Written Answers Nos. 571-592
571. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the steps that can be taken to help parents in north County Kildare to have their babies vaccinated with the usual childhood vaccines given that they cannot find a general practitioner to register with in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60241/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom 2 to 13 months children receive a series of childhood vaccinations from their GP without charge to protect them against a number of serious infectious diseases.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Certain groups, including all those under 6 years of age and those over 70 years of age, are automatically entitled to a GP visit card.
Where a GMS patient experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept him/her as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area) can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign a GMS patient to a GP's GMS patient list. Likewise, a parent on behalf of a child GMS patient who experiences difficulty in finding a GP that will accept their child as a patient can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit also.
572. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health when the new clinical review of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme will commence; if he will provide details of the parameters of the review; when it is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60247/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has commenced preparatory work on a review of clinical data that supports the prescribing of cannabis products for conditions that would be included in the Medical Cannabis Access Programme. It is anticipated that the review can commence in the new year and will be completed in 2022.
573. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants who have registered their interest in participation in the Medical Cannabis Access Programme; the number of patients who have been registered on the programme; the number of patients currently in receipt of cannabis products under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60248/21]
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.
574. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60256/21]
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.
575. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the reason there are currently only four neurology nurse specialists at a hospital (details supplied); his plans to increase the number of neurology nurse specialists at the hospital; if there are plans to increase neurology nursing staff around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60260/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct response.
576. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently on a suspended inpatient list for scoliosis surgery across all hospitals; the time suspended; the number of children waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60261/21]
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.
577. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to outsource scoliosis surgery for children; if there are plans to increase funding for hospitals to carry out this procedure; his views on the waiting times for scoliosis surgery; the number of children waiting; the plans to ensure children's safety and their right to access the best attainable healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60262/21]
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.
As 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.
In 2018 Children’s Health Ireland was provided with an additional €9 million in funding to address paediatric orthopaedic waiting lists, including the provision of scoliosis services. This funding is recurring and has been provided in the base HSE allocation each year since 2018. The additional funding supported the recruitment of approximately 60 WTEs in 2018 and 2019 to enable the expansion of paediatric orthopaedic services.
Funding proposals submitted to the HSE by Children’s Health Ireland for increased investment in paediatric orthopaedic services in 2022 will be decided as part of the finalisation of the Access to Care fund. In addition the HSE has advised my Department that a proposal to fund an additional theatre at Temple Street is currently progressing through the normal HSE capital approval process. Improving access to scheduled care capacity remains a priority for me and my Department as we work to finalise next years’ Access to Care fund.
Children’s Health Ireland has advised that as of end October 2021, there were 123 patients on the spinal fusion waiting list (excluding suspensions), an increase of 3 patients compared to the end of October 2020. There were 67 patients on the waiting list for other spinal procedures (excluding suspensions), which is decrease of 8 patients compared with the end of October 2020. As at the end of October, 295 spinal surgeries had been carried out. This is compared to 313 by the end of October 2019, and to 255 spinal surgeries that had been carried out by the same period last year.
In relation to outsourcing scoliosis procedures to other countries, Children’s Health Ireland has advised my Department that recent experience has demonstrated that previous strategies, which looked at outsourcing spinal patients to external providers in the UK and Europe, had not been overly successful as spinal patients often require additional follow up and the management of post-operative complications. These are also compounded for patients by the need to travel overseas especially now during COVID-19. However, the HSE does have a procurement framework in place seeking additional private sector capacity, including for patients with scoliosis.
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.
579. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the current waiting time for the National Gender Clinic, which stands at over two years from the initial referral; his views on the adequacy of this timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60271/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
581. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if his Department has conducted a study on the effect or impact of lockdowns and restrictions on children, particularly vulnerable children. [60274/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ireland’s response has been guided by seven ethical principles: solidarity, fairness, minimising harm, proportionality, reciprocity, privacy and a duty to provide care. In March 2020, the Department of Health published the Ethical Framework for Decision-making in a Pandemic, setting out these principles. This Framework can be found online: www.gov.ie/en/publication/dbf3fb-ethical-framework-for-decision-making-in-a-pandemic/.
Any measures introduced are aimed at limiting the spread and damage of COVID-19, and are necessary to protect our key priorities of supporting and maintaining health and social care services, keeping education and childcare services open and protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities.
Government decision-making on public health measures has been informed by public health, economic and social impact assessments which have been undertaken on an ongoing basis throughout the pandemic with inputs from across Government to understand and assess both the impacts of the pandemic and the impacts of the restrictions imposed to manage it.
A number of pieces of research have been undertaken and reports published throughout the pandemic in relation to the impact on children. These are detailed below.
A report produced by the National Clinical Programme for Paediatrics and Neonatology within the HSE, in collaboration with the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, outlines the impacts restrictions have had on the lives of children in Ireland. The National Clinical Review on the Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Children and Guidance on Reopening of Schools and the Normalisation of Paediatric Healthcare Services in Ireland examines the effects of the lockdown on children, including those who are vulnerable, explores the possible ways in which the restrictions can be lifted and monitored, and sets out what additional measures and resources need to be put in place in order to make up for the losses and setbacks children have suffered as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. The report can be found online: hse-ie.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=33142467.
The HSE has also examined the impact of the pandemic and the societal restrictions on the health and wellbeing of the population, on HSE staff and on health service capacity and delivery and has presented a plan for healthcare and population health recovery. This paper which includes consideration of child health and wellbeing can be found online: www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/qid/covid-19-qi-learning/qi-resources-to-support-learning-from-covid19/covid-19-pandemic-impact-paper-2021.pdf.
A programme of research was undertaken by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in response to the COVID-19 closures and phased reopening of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector. IPSOS MRBI were commissioned by that Department to undertake two polls of 500 households with children, to better understand parents’ ELC and SAC preferences and plans for their children before, during and beyond COVID-19. A survey was administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to all 4,500 ELC and SAC providers to understand capacity, having regard for public health guidelines and an open online Call for Submissions was issued by the Department, receiving 1916 responses.
The Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) study is the national longitudinal study of children and young people funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and managed by the Department in association with the Central Statistics Office. The study is carried out on behalf of the Department by a GUI study team at the Economic and Social Research Institute. In December 2020, a special on-line COVID-19 specific survey was carried out with GUI participants. A Key Findings report from this survey was published in March of this year focusing on participants’ experiences of the pandemic. The report can be found online: www.esri.ie/news/pandemic-affects-children-and-young-adults-from-low-income-families-negatively-in-terms-of.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, working with the Department of Health and the youth sector, collaborated with SpunOut.ie to undertake an online consultation with young people about their experiences of COVID-19, called ‘How’s Your Head: Young Voices during COVID-19’. A Youth Advisory Group worked with the Department to guide the development and analysis of the consultation, which sought to better understand how young people were experiencing COVID-19, asking them what had been working well for them and what were the challenges to maintaining their wellbeing. Responses were received from 2,173 young people aged 15-24 and the findings were published and are available online: www.gov.ie/en/publication/91f4b-hows-your-head-young-voices-during-covid-19-september-2020/.
583. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will reinstate the temporary assistance payment scheme given the surge in Covid-19 cases and the costs of infection control in nursing homes and residential care settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60279/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has provided extensive support to the Nursing Home Sector since the start of the pandemic. The Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) was established in April 2020 as a temporary, administrative measure to respond to the challenges being faced by the nursing home sector at the start of the pandemic, and was extended twice beyond its original planned end date.
In broad terms, TAPS had substantially fulfilled its temporary purpose of providing financial support to nursing homes and residents to address COVID-19 and therefore it was appropriate to end the standard assistance element of the scheme in June 2021. From June onwards, in recognition of the residual risk presented by the virus, Ministers Donnelly and I have agreed to the continued availability of the outbreak assistance element of the Scheme until the end of this year. This will ensure that contingency is available in the event of an outbreak.
According to the most recent available HSE data, from 24 November, over 8,172 claims had been processed, with some €120.7 million euro of direct financial support provided to the sector. Due to the extension of outbreak assistance, claims continue to be received and paid; €1.75m has been paid to nursing homes under 75 separate claims for outbreak assistance since the end of June. In total, €134.5 million has been made available under TAPS between 2020 and 2021.
There continue to be a number of outbreaks reported in nursing homes each week; however, current data suggests there may be a reduction in the number of associated cases per outbreak. The State has continued to prioritise residents of nursing homes in the response to COVID-19, including through the successful and early roll-out of the vaccine programme to nursing home residents. This prioritisation is continuing with the roll-out of booster vaccines to nursing home residents, which is expected to be completed by early December. The roll-out of booster vaccines has provided important protection for residents.
As the pandemic has continued, many further support measures for private and voluntary nursing homes have been made available through the Health Service Executive (HSE), including the provision of PPE on a no-cost basis, the implementation of serial testing, the support and engagement of COVID-19 response teams and public health teams, the temporary accommodation scheme for nursing home staff and further supports. Many of these supports will continue to be provided by the HSE for the foreseeable future.
584. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of children with a disability in each CHO; the number of therapists working as part of a children’s disability network team in each CHO and by therapy speciality provided, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60282/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra585. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of therapists working with the children’s disability service in each CHO in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021 by therapy speciality provided, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60283/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 584 and 585 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
586. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of the need to employ more neurology nurses in Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60291/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
587. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the way the findings in the report commissioned by the Women’s Health Taskforce will inform the forthcoming Women’s Health Action Plan; and the way focused investment in women’s health will support the implementation of the recommendations from the report (details supplied). [60293/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving women’s health outcomes is a key priority for me and this Government. We made a strong commitment to Promoting Women’s Health in the Programme for Government and are fully committed to improving health outcomes for all women. We will continue the development and improvement of Women’s Health services and work with women and girls to improve their health across the whole life cycle.
Underscoring the government’s commitment to Women’s Health has been the establishment of the Women’s Health Taskforce in September 2019 to improve both health outcomes and experiences of healthcare for women and girls.
This commitment has been reflected within Budget 2022, in the allocation of €31 million for new development funding to specifically support women’s health. This additional funding supplements both the ongoing work of the Department in key areas for women and a specific dedicated allocation for innovative approaches to women’s health services nationwide, through the Women’s Health Taskforce ‘Women’s Health Fund’.
The Women’s Health Fund will support the delivery of the Women’s Health Action Plan 2022, which will be published in mid/late December.
Informed by the available evidence and engagement with women across the country, key stakeholders, clinicians, and advocates for women’s health, the Action Plan will outline measures needed to tackle a wide range of issues impacting women’s health outcomes in Ireland. The health needs of marginalised women is recognised as an area of importance within the plan. Alongside the significant activity already in place within the Department of Health and the HSE for the health needs of marginalised groups, the Women's Health Taskforce will look to further opportunities to drive progress for these women in 2022. This consideration will be informed by the recent National Women's Council 'Radical Listening' report.
In relation to ongoing activity, the Department of Health has oversight responsibility for the health policy for vulnerable groups such as people who are homeless, applicants for international protection, Roma and Travellers and other socially excluded groups. Responsibility for the provision of health service falls under the HSE’s National Office for Social Inclusion, which works to improve access to mainstream health services, as well as providing targeted measures.
Migrants, refugees and international protection applicants receive a range of services to address their health needs. International protection applicants in Direct Provision are, in the main, eligible for a medical card, which gives them access to a range of health and community services.
In addition, NGOs, funded by the HSE, offer support to migrants by raising awareness of the services which are available to them. They also provide information on how to avail of the services they may require.
The HSE’s Second National Intercultural Health Strategy 2018-2023 aims to provide an integrated approach to addressing the support needs experienced by service users of diverse ethnic and cultural and religious backgrounds nationally. The goals and strategic objectives of the Strategy include enhanced accessibility of services, provision of high-quality, culturally responsive services to service users from diverse ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds.
The National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017 – 2021 contains actions for implementation by the Department of Health and the HSE, which aims to improve health outcomes for Travellers and Roma.
The HSE’s Second National Intercultural Health Strategy 2018-2023 references the DSGBV Action plan and outlines further relevant actions in relation to service users from diverse ethnic and cultural groups.
The Department will continue working to ensure that a range of health-related services and supports are operational for women affected by social exclusion, including those who are homeless, members of minority communities including Travellers or Roma, members of the LGBTI+ community, and international protection applicants.
The Women’s Health Taskforce will continue to work with the National Women’s Council of Ireland to prioritise different issues each year with the aim of improving women’s health outcomes and experiences of healthcare.
The National Women’s Council is a key partner in ensuring women’s voices are represented throughout the work of the Women’s Health Taskforce and representatives from the Council participate as members of the Taskforce. I look forward to continued collaboration with the National Women’s Council going forward and this report will help inform the work of the Women’s Health Taskforce as they launch their Action Plan for 2022.
588. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the definition of a professional antigen test in respect of antigen tests for inbound travel. [60297/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA definition of "rapid antigen test" is made in S.I. 135/2021, as amended. Where rapid antigen testing is accepted for travel, it must be of a type included in the EU common list of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests agreed in accordance with the Council Recommendation of 21 January 2021. Further, the test must be carried out by a health professional or similarly skilled testing personnel. The common list can be found at the following list: ec.europa.eu/health/sites/default/files/preparedness_response/docs/covid-19_rat_common-list_en.pdf.
589. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the assistance that can be provided to a child (details supplied) in County Cork who is unable to access the medication they require through the HSE hardship scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60307/21]
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.
590. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties posed to children and adults with autism and other conditions when it comes to availing of the Covid-19 vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60321/21]
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.
592. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the PCR test results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60323/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe requirements for travel are kept under regular review based on the evolving international epidemiological situation. At present, and as part of our response to the emergence of the Omicron variant, passengers travelling to Ireland require a valid test result (subject to limited exemptions). Full details on international travel policy and the types of tests accepted are published at www.gov.ie/travel.
A person who is unable to present evidence of a negative/not-detected RT-PCR test prior to travel due to persistently positive RT-PCR test after recovery, can present a positive RT-PCR result dated more than 11 days and less than 180 days prior to the date on which the person arrives in the State. From 5 December, a negative antigen test result is also required.
