Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Thursday, 10 Mar 2022

Written Answers Nos. 392-402

Ukrainian War

Ceisteanna (392)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

392. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the response of his Department to the Ukrainian war crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13725/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government of Ireland stands ready to assist in any way that it can as part of the national response to the crisis in Ukraine. There is a strong willingness to assist throughout the system and a desire to support and express solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

The Department of Health and the HSE are continuing to work with colleagues across Government, across the EU and with the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland to ensure every health support we can provide is made available. The HSE is currently considering what further offers of medicines and medical assistance can be provided.

We are engaged with the EU humanitarian response including through:

- the direct contribution of funding including for medical supplies

- direct response with a number of donations made through the EU Civil Protection Mechanisms.

A HSE Coordination group led by Global Health and Procurement has been established to coordinate efforts in relation to HSE donations.

Refugees from the Ukraine will be granted temporary protection status. Under this measure, refugees will be considered ordinarily resident in Ireland for a limited time period and therefore will be entitled to access health care services, in line with other refugee groups and Irish citizens.

The Department of Health and the HSE are working together to plan and coordinate the response to the health and social care needs of Ukrainian refugees granted temporary protection status. We are also liaising with other Government departments and agencies supporting the arrival of Ukrainian refugees in Ireland.

The HSE is translating its guide to health care services for refugees and migrants in Ukrainian and Russian languages. Multilingual resources on specific health needs will also be provided, including Covid-19. These resources will be available on the dedicated HSE webpage multilingual resources and translated material.

The HSE is finalising a plan. This will include health needs assessment (aligned with WHO, ECDC early reports and Ukraine government reports) of the health needs of new arrivals, including public health measures arising from Covid-19.

This assessment has the following components: 

Rapid access to basic priority GP / primary care of Ukrainian refugees in hotels/ communities. The aim of the GP Primary care service is to be available for acute illnesses, provide ongoing clinical care of priority medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, chronic illness plus acute care / triage of illnesses.

To ensure similar access to GP / Primary care in the community

Looking at wider health needs over short medium and longer term

The rapid health needs assessment will look at the determinants of health, demography: age (child health), gender, vulnerable groups, education, condition before left Ukraine (BBV, major health conditions), during their flight and current conditions (potentially no access to healthcare during transition period to Ireland).

The provision of primary health care services will align with the processing and reception facilities put in place for Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland, under the governance of the Dept of Justice and other relevant departments.

Refugees holding temporary protection status will be entitled to apply for a medical card in order to access primary care services for each adult and child dependents. A process will be implemented to facilitate timely access to a medical card, based on the Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) provided by the Department of Social Protection.

Ireland provides universal access to community health care services for children up to 18 years and a medical card is not required for children to access these supports. Furthermore, it is noted that a medical card is not required for the public to access acute hospital services in Ireland.

Additional health supports will be provided where required, for mental health issues and to support people who have suffered trauma. The specific health needs of vulnerable groups will be addressed (children under 5, over 65/70s, pregnant and breast-feeding women, people with major illnesses, unaccompanied minors).  COVID vaccinations will be provided where this is required.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (393)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

393. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the ability of registered nurses in intellectual disability to practise across other clinical areas; the reason this is not permitted by NMBI registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13735/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Among the core functions of the NMBI is the establishment and maintenance of the register of nurses and midwives. NMBI establishes procedures and criteria for assessment and registration in the register of nurses and midwives, including for the divisions of those registers. It also approves programmes of education and further education necessary for the purposes of registration and continued registration and it keeps these programmes under review.

As the specific issue raised by the Deputy refers to the operational responsibilities of the NMBI, I have referred the matter to the NMBI for its attention and direct response to him.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (394)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

394. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 970 of 29 September 2020 and 553 of 5 April 2021, his position on the ability of University Hospital Waterford to provide insulin pump therapy locally for patients with type 1 diabetes; if insulin pump therapy will be included in the Waterford Thrive with Diabetes project; if funding will be available for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13740/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is an operational matter, this has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Ukraine War

Ceisteanna (395)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

395. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position for some older persons living on their own who have a spare room and who would be happy to consider taking a refugee from Ukraine into their homes but who are fearful that they would lose their social welfare and medical entitlements, for example, the fuel allowance and medical card; if an urgent public reassurance can be issued for such persons who want to assist Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13743/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Government has decided that refugees from the Ukraine will be granted temporary protection status. The Department of Health is liaising with other govt departments and agencies, on a whole of Govt response to support the arrival of Ukrainian refugees in Ireland.  The issue of accommodation of refugees falls to the Dept of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and offers of accommodation are being coordinated by the Irish Red Cross.

My department, the HSE and I are working together to plan and coordinate the response to the health and social care needs of Ukrainian refugees granted temporary protection status.   My department and the HSE are finalising a plan to respond to the health and social care needs.

Furthermore, my department is coordinating offers of emergency care for Ukrainians in need and donations from the health sector in response to requests from the governments of Ukraine and neighbouring countries coordinated through the EU.

The issues raised by the Deputy fall to be considered as part of the whole of Government response to the crisis.

General Practitioner Services

Ceisteanna (396)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

396. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 206 of 2 March 2022, the status of discussions with relevant parties regarding the role of general practitioners in relation to home births; the timeline he is working towards to resolve issues surrounding access to care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13750/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The HSE’s National Service Plan 2022 commits to commencing this year a review of the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme, which will include consideration of how to support women who choose home birth. As the review is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible with further details.

International Bodies

Ceisteanna (397)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

397. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a response will issue to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13751/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As I outlined in my address to the World Health Assembly Special Session in November last year, Ireland strongly supports a multilateral approach to global health issues with the WHO in a central leadership role.The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that the global status quo in terms of pandemic preparedness and response is not acceptable. Therefore, Ireland supports the WHO led process to negotiate a binding legal instrument on pandemic preparedness and response.The EU is a leading proponent of this process and Ireland, along with a majority of EU Member States, is part of the Group of Friends of the Treaty. Officials in my Department, working with Ireland's Permanent Representation to the UN in Geneva, are engaging with the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body which met for the first time in February.

As the proposed instrument on pandemic preparedness and response is currently in the very early stages of negotiation, it is not possible at this time to determine if the instrument will contain provisions that have any of the legal ramifications outlined, nor has it been determined what form the instrument shall take.

The requirements of the Irish Constitution will, of course, be respected in Ireland’s position towards the negotiations and my Department will engage with the Office of the Attorney General in relation to any concerns that may arise in this regard.

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (398)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

398. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when a project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13755/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Civil Registration Service

Ceisteanna (399)

Cormac Devlin

Ceist:

399. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if an update will be provided on plans to deal with backlogs and improve services at the HSE Civil Registration Service, given pressures on the telephone booking service; if an online booking service has been considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13805/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Health Services

Ceisteanna (400)

Cormac Devlin

Ceist:

400. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if an update will be provided on plans for improving podiatry services for local persons with diabetes in CHO6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13807/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Thalidomide Victims Compensation

Ceisteanna (401)

Cormac Devlin

Ceist:

401. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if an update will be provided on the actions and measures being provided by his Department to support survivors of thalidomide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13809/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Deputy will appreciate that there are a number of cases concerning thalidomide before the High Court at present and it is not possible to comment on matters that are sub judice.

In addition to an ex-gratia lump sum and an ex-gratia monthly allowance for life, the supports provided by the Irish State to each Irish survivor include a medical card on an administrative basis regardless of means. This includes access to a full range of primary care, hospital and personal social services, provision of appliances, artificial limbs, equipment and housing adaptations.

There is a designated senior manager in the Health Service Executive who liaises with Irish thalidomide survivors and assists them to access supports towards their ongoing health and personal social service needs.

Work is underway in the Department to provide these health and personal social supports on an ex-gratia basis on a statutory footing, as committed to by the Government.

I recently met with thalidomide survivors. At that meeting I listened to their healthcare needs, which are unique to each person.

I can assure thalidomide survivors of the Government’s ongoing commitment to provide them with the necessary health supports to meet their related needs.

Departmental Consultations

Ceisteanna (402)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

402. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of external consultant's reports commissioned by his Department in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the cost of same; the company involved; the title and publication date of the report in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13555/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the attached table.

No. of reports

Barr
Roinn