction of such legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60416/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 548, 578 and 614 together.
The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” contains a commitment to “Work with key stakeholders to introduce a Public Health Obesity Act, including examining restrictions on promotion and advertising aimed at children”.
The 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 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. This will input into what measures should be included in a Public Health Obesity Act, and stakeholder consultation will also be an important element of the considerations in relation to this.
In relation to the issues around advertising and marketing of unhealthy foods aimed at children, Ireland is currently co-leading a Work Package in this area under the EU Joint Action “Best ReMaP” (Best practices in Reformulation, Marketing and public Procurement). The title of the Work Package is “Best practices in reducing marketing of unhealthy food products to children and adolescents”. Work has been underway under this Joint Action since October 2020 and there are 17 Member States participating.
In relation to broadcasting, the rules around programming, advertising and sponsorship are contained in the Childrens’ Commercial Communications Code (CCCC). This is a statutory code with its basis in section 42 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. The current version of the CCCC has been in operation since 2013, and a review was carried out by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and published in 2020. The process for consultation in respect of a new version of the CCCC has not yet begun, but the Department of Health will certainly contribute to that process.
