Written Answers Nos. 393-403
393. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if a renewed emphasis will be placed through messaging and advertising on the need to implement adequate sanitation measures in all public premises and the need to follow public health guidelines in view of the increase in Covid-19 numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15656/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current rise in cases of COVID-19 reinforces the need for all of us to continue to adhere to the public health advice. Following the last meeting of the NPHET, and on the basis of the advice I received from the CMO, the Government removed the mandatory element of mask wearing in areas where it was regulated.
The NPHET advice, that was accepted by Government, clearly stated that while the mandatory element of mask wearing had been removed, there was no change to the public health advice in relation to the continued wearing of masks, practising of physical distancing and avoidance of crowded environments based on individual risk assessment and with a continuing focus on protecting others, and adherence to basic hand and respiratory hygiene.
The wearing of masks is also advised on public transport. This is a setting where physical distancing can be difficult and where those who are more vulnerable to the severe impacts of COVID-19 do not always have a discretion to avoid. For these reasons, the NPHET recommended that the wearing of masks on public transport should continue to be advised. The continuation of mask wearing in healthcare settings is also advised.
These messages, along with the important message to stay home if you have symptoms, are being carried on my Department and HSE social media channels, so as to remind people of the current public health advice.
394. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of service users currently residing in a mental health facility (details supplied); and the number of service users residing at the facility on 1 June 2020, 1 December 2020, 1 June 2021 and 1 December 2021. [15662/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
395. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that blood samples are transferred from general practitioner surgeries in County Carlow via train to Waterford University Hospital and that patients are often asked to transfer their own bloods and or others to collection points such as Bagenalstown train station and St. Dympna’s Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15667/22]
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.
396. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the completion date for the renovation works of the audiology facility in a service (details supplied); and the date for the resumption of services. [15726/22]
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.
397. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on codeine addiction; the steps he is taking to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15727/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you for the question. Firstly, I would acknowledge that the safety concerns around the misuse of non-prescription medicinal products containing codeine are well established and this is an important medication safety issue. Codeine containing medicines should only be used when considered necessary and for the shortest period necessary. I would empathise with any individual patient of family impacted by the illness of addiction.
In relation to the specific query, there are currently a number of controls in place addressing the supply of prescription exempt medicinal products containing codeine. This group of products may only be supplied from a pharmacy under the personal supervision of a pharmacist. The pharmacist has a legislative obligation to be satisfied when supplying such products that the appropriate product is being sought and that the patient/purchaser is aware of the appropriate use of the medicinal product, the medicinal product is being sought for that purpose and the medicinal product is not intended for abuse and/or misuse. This obligation applies also when the product is being supplied through an online interaction and the pharmacist must personally review every online order.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland regulates the practice of pharmacists and the operation of pharmacies in Ireland. It has been overseeing this issue since late 2009 when it first introduced particular guidance relating to the supply of these products and routinely monitors the adherence of pharmacists and pharmacies to the controls in place.
398. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on the policy of requiring parents of children with disabilities to attend training courses in order that they can carry out therapies on their own children who remain on long waiting lists. [15743/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra400. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of children with disabilities that have been removed from waiting lists for assessments of need in each CHO annual since 1 January 2017. [15745/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 400 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
399. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of home births facilitated by HSE midwives in each CHO since 1 January 2015, in tabular form. [15744/22]
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.
401. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the status of the safe access to termination of pregnancy Bill that is due to be published. [15746/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Health is committed to ensuring safe access to termination of pregnancy services, and the area remains an ongoing priority.
It is important that any legislative provisions are implementable and enforceable, and that they will stand up to any legal challenges that might be brought against them. It must also be ensured that they do not cause any unintentional consequences for existing public order laws.
While it was originally intended to provide for safe access to TOP services in the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, a number of complex legal and policy issues were identified during the drafting process which necessitated further deliberation and advice.
Substantial work has been done to move safe access forward. The Department of Health has been actively engaging with key stakeholders to work through these challenges, refine the policy position, and explore legislative options.
The Minister for Health, subject to Government approval, plans to have proposals for safe access on the legislative programme for 2022.
402. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health when he and his Ministers of State were first informed by the HSE of concerns investigated in the Maskey report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15750/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of South Kerry CAMHS was brought to the attention of the Department of Health in April 2021. Minister Butler also had a detailed conversation in June with the Chief Officer of CHO 4, well in advance of the publication of the Maskey report. The Minister remains in constant dialogue with the Executive in relation to the matter.
403. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for a full and comprehensive review of the current quota allocation methodology for the Irish Hook and Line Mackerel fishery, as requested by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15555/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn allocation of 400 tonnes for a fishery for smaller vessels fishing for Mackerel by means of hooks and line, which is largely prosecuted by the inshore fleet including under 12 metre vessels, was set down in Policy in 2010. The then Minister amended the Mackerel policy in July 2017 after intensive review and public consultation, however this particular amendment did not involve the hook and line fishery.
In order to amend Mackerel Policy, I must be satisfied that there is satisfactory evidence of changed circumstances to justify a policy review. If I consider there is a case for review of any aspect of a policy, it would require due process, involving an assessment of all issues arising, including a full public consultation.
There has been, for the past 20 years or so, intensive competition within the industry for a higher share of the mackerel quota. The EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) provides for the transfer of 26% of Ireland’s mackerel quota to the UK by 2026. This will only increase demands for a higher share of Ireland’s Mackerel quota from all sectors within the fishing fleet. The Deputy should be aware that the 400 tonne limit for the hook and line fishery has not been reduced and has remained the same as in previous years.
Unfortunately, the situation is that if there is an increase in the Mackerel quota for any sector in the allocation made available, such as for the hook and line fishery, it must be taken from others who are already facing significant cuts under the TCA.
The management arrangements, within the policy, for the Hook and Line fishery has been on the agenda and discussed with Industry representatives at recent meetings of the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC). It is important to note that the remit of the QMAC is to examine and make recommendations within Ministerial Policy. I have asked the QMAC to examine measures to strengthen the management arrangements for the 2022 mackerel hook and line fishery, within the policy, for my consideration.
