Written Answers Nos. 550-570
550. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure the ambulance services in Cork city and county are properly resourced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54001/21]
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.
551. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if staff in the Covid-19 compliance unit within the HSE who monitor the hospitality sector are themselves fully vaccinated thus allowing entry to hospitality venues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54002/21]
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.
552. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the provision of neurology specialist nurses at Cork University Hospital is significantly less than national guidelines (details supplied); and the steps he will take to address this. [54008/21]
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.
553. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when a group (details supplied) will be prioritised for the Covid-19 vaccination. [54011/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 the 28th of May, the EMA recommended an extension of the use of the Pfizer vaccine to include those aged 12 to 15 years. The EMA subsequently advised an extension of indication for the Moderna vaccine to include use in children aged 12-17 years. The NIAC reviewed these findings and has recommended that vaccination be extended to those aged 12 -15 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 12 years old.
Clinical trials to assess the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in children under 12 years of age are currently ongoing, with results expected later this year. Vaccine manufacturers Pfizer and Moderna are conducting trials in healthy children between the ages of 6 months and 11 years old using lower vaccine doses. Children have different reactions to medications and vaccinations, so conducting clinical trials specific to that population is important to fully understand the benefits and potential side effects of COVID-19 vaccines in this group. Once the data becomes available, it will be thoroughly reviewed by the EMA and the NIAC prior to the vaccines being administered to children under age 12.
554. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 739 of 27 January 2021 and 1676 of 21 April 2021, the status of the suspension of water birth services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54012/21]
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.
555. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to schools, organisations or sports clubs in receipt of taxpayer funding excluding children from certain activities of that entity on the basis of their vaccinations status or that of their parents; and if this practice is in line with the policy of the HSE. [54021/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am unable to answer the question posed by the Deputy as specific details have not been provided.
As the Deputy will be aware, current Government policy is that proof of immunity must be provided to access indoor hospitality settings, nightclubs, live entertainment venues and indoor events. Exemptions are provided for accompanied minors.
The current high level of COVID-19 infection and the dominance of the significantly more transmissible Delta variant poses a very substantial threat, particularly to those who are not fully protected through vaccination. Public health advice remains that those who are not fully vaccinated should avoid congregated indoor settings for their own and others' safety.
556. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the provision that will be made for persons who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons given the extension of the legislation requiring vaccine passports in restaurants and similar indoor venues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54025/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current high level of COVID-19 infection and the dominance of the significantly more transmissible Delta variant poses a very substantial threat, particularly to those who are not fully protected through vaccination. Public health advice remains that those who are not fully vaccinated should avoid congregated indoor settings for their own and others safety.
The National Public Health Emergency Team gave some consideration to the issues arising for those people that can’t receive a COVID-19 vaccine for medical reasons as part of its discussions on the 18th October 2021 on the continuing response to COVID-19 and the extension of Covid Pass arrangements. The matter is being given further consideration.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that on 15 July, NIAC made a recommendation, which was endorsed by the Chief Medical Officer and accepted by the Minister for Health that while the preference was for homologous vaccination regimens (using the same vaccine as part of a two dose regime) that selective use of heterologous vaccination schedules (two different vaccines used as part of two dose regime) should be permitted where a second vaccine dose of a homologous regimen is contraindicated, irrespective of whether the first dose was an mRNA or adenoviral vector vaccine. NIAC in conjunction with the RCPI and the Irish Association of Allergy and Immunology have prepared a guide to aid vaccinators and other healthcare workers on how to advise allergic individuals in respect of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, this guide is available here: rcpi-live-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/FAQs-about-COVID19-Vaccines-and-Allergies_12August2021.pdf
557. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to ensure that a person (details supplied) who is 88 years of age and who has significant health vulnerabilities receives their booster Covid-19 vaccination and the flu vaccination without any further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54028/21]
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.
558. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health his Department’s plan for Covid-19 booster shots for healthcare workers; if the vaccines necessary are currently available; if the same or a different vaccine to the first two doses will be administered as a booster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54030/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 8 September, I announced an update to the Covid-19 vaccination programme following advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC has recommended a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (irrespective of whether the primary vaccination course was of an mRNA or adenoviral vector) for residents aged 65 years and older living in Long Term Residential Care Facilities and for those aged 80 years and older living in the community. The booster dose can be given after a minimum interval of six months following completion of the primary vaccination schedule. I have accepted this advice and the HSE has made the necessary arrangements to operationalise these recommendations with the booster rollout now underway.
The NIAC has also recommended that a booster dose of mRNA vaccine be offered to all those aged 60-79 (irrespective of whether the primary vaccination course was of an mRNA or adenoviral vector) who have completed their primary vaccination course with any Covid-19 vaccination. The booster dose should be ideally given 6 months following completion of the primary vaccination schedule (with a minimum interval of 5 months).
On 1 November the NIAC recommended that a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (irrespective of whether the primary vaccination course was of an mRNA or adenoviral vector) be offered to healthcare workers. The booster dose should be ideally given six months following completion of the primary vaccination schedule (with a minimum interval of five months). The Chief Medical Officer has endorsed the latest recommendations and the HSE has now been asked to proceed with implementation.
Ireland has entered into seven Advance Purchase Agreements, subject to regulatory approval, for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccine from a range of manufacturers. Four vaccines have been authorised by the European Medicines Agency to date; Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech), Spikevax (Moderna), Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) and Janssen. Ireland has procured significant quantities of vaccines to facilitate the continuation of the Covid-19 vaccination programme and the continued rollout of the booster programme over the coming months.
559. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has received funding applications to appoint a consultant endocrinologist, a clinical nurse specialist for diabetes and a dietician for diabetes in pregnancy to Mayo University Hospital; if he will pursue the appointment of these positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54032/21]
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.
560. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place in terms of additional staff or resources to deal with the fact that 336 patients waiting for an initial diabetes outpatient clinic appointment have been waiting between two to six years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54034/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last nineteen months as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently as a result of the ransomware attack.
On the 7th October I published the Acute Waiting List Action Plan. This plan, to run until December 2021, has a series of targeted measures that are designed to address the growth in waiting lists caused by Covid-19 and the cyber-attack.
In addition, my Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) are also working on a Multi Annual Waiting List Plan to bring waiting lists in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years. This process will be overseen by a Ministerial Taskforce, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and includes representatives from the HSE and NTPF. The plan will be informed by the lessons learned from the successful Vaccine Taskforce.
561. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if there is a plan to address the fact that University Hospital Limerick is the only hospital group in the country being excluded from expansion of DAFNE dose adjustment for normal eating structured type 1 diabetes education for adults; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons in County Clare feel this is discriminatory, disadvantaging rural dwellers and counter to the vision set out in Sláintecare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54035/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish National Clinical Guidelines for Adults with Type 1 diabetes recommends that a structured education programme of proven benefit, for example the DAFNE (dose-adjustment for normal eating) programme be offered to all individuals with Type 1 diabetes. Currently in Ireland the DAFNE programme is the only programme that meets the required accreditation criteria for this guideline.
For a hospital diabetes centre to become a DAFNE centre, a team comprising a doctor, nurse and dietitian with expertise in the management of diabetes from that centre is required to complete the DAFNE training, enter into a licence agreement with DAFNE and continue to meet the accreditation standards aligned. It is the responsibility of each local hospital team to arrange the licence agreement and associated training, delivery and evaluation.
The National Clinical Programme for Diabetes is currently working to advise and support relevant diabetes centres to advance their rollout of the DAFNE programme to meet the clinical recommendations that all adults with type 1 diabetes be offered a structured education programme of proven benefit. Support has been provided to the diabetes team in Limerick University Hospital in this respect. UHL will be further enabled by the additional staffing allocation supported by the Enhanced Community Care funding, whose role includes the delivery of Type 1 diabetes Self-Management education, e.g., DAFNE.
Developing diabetes services is a core focus for the UL Hospitals Group who are committed to improving the service for their patients.
562. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of staff qualified to use insulin pumps and support patients to do same in each CHO broken down in tabular form. [54036/21]
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.
563. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of orthopaedic beds designated for pelvic fractures in each of the seven hospital groups in each of the years 2016 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54045/21]
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.
564. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average number of staff by grade on duty or on call on night shifts in each model 3 or model 4 hospital for each month since January 2020 to October 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54046/21]
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.
565. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54050/21]
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.
566. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the reason NPHET meeting minutes were and are only released six to eight weeks after the meeting in question especially when meetings were occurring on a weekly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54061/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe last meeting of the NPHET took place on 18th October 2021. The minutes of preceding NPHET meeting of 16th September were adopted at this meeting and were subsequently published on the Department of Health website at the address below.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/691330-national-public-health-emergency-team-covid-19-coronavirus/
The minutes of the NPHET’s last meeting of 18th October are expected to be adopted by the NPHET Members at its next meeting scheduled for week commencing 8th November, in accordance with the review and adoption procedure outlined below.
NPHET Minutes review and adoption process:
The COVID-19 NPHET is supported by a dedicated Secretariat that works diligently to prepare high-quality minutes for publication as quickly as practicable.
Given the significance of NPHET meetings and the importance of its work in the context of the State’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that a full and accurate account of each NPHET meeting is maintained. NPHET agendas cover a wide range of very complex and technical public health issues and NPHET discussions are by their nature, lengthy, fast-paced, and multifaceted.
To ensure factual accuracy and representation of discussions, the NPHET Secretariat’s minute-taking process involves a number of procedural steps in line with best practice, as follows:
- Sections of the minutes are drafted by members of the Secretariat team.
- The draft minutes are reviewed internally.
- The draft minutes are circulated to the NPHET Members in advance of the NPHET meeting. Members are invited to provide their observations on same.
- Observations received from the NPHET Members are incorporated into the minutes.
- A final ‘for adoption’ version of the minutes is then circulated to the Members for their final review.
- At the next NPHET meeting, the Chair invites the Members to endorse/adopt the minutes. Further observations may be received at this stage.
- Following adoption by the NPHET Members, the minutes are published on the Department of Health website as soon as possible.
The minute drafting process, as illustrated above, is adhered to in the interest of ensuring the quality and accuracy of NPHET meeting records. NPHET Members are afforded the opportunity to correct any errors in the minutes up to their adoption.
567. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if meetings of NPHET are or were occurring without members having access to the minutes of the previous meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54063/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe last meeting of the NPHET took place on 18th October 2021. The minutes of the preceding NPHET meeting of 16th September were adopted at this meeting and were subsequently published on the Department of Health website at the address below.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/691330-national-public-health-emergency-team-covid-19-coronavirus/
The minutes of the NPHET’s last meeting of 18th October are expected to be adopted by the NPHET Members at its next meeting scheduled for week commencing 8th November, in accordance with the review and adoption procedure outlined below.
NPHET Minutes review and adoption process:
The COVID-19 NPHET is supported by a dedicated Secretariat that works diligently to prepare high-quality minutes for publication as quickly as practicable.
Given the significance of NPHET meetings and the importance of its work in the context of the State’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that a full and accurate account of each NPHET meeting is maintained. NPHET agendas cover a wide range of very complex and technical public health issues and NPHET discussions are by their nature, lengthy, fast-paced, and multifaceted.
To ensure factual accuracy and representation of discussions, the NPHET Secretariat’s minute-taking process involves a number of procedural steps in line with best practice, as follows:
- Sections of the minutes are drafted by members of the Secretariat team.
- The draft minutes are reviewed internally.
- The draft minutes are circulated to the NPHET Members in advance of the NPHET meeting. Members are invited to provide their observations on same.
- Observations received from the NPHET Members are incorporated into the minutes.
- A final ‘for adoption’ version of the minutes is then circulated to the Members for their final review.
- At the next NPHET meeting, the Chair invites the Members to endorse/adopt the minutes. Further observations may be received at this stage.
- Following adoption by the NPHET Members, the minutes are published on the Department of Health website as soon as possible.
The minute drafting process, as illustrated above, is adhered to in the interest of ensuring the quality and accuracy of NPHET meeting records. NPHET Members are afforded the opportunity to correct any errors in the minutes up to their adoption.
568. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the reason the frequency of NPHET meetings has been reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54064/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is advised that the last meeting of the NPHET took place on 18th October 2021. The next NPHET meeting is scheduled for the week commencing 8th November.
Reflecting the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic and the scale and pace of the health service response required, the NPHET in general met twice a week in the early stages of the pandemic, moving to weekly meetings at a later stage, meeting more/less frequently as required. Since its establishment, the NPHET has met 94 times.
In scheduling NPHET meetings, the Chair and Members have regard to the epidemiological situation and planned upcoming Government decisions concerning the COVID-19 response etc.
The Chair of the NPHET, the Chief Medical Officer, reserves the right to call a NPHET meeting(s) in advance of planned NPHET dates should he feel that an additional meeting of the NPHET is warranted.
569. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the date of the last meeting of NPHET; the reason as of 1 November 2021 the last minutes available on its webpage are 16 September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54065/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe last meeting of the NPHET took place on 18th October 2021.
The NPHET minutes are published up to 16th September 2021 (the preceding meeting) at the address below.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/691330-national-public-health-emergency-team-covid-19-coronavirus/
Publication of one set of NPHET meeting minutes (18th October) remains outstanding. These minutes are expected to be adopted by the NPHET Members at its next meeting scheduled for week commencing 8th November, in accordance with the review and adoption procedure outlined below.
NPHET Minutes review and adoption process:
The COVID-19 NPHET is supported by a dedicated Secretariat that works diligently to prepare high-quality minutes for publication as quickly as practicable.
Given the significance of NPHET meetings and the importance of its work in the context of the State’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that a full and accurate account of each NPHET meeting is maintained. NPHET agendas cover a wide range of very complex and technical public health issues and NPHET discussions are by their nature, lengthy, fast-paced, and multifaceted.
To ensure factual accuracy and representation of discussions, the NPHET Secretariat’s minute-taking process involves a number of procedural steps in line with best practice, as follows:
- Sections of the minutes are drafted by members of the Secretariat team.
- The draft minutes are reviewed internally.
- The draft minutes are circulated to the NPHET Members in advance of the NPHET meeting. Members are invited to provide their observations on same.
- Observations received from the NPHET Members are incorporated into the minutes.
- A final ‘for adoption’ version of the minutes is then circulated to the Members for their final review.
- At the next NPHET meeting, the Chair invites the Members to endorse/adopt the minutes. Further minor observations may be received at this stage.
- Following adoption by the NPHET Members, the minutes are published on the Department of Health website as soon as possible.
The minute drafting process, as illustrated above, is adhered to in the interest of ensuring the quality and accuracy of NPHET meeting records. NPHET Members are afforded the opportunity to correct any errors in the minutes up to their adoption.
570. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if a mechanism will be put in place in order that there is early approval and publication of NPHET minutes within a week of the meeting in the interests of accountability and transparency given that the Covid-19 pandemic is evolving again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54066/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 NPHET is supported by a dedicated Secretariat that works diligently to prepare high-quality minutes for publication as quickly as practicable.
Given the significance of NPHET meetings and the importance of its work in the context of the State’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that a full and accurate account of each NPHET meeting is maintained. NPHET agendas cover a wide range of very complex and technical public health issues and NPHET discussions are by their nature, lengthy, fast-paced, and multifaceted.
To ensure factual accuracy and representation of discussions, the NPHET Secretariat’s minute-taking process involves a number of procedural steps in line with best practice, as follows:
- Sections of the minutes are drafted by members of the Secretariat team.
- The draft minutes are reviewed internally.
- The draft minutes are circulated to the NPHET Members in advance of the NPHET meeting. Members are invited to provide their observations on same.
- Observations received from the NPHET Members are incorporated into the minutes.
- A final ‘for adoption’ version of the minutes is then circulated to the Members for their final review.
- At the next NPHET meeting, the Chair invites the Members to endorse/adopt the minutes. Further minor observations may be received at this stage.
- Following adoption by the NPHET Members, the minutes are published on the Department of Health website as soon as possible.
The minute drafting process, as illustrated above, is adhered to in the interest of ensuring the quality and accuracy of NPHET meeting records. NPHET Members are afforded the opportunity to correct any errors in the minutes up to their adoption.
The Deputy may wish to note the NPHET minutes are published up to 16th September 2021 at the address below. Publication of the minutes of one NPHET meeting, held on 18th October, remains outstanding. These minutes are expected to be adopted by the NPHET Members at the next NPHET meeting scheduled for week commencing 8th November, in accordance with the review and adoption procedure outlined above.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/691330-national-public-health-emergency-team-covid-19-coronavirus/
