Written Answers Nos. 1526-1548
1526. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the amount paid to a company (details supplied) since February 2011; the reason for the payment; when his Department entered into a contract with the company; the value of the contract; the weekly hours of employment of the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37066/12]
View answerSince February 2011, a total of €370,000, exclusive of VAT, has been paid to Value Based Solutions under two separate contracts for the services of Dr Martin Connor. The first contract covered a period of six months from 2 June 2011 to 3 November 2011 and was for a fixed price of €250,000. On 29/11/2011 Value Based Solutions was engaged for a further three-year period, commencing in December 2011 and ending in December 2014. The total value of this contract is €480,000 to be paid in 12 payments of €40,000. To date, €120,000 has been paid under this contract. Neither contract stipulates/stipulated a set weekly number of hours but rather set/s out the services that should be provided.
Since the engagement of Value Based Solutions, significant progress has been made in relation to access and waiting times. In relation to scheduled care, for example, in August 2012 as compared with May 2011 overall waiting list numbers have decreased from 56, 020 to 51, 955, a drop of 7%. There has been an 85% drop in the number of adults having to wait longer than 12 months and a 63% drop in those having to wait longer than nine months. Equally, in relation to unscheduled care, the number of patients waiting on trolleys in EDs has reduced by 22% from January to September, compared to the same period last year (or 13,450 fewer patients). The number of patients waiting on trolleys has fallen from a record of 569 on 5 January 2011 to 139 on 7 September 2012, while the 30 day moving average (average number of trolleys over 30 days) has fallen by 35% in 12 months, from 302 on 5 September 2011 to 197 on 7 September 2012.
1527. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the amount paid to a company (details supplied) since February 2011; the reason for the payment; when the Department entered into a contract with the company; the value of the contract; the duration of the contract; the weekly hours of employment under the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37067/12]
View answerSince February 2011, a total of €82,000, exclusive of VAT, has been paid to the company to which the Deputy refers for services provided under a three-year contract entered into with effect from 26 March 2012. The contract is for the contracted company to provide services required to fulfil the role specified for the Director of Performance Improvement for Unscheduled Care within the Special Delivery Unit of the Department of Health. The contract is for an all-in price of €492,000 over the full duration of the contract or €164,000 per annum. The role is full time and the contractor, Ms Lis Nixon, is based in Dublin on a full time basis. Ms Nixon has an extremely impressive CV and was appointed through an open and transparent procurement process. An earlier open recruitment process failed to secure a candidate of sufficient calibre.
1528. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the salaries and working hours of special delivery unit executives; the expenses of each of these executives; if there have been any changes in these since February 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37068/12]
View answerThe following is a breakdown of the information requested:
|
Grade |
Whole time Equivalent |
Pay Scale |
|
Principal Officer Higher Scale |
1 |
€85,957 - €105,429 (Non PPC) €90,355 - €110,844 (PPC) |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
3 |
€61,966 - €76,768 (Non PPC) €65,185 - €80,678 (PPC) |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2.6 |
€43,816 - €55,415 (Non PPC) €46,081 - €58,294 (PPC) |
|
Administrative Officer |
1 |
€31,619 - €55,415 (Non PCC) €33,247 - €58,294 (PPC) |
|
Executive Officer |
3 |
€29,024 - €€45,616 (Non PPC) €30,516 - €47, 795 (PPC) |
|
Clerical Officer |
2 |
€22,015 - €35,515 (Non PPC) €23,177 - €37,341 (PPC) |
|
Director of Performance Improvement - Scheduled Care |
1 |
€90,355 - €110,844 |
|
National Strategic Lead - Bed Management |
1 |
€68,940 - €80,180 plus allowance of €15,000 p.a. |
|
National Strategic Lead - Discharge Planning |
1 |
€64,812 - €78,889 |
|
Programme Manager |
21 |
€64,812 - €78,889 |
|
HSE Grade 8 |
€64,812 - €78,889 |
|
|
UCC Grade 8 |
0.7 |
€74,589 - €89,157 |
|
Assistant National Director |
1 |
€90,437 - €115,578 |
|
Grade 3 |
1 |
€23,187 - €37,341 |
|
Public Health Doctor |
1 |
€109, 660 |
|
Head of College |
0.2 |
Consultant/Professor academic scale contract B. Salary to be confirmed |
|
Functional Officer |
0.8 |
€69,181 - €84,219 |
Secondment formalities are still being processed for a number of the above and total salary scales, including individual allowances in some cases, are only confirmed at the final stage. I will accordingly confirm the total salary scales to the Deputy when these processes have been fully completed.
Mr Tony O'Brien, former Chief Operating Officer and Mr Jim O'Sullivan, General Manager have returned to the HSE and arrangements for replacements are being put in place. With regard to travel and subsistence, payments are made at the appropriate Civil Service rates in respect of certified official travel and are subject to normal requirements for approval and accountability.
The standard working hours for Civil Service employees is 41 hours per week.
1529. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if any posts earmarked for community mental health services are being transferred to inpatient services; if he will rule out such a move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37069/12]
View answer1591. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if recruitment of the 414 staff for mental health services, as announced in the Health Service Executive service plan 2012, has begun; the number of posts that have been filled; the number of mental health services staff who retired as part of the early retirement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37131/12]
View answer1663. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the new staff promised for community mental health services will be in place by the end of September; if he will confirm that this will include 370 staff for community mental health teams for children, adolescents and adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37737/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1529, 1591 and 1663 together.
Of the 414 posts approved to implement the €35 million package of special measures for mental health introduced in Budget 2012, 353 are with the National Recruitment Service of the HSE at various stages in the recruitment process, 321 have been put to candidates to express an interest and others are awaiting competitions or the completion of essential paperwork. Most start dates are expected to be in December to allow for the process of checking references, Garda clearance etc.
Since the publication of the HSE 2012 Service Plan the HSE has subsequently decided to convert 31 of the posts originally intended for community mental health teams in the Dublin Mid-Leinster region to nursing posts in acute in-patient mental health services in the same region. This was approved in the context of introducing a nursing floor for the acute in-patient and community services in that region consistent with the provision of safe in-patient services in line with A Vision for Change, the Mental Health Commission Quality Framework for Mental Health Services in Ireland and the roll out of the clinical care programmes.
The most recent information available from the HSE indicates that 698 staff retired from the mental health service during the recent pensions 'grace period'.
1530. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of staff who have retired from the Health Service Executive and been rehired by it; if he will detail a breakdown in grades; if any such staff are on salaries in excess of €100,000; the total cost of rehiring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37070/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1531. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of individual and of WTE agency staff by grade in the Health Service Executive and any other agencies in his Department, the total cost of employing by grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37071/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
The information in relation to the Non-Commercial State Agencies is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
1532. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the names and numbers of emergency units which will be downgraded to urgent care centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37072/12]
View answer1533. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the basis on which emergency units will be downgraded to urgent care centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37073/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1532 and 1533 together.
The Smaller Hospitals Framework was approved by the Cabinet Committee for Health on 14 February and brought to Government for information. I am currently examining the Framework in the context of the overall reorganisation of the health services. It is my intention to publish the Framework when this process has been completed. It is anticipated that publication will be during this Dáil term. The Framework will demonstrate clearly that the future of smaller hospitals is secure, and set out what services can and should be delivered safely by these hospitals in the interest of better outcomes for patients. It is my intention that any decisions about the provision of emergency care and urgent care will have regard to the Framework.
1534. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the basis on which community hospitals and beds in community hospitals will close; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37074/12]
View answer1555. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown in each community nursing unit of bed closures in the unit this year; the names of CNUs earmarked to close this year; if this is expected to change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37095/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1534 and 1555 together.
As this is a service matter both questions have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. However I would like to advise the Deputy that the Health Service Executive is carrying out a viability review of all its long stay nursing homes with a view to maximising the numbers to be retained within existing available financial and staffing resources. Should there be concern for the future of any home, the HSE will engage fully in a local consultation process with all relevant stakeholders before any decision is taken.
1535. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to bring all community hospitals up to Health Information and Quality Authority standards; if he has a plan for hospitals he intends not to bring up to HIQA standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37075/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1536. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he has received reports that the early retirement scheme impacted on frontline services and the quality of patient care; if he will provide a breakdown on where services were affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37076/12]
View answerI have not received any reports from the HSE indicating that exits during the Grace Period impacted on frontline services or on the quality of patient care.
Of over 4,000 serving staff who left in the period September 2011 to February 2012, fewer than 500 were in posts which were deemed service or safety-critical, for example in services such as maternity, paediatrics, neo-natal and Emergency Departments. Arrangements were made to address these critical needs through, for example reassignment of staff, reorganisation of services and limited recruitment. The Government is committed to reducing the size of the public service and the health service must contribute to the achievement of this objective. Health numbers have already been reduced by over 9,000 wholetime equivalents, from a peak of 111,500 at the end of 2007. The target for 2012 is to reduce numbers to approximately 102,000 and it is expected that this will be met. But further reductions will be needed in the coming years to meet the target set by Government. This requires further and substantial change in how services are organised and how people work.
The Public Service Agreement is a key instrument in managing the reductions in resources in a structured way throughout the services. The provisions of the Public Service Agreement continue to be used to bring about greater flexibilities in work practices and rosters, and maximising redeployment to achieve more efficient delivery of services. Staff resources will continue to be allocated to areas of greatest priority.
1537. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the position of independent adviser on the financial performance of the Health Service Executive was tendered for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37077/12]
View answerI assume the Deputy is referring to the independent expert from the UK who was engaged to undertake a review of the financial management of the HSE in June 2012. The rules regarding procurement, as set out in the Public Procurement Guidelines, state that a competitive process should be used unless there are justifiably exceptional circumstances. The Secretary General of my Department, who commissioned the review, took the view that such exceptional circumstances pertained in this instance, due to the deteriorating financial position of the HSE and the need to inform discussions at the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Health in early July.
The UK expert who was engaged to carry out the review is highly qualified and has many years experience in management, finance and operations in the NHS in England and a record for delivering financial results at organisational and regional level in the NHS and delivering on the financial recovery of challenged organisations.
1538. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he expects to abolish the prescription levy; the amount raised by the levy; if he has considered raising the levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37078/12]
View answerMedical card holders are required to pay a 50c charge for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €10 per month for each person or family. Charges are not payable in respect of items supplied under the Long Term Illness Scheme. Prescription charges do not apply to children in the care of the HSE or to methadone supplied to patients participating in the Methadone Treatment Scheme.
Prescription charges result in savings to the Health Service Executive of approximately €27 million annually. Due to budgetary constraints I am not in a position to remove the 50c prescription charge.
1540. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the years from 1997 to 2011, inclusive, in which his Department asked for and received a supplementary budget; the amount provided in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37080/12]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Health Group |
|
€m |
|
|
1997 |
51.430 |
|
1998 |
24.820 |
|
1999 |
227.390 |
|
2000 |
141.576 |
|
2001 |
250.127 |
|
2002 |
210.000 |
|
2003 |
62.500 |
|
2004 |
0.000 |
|
2005 |
0.000 |
|
2006 |
340.000 |
|
2007 |
0.000 |
|
2008 |
345.000 |
|
2009 |
254.000 |
|
2010 |
595.000 |
|
2011 |
148.000 |
The figures reflect the Net requirement for additional funding, as in a number of years supplementary funding was required to address a shortfall in Appropriations-in-Aid and was not necessarily as a result of excess expenditure. For example, in 2008 the Supplementary Estimate was entirely as a result of a shortfall in receipts under the UK/Ireland Reimbursement agreement under EU Regulations, and in 2010 there was a shortfall of €420m in Health Contributions; this, along with the funding provided for the lump sum costs associated with the the Voluntary Early Retirement and Voluntary Redundancy Schemes accounted for the full supplementary requirement in that year.
Figures from 1997 - 2001 have been converted to Euro.
1541. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when he expects to make a decision on the national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37081/12]
View answerAs you will be aware, I established an independent Review Group to consider the implications of the decision of An Bórd Pleanála, received on 23 February 2012, to reject the planning application for the proposed construction of a national paediatric hospital on the site of the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. The aim of the Review was to consider all the possible options for the earliest possible delivery of a new children's hospital. In June, the Group presented its report, to which I have been giving careful consideration and which I intend to bring to Government shortly.
1542. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of home care packages and home help hours, provided by county, and the same figures for the same time last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37082/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1543. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide staff and all other facilities to make St. Francis's Hospice, Blanchardstown, Dublin, operational; his views on whether opening the 24-bed facility, an important unused step-down facility, could reduce pressure on local hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37083/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1544. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when he expects to complete discussions on a final agreement with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association on drug costs in addition to the interim agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37084/12]
View answer1741. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the progress he has made to date in relation to achieving savings on the cost to the health service and private consumers of pharmaceutical products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38388/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1544 and 1741 together.
My Department and the HSE have taken a number of actions in recent times to control expenditure on drugs. Savings are being achieved through on-going off-patent price cuts; the pricing mechanism for new products has been changed; and we now have a review mechanism that takes account of price reductions in other countries. Since 2010 these actions have achieved savings in the region of €250 million.
Furthermore, regulations made under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 have reduced margins and mark-ups in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The combined full-year savings from these measures are €154 million.
In addition, I announced on the 18th June 2012 that an interim agreement had been reached with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) to reduce the price of certain off patent medicines. This is expected to deliver savings of €10 million in 2012 (€20 million in a full-year). These price cuts were accepted in advance of further discussions which are expected to deliver more significant savings. Negotiations are ongoing between officials of the Department/HSE and the IPHA since the interim agreement was reached. These discussions are expected to reach a conclusion shortly.
The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012 was published on the 13th of July 2012. This legislation will introduce a system of reference pricing and generic substitution for prescribed drugs and medicines. These reforms will promote price competition among suppliers and ensure that lower prices are paid for these medicines resulting in savings for taxpayers and patients.
1545. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will detail, in tabular form, the number of patients treated by the National Treatment Purchase Fund in each year since its foundation, including 2012; the categories of patient treated in each year; the cost of the NTPF in each year; where its budget has been reallocated in the years 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37085/12]
View answerIn July 2011 the Minister for Health and Children announced changes to the remit of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) namely its role would be changed to support the mission of the Special Delivery Unit (SDU). The SDU’s priorities encompass: Emergency Departments – waiting times for admission known as trolley waits; In-patient waiting times; Out-patient waiting times; Access to diagnostics.
The NTPF’s resources were re-focused to align closely with the SDU’s work.
Budget allocation for 2012 as follows:
1. Reduction in maximum waiting times - € 40.0 million
2. Hospital outpatients - € 5.5 million
3. GI Endoscopy - € 6.0 million
4. Emergency Departments- € 10.5 million
5. Pay and non pay - € 8.6 million
The volumes treated by the NTPF since its year of foundation are as follows:
|
2002 |
1,920 |
|
2003 |
7,832 |
|
2004 |
13,627 |
|
2005 |
18,994 |
|
2006 |
24,411 |
|
2007 |
32,638 |
|
2008 |
36,269 |
|
2009 |
28,758 |
|
2010 |
33,639 |
|
2011 |
19,217 |
|
2012 |
4,635 |
Financial allocation since 2002:
|
2002 |
5,000,000 |
|
2003 |
30,000,000 |
|
2004 |
44,000,627* |
|
2005 |
64,000,000 |
|
2006 |
78,644,000 |
|
2007 |
91,742,268 |
|
2008 |
104,641,000 |
|
2009 |
90,314,305 |
|
2010 |
90,092,000 |
|
2011 |
85,587,000 |
|
2012 |
70,587,000 |
* NTPF legally established 1 May 2004.
1546. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of implementing universal health insurance; the estimated charges to be imposed on persons with and without medical insurance for UHI; how medical card patients will be included in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37086/12]
View answer1574. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when he expects to publish the While Paper on universal health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37114/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1546 and 1574 together.
The Government is committed to fundamental reform of healthcare in Ireland that will deliver a single tier health system, supported by universal health insurance (UHI), where access is based on need, not income. Every individual will have a choice of health insurer and will have equal access to a comprehensive range of curative services. A new Insurance Fund will subsidise or pay insurance premiums for those who qualify for a subsidy.
In February, I established an Implementation Group on Universal Health Insurance which will assist in developing detailed implementation plans for universal health insurance and driving implementation of various elements of the health reform programme.
The Group will also assist my Department in preparing a White Paper on Financing Universal Health Insurance. The White Paper will outline the estimated costs and financing mechanisms associated with the introduction of universal health insurance. Preparation of the White Paper is a complex process. It will involve significant financial modelling to support analysis of different design options and to estimate the cost of UHI. The White Paper will be published as early as possible within the Government’s term of office.
The reform programme is a major undertaking that requires careful sequencing over a number of years. The Implementation Group will continue in existence throughout the health reform process and will oversee implementation of the reforms and consult widely.
1547. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of implementing free GP care; the expected number of patients to be affected; when he expects it to be implemented; the number of times he has met representative bodies on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37087/12]
View answer1548. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of implementing and extending free general practitioner care to those with long-term illnesses; the expected number of patients to be affected; when he expects it to be implemented; the number of times he has met representative bodies on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37088/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1547 and 1548 together.
The Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, GP care without fees within its first term of office. Primary legislation is required to give effect to Government commitment to introduce a universal GP service without fees.
Legislation to allow the Minister for Health to make regulations to extend access to GP services without fees to persons with prescribed illnesses is currently being drafted by this Department and the Office of the Attorney General and will be published shortly. Implementation dates and application details will be announced in due course.
I have met with the Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish College of General Practitioners to outline the Government's intentions and further discussions will be arranged once the legislation is finalised.
An annual budget of €15 million was provided for the first phase of the roll out of GP care without fees.
