Written Answers Nos. 891-910
891. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the programme for Government commitment to introduce safe access zones as of June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34367/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is the Government’s objective to ensure that termination of pregnancy services can be accessed safely and privately by women who need them. In that regard, Safe Access Zones legislation has been included as a priority on the Government legislative programme for 2022. The development of these complex legislative proposals is at an advanced stage and the Minister expects to bring a General Scheme of a Bill on this issue to Government soon, with the legislative proposals published thereafter.
892. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person will get an appointment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34370/22]
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.
893. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of the completion of the new ophthalmology unit which has been built in Ballincollig, County Cork as part of the overall development in the south and south west HSE area; if funding has been provided to equip the building and to provide an adequate number of staff to provide ophthalmology services; the expected date when it will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34391/22]
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.
894. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when they can expect an appointment for admission to the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin. [34415/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this PQ refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
895. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the increase in mental health funding in each of the past five years; the increase in front-line staff who have been put in place; and his vision for the sector in the coming years. [34417/22]
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.
896. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the levels of psychologist services that are available in north and west County Clare; if there are any plans to improve the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34421/22]
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.
897. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if information in relation to the staffing levels in the progressing disability services team at a centre (details supplied) in County Longford will be provided. [34425/22]
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.
898. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason that contracts for experienced level 1 grade IV clinical contact tracers, currently employed by an agency (details supplied) will not be renewed, particularly in view of rising Covid case numbers; if level 2 grade III non-clinical contact tracers will be asked to carry out level 1 grade IV clinical specialised contact tracing in their absence; the rationale for only permitting level 1 grade IV clinical contact tracers currently employed by the agency to apply for grade III contact tracing positions on a lower pay scale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34426/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra899. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on the decision to ask experienced grade IV clinical contact tracers to reapply for lower grade positions once their contracts end at the end of June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34427/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 898 and 899 together.
Changes to COVID-19 testing and tracing as part of the overall transition arrangements for the pandemic were approved by the Government in February 2022. There is no longer a public health rationale or need for extensive testing, case finding and tracing of infection to reduce COVID-19 transmission. The focus now is on mitigation of the severe impacts of COVID-19 for those most vulnerable to the disease and those with risk factors who may benefit from specific interventions. Full details of the current public health advice are available on the website of the HSE at www.hse.ie. The public health advice relating to testing and tracing is kept under continuing review having regard to the evolving epidemiological situation, the impact of the disease on healthcare utilisation and outcomes, the vaccination status of the population, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) guidance and other international evidence and guidance.
The HSE is working to implement this advice which is invariably leading to consolidation of resources around the country as the HSE moves through the transition phases of the programme. The arrangements with regard to the number of positions available, and the nature of the work that will be carried out is a matter for the Health Service Executive, and I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in this regard, as soon as possible.
900. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to cases in which the HSE is using outdated terms of contract (details supplied); if this document is still being used by the HSE, despite the omission of the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Freedom of Information Act 2014; the steps that are being taken to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34429/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operational detail of this question is a matter for the HSE and I have asked them to respond to you directly in relation to that detail.
901. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health when a decision to extend an additional booster to those aged under 65 years will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34430/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra914. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when it is expected that healthcare workers will receive the second Covid vaccine booster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34445/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra918. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to a new booster programme for high-risk groups under the age of 65 years such as those with severe asthma; if such groups will be prioritised in any new booster programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34477/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 901, 914 and 918 together.
Ireland's COVID-19 vaccination programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection. 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 the Department of Health based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation. Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the NIAC develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and include guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland. You can view the guidelines here: www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf The NIAC has recently advised a second booster dose for people over 65 and people with a weak immune system aged 12 and over. The Committee will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for others in the population where there is evidence of waning immunity and reduced effectiveness and will make further recommendations if required.
902. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be called for a procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34431/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
903. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health when he expects the new national cardiovascular disease strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34432/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 under the Chairmanship of Professor Phillip Nolan and a Steering Group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing and patient representatives.
The aim of the Cardiac Services Review is to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive, by establishing the need for an optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme. In terms of scope, the National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults.
The COVID-19 Pandemic impacted on the progress of the review during 2020 and into 2021 as the Chair of the Cardiac Services Review has played a key role in the national COVID-19 response.
Currently the Steering Group is working on the development of the proposed recommendations of the draft report. The Steering Group most recently met on the 26th of May 2022 to further progress the review and planning is underway for the next meeting in the coming weeks.
904. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he intends to launch a national screening programme for structural heart disease in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34433/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.
It is important to be aware that any decisions about changes to our national screening programmes, or the introduction of new programmes, such as screening for structural heart disease, will be made on the advice of our National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. It is important we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.
It may be of interest to note that the NSAC held its first 'Annual Call’ in 2021, which gave the public an opportunity to suggest new screening programmes or modifications to existing ones and the Committee are currently reviewing the submissions received. I will be guided by their advice to ensure Ireland’s population-based screening programmes continue to evolve in line with new evidence and developments.
It is important to remember that screening is for healthy people without symptoms. If anyone becomes aware of symptoms, or if they have concerns or worries, they should contact their GP who will arrange appropriate follow-up care.
Moreover, in 2018, the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services was established by the Minister for Health to review the delivery of cardiac services nationally. The Review seeks to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality, and sustainability of the services that patients receive. The Review considers the delivery of all cardiac services nationally.
The Steering Group is currently working on the development of the proposed recommendations of the draft Report. Any newly proposed cardiovascular health screening recommendations resulting from the Review will be subject to consideration and advice of NSAC.
905. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if the Government intend to access funding from the European Union’s EU4Health programme which allows for European Union member states to access funding to support the roll-out of screening programmes for non-communicable diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34434/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the EU4Health Programme which, with a budget of €5.1bn, is ten times larger than the previous European Health Programme. Mandating a wide range of support to health policies and actions, it presents a significant opportunity for Ireland. The EU4Health annual work plans are structured around four overarching strands – crisis preparedness, health promotion & disease prevention, health systems & healthcare workforce, and digital – with a cross-cutting priority on cancer. My Department participates actively in the EU4Health Steering Group and Programme Committee and, together with its aegis bodies including the Health Service Executive and Health Research Board, works to bring possible support measures under EU4Health to the attention of health authorities and eligible stakeholders. Opportunities including in relation to support for screening programmes will continue to receive due consideration with a view to appropriate participation.
906. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on actual case numbers assigned to the progressing disability 8 service in County Longford as of 1 June 2022, given that as of March 2022 the case load assigned was 790. [34435/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra909. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on plans to move the PDS 8 service to a purpose-built facility currently vacant at the Ballyminnion campus (details supplied); and the up-to-date staffing position in terms of vacant posts as of 17 June 2022. [34438/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 906 and 909 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
907. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown by age profile nought to five years and so on of wait times for services - S&L, occupational therapy and psychology, based on the PDS 8 case numbers for 1 June 1 2022. [34436/22]
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.
908. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting ASD assessments at the PDS 8 service in County Longford; and the average wait time for this service as of 1 June 2022. [34437/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
910. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of home care staff taken on by the HSE over the past 12 months in Cork city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34439/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
