Brendan Smith
Ceist:835. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when children under five years will be offered the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36118/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraVaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (835)
Freagraí scríofa
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The Committee reviews data relating to Covid-19 vaccines on a rolling basis and makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department.
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 read the guidelines at: www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf
On 25 November, the EMA recommended granting an extension of indication for Covid-19 vaccine Comirnaty to include use in children aged 5 to 11. The NIAC reviewed those findings and recommended that vaccination be extended to those aged 5 -11 years, those in this age group will be offered an mRNA vaccination to protect themselves from COVID-19. There are currently no vaccines authorised for use for those aged under 5 years old.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (836)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:836. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the amount of taxpayer funding which has been paid to support research or research positions which would benefit the infant formula industry in Ireland; the amount of funding paid to support breastfeeding research or research positions in Ireland independent of the formula industry, excluding industrial involvement; if research funding devoted to analysis of breast milk by formula companies is classified as formula company research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36120/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available. Officials from the Department are collating material that will be prepared into a full response to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Public Sector Pensions
Ceisteanna (837)
Michael Ring
Ceist:837. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the pension of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36122/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A reply issued to the individual concerned from the Department of Health on 26 April, 2022.
In that reply the individual was advised on the application of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013 (FEMPI), i.e., salary and pension reductions throughout the civil and public service.
In 2015 the Lansdowne Road Agreement was implemented to restore the cuts imposed under FEMPI 2013.
It was advised that, as the individual retired prior to 2010, they were not subject to the cuts imposed under FEMPI and therefore restoration does not apply in their case. However, as a pre-2012 pensioner, they would have been subject to the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) which was introduced in January 2011. This was a cut in public service pensions where the pre-PSPR value of the pension exceeded a specified amount.
The FEMPI Act 2015 provided for a partial reversal of PSPR in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018. Further amendments were provided for under the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 for the years 2019 and 2020. PSPR was ceased fully on 1 July 2021.
Notwithstanding the above, under Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) pension increase policy, the individual may be entitled to certain pension increases - DPER Circulars 20/2017, 2/2018, 19/2019 and 10/2021 refer.
It has been confirmed by the HSE that all relevant increases have been applied to the individual's pension to date and that increases for 2021 are currently being reviewed. Should the individual be due a pension increase, it will be applied as soon as possible by the relevant HSE pensioner payroll.
The individual also queried whether contributions they paid during their service would enable a pension payment to their spouse in the event of the individual's death. The HSE has confirmed that the person was not a member of the Widow's and Orphans/Spouses and Children's Superannuation Scheme which provides for pensions to spouses and children of deceased former members. However, it is advised that the individual make enquiries directly with their former employer, HSE West, who can be contacted at Pensions.West@hse.ie or by phoning (091) 775 487.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (838)
John Lahart
Ceist:838. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if he will outline as a matter of urgency, when the action plan for the disability capacity review will be published; the cause of the delay in its publishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36126/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Health published the Disability Capacity Review in July 2021. This report set out the capacity requirements for health-funded disability services for the period up to 2032. In order to drive the process of implementing the recommendations of the Capacity Review, a Working Group was set up to develop an Action Plan for Disability Services for the period 2022-2025. This Group, whose membership consisted of senior officials from the Departments of DCEDIY, Social Protection, Housing, Further and Higher Education, Health, and the Health Service Executive, has now completed its work and the draft Action Plan is currently being finalised.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (839)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:839. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the minutes of the obesity policy implementation and oversight group are published; if so, their location; if they are not available publicly, if they will be provided; the number of times that the group or its subgroups have met in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36137/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
‘A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Government’s Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland agenda. It covers a ten year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy.
An Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG) was established in October 2017. There are currently two Sub Groups, a Healthy Eating Sub Group and a Healthcare Sub Group.
The OPIOG met three times in 2021, in March, June and November; and once so far in 2022, in March. Minutes are available on the Department's website, once approved at the subsequent meeting, at the link below:
www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/98c139-combatting-obesity/
The Healthy Eating Sub Group has met four times in the last year, and the Healthcare Sub Group has met five times in the same period.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (840)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:840. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when the evaluation of the obesity policy and action plan undertaken by University College Cork will be published; when his Department will respond to the evaluation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36138/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department has received a final draft of the evaluation of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP) carried out by the Centre for Health and Diet Research, University College Cork. The evaluation includes an assessment of progress under the actions of the OPAP by a panel of independent experts.
The evaluation is informing the review of the OPAP which is being carried out by the Department. It is expected that both the evaluation and the review will be published in the third quarter of this year.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (841)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:841. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the evaluation of the sugar sweetened drinks tax in Ireland; the current stage of the evaluation; when it will be finished and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36139/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tax was introduced on 1st May 2018, and has now been in operation for more than four years. The introduction of the tax was an important action in the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, with the aim of combatting obesity through reducing consumption of added sugar in drinks and encouraging reformulation of products by the drinks industry.
Initial indications are that the tax has had a positive impact, particularly in terms of encouraging drinks producers to reduce the sugar content in their products. However, a more comprehensive analysis of the effects of the tax is needed, and the Department thus commenced an evaluation of the measure.
The first step in this process was to look at existing examples that could inform the methodology to assess the impacts of the tax. This literature review and data scoping exercise enabled the Department to make an assessment of the potential approaches to evaluate the impact of the tax and the timelines and resources required for the evaluation. The Department has also developed links with researchers who are working on projects relevant to the evaluation topic, which has impacted upon the nature and timeline of the work. These timelines are currently being finalised.
Public Sector Pensions
Ceisteanna (842)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:842. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if assistance will be offered to a person (details supplied) to buy back time from the voluntary hospitals superannuation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36141/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter for the HSE, the HSE has been requested to respond directly to the Deputy.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (843)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:843. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the occupational therapy waiting list for children and separately for adults in County Louth; the number on the waiting list for each of the past three years; the number of occupational therapists and other staff employed each year by the HSE to provide this essential service; the protocols that are in place to find temporary cover either by direct hiring or contracting out the service to other providers if staff are on leave, have retired or left their position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36142/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (844)
James O'Connor
Ceist:844. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the reimbursement of internationalised normalised ratio test strips and machines for warfarin patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36150/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical items, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (845)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:845. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time tissue viability nurses in each CHO as of 31 December 2020 and 29 June 2022, in tabular form. [36160/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (846)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:846. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if there is a dedicated addiction service for persons aged under 18 in County Clare; if so, the location from which it operates; and if not, his plans to address same. [36161/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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 (847)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:847. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost for three additional ambulatory gynaecology clinics to include out-of-hours care. [36162/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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. 848 answered with Question No. 773.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (849)
Robert Troy
Ceist:849. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an urgent orthodontic appointment for a person (details supplied). [36167/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (850)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:850. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1402 of 19 January 2022, the consideration that he is giving to putting in place a legal basis for the issuing of do-not-resuscitate orders in hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36174/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE provides guidance on advance care planning including Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) orders, to ensure these are made consistently, transparently and in line with best practice. The HSE National Consent Policy 2019 – Part 4 Do Not Attempt Resuscitation provides a decision-making framework that facilitates the advance discussion of personal preferences, while further guidance on DNAR decision-making was developed during the COVID-19 Pandemic, which is applicable across all care settings where services are provided for and on behalf of the HSE.
Decisions relating to DNAR orders are part of the larger area of healthcare decisions that need to be made at the end-of-life. Best practice states that such decisions should be discussed as part of the advance care planning process. One method of achieving that goal is through an advance healthcare directive (AHDs). An AHD is a statement made by a person with capacity setting out his or her will and preferences regarding treatment decisions that may arise in the future when he or she no longer has capacity. Part 8 of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 provides a legislative framework for AHDs, and allows for directive-makers to make legally binding decisions on matters including the refusal of life sustaining treatment. It is the responsibility the Department of Health to implement Part 8 of the 2015 Act, and it is planned that this will be done as part of the overall commencement of the Act, through the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022, which recently passed Report Stage in the Dáil.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (851)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:851. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the funding that is available through his Department for the provision and training costs for rapid prompt boards for children on the ASD spectrum at home and in school. [36175/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (852)
Johnny Guirke
Ceist:852. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health when the action plan for the Disability Capacity Review, which was due to be published by December 2021 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36181/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Health published the Disability Capacity Review in July 2021. This report set out the capacity requirements for health-funded disability services for the period up to 2032. In order to drive the process of implementing the recommendations of the Capacity Review, a Working Group was set up to develop an Action Plan for Disability Services for the period 2022-2025. This Group, whose membership consisted of senior officials from the Departments of DCEDIY, Social Protection, Housing, Further and Higher Education, Health, and the Health Service Executive, has now completed its work and the draft Action Plan is currently being finalised.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (853, 854, 855, 856)
David Cullinane
Ceist:853. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if social care workers who worked in Covid-19 isolation centres and homelessness services during the pandemic will receive the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36190/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDavid Cullinane
Ceist:854. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if nurses working in prisons managing Covid outbreaks and patients during the pandemic will receive the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36191/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDavid Cullinane
Ceist:855. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if public health specialists working in the community during the pandemic will receive the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36192/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDavid Cullinane
Ceist:856. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if general practitioner registrars will receive the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36193/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 853 to 856, inclusive, together.
Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
On January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html. Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/S38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Redeployed members of the Defence Forces to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
The above 6 areas are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
The Government is mindful of other workers who played their own part during this difficult period in sustaining other services. It is tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which the above frontline workers faced. In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. From February next year there will also be a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.
Question No. 854 answered with Question No. 853.