Written Answers Nos. 527-548
527. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if his Department has engaged with SouthDoc since the reopening of its Blackpool facility; and if there is an intention to resume normal operating hours in this facility. [62543/21]
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 Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with medical cards in County Cork, by LHO. [62544/21]
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.
Please note that the Primary Care Reimbursement Service publishes medical card and GP visit card numbers on a monthly basis on their website: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/pcrs/pcrs-publications/
529. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the status of the vaccine booster programme for those under 50 years of age who received a vaccine (details supplied). [62545/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra603. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when Covid-19 booster vaccines will be provided to those under 50 years of age who received the single dose vaccine (details supplied) in view of its rapid waning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62862/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 529 and 603 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 the 13th December, the NIAC recommended that the interval between the primary vaccine series and booster dose should be reduced to three months. In making its latest recommendations, NIAC has reiterated the need for booster vaccines to be offered to those in previously recommended groups before progression to the younger age cohorts.
The NIAC 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 50 years and older, aged 16-59 years with underlying conditions, all residents in Long Term Healthcare Facilities and healthcare workers. 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 has also recommended a booster of an mRNA vaccine be offered to persons aged 16-49 years in descending order by age e.g., by 10 year age cohorts with the exception of COVID-19 vaccine Janssen recipients who can be offered a booster vaccine in parallel with those aged 30-39 years. I have accepted this advice and the HSE is actively engaged in planning to operationalise these recommendations. The NIAC will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines and will make further recommendations if required.
530. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the status of the reopening of the Keltoi facility. [62546/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Keltoi facility was identified for use as an isolation facility for marginalised and vulnerable people during COVID-19 in Community Healthcare Organisation 9.
There are significant numbers of homeless and addiction service users in this area, particularly in Dublin North City and County. The area also has a high migrant health population living in overcrowded accommodation and quarantine accommodation.
It is important to state that all these cohorts have specific challenges and that they need individualised supports to be put in place if they are Covid positive, as they cannot isolate in their existing accommodation on public health grounds.
The HSE has advised that there is still a very significant ongoing demand for isolation in this facility and that it will be maintained as a Covid Isolation Facility for the coming winter period.
The HSE has assured me that the use of this facility as a Covid-19 response is being reviewed on an ongoing basis in line with national guidance.
I am happy to confirm that the HSE remain committed to enhancing the residential addiction services in this area including the reopening of the Keltoi facility once it is no longer required as part of the Covid-19 response.
It is vital that individuals receiving rehabilitation services from Keltoi are supported to continue their recovery path. I welcome that fact that the Keltoi counselling staff based in the HSE Stanhope Centre, are continuing to provide appropriate support services to clients under the Keltoi aftercare programme.
531. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of times the Minister for State with special responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy has met an organisation (details supplied) since their appointment. [62547/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting the participation of individuals, families and communities is on of the goals of the national drugs strategy. Community and voluntary groups, including the group mentioned by the Deputy, are represented on the national oversight committee (NOC), which I chair. The NOC meets on a quarterly basis. It provides a forum for groups to give leadership, direction, prioritisation and mobilisation of resources to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy.
Outside of the quarterly meetings of the NOC, I have had one face to face meeting with the group named by the deputy.
532. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of community addiction projects, by county, that are funded by his Department. [62548/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health currently provides in the region of €28 million to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces to deliver community-based drug and alcohol services in local communities. Task Forces support over 280 community projects throughout the country to tackle problem drug and alcohol use.
The Department does not collect information from task forces on a county basis.
533. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the status of the stabilisation units promised in budget 2021. [62549/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to investigate the issues raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.
534. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the status of the funding for family support networks committed to in budget 2021. [62550/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Drug Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, recognises the role of families affected by drug use in contributing to the planning, design and delivery of effective addiction services.
In Budget 2021, I secured €280,000 in additional funding to support family services. This funding will be used to develop and broaden the range of peer-led, mutual aid and family support programmes in accordance with best practice, in line with goal 4 of the National Drugs Strategy.
The development of family support services is listed as a drug and alcohol priority in the HSE National Service Plan for 2021. It is intended that the HSE will develop coordinated family support programmes in the following four areas this year: - Dublin North Inner City
- Cork/Kerry
- Louth and Meath
- Donegal
Each initiative will be allocated €70,000. I am happy to report that the funding allocated for these services has been drawn down by the HSE. A commissioning process for family support services in each of the four areas has either concluded or is currently being finalised.
535. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the previous membership of the National Oversight Committee on the National Drugs Strategy; and the new proposed membership. [62551/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra536. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the format the promised further discussion on membership of the National Oversight Committee will take. [62552/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 535 and 536 together.
The National Oversight Committee gives leadership and direction to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy. The Committee consists of a cross-sector membership from the statutory, community and voluntary sector, as well as clinical and academic expertise.
The Department of Health completed and published the mid-term review of the actions in the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery. Based on the learning from the mid-term review, six strategic priorities for the national drugs strategy for 2021-2025 were identified. These priorities strengthen the health-led approach, reflect commitments in the Programme for Government and align with the EU drugs strategy and action plan 2021-2025.
The oversight structures have been revised to drive the implementation of the strategic priorities for 2021-2025. Strategic implementation groups (SIGs) are being established to support the delivery of the strategic priorities and to reinforce cross-agency collaboration. The National Oversight Committee is being streamlined and includes the chairs of the newly established SIGs. The inter-agency approach involving a partnership between statutory, community and voluntary bodies remains central to the strategy, as does strengthening the resilience of communities to respond to the drug problem. The Department is putting in place a process to nominate members of the strategic implementation groups
I believe that the new structures will strengthen the partnership approach and give a stronger voice to civil society in developing national policy. I am also providing independent leadership to ensure the accountability of all stakeholders and involving service users to provide insights from the lived experience of drug and alcohol addiction.
Previous and new membership of the NOC, is set out in the table.
National Oversight Committee
|
Sector |
Body |
pre review |
post review |
|
Statutory |
Department of Health |
3 |
1 |
|
Statutory |
Health Service Executive |
1 |
2 |
|
Statutory |
Dept of An Taoiseach |
1 |
1 |
|
Statutory |
Health Research Board |
1 |
0 |
|
Statutory |
Department of Justice |
1 |
1 |
|
Statutory |
An Garda Síochána |
1 |
1 |
|
Statutory |
Irish Prison Service |
1 |
0 |
|
Statutory |
Probation Service |
1 |
0 |
|
Statutory |
Revenue Customs Service |
1 |
0 |
|
Statutory |
Department of Children and Youth Affairs / TUSLA |
2 |
1 |
|
Statutory |
Department of Education and Skills |
1 |
1 |
|
Statutory |
Department of Social Protection |
1 |
1 |
|
Statutory |
Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government |
1 |
1 |
|
Statutory |
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport |
1 |
0 |
|
Community |
Community rep |
2 |
|
|
Community |
Family support |
1 |
|
|
Community |
Service user rep |
1 |
|
|
Voluntary Sector |
Voluntary Drug Treatment Network |
2 |
4 |
|
Task Force |
Local DATF Chairs Network |
1 |
|
|
Task Force |
Local DATF Coordinators Network |
1 |
|
|
Task Force |
Regional DATF Chairs Network |
1 |
|
|
Task Force |
Regional DATF Coordinators Network |
1 |
2 |
|
Ministerial Appointees |
4 |
2 |
|
|
Chairpersons of 6 SIG |
chair person for each of the 6 SIG |
0 |
6 |
|
Subcommittee |
Chair of EWET subcommittee |
1 |
|
|
Subcommittee |
Research Subcommittee |
1 |
|
|
Total |
31 |
26 |
537. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if further details will be provided on the proposed plan to address crack cocaine, as promised in budget 2022. [62553/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2022, an additional €6m was provided for new health measures to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery.
As part of this €6m, €0.5m was allocated to address high risk drug use, such as crack cocaine and other drugs. The funding will expand harm reduction responses both in local communities and as a response to the use of stimulant drugs in the night time economy. It will also extend the Naloxone demonstration Project to prevent drug overdose deaths.
The Department of Health has published a factsheet on the additional funding in Budget 2022 which can be found at www.gov.ie/en/publication/001fc-budget-2022-factsheet/ . This includes a summary of the new health measures in tabular format.
The HSE National Service Plan 2022 will provide details on the allocation of the new funding.
I believe this new funding will strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use as set out in the Programme for Government and support the strategic priorities for 2021-2025 under the national drugs strategy, which I recently announced.
538. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if the Minister for State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy has met with the Tallaght drug and alcohol task force since the publication of its recent report. [62554/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have noted the findings of the report on 'The Landscape of Substance Misuse and its impact on the communities of Tallaght's Drugs and Alcohol Task Force'.
In Budget 2022, I secured an additional €6m for new measures to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy and to strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use, as set out in the Programme for Government.
This includes €0.5m to address high risk drug use, such as crack cocaine and other drugs, to expand harm reduction responses both in local communities and as a response to the use of stimulant drugs in the night-time economy. A further €0.5m is being provided for measures to improve access to community-based services for women and minority groups.
The Department of Health has published a factsheet on new funding provided for in Budget 2022 which can be found at www.gov.ie/en/publication/001fc-budget-2022-factsheet/ .
Details of the additional funding will shortly be communicated to drug and alcohol task forces, including the Tallaght task force.
I hope to visit drug and alcohol services in south west Dublin in the new year. This will provide an opportunity to meet with the chairperson of the Tallaght task force and to hear first hand the drug and alcohol issues facing local communities.
539. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently awaiting residential treatment and detox, by county, in tabular form. [62555/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to investigate the issues raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.
540. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he has issued updated guidance for peer-support addiction recovery group meetings. [62556/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has developed guidance for drug and alcohol support groups and treatment programmes. The guidance recognises the important role of drug and alcohol support groups and treatment programmes in helping individuals to build recovery capital and to avoid relapse into harmful patterns of substance use.
In line with the reopening of society, the cap on attendance at drug and alcohol support groups and programmes has been lifted, subject to protective measures being in place. These include
- wearing of face masks (can be removed for consumption of refreshments)
- ensuring indoor spaces are well ventilated
- maintaining adequate social distancing (two metres where possible)
- covering coughs and sneezes and washing our hands
- not attending meetings if a person has symptoms and getting tested
The specific number attending groups or programmes should be determined by the capacity of the venue to ensure social distancing and should be reduced accordingly in smaller venues.
The difficulties in implementing the EU Digital COVID Certificate (COVID-19 pass) for attendance at support groups and programmes are recognised. Organisers should encourage participants to avail of the Covid-19 vaccination. Vaccination protects individuals from the impact of the disease and is especially important where other participants may have underlying health issues.
Public health advice is that non-vaccinated people should avoid congregated indoor settings. Other meeting formats - outdoors and online - should continue to be provided.
My officials will continue to engage with AA and other recovery support groups to ensure the safety of those attending groups and programmes, in line with public health advice.
541. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if an outreach programme is planned for delivery of vaccine boosters to vulnerable hard to reach cohorts, for example, homeless persons and those in active addiction. [62557/21]
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
542. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the dates of meetings of a CHO 1 convened serious incident management team that was established on 4 December 2016, following reports of serious incidents of concern in a centre (details supplied), which led to a report being produced, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62563/21]
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.
543. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the dates of meetings of a look-back review team established following reports of serious incidents of concern in a centre (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62564/21]
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.
544. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the dates of meetings of a project team (details supplied) that was established following reports of serious incidents of concern in a centre, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62565/21]
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.
545. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when walk-in vaccine slots and access to pharmacy booster vaccination will be made available for those who initially received just one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62580/21]
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.
546. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he plans to include a provision for financial supports for persons receiving IVF treatment in the assisted human reproduction Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62581/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra606. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 3 December 2021, if he is considering or will expand financial supports for persons and couples requiring IVF treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62867/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 606 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, a commitment to “introduce a publicly funded model of care for fertility treatment” is included in the Programme for Government. The model of care for infertility was developed by my officials in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) in order to ensure that infertility issues are addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.
This model of care comprises three stages, starting in primary care (i.e., GPs) and extending into secondary care (i.e., Regional Fertility Hubs) and then, where necessary, tertiary care (i.e., IVF and other advanced assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatments), with patients being referred onwards through structured pathways.
Phase One of the roll-out of the model of care has involved the establishment, at secondary care level, of Regional Fertility Hubs within maternity networks, in order to facilitate the management of a significant proportion – estimated by NWIHP to be in the range of 50% to 70% – of patients presenting with infertility issues at this level of intervention.
Funding of €2m was provided to the HSE to commence Phase One of the roll-out in 2020 and this was utilised specifically in respect of the development of the first four Regional Fertility Hubs – namely, Cork University Maternity Hospital, the Rotunda Hospital, the National Maternity Hospital and the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital. These four Hubs are currently operational.
Additional funding was made available in Budget 2021 to enable the continuation of Phase One this year, including through the setting-up of the final two Regional Fertility Hubs, one located within the Saolta Hospital Group, at University Hospital Galway, and one within the University of Limerick Hospital Group, at Nenagh General Hospital. Work is well underway in relation to the recruitment, refurbishment and equipping of these two Hubs.
Therefore, the completion of Phase One of the roll-out of the model of care, envisaged before the end of 2022, will result in operational Regional Fertility Hubs in each of the six Hospital Groups across the country.
Phase Two of the roll-out will see the introduction of tertiary infertility services, including IVF, in the public health system, but will not commence until such time as infertility services at secondary level have been developed across the country, required resources have been allocated and the AHR legislation commenced, which will allow for a robust regulatory framework to be put in place.
Publication of the Bill to regulate the area of AHR is a priority for the Government, and officials in the Department and the Office of the Attorney General will continue to engage intensively over the coming weeks in order to finalise this complex legislation, which encompasses the regulation for the first time of a wide range of practices undertaken in this jurisdiction.
While advanced AHR treatment, such as IVF, is not currently funded by the Irish public health service, a defined list of fertility medicines needed for fertility treatment is covered under the High Tech Arrangements administered by the HSE. Medicines covered by the High Tech Arrangements must be prescribed by a consultant/specialist and authorised for supply to the client’s nominated community pharmacy by the High Tech Hub managed by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service. The cost of the medicines is then covered, as appropriate, under the client’s eligibility, i.e., Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme. Given the costs associated with certain fertility medicines, I understand that these schemes can have a material impact on the total cost of AHR treatment for individuals who avail of them.
In addition, there is other support available in that patients who access IVF, or other advanced AHR treatment, privately may claim tax relief on the costs involved under the tax relief for medical expenses scheme.
Nevertheless, my Department and the Government is fully committed, through the full implementation of the model of care for infertility, to ensuring that patients always receive care at the appropriate level of clinical intervention and then those requiring, and eligible for, advanced treatment such as IVF will be able to access same through the public health system. The underlying aim of the policy to provide a model of funding for AHR, within the broader AHR regulatory framework, is to improve accessibility to AHR treatments, while at the same time embedding safe and appropriate clinical practice and ensuring the cost-effective use of public resources.
547. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the services that will be provided at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62590/21]
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.
548. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the cost of developing the Covid-19 application that was made available to citizens; when it was first made publicly available; the use made of the application since its inception as a tool in contact tracing; if it is not being used for contact tracing now, when its use for same ceased; if so, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62609/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to the Covid Tracker app which is an operational matter for the HSE, I am referring the question for response to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
