Seanad Éireann
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Vol. 271 Friday, No. 5 25 September 2020 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES SEANAD ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Insert Date Here 25/09/2020A00100Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 279 25/09/2020B00200Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 280 25/09/2020B00250Vaccination Programme� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 280 25/09/2020E00150Health Services Provision � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 283 25/09/2020G00250Medical Cards � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 286 25/09/2020N00100Recognition of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the United Nations� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 289 25/09/2020N00400An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 289 25/09/2020KK00100Membership of Houses of the Oireachtas Commission: Motion � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 312 25/09/2020KK00400Report of Committee on Procedure and Privileges on Standing Orders 60, 61 and 105: Motion � � � � � � � � � 312 25/09/2020KK00700Special Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community: Motion � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 313 25/09/2020KK01000Select Committee on Disability Matters: Motion � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 314 25/09/2020KK01300Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Motion � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 314 25/09/2020KK01600Joint Committee on Public Petitions: Motion� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 314 25/09/2020KK01900Restoration of Bills to Order Paper: Motion � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 315 25/09/2020KK02300Report of the Committee of Selection: Motion � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 315 25/09/2020QQ00100Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 315 SEANAD ÉIREANN Dé hAoine, 25 Meán Fómhair 2020 Friday, 25 September 2020 Chuaigh an Cathaoirleach i gceannas ar 10�30 a�m� Machnamh agus Paidir. Reflection and Prayer. 25/09/2020A00100Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad 25/09/2020B00100An Cathaoirleach: I have notice from Senator Lynn Ruane that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health make a statement on the operation of the HPV vac- cination programme in schools for second level students� I have also received notice from Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the development of a State- funded contraception scheme� I have also received notice from Senators Conway and Wall of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health to indicate when he intends to enact the new income limits for medical card income limits for those aged 70 years and over; review eligibility for medical cards during the pandemic; and outline the progress being made for terminally ill patients� I have also received notice from Senator Tim Lombard of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the acquisi- tion of a permanent site for Gaelscoil Chionn tSáile, An Ceapach, Cionn tSáile, Condae Chorcaí� I have also received notice from Senator John McGahon of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Defence to consider amending the Defence Forces regula- tions to allow medals for bravery in action to be awarded to the Jadotville veterans� I have also received notice from Senator Gerard Craughwell of the following matter: 279 Seanad Éireann The need for the Minister with responsibility for children, disability, equality and inte- gration to make provision for increased funding for youth services and investment in young people in the upcoming budget� I have also received notice from Senator Paul Gavan of the following matter: The need for the Minister with responsibility for children, disability, equality and inte- gration to make a statement on the need to provide a living wage and sick pay for early years professionals working in early childhood education� I have also received notice from Senator Fintan Warfield of the following matter: The need for the Minister with responsibility for enterprise, trade and employment to examine contractual issues for mobile home owners in holiday parks� I have also received notice from Senator Timmy Dooley of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline his plans to sup- port air routes at State airports to ensure economic recovery� I have also received notice from Senator Erin McGreehan of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health to consider locating test centres for Covid-19 in County Louth� I have also received notice from Senator Elisha McCallion of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to make a statement on progress on commitments made under Annex B to the New Decade, New Approach deal� I have also received notice from Senator Robbie Gallagher of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the opening of the HSE- Respond group home facility in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan� Of the matters raised by the Senators that are suitable for discussion, I have selected those raised by Senators Ruane, Clifford-Lee, and Conway and Wall who are sharing time, and they will be taken now� I regret that I had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Craughwell on the ground that it anticipates the statements on the budget which are expected to take place in the Seanad on Wednesday, 14 October 2020� Senator Lombard has withdrawn his Commencement matter which I had originally selected� The other Senators may give notice on another day of the mat- ters they wish to raise� 25/09/2020B00200Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters 25/09/2020B00250Vaccination Programme 280 25 September 2020 25/09/2020B00300An Cathaoirleach: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, to the Chamber� It is appropriate that he is with us as he is a former Member of the Seanad� He will be responding to all of the matters selected today� 25/09/2020C00100Senator Lynn Ruane: I thank the Minister of State for attending and for his ongoing work in his brief in the Department of Health� However, I would like the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, to make an effort to come to the House in future. In the previous Seanad, the atten- dance record of Ministers with particular briefs was very poor and we will be pushing for them to attend the House. That is not a reflection on the Minister of State who is welcome. My Commencement matter relates to the HPV vaccine� The reason I raise this issue today is that for some years, there has been contention surrounding the vaccine, including misinfor- mation and campaigns that have caused huge concern about it� This has negatively impacted on uptake rates and the impact on disadvantaged communities has been much more significant than on other communities� This could be for a number of reasons, including inadequate access to information and peer reviewed research and to professionals who could be asked appropriate questions on the safety of the HPV vaccine� I was surprised to learn in recent weeks that although we have a brilliant campaign and bril- liant efforts and public messaging around the safety of the HPV vaccine, there is no scope for parents and children who change their minds and respond positively to that campaign to access the vaccine. Children who do not get the vaccine in their first year at school are excluded from the vaccination process unless the fee of €700 can be paid� Disadvantaged communities have had the biggest drop in uptake of the HPV vaccine� Should families respond positively to the public messaging and campaigns around the vaccine, they are basically excluded from a whole area of health and health equity, affecting their future health prospects. In the 2019-20 academic year, the programme was extended to boys, which is a positive de- velopment� However, I believe the length of time that boys receive the vaccine is much longer than in the case of girls� A 2014 study in the Irish Medical Journal found that disadvantaged schools had a 6% lower mean uptake rate of the HPV vaccine than other schools and were twice as likely to have an uptake rate of below 50%� The 2019 annual report of the Health Protec- tion Surveillance Centre states that the national uptake of stage two of the HPV vaccination programme, which involves the completion of a two-dose course, was 64�1%, which is a slight increase on the 50% figure in the 2014 study. On receiving adequate information, some parents in my community, including some of my friends, approached the HSE and asked that their daughters receive the HPV vaccine along with first-year students. These girls could be in