Tuesday, 17 Dec 2019

Written Answers Nos. 430-447

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (430)

Peter Burke

Question:

430. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if an assessment for a child (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53102/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. 

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services Staff Remuneration

Questions (431)

Eugene Murphy

Question:

431. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not received the pension increments for 2018 and 2019 as promised in line with the national wage agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53107/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have requested the HSE to respond directly on this matter.

Home Help Service Data

Questions (432, 433)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

432. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of home support hours provided in each LHO area to the end of November 2019 or the latest date available; the way in which it compares to the target in each LHO for the same time period; the number of persons on the waiting list for home support hours in each LHO area; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to 12 and more than 12 months, in tabular form. [53113/19]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

433. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of older persons waiting for home support packages; and the waiting lists for homecare packages by CHO and LHO, in tabular form at the end of November 2019 or the latest date available. [53114/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 432 and 433 together.

As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Health Services Data

Questions (434)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

434. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on a non-hospital based health waiting list by the speciality and or procedure they are on the list for by LHO at the end of November 2019 or the latest date available. [53115/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Hospital Waiting Lists Data

Questions (435)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

435. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on a hospital based health waiting list by the speciality procedure they are on the list for; and the length of time they have been on same by hospital at the end of November 2019 or the latest date available. [53116/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) currently collects and collates information in respect of the Inpatient, Day Case, Planned Procedure and Outpatient Waiting Lists.

The NTPF has advised that within the Irish Public Health System, patients are generally referred for Children’s hospital services up to the eve of their 16th birthday.

In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, the NTPF has provided the information requested in the tables attached which include patients between 16 and 18 years of age, to reflect patients who were under 18 on the 31st October 2019 according to the Date of Birth received from the relevant hospital. 

Total IPDC Waiters Under 18 Years of Age by Group/Hospital/Specialty by Wait Time Band as at 31/10/2019

Sum of Total	Time Band
Row Labels	0-3 Months	3-6 Months	6-9 Months	9-12 Months	12-15 Months	15-18 Months	18+ Months	Grand Total
Bantry General Hospital	7	1						8
Beaumont Hospital	75	60	38	5	2	1	1	182
Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital	31	5	8	4	11	4	1	64
Cavan General Hospital	39							39
CHI at Crumlin	816	596	334	311	201	105	342	2705
CHI at Tallaght	180	155	79	35	24	7	103	583
CHI at Temple St	473	206	155	94	48	40	61	1077
Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown	7	2	1					10
Cork University Hospital	54	27	18	13	2	8	5	127
Cork University Maternity Hospital	3	1						4
Croom Orthopaedic Hospital	7							7
Ennis Hospital	5	2		1				8
Galway University Hospitals	221	111	74	47	35	35	108	631
Letterkenny University Hospital	42	18	13	1	4	4		82
Lourdes Orthopaedic Hospital Kilcreene	2							2
Louth County Hospital	2	3						5
Mallow General Hospital	1							1
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital	14	5	2	1	2	4		28
Mayo University Hospital	5	1						6
Mercy University Hospital	45	15	13	3	2		4	82
Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar	12	8	4	7	3	1		35
Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise	5	1	1					7
Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore	90	14		1				105
Naas General Hospital	2							2
Nenagh Hospital	22	24	8	6	1			61
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda	50	36	12	3	6			107
Our Lady's Hospital Navan	4	2	2	1				9
Portiuncula University Hospital	5	3						8
Roscommon University Hospital	1	3			1			5
Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital	51	23	10	13	10	2	2	111
Sligo University Hospital	98	52	45	15	8	7	17	242
South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital	99	35	20	8	4	2		168
South Tipperary General Hospital	7	4						11
St. Columcille's Hospital	5	1	1					7
St. James's Hospital	9	4	2	1	2	2	5	25
St. John's Hospital Limerick	1	1	2					4
St. Luke's General Hospital Kilkenny	5	4		1				10
St. Michael's Hospital	3							3
St. Vincent's University Hospital	5	2						7
Tallaght University Hospital	15	5	3	3			1	27
University Hospital Kerry	7	3	2	3	1			16
University Hospital Limerick	103	53	29	23	10	9	21	248
University Hospital Waterford	91	42	25	22	5	7	13	205
Wexford General Hospital	9	1						10
Grand Total	2728	1529	901	622	382	238	684	7084

Hospitals Building Programme

Questions (436)

Michael McGrath

Question:

436. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans for the development of new hospitals in Cork; the status of progress; the timelines; the funding that has been ring-fenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53121/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The National Development Plan 2018-2027 outlines that new dedicated ambulatory/elective-only hospital facilities will be delivered in Dublin, Galway and Cork to tackle waiting lists and provide access to diagnostic services.

As is to be expected with a ten-year plan, many proposals, including the elective-only hospital in Cork, are at early stages and, in line with the Public Spending Code, will require to progress through appraisal, planning, design and tender stages before a firm location, timeline or funding required can be established.

The Sláintecare Action Plan for 2019 includes a commitment to develop criteria for new dedicated ambulatory elective-only hospital facilities. Detailed policy analysis to underpin this very significant health capital development is required to guide service and operational specifications for the new facilities. This work is currently being directed by an Elective Hospital Oversight Group, which draws upon international evidence, including the merits of stand-alone facilities or dedicated facilities on the site of a general hospital.

Health Services

Questions (437)

Denise Mitchell

Question:

437. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the reason a swimming pool (details supplied) announced it is discontinuing the adult-only session each weekday morning between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.; and if this change is due to the funding or staff allocation for the facility being cut. [53131/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services Staff Remuneration

Questions (438)

Eugene Murphy

Question:

438. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not received pension increments for 2018 and 2019 as promised in line with the national wage agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53138/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have requested the HSE to respond directly on this matter.

Period Poverty

Questions (439)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Question:

439. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health the progress on the Women’s Caucus period poverty motion passed by Dáil Éireann recently. [53141/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Period poverty is defined as the inability to afford period products and is a significant equality and equity concern. Period products can be either disposable (sanitary towels, tampons and panty liners) or reusable (menstrual cups, cloth menstrual pads and period panties). In Ireland, sanitary towels and tampons are subject to zero percent VAT.

Motions on period poverty, proposed by the cross-party Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, were passed in the Dáil on Wednesday, March 13th, 2019, and in the Seanad on Wednesday March 27th, 2019.  Amongst other things, these called on the Government to provide a range of free, adequate, safe and suitable sanitary products and accompanying information, to be distributed throughout all public buildings.

Following the Oireachtas motion, the matter was passed to the Strategy Committee for the National Strategy for Women and Girls (NSWG) . An NSWG Period Poverty Sub-Committee has been established to progress this further, is chaired by my Department and includes representation from a number of Government Departments, agencies and NGOs, including the National Women's Council of Ireland.   The Sub-Committee has met three times to date; on 6th September, 17th October and 27th November, 2019.

Terms of reference have been agreed; the Sub-Committee’s initial priority is to establish the prevalence of period poverty in Ireland and the population cohorts most at risk.  Other commitments for the sub-committee are to identify possible measures to address period poverty, and to consider how these could be mainstreamed across Government Departments, State agencies and other public bodies.

It is envisaged that the Sub-Committee will present its preliminary findings and conclusions to the full NSWG Strategy Committee in Q1-2, 2020. Following NSWG approval, the report will be submitted to the Minister for Equality, Deputy David Stanton, by the end of Q2, 2020 and will include recommendations regarding methods to address period poverty, in line with the motions passed by the Oireachtas. This will be considered by Government and decisions will be taken in terms of implementation at that point.

Mental Health Services Staff

Questions (440)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

440. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if the recently appointed consultant psychiatrist in CHO9 will be providing mental health services to deaf persons in Cork city and county; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that deaf persons in Cork have been without the service since the retirement of the previous consultant psychiatrist who served the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53145/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Questions (441)

Bobby Aylward

Question:

441. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he has received a request from organisations (details supplied) seeking a meeting; if the meeting will be scheduled as soon as possible in order to discuss matters pertaining to a recently finalised report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53163/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

My office is in contact with the organisations referred to by the Deputy in order to arrange a meeting. 

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Questions (442)

James Browne

Question:

442. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the progress of the recommendations by the taskforce on youth mental health report, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53168/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The National Youth Mental Health Task Force was established in response to an undertaking in the Programme for Partnership Government. The Task Force report was published in December 2017 and it was suggested that the time-frame for full implementation should be three years. The report made recommendations in 10 different themed areas. It also identified lead agencies associated with each recommendation that would be tasked with developing and/or implementing these as appropriate.

Since publication of the Task Force report, a number of the recommendations have been incorporated into the service plans of lead agencies for 2018/2019. The implementation of these recommendations has been on-going. A small number of recommendations require further consideration. It is anticipated that the majority of recommendations will be implemented by 2021. Related to this, approval is currently being sought from DPER to establish a Pathfinder inter-departmental unit on youth mental health.

 In addition, the successor document to a Vision for Change also supports full implementation of outstanding Task Force recommendations before December 2020. A full list of updates on initiatives is attached for your information.

Task Force

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Questions (443)

James Lawless

Question:

443. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health his plans to replace the only pain management consultant who is due to leave their post by the end of 2019 (details supplied); if his plans include an experienced replacement capable of continuing the clinics and ensuring appointments and prescriptions do not lapse; if the plans ensure immediate funding for a multidisciplinary team for pain management in the children’s hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53171/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Children's Health Ireland to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (444)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

444. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) cannot obtain approval for a zimmer frame; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53180/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (445)

Peter Fitzpatrick

Question:

445. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when the FreeStyle Libre sensor will be available for those over 21 years of age on the medical card who suffer from diabetes, as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53182/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Autism Support Services

Questions (446)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

446. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an autism assessment for a person (details supplied) [53187/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. 

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services

Questions (447)

Seán Haughey

Question:

447. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied there are adequate health services and facilities in place provide for the health and welfare needs of women with endometriosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53188/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.