Tuesday, 8 Feb 2022

Written Answers Nos. 728-749

Healthcare Policy

Ceisteanna (728)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

728. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to updating HSE guidelines advising general practitioners and other medical practitioners that any programme based on fixed incremental increases in physical activity or exercise, for example, graded exercise therapy, will no longer be recommended to ME/CFS sufferers to reflect current research and recently updated recommendations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6473/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Healthcare Policy

Ceisteanna (729, 807)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

729. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to updating HSE guidelines, advising general practitioners and other medical practitioners that any programme based on fixed incremental increases in physical activity or exercise will not be recommended to those suffering from long Covid, taking into account their symptoms, organ damage, abilities and risk factors, in view of long Covid sharing many similarities with other post-viral syndromes including ME/CFS, to reflect current research and recently updated recommendations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6474/22]

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

807. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his Department has begun collating data on those suffering from long-Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6762/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 729 and 807 together.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly. Please do not reply to the Deputy before 08 February.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (730)

Ged Nash

Ceist:

730. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health his views on a policy matter (details supplied) relating to inclusion of section 10 and section 39 front-line staff within the Covid recognition payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6476/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In recognition of the efforts of the general public, volunteers and all workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on Wednesday 19 January, the Government announced a once-off public holiday will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.The Government also announced COVID-19 recognition payment for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The payment of €1,000 will not be subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The measure will be ring fenced to staff ordinarily on-site in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments within the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021.Those public sector front-line healthcare workers eligible for the payment will be directly employed public health sector staff working in clinical settings. A pro-rata arrangement will apply for eligible part time staff / equivalents and supernumerary students who were required to perform training in clinical sites.The Department of Health will also introduce a measure for making a similar payment to staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices that were affected by Covid-19.I would like to assure the Deputy that work is underway to ensure fairness in the application of this measure as the Government intended.

The cost of providing a recognition payment of €1,000 to all eligible public servants working in the health and ambulance services depends on the number of staff who are eligible for the payment. If there were 100,000 WTE deemed eligible, the estimated cost would be approximately €100 million. This figure of 100,000 WTE represents approximately 75% of the HSE/Section 38 workforce and would be the minimum expected to be eligible for this recognition payment. Similarly, the cost of providing an equivalent recognition payment to relevant staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices affected by Covid-19 depends on the number of staff deemed eligible for the payment. The estimated cost set out above does not include the cost in respect of nursing homes and Defence Forces staff. This measure will exclude all private sector health workers except those working in nursing homes and hospices affected by Covid-19. This measure, including costings, will be progressed by the Department of Health.The Department and the HSE are currently engaging in finalising arrangements to give effect to the Government announcement concerning the Recognition Payment. Full particulars, eligibility and terms and conditions that apply to this payment shall be made available shortly. It is important that this measure is applied fairly as intended and I welcome the work that is ongoing to ensure this is so.I am also mindful of other workers who played their own part during this difficult period in sustaining services other than healthcare. It is tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which front-line healthcare workers faced.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (731)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

731. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns on the impact of Covid-19-related restrictions on the well-being of older persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6478/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Guidance relating to visitor access in acute hospitals is developed by HSE AMRIC (Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control) and published on the Health Protection Surveillance Centre website. This guidance is regularly reviewed and updated, with recent NPHET advice taken into account in guidance reviews.

As the review and implementation of visiting guidance is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (732)

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

732. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the expected timescale for the recruitment process for a position (details supplied); when it is expected the person will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6486/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Strategies

Ceisteanna (733)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

733. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the campaign from an organisation (details supplied) in which it is calling on the HSE to issue guidance immediately advising general practitioners and other medical practitioners that graded exercise is no longer recommended for ME/CFS patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6496/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (734)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

734. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the avenues that are open to Irish citizens who received their initial two vaccinations in a different European Union member state and seek to have their booster in Ireland in cases in which the original country has not furnished full details of the initial doses given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6503/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.In line with the approach implemented for the primary vaccination programme, individuals resident in the State will be eligible to receive a booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine when deemed appropriate for their specific cohort in line with NIAC advice. Operational responsibility for the Covid-19 vaccination programme is with the HSE any queries relating to access to a vaccine should be directed to them.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (735)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

735. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the person or body that will establish if damage has occurred to persons by the mandated wearing of face coverings; the person or body that will compensate persons if damage has been done to their health due to the mandated use of these products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6507/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The evidence relating to COVID-19, and the decisions necessary to protect everybody living in Ireland from its effects is constantly evolving. The public health advice relating to face coverings, is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), the Department of Health and the Government. The measures in place and the public health advice are based on scientific evidence and are adapted to the changing circumstances and risks posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The current guidance for the public in relation to the different types of masks and how to use them and the situations in which they are legally mandated is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/aac74c-guidance-on-safe-use-of-face-coverings/.

The NPHET reviews international developments as a component of their overall examination of the evolving epidemiology of the COVID-19 and is informed by updated international scientific evidence, and guidance by international bodies including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). WHO and ECDC guidance is formulated in the context of considered appraisal of the international experience and accumulating scientific evidence in relation to COVID-19. Further analysis and rationale for use of face masks provided by HIQA is available here www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/health-technology-assessment/evidence-summary-face-masks-community.

The consistent advice of international expert bodies is that when worn properly, all types of face masks, including cloth masks, can significantly reduce community transmission of COVID-19 if properly constructed, well fitted and appropriately worn. When used properly and in higher-risk settings, medical masks and respirator masks give better protection from COVID-19 infection than cloth masks. This is why they are recommended as an important component of Ireland's public health measures to protect the population against the risks posed to health by COVID-19.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (736)

Peter Fitzpatrick

Ceist:

736. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive medical treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6510/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Medicinal Products

Ceisteanna (737)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

737. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the maximum allowable prescription validity period for contraception medications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6516/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The length or duration of a prescription is at the clinical discretion of the prescriber, but ordinarily a prescription in Ireland is valid for a maximum period of six months and a prescription cannot be issued for longer than that. The rationale for such time limits is to ensure that appropriate medical care continues to be afforded to persons in receipt of prescriptions.

However, in April 2020, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the then Minister for Health, Simon Harris T.D., introduced temporary, emergency provisions to enable pharmacists to ensure the continuity of care of patients without necessarily requiring a new prescription and to reduce pressures on General Practitioners at that time:

- the maximum period of validity of a prescription for non-controlled drugs was temporarily increased from 6 months to 9 months as of the date specified on the prescription.

- Some temporary changes to the way in which prescriptions can be repeated by pharmacists were introduced to enable pharmacists to ensure the continuity of care of patients without necessarily requiring a new prescription to be obtained from their prescriber. This is enabled in circumstances where:

- it is the professional judgement of the pharmacist that it is safe, appropriate, and necessary for the continued treatment of the person for a further supply to be made, AND

- it is unreasonable at the time for the person to obtain a new prescription.

The amendments in April 2020 also introduced the electronic transfer of prescriptions, whereby an electronic version of a new prescription may be transmitted from the prescriber to a pharmacy of a patient’s choice where it may not be possible or appropriate to attend a clinic or surgery at this time. This mechanism also facilitates individuals to obtain an up-to-date prescription and to enable the pharmacist to continue to dispense their prescription(s).

In light of the ongoing pandemic conditions the temporary provisions introduced continue to apply and have not yet been revoked. It is important to note that none of the temporary amendments impose a duty on a prescriber to issue a prescription beyond a period they consider to be clinically appropriate, or on a pharmacist to dispense any prescription where they do not consider it safe, appropriate and necessary for the continued treatment of a person for a further supply to be made without a new prescription issued by the prescriber.

Medicinal Products

Ceisteanna (738)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

738. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the details of the way the two consultations per annum with general practitioners and other doctors to discuss forms of contraception suitable for individual patients and to enable prescription of same will be administered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6517/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Report of the Working Group on Access to Contraception, published in October 2019, identified the barriers that exist to accessing contraception for a significant amount of women in Ireland including accessibility, education, workforce capacity and cost. With this in mind, the Programme for Government commits to providing free contraception for women, starting with the 17-25 age cohort. The Department of Health Contraception Implementation Group is actively working on implementation and funding of approximately €9m has been allocated in Budget 2022 to enable commencement of the scheme in August 2022.

The scheme will provide for:

1. The cost of prescription contraception;

2. The cost of two consultations per annum with GPs and other doctors to discuss suitable contraception for individual patients and to enable prescription of same;

3. The cost of fitting and/or removal of various types of long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs) plus any necessary checks, by medical professionals certified to fit/remove same;

4. The cost of training and certifying additional medical professionals to fit and remove LARCs;

5. Provision of contraceptive options currently available to medical card holders through this scheme, to include contraceptive injections, implants, coils, the contraceptive patch and ring, and various forms of oral contraceptive pill, including emergency contraception.

For items such as the contraceptive pill, these are typically prescribed at 6 month intervals, so two consultations allows for full provision. For LARCs, (e.g. IUS, IUD, implants, injections), where the fittings/injections are carried out by healthcare professionals, fitting and removal appointments are also provided for separately, in addition to the consultations.

The administrative details of the scheme will be formally agreed with the relevant representative organisations and a contract agreed for the provision of service, prior to August 2022.

Care Services

Ceisteanna (739)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

739. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the progress his Department has made to date in responding to the issues raised in the Wasted Lives report published by the Ombudsman in May 2021, regarding the recommendation to move hundreds of younger persons living in inappropriate nursing home settings into a rehabilitation pathway towards independent living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6518/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Ombudsman’s Report ‘Wasted Lives’ looks at the appropriateness of the placement of people under 65 in nursing homes.

We know that nursing homes are an appropriate care option where the person concerned has a clinically assessed complex medical and social care requirement which cannot be supported in the person’s home. However, for some people under the age of 65 years, nursing homes are not an appropriate placement and alternative, more sustainable supported living solutions, are needed to give them greater independence and choice in their daily lives.

According to the HSE there is a cohort of approximately 1,330 people under 65 years of age living in nursing homes, 45% of whom are aged 60+ and 20% less than 50 years. For many a nursing home may be the appropriate setting based on their clinical and support needs. However, the HSE acknowledges that this must be the subject of a care and case management approach that facilitates structured reviews and where the will and preference of the individual is of paramount importance.

There is a clear Government commitment to reduce and provide a pathway to eliminate the practice of accommodating young people with serious disabilities in nursing homes.

Additional funding was provided for disability services in 2021 and again for this year in Budget 2022. A range of services are being supported that can facilitate young people with serious disabilities live fuller, more independent lives. Measures to prevent young persons from entering nursing homes continue to be supported through a range of services including respite, home support and personal assistance services.

The HSE National Service Plan (NSP) 2021 provided for an investment of €3m to enable 18 people under the age of 65 years to move from nursing homes. To end 2021, 14 of the 18 had been moved, with a further four individuals to move early 2022. Budget 2022 provided a further allocation of €5.5m to address the situation of people with disabilities who may be inappropriately placed in nursing homes. The NSP 2022, which is being finalised, will provide further details.

Care Services

Ceisteanna (740)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

740. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he, his Department and the HSE will engage with an organisation (details supplied) to address the issues and concerns raised in the Wasted Lives report published by Ombudsman in May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6519/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Ombudsman’s Report ‘Wasted Lives’ looks at the appropriateness of the placement of people under 65 in nursing homes.

We know that nursing homes are an appropriate care option where the person concerned has a clinically assessed complex medical and social care requirement which cannot be supported in the person’s home. However, for some people under the age of 65 nursing homes are not an appropriate placement and alternative, more sustainable supported living solutions are needed to give them greater independence and choice in their daily lives.

There is a clear Government commitment to reduce and provide a pathway to eliminate the practice of accommodating young people with serious disabilities in nursing homes. In addition to supporting a specific programme of transition for certain young people inappropriately placed in nursing homes to more appropriate housing options in the community, Government is increasing support to a range of services that can facilitate young people with serious disabilities live fuller, more independent lives.

In 2021 the Government provided an additional €100m to enhance disability services. Budget 2022 provides for an additional package of €105m for disability services.

The organisation concerned contacted the Department of Health about its work and the Ombudsman’s Report. The organisation is known to the HSE and works closely with disability services in each HSE CHO area, including on the development of bespoke plans and budgets in response to local need.

As the delivery of residential places is a matter for the HSE, the organisation was advised to contact the HSE, and a contact point was provided to it for follow-on engagement as appropriate.

Hospital Staff

Ceisteanna (741)

Seán Canney

Ceist:

741. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses required in order to have the full complement of neurology nurse specialists for University Hospital Galway, which serves a large population in the west of Ireland; the number of neurology nurse specialists that are currently in place; the steps that are being taken in terms of recruitment and allocation of additional nurse numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6520/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Admissions

Ceisteanna (742)

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

742. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be transferred as a matter of urgency from the trauma ward at University Hospital Limerick to Croom Orthopaedic Hospital while awaiting a transfer to Tallaght University Hospital for urgent surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6521/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy Directly, as soon as possible.

Dental Services

Ceisteanna (743)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

743. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the controls or checks that are in place to ensure that dentists in the dental treatment services scheme are accepting new medical card patients; the number of dentists in County Mayo who are currently accepting new medical card patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6530/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Nursing Homes

Ceisteanna (744)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Ceist:

744. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the mechanisms available and those being considered in relation to truth for families following the deaths of 23 persons in Dealgan House nursing home, Dundalk between April and May 2020 given the exclusion of a commission of inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6538/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

There has been a very clear national commitment to continue to learn from the pandemic as the national and international understanding of the virus evolves, and where necessary to ensure that the public health-led approach evolves, as evidence and learning materialises.

The independent COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel was established, on foot of a NPHET recommendation, to examine the complex issues surrounding the management of COVID-19 among this particularly vulnerable cohort in nursing homes. This Expert Panel report has added further to our knowledge and learning. This report clearly outlines the key protective measures that we must ensure are in place across our nursing homes. These actions are based on learning from our own and the international experience of COVID-19 to date. The report also recommends additional analysis and examination of the relevant public health and other data sets in order that further causal and protective factors for COVID-19 clusters are identified. HIQA and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) jointly published an “Analysis of factors associated with outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 in nursing homes in Ireland”, delivering on recommendation 6.7 of the Expert Panel report, to further the learning from the pandemic. Further data analysis work and learning will also continue, in line with other recommendations of the Expert Panel and HIQA and the HPSC are developing a further update to this analysis.

Work to progress the recommendations of the Expert Panel report, particularly those recommendations requiring a priority focus in the response to COVID-19, is ongoing across all of the health agencies and stakeholders. Continued learning and understanding of progression of the disease in Ireland is an integral part of those recommendations. €17.6m has been allocated in Budget 2022 to continue implementation of the Expert Panel recommendations.

The Department requested, as a once off measure and for the purposes of providing additional supports, that the Patient Advocacy Service extend its service to Dealgan House Nursing Home in order to support families during this time. I understand that the CEO of the HSE met with family members of residents in the nursing home. Minister Donnelly and I also met with the families of residents to hear their perspectives.

The establishment and parameters of any broader review or evaluation, following the pandemic, of the State’s response to the COVID-19 would be a matter for Government to decide on at the appropriate time. However, as noted ongoing learning from the pandemic has been a key component of the management of COVID-19 and to add further to this, the Minister has recently established a Public Health Reform Expert Advisory Group which, amongst other things, will initially focus on identifying learnings from the public health components of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland with a view towards strengthening health protection generally and future public health pandemic preparedness specifically.

Nursing Homes

Ceisteanna (745, 746)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Ceist:

745. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the details of Covid-19 outbreaks (details supplied); and the role of the organisation in managing Covid-19 outbreaks. [6539/22]

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Ceist:

746. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the powers of an organisation (details supplied) in the case of a Covid-19 outbreak being out of control; the way this was defined by the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6540/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 745 and 746 together.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 746 answered with Question No. 745.

Climate Change Policy

Ceisteanna (747)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

747. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the climate action measures undertaken by his Department across its work and the bodies under his aegis; the further measures planned and targets for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6542/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Climate Action Plan 2021, launched last November, sets out the whole-of-Government approach to putting Ireland on a more sustainable path by reducing emissions, maximising the opportunities created by the transition to a greener economy, and dealing with the impacts of climate change. It sets out a range of actions and milestones for a range of sectors and Departments, including the Department of Health.

Building on the 2019 Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Health Sector, these commitments focus on tackling the health-related impacts of climate change, reducing the carbon footprint of the health sector, and enhancing the coherence of health sector climate action. These actions and commitments can be found in the Climate Action Plan 2021 at www.gov.ie.

The implementation of these actions and development of further measures will be taken forward by the Department's Climate Change Oversight Group, established in September 2021.

Climate Change Policy

Ceisteanna (748)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

748. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the climate action measures undertaken by the HSE across its work; the further measures planned and targets for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6543/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

EU Funding

Ceisteanna (749)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

749. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the European Union funding which his Department has or could avail of; if there is a dedicated individual or office which ensures his Department is availing optimally of European Union funding for healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6544/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Department of Health and its agencies actively engage with a wide range of EU activity including funding programmes; EU funding is disbursed through a variety of channels to the Department, agencies and the wider health sector. In my Department, the International Unit leads on coordinating EU activity among the various policy units with responsibility for particular issues.

The primary EU funding source in health has been the multiannual EU health programmes. The EU launched its fourth health programme, EU4Health, in 2021. EU4Health sees a tenfold increase in funding in relation to the previous health programme, totalling €5.3 billion for the period 2021-2027. Funding will be allocated through a range of grants and prizes and through procurement mechanisms. These are open to academia, research institutes, hospitals, public health authorities, Member States’ administrations, enterprises in the field of public health, private entities (profit and non-profit), professional associations, international organisations and civil society organisations. The Department of Health, in close cooperation with Ireland's EU4Health National Focal Point in the Health Research Board, is working to maximise Ireland’s participation in and drawdown of funding from EU4Health.

The second main source of funding relates to North South health projects. The Special EU Programmes Body is responsible for the management of EU Cross Border Programmes including the current INTERREG VA programme. The Department of Health is an Accountable Department under the health and social care infrastructure priority of this Programme. The Programme currently has an allocation of €62.35m. This is made up of €53m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) plus match funding of €9.35m from the participating jurisdictions of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland.