Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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1548. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the resources available for persons with ongoing symptoms of long Covid given that many with this condition are suffering from fatigue; if he will consider establishing multidisciplinary clinics throughout the country to help those with long Covid and other fatigue conditions such myalgic encephalomyelitis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14612/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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1549. To ask the Minister for Health if he has considered implementing a bonus for front-line workers either financially or in terms of additional days of annual leave in view of their work fighting Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14625/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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It is widely recognised that our dedicated health care workers have played a key role in our national effort against Covid-19 over the past year.Their determination and commitment to assisting our sick and vulnerable to get the medical treatment they need, has and continues to be, very much appreciated. 

Government is considering when, and how best to honour the role of frontline workers, including those working in the health services, noting that the pandemic is still currently in effect.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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1550. To ask the Minister for Health if concerns have been raised in Ireland following Denmark pausing the use of a vaccine (details supplied) after reports of blood clots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14626/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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On Sunday, 14 March, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommended the temporary deferral of the administration of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca following a report from the Norwegian Medicines Agency of cases of serious, rare thromboembolic (clotting) events, including some complicated by low platelet counts.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA), through its safety committee conducted and urgent review of all blood clotting events occurring with the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca to determine if there is a possible safety risk.

The EMA’s preliminary report, concluded on 18 March, reported that the benefits of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca in combating the threat of COVID-19 continue to outweigh the risk of side effects. The EMA also concluded that the vaccine is not associated with an increase in the overall risk of blood clots in those who receive it.

The NIAC convened and reviewed the EMA statement in relation to COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca and, following discussion with representatives from the HPRA, the National Coagulation Centre and counterparts across the EU, recommended that the administration of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca should be recommenced. 

The HSE recommenced vaccinations with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca on Saturday, 20 March.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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1551. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on his recent engagement with his EU counterparts; if the EU Covid-19 vaccine distribution system was discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14627/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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On 1 March I met with my EU counterparts to discuss the impact of variants on Member States, national testing strategies, and the need for information sharing on the national rollout of COVID-19 vaccination plans. The EU health ministers were joined on the videoconference by representatives from the European Commission, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

It is imperative that the companies deliver on the commitments made to facilitate the much-anticipated significant increase in supply throughout this quarter.

Ireland is taking part in a Procurement Exercise being operated by the European Commission (EC) on behalf of Member States to procure suitable, safe and effective vaccines, in sufficient quantities, to combat COVID-19. Ireland has signalled its solidarity with the EU approach and has, through its participation, gained access to a broad range of vaccines that it might not otherwise have access to, and at the cost agreed collectively by the EU.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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1552. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to address the rise in anxiety, stress and loneliness being reported throughout Ireland due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14628/21]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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While there is no doubt that Covid-19 has posed significant challenges for people, including isolation, bereavement, anxiety and loss of income and work for many, we do not yet fully understand the impact of Covid-19 on mental health and subsequent demand on mental health and wellbeing services.

However, a negative mental health outcome for our population from this pandemic is not inevitable if we set about responding to the challenge in a cohesive manner.

The HSE has a range of proactive responses for any rise in mental health service need, including additional acute care capacity, as well as online and other telehealth psychosocial supports. The Department and HSE continue to plan for any surge in demand as it arises.

The HSE Psychosocial Framework, published in Jan 2021, builds on a range of supports introduced last year in response to Covid, including self- help and psychological first aid supports for staff.

The Framework acknowledges the impact of the pandemic on mental health in all areas of society and identifies priority groups, including health care workers and people bereaved due to Covid.

The framework provides a cohesive, coordinated, consistent and collaborative whole-of-population approach to the provision of mental health services and supports across 5 key levels from mental health promotion to specialist supports.

Telehealth services are fully established including YourMentalHealth.ie, which offers a wealth of information on mental health supports and coping with difficult situations during Covid; the information line 1800 111 888, the crisis textline, 50808 and NGO online supports such as MyMind, Turn2Me, Jigsaw and many others. ALONE, in collaboration with the Department of Health and HSE, is also running a national support line which is open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm at 0818 222 024.

I would also like to draw your attention to the Government well-being campaigns, including Keep Well to promote physical and mental wellbeing in the safest possible ways.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions have challenged society, especially in the area of human interaction and connectedness.  As part of our response to these challenges, the Department of Health has provided guidance and support for people to manage both their physical and mental wellbeing and to stay connected. This guidance has been provided through public health information campaigns, such as our In This Together Campaign, and through information networks including key organisations working with vulnerable people.

Following on from the “In This Together”, campaign, in November of last year the Department of Health launched the “Keep Well” campaign, which is aimed at supporting our citizens through the difficult winter months ahead. Significant funds are being invested into this new initiative, with €7 million to support the delivery of a range of actions and support services, which will be rolled out over the coming months.

This campaign encourages us all to do something that is good for us each day or week, like going for a walk, connecting safely with friends or family, engaging in a hobby or reaching out for the supports that we may need. By doing so, we are more likely to create balance, routine and resilience. The campaign is focused on five main themes, which include Minding your Mood and Staying Connected.  

Under the Minding your Mood theme, people will be equipped with information on where to go if they need support. This will also be linked with the local community helpline to ensure that people can access the help they need. The HSE has launched a series of “Minding Your Wellbeing” online videos, which provides an opportunity for people to learn more about key elements of mental wellbeing such as mindfulness, gratitude, self-care and resilience.  Additionally, the Children and Young Peoples’ Services Committees are rolling out supports for children, young people and families. 

The Staying Connected theme addresses isolation, supporting volunteerism and initiatives that support person-to-person connection which is important to our wellbeing. Isolation of people of all ages is a significant risk during the COVID pandemic, particularly during periods of tight restrictions on movement and social interaction. The Community Call programme was introduced in mid-2020 to provide local helplines through Local Authorities for practical supports, information sharing and befriending. As part of the “Keep Well” campaign, this programme will be significantly expanded to be proactive in outreach to potentially isolated persons. Working with partner organisations, including An Garda Síochána, NGOs and Volunteer Ireland, there will be a particular emphasis on identifying and supporting those most at risk of isolation.

The clear message is that, whatever people are going through in terms of reduced social contacts, loneliness or isolation, we should all stay as connected and as healthy as possible, helping to strengthen community and individual resilience, restoring hope that we can and will recover, and make it through this, together.

The current restrictions in place are no doubt be challenging for all of us, but particularly those living alone.  With this in mind, measures include a 'social bubble' to support those who risk isolation.

People in certain categories can form a support bubble with one other household.  Those who can form a support bubble include: those alone with children under the age of 18, those living alone, those sharing parenting or custody arrangements, those living with an adult to whom they provide care, and those who live alone and have a carer or carers who supports them.

Furthermore, it is envisaged that  all aspects of mental health services will be improved and developed, through implementation of the national mental health policy Sharing the Vision (launched June, 2020).

Sharing the Vision aims to enhance the provision of mental health services and supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, during the period 2020-2030.

The NIMC Steering Committee, tasked with overseeing the implementation of Sharing the Vision and chaired by Mr John Saunders was established in December.  The work of Steering Committee is progressing.