Written Answers Nos. 657-673
657. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount of public funding spent by his Department, the HSE and all other public healthcare providers on external consultancy work from 2017 to date by purchaser, in tabular form. [61713/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department's total expenditure in the A7 subhead consultancy for the years requested since 2017 is as per the tables below. It is the policy in my Department only to engage the services of external consultants where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and, in particular, when such an approach is felt to be more appropriate and cost-effective.
The attached tables outline the total amount spent on external consultants from 2017 to date. While some contacts are negotiated on the basis of a daily and hourly rate, others are paid a fee on the basis of reaching a number of milestones during the process and in some case producing a report.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly with their report.
658. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital admissions that occurred through University of Limerick Hospitals Group accident and emergency or the acute medical assessment unit due to diabetic ketoacidosis in persons with pre-existing diabetes or diagnosed with diabetes after admission in each of the years 2017 to 2020, in tabular form. [61722/21]
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.
659. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital admissions that occurred through University of Limerick Hospitals Group accident and emergency or the acute medical assessment unit due to severe hypoglycaemia in each of the years 2017 to 2020 in the age ranges 18 to 24, 25 to 34, 35 to 44, 45 to 54, 55 to 64 and over 65 years of age, in tabular form. [61723/21]
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.
660. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for the adult type 1 diabetes outpatient clinics; the number of persons on the waiting list for the adult type 2 diabetes outpatient clinics; the estimated waiting time to be seen at outpatient diabetes clinics in University Hospital Cork; and the number of persons that do not reside in counties Cork, Kerry, Waterford, or south County Tipperary, in tabular form. [61724/21]
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.
661. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for the adult type 1 diabetes outpatient clinics; the number of persons on the waiting list for the adult type 2 diabetes outpatient clinics; the estimated waiting time to be seen at outpatient diabetes clinics in University Hospital Galway; and the number of persons that do not reside in counties Galway, Mayo, Sligo or Roscommon, in tabular form. [61725/21]
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.
662. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent advanced nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and integrated care clinical nurse specialists that are currently in post in University of Limerick Hospitals Group adult diabetes services. [61726/21]
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.
663. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health his estimate of the number of Covid-19 patients in intensive or critical care, if 100% of the population eligible for a vaccine was vaccinated. [61727/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rate of COVID-19 related hospitalisations and ICU admissions in the population is determined by several factors, particularly the prevailing force of infection in the community, the proportion of those infected who are in the older age groups or at-risk groups, population immunity levels arising from vaccination or prior infection and overall adherence to the public health measures in place to reduce the risk of transmission.
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent hospitalisations, severe illness and death related to COVID19 and it is a particular priority to ensure that all eligible people are fully vaccinated. However, vaccinations are not 100% effective, and some fully vaccinated people will become infected (breakthrough infection) and experience illness. While the benefits of vaccination against hospitalisation and deaths have been sustained for at least six months for all European Medicines Agency (EMA) authorised vaccines, the risk of breakthrough infections and symptomatic disease increases over time.
In Ireland, as of 9th December more than 90% of those aged 12 years and older are fully vaccinated. Ireland is currently undergoing a prolonged surge in case numbers despite high vaccine uptake, with an associated high level of ICU admissions. This is considered to be due to a number of factors, including the highly transmissible Delta variant, waning of vaccine immunity and the opening up of society over recent months with an increase in socialisation. The rate of hospitalisation of unvaccinated people is substantially higher than in those who are fully vaccinated. However, as vaccination rates are so high, the proportion of those vaccinated who are admitted to hospital and ICU settings is increasing
The risks of severe COVID-19, hospitalisation and ICU admission are lower in younger people, but are not negligible. The presence of an underlying condition increases the risk of severe COVID-19 and booster vaccination has been recommended for those identified in this category. For all, there remains a residual risk, that decreases with age, of severe COVID-19 even in those with no risk factors. This risk will increase as the force of infection in the community remains high and as time from initial primary vaccination schedule elapses.
Ireland is currently in a very uncertain and unstable position due to the high incidence of COVID-19 driven by the highly transmissible Delta variant. This is a matter of very significant concern as we wait for more evidence relating to the Omicron variant and the impact it may have to emerge.
I am advised that based on the evidence available to us, we believe that the public health measures we are so familiar with will work to slow and stop the transmission of the Omicron variant, as well as the Delta variant. Early indications suggest that a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine will offer good protection against infection from Delta and Omicron.
It is of the utmost importance that all those eligible for a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine take the opportunity to receive this vaccine as soon as it is offered. Similarly, those yet to receive a primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine should come forward as soon as possible. COVID-19 related hospitalisation and severe illness can be prevented by optimising the protection afforded by vaccination.
664. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of vaccinated Covid-19 patients who were in hospital on 3 December 2021; and the number that were in intensive or critical care on the same date. [61728/21]
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.
665. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of unvaccinated Covid-19 patients that were in hospital on 3 December 2021; and the number that were in intensive or critical care on the same date. [61729/21]
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.
666. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if healthcare workers in maternity hospitals are allowed in law and practice to be conscientious objectors when it comes to the delivery of abortion services. [61743/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, section 22 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 deals with conscientious objection by members of medical staff in relation to the provision of termination of pregnancy services. This section states that where he/she has a conscientious objection, a medical practitioner, nurse or midwife shall not be obliged to carry out, or participate in the carrying out, a termination of pregnancy. In the event of a doctor, nurse or midwife having a difficulty in undertaking a required medical procedure, he or she will have a duty to make arrangements for the transfer of the woman’s care to a colleague. The Act makes it clear that conscientious objection cannot be invoked in an emergency situation, when the risk to a pregnant woman’s life or health is immediate. Conscientious objection is limited to persons involved in the delivery of the treatment only and does not extend to any other persons, or to institutions. Section 49 of the most recent version of the Medical Council’s Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Professionals, published in August 2019, reiterates these provisions.
667. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) in relation to home help services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61751/21]
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.
668. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the cost of services provided by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61753/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter for the National Ambulance Service in the first instance I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
669. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with disabilities in receipt of home support hours in each LHO area as of 1 December 2021 or the latest date available; the number of persons currently on the waiting list for same in each LHO area; and the number waiting 0 to 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 12 and more than 12 months in tabular form. [61758/21]
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.
670. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with disabilities in receipt of personal assistance hours in each LHO area as of 1 December 2021 or the latest date available; the number of persons currently on the waiting list for same in each LHO area; and the number waiting 0 to 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 12 and more than 12 months in tabular form. [61759/21]
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.
671. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of residential places for persons with a disability currently being provided as of 1 December 2021 or the latest date available by CHO in tabular form. [61760/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I am referring the question for response to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
672. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of new emergency places provided to persons with a disability as of 1 December 2021, by local health office in tabular form. [61761/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I am referring the question for response to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
673. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of children as of 1 December 2021 or the latest date available that were awaiting a first assessment from the HSE under the Disability Act 2005 by local health office area in tabular form. [61762/21]
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.
