Written Answers Nos. 1777-1797
1777. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of myocarditis and pericarditis that have been diagnosed in 2021 and per year for the preceding five years in Irish hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1787/22]
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.
1778. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by the HSE on contact lenses prescribed for medical use in eye conditions such as keratoconus or other eye conditions in 2021 and each of the past five years; the geographical breakdown of the area in which the funding was spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1791/22]
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.
1779. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the eye conditions that were treated with medically necessary contact lenses funded by the HSE; the breakdown of the funding provided and the various conditions involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1792/22]
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.
1780. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a schedule of all client and or customer facing and or orientated services that his Department provide via a contracted service provider; the contractor that provides the service; and the cost of same for the past five years to date in 2022. [1802/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlease find attached a schedule of all client and or customer facing and or orientated services that the Department of Health provided via a contracted service provider from 2017 onwards.
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Net (VAT Exclusive) |
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Capita |
€ |
|
|
2017 |
0.00 |
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2018 |
0.00 |
|
|
2019 |
0.00 |
|
|
2020 |
989,545.34 |
Call Centre Services for Passenger Locator Form on behalf of the Department of Health |
|
2021 |
1,362,920.87 |
Call Centre Services for Passenger Locator Form on behalf of the Department of Health |
|
2022 |
269,835.24 |
Call Centre Services for Passenger Locator Form on behalf of the Department of Health |
|
Total |
2,622,301.45 |
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|
Net (VAT Exclusive) |
||
|
Tifco |
€ |
|
|
2017 |
0.00 |
|
|
2018 |
0.00 |
|
|
2019 |
0.00 |
|
|
2020 |
0.00 |
|
|
2021 |
22,560,819.76 |
Mandatory Hotel Quarantine Services |
|
2022 |
0.00 |
|
|
Total |
22,560,819.76 |
1781. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if further consideration has been given to providing a national register of defibrillators throughout Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1819/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn objective of the Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OCHA) Strategy in 2022 will be to implement the OCHA Automated External Defibrillators (AED) Registry. This will enable the National Ambulance Service (NAS) National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) to locate publicly accessible Automated External Defibrillators, when receiving a 999/112 Call.
The HSE has advised my Department that preliminary development has started on the ICT systems which could support an AED Registry within the NAS NEOC.
Work on the development of a website is underway and will be launched with a media campaign to inform the public on their role as "caretakers" of AEDs and how to register their AED into the registry, enabling them to be downloaded to the 999/112 system.
1782. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for home support service throughout the HSE service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1821/22]
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.
1783. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of new home support service packages for the past three years for each health service area; the amount of funding provided for this service in the past three years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1822/22]
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.
1784. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of employees of the HSE providing home support packages for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1823/22]
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.
1785. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of employees of private operators providing home support packages for the HSE for past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1824/22]
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.
1787. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the current situation in relation to the provision of psychology services for children in Celbridge, Maynooth and Clane, County Kildare (details supplied); and the steps that are being taken or planned to rectify the current situation. [1831/22]
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.
1788. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) is waiting so long on a bed in a hospital in County Galway. [1832/22]
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.
1789. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will establish a reporting group to investigate the instances of the negative effects that Covid-19 vaccines have had on a small minority of persons; the supports and services that will be put in place for those persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1833/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is responsible for monitoring the safety and quality of all medicines including vaccines that are licensed in Ireland. The HPRA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) continually monitor adverse reactions to vaccination.
The HPRA operates a national adverse reaction reporting system, which members of the public and healthcare professionals are encouraged to submit any suspected adverse reactions to. All Reports received by the HPRA are routinely transmitted to the EMA's adverse reaction database for inclusion in global signal detection and monitoring activities.
The HPRA follows up on reports of suspected adverse reactions received from healthcare professionals and members of the public through the voluntary reporting system, including any deaths notified following vaccination.
The question of providing supports for persons who experience an adverse reaction to Covid-19 vaccination will require further consideration in the context of broader health policy, legal and financial implications which may arise.
1791. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of a vaccine injury compensation fund specifically relating to Covid-19 vaccine injuries; when this fund will be made available to assist those suffering from adverse effects; the details of the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1839/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no plans at present for the introduction of a COVID-19 specific vaccine compensation scheme.
In June 2018, the Government agreed to the establishment of the expert group to review the management of clinical negligence claims. It was chaired by the High Court judge, Mr. Justice Charles Meenan. The expert group examined the system from the perspective of the person who has made the claim to explore if there is a better way to deal effectively, yet more sensitively, with certain case.
Mr. Justice Meenan submitted the final report on the current system for managing clinical negligence claims to the then Minister for Health and Minister for Justice in January 2020, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government subsequently published the Meenan report in December 2020. One of the report's recommendations is for the establishment of a compensation scheme to deal with certain vaccine damage claims.
On foot of a request from the Department of Health, the Health Research Board, HRB, carried out an evidence review on the vaccine injury redress programmes in other jurisdictions, which was completed in March 2019. The expert group's report, in addition to the HRB's evidence review, and consultation with other Departments and relevant State agencies will inform the development of proposals regarding the establishment of a vaccine compensation scheme, including the need for primary legislation. The Department of Health are planning for the development of policy in this regard.
1792. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when legislation will be published dealing with international surrogacy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1842/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1917. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to establish a special joint Oireachtas committee on international surrogacy; if he has brought the proposal to Cabinet; the timescale he is working towards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2460/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1918. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he plans to publish the assisted human reproduction Bill ahead of the proposed special Oireachtas committee on international surrogacy completing its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2461/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1792, 1917 and 1918 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, drafting of a bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research is ongoing by officials in my Department, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. This legislation encompasses the regulation for the first time of a wide range of practices undertaken in this jurisdiction, including domestic altruistic surrogacy.
Publication of the Bill is a priority for the Government and officials in my Department and the Office of the Attorney General are continuing to engage intensively in order to finalise this complex and far-reaching legislation. I expect to be in a position to bring a Memorandum to Government seeking approval to publish the Bill in the coming weeks.
The draft Bill does not contain provisions to regulate surrogacy arrangements undertaken in other jurisdictions. Issues which arise from the undertaking of surrogacy arrangements in other jurisdictions concern areas of law that intersect across the remits of several Government Departments and require detailed examination. Therefore, a joint Memorandum from Minister McEntee, Minister O’Gorman and I proposing the establishment of a time-limited Special Joint Oireachtas Committee to consider the issue of international surrogacy is being submitted to Cabinet today. If approved, this Committee is to report with recommendations within three months of establishment and I shall have regard to its work as the AHR Bill progresses through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
1793. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Health the current status of the dental treatment services scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the serious issues preventing access to the scheme by medical card holders; if he proposes to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1845/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA new National Oral Health Policy - Smile agus Sláinte, was launched in April 2019. That Policy set out the roadmap for the future provision of oral healthcare to the eligible population. It has two key goals; first, to provide the supports to enable every individual to achieve their best oral health, and second, to reduce oral health inequalities across the population, by enabling vulnerable groups to access oral healthcare and improve their oral health.
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme, which dates from the 1990s is available to medical card holders aged 16 and over. The dental care is provided by independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. Patients may choose to have their treatment undertaken by any dentist who participates in the scheme. The Scheme covers a dental examination, two fillings in each calendar year, prescriptions, denture repairs and extractions as necessary. Other more complex treatments such as the provision of dentures require the approval of the HSE before the dentist can proceed and in this case the dentist applies directly to the HSE.
There is a need to align the DTSS with best international evidence and practice, and legislation, as outlined in Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy. Regretfully, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the roll-out of the Policy to be delayed and the proposed review of the DTSS contract to be deferred.
Nevertheless, there has been continued engagement between my officials, the HSE and the dental community throughout the pandemic on infection control measures, guidelines for safe dental practice, and ensuring that dental professionals were included in the high-risk group for early vaccination. This sustained engagement was with a view to ensuring that a safe satisfactory service could be continued for the eligible population.
It is regrettable that a significant number of dentists chose to leave the Scheme that provides care for medical card patients during the pandemic, which has led to difficulties for medical card patients in accessing dental care in some parts of the country . In such circumstances, I have been assured that the HSE Public Dental Service is seeking to provide emergency cover for any medical card patients who are experiencing such problems.
I have given a commitment to a substantive review of the DTSS, which will include fees paid to dentists. I have also acknowledged the immediate issues of concern with current arrangements under the Scheme.
My officials met with the Irish Dental Association in December to address both of these issues. It is the intention of my officials to hold further talks in Q1 of this year.
I would also wish to point out that I secured additional funding of €10 million in Budget 2022 to address immediate issues with the DTSS, which is on top of the annual allocation of €56 million for 2022.
1795. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will seek to reinstate the under 18 years of age clinic in the National Gender Service which closed earlier this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1847/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE is committed to building services for the transgender community, in accordance with international best practice, across a number of programmes including mental health, acute hospitals, primary care and social inclusion. I am advised that a proposed model of care for transgender children, adolescents and adults has been developed by the HSE Quality Improvement Division. The model recommends a comprehensive multidisciplinary psychosocial assessment prior to commencement of hormone therapy by endocrinology services, and also outlines the framework for the development of National Gender Clinics and MDTs for children and adults.
The HSE established a Steering Committee to address specific issues in relation to the development of Transgender Identity Services. The final report of the Committee was published in December 2020. The HSE has commenced implementation of a number of its recommendations.
HSE Mental Health have been working closely with Children Hospital Ireland, the National Gender Service, the Treatment Abroad Scheme and Tavistock to try to establish a child and adolescent transgender service in Ireland following repeated failed attempts to recruit a Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist to develop the service.
I am advised by the HSE that the National Gender Service currently accepts referrals from 16 and 17 year olds. I understand that the role of Locum Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin has been advertised and it is hoped for the role to be filled early this year.
1796. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will allocate additional resources to transgender healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1848/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2022, I secured an additional €6m for new measures to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy, 'Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery'. This funding will be used to strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use, as set out in the Programme for Government. It will also support the strategic priorities for 2021-2025 identified in the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy. The funding will be used to recruit 50 health care professionals, such as clinical nurse specialists, psychologists, addiction counsellors and project workers, to provide specialist drug and alcohol services.
I do not have a remit in the provision of funding for transgender services. This falls within the wider remit of the Minister of Health.
1797. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason that NPHET is considering the introduction of mandatory vaccination given that the Taoiseach has informed Dáil Éireann that mandatory vaccination will not be introduced in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1854/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, several countries have announced that they are introducing or are considering the introduction of mandatory vaccination policies, either at a population level or more commonly in certain workplace settings (e.g. healthcare) as part of their national response to COVID-19. There are however no plans currently to introduce such a policy in Ireland.
Mandatory vaccination policies represent a considerable interference with individual liberties and autonomy which requires that ethical and legal considerations should be explicitly evaluated and analysed. The paper being prepared by my Department seeks to explore the complex issues raised by mandatory vaccination as part of the wider, comprehensive, evidence-based strategy for managing the pandemic.
