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Tuesday, 16 Oct 2012

Written Answers Nos 581-603

Mental Health Services Funding

Questions (581)

Gerry Adams

Question:

581. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the amount of the €35 million announced in the budget for mental health services that has been spent on mental health services; if he will provide a breakdown of the way in which this money has been spent; the number of staff promised to be employed under this scheme that are now in place [44117/12]

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Written answers

Funding from the €35 million special allocation for mental health will be used primarily to further strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both Adult and Children’s mental health services. Some of the funding will also be used to advance activities in the area of suicide prevention and to initiate the provision of psychological and counselling services in primary care, specifically for people with mental health problems. 414 posts were approved to implement the €35 million package of special measures for mental health. While none of these staff are in place yet, 378 of the posts are with the National Recruitment Service of the HSE at various stages in the recruitment process, 231 job offers have already been accepted and the appointments are proceeding, 109 offers have been put to candidates to express an interest, 28 posts are being filled either through transfer or are being amalgamated with other posts and the 10 posts for the National Counselling Service were advertised recently for a national panel. Most start dates are expected to be in December to allow for the process of checking references, Garda clearance etc. and costs will start to be incurred from that point.

This Government remains committed to engaging these professionals as soon as is feasible and the work of completing the process remains a priority. However, the provisional outturn for mental health services to mid-year was, like many other areas, running ahead of budget and the end of year excess in this area will be met from the unexpended portion of the €35 million.

Care of the Elderly

Questions (582)

Gerry Adams

Question:

582. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if the Special Delivery Unit request for a fund to provide intermediate options for older people to allow them to receive care in their own homes was put in place; the amount of this fund that was put in place; the new initiatives the SDU have brought forward on the basis of this fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44118/12]

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Written answers

The Special Delivery Unit has been working on many initiatives in relation to older persons care and to date over 330 frail older people have been discharged with additional hours of home supports with a projected value to years end of €1.043million. This is likely to double in the coming months. A Re-Ablement programme (rehabilitation at home) is due to commence this month in Dublin North East and Dublin Mid Leinster and will discharge up to 100 patients per year.

Currently 190 transitional care beds are available in the regions at a cost of €4.8m over 18 weeks. These 190 beds are made available to frail older people who are waiting on Nursing Home Subvention Scheme funding to commence. There are 100 beds in Dublin Mid Leinster (DML) to which 133 frail older people have been discharged to date. There are also 90 beds in Dublin North East (DNE) to which 72 frail older people have been discharged to date.

Best practice shows that older patients who receive dedicated specialised rehabilitation have a greater chance of going home with/without home supports. With this in mind,102 additional geriatric rehabilitation beds have also been funded for the DNE/DML regions at a cost of €2.6m for 18 weeks. Of the 102 beds there are 50 in planning in Dublin Mid Leinster, 10 in the National Rehabilitation Hospital and 42 in Dublin North East.

The hospital sites benefitting from this initiative include AMNCH Tallaght, St James, St Vincents, St Columcilles and St Michaels in Dublin Mid Leinster, and the Mater, Beaumont, Connolly, OLOL Drogheda and Our Lady's Navan in Dublin North East.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (583)

Gerry Adams

Question:

583. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of adult patients waiting for six months or longer for a procedure and the comparable figure for when he took office. [44119/12]

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Written answers

In relation to the query raised by the Deputy I have set out the specific details in the table below;

Patients Waiting Over 6 Months

September 2012

March 2011

Total Number

6,907

9,643

This represents a reduction of 28%.

Drugs Payment Scheme Administration

Questions (584)

Gerry Adams

Question:

584. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the progress he has made in attempting to reduce the health services pay bill for medicines; the amount of the planned €124 million savings in this area will actually be realised. [44120/12]

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Written answers

The HSE and the Department of Health have reached a successful conclusion with a major new deal on the cost of drugs in the State. The deal is an important step in reducing the cost base of the health system. It has a value in excess of €400 million over the next three years and will mean

- significant reductions for patients in the cost of drugs,

- a lowering of the drugs bill to the State,

- greater access to new cutting-edge drugs for certain conditions, and

- an easing of financial pressure on the health services into the future.

This deal, combined with the IPHA agreement reached earlier this year, means that €16 million in drug savings will be made this year with much greater savings to be achieved in 2013/14/15. It is estimated that the deal will generate savings of up to €116m gross in 2013.

It should be noted that the €124m cost saving target for the community drug schemes in 2012 took account of a number of measures in addition to drug price reductions. These included the increase in the Drug Payment Scheme threshold effective from 1st January 2012; the full- year effect of generic drug price reductions made in August 2011; and FEMPI reductions made in 2011.

This landmark deal with IPHA comes as legislation aimed at reducing the cost of generic drugs makes its way through the Oireachtas. The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012, which will introduce a system of reference pricing and generic substitution, is a priority for this Government. It is expected that this Bill will be enacted before the end of the year and will deliver further savings in the costs of medicines for the health service and private patients.

The Department and the HSE will shortly finalise discussions with the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Ireland, which represents the generic drugs industry, to deliver further savings in the cost of generic drugs.

Hospital Charges

Questions (585)

Gerry Adams

Question:

585. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the progress he has made in his plans to charge health insurers for the cost of beds they use in public hospitals ; the amount of the planned €143 million in savings will actually be realised in 2012. [44121/12]

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Written answers

As part of Budget 2012, Minister Reilly announced that he intended to bring forward legislation to provide for the charging of all private patients in public hospitals, irrespective of whether they occupied a public or a private bed. In doing so, he was conscious of the significant potential cost implications for private health insurers.

In discussions with the insurers, the Minister indicated that he would be prepared to postpone implementation of the legislation until 2013 provided that the funds targeted in Budget 2012 for the current year could be raised through a system of improved cashflow.

With this in mind, the Department of Health has now agreed in principle a system of improved cash-flow and accelerated payment with private health insurers. This will provide a once-off cash flow benefit in 2012 in the order of €125m. The details of the accelerated payment arrangements are at an advanced stage and are being finalised with the health insurers at present. Maintenance charges for private in-patient services in respect of private, semi-private and day-care accommodation in categories 1 and 2 public hospitals were increased with effect from 1 January 2012. It is anticipated that the increased charges will yield additional revenue in the region of €18 million in 2012.

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Questions (586)

Gerry Adams

Question:

586. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health in view of his recent claims that 70% of his Department's budget goes on pay, if he will provide a breakdown in tabular form of how much of his Departments Budget does goes on pay and if he will provide percentage figures for same. [44122/12]

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Written answers

The figure of 70% does not relate to my Department's budget - rather, it is an assessment of the percentage of expenditure on direct services (both hospital and community services) which relates to pay. In considering the split between pay and non-pay as set out in the Performance Reports for the Regions in the HSE, it must be noted that grant-aided service providers funded under Section 39 are reflected as non-pay grants, although the significant proportion of their spend would be employment costs.

As regards my Department, as set out in the Revised Estimates Volume, some €55m of the net current expenditure provision relates to pay - this equates to 17.6% of the provision for my Department. This comprises the pay element of my Department's Administrative Budget, and the pay associated with the agencies under the aegis of my Department which are funded from Subhead's B and E.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (587)

Gerry Adams

Question:

587. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to his response to Parliamentary Question No. 191 of 26 September 2012, if he will provide in tabular form the comparable figures for when he took office [44123/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services Staff Issues

Questions (588)

Gerry Adams

Question:

588. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant posts in the State currently vacant; the reasons these posts are vacant; the location of these posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44124/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services Provision

Questions (589)

Joe McHugh

Question:

589. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an account to Dáil Éireann of the process involved when a child who is a patient of Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal, presents to either Beaumont Hospital and Temple Street Hospital, Dublin, with a problem related to a condition (details supplied); if there is a systematic arrangement within the Health Service Executive for such patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44126/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Insurance Company Payments

Questions (590, 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 596, 597)

John O'Mahony

Question:

590. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the amount of money due from health insurance companies to Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal, for the years 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44132/12]

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John O'Mahony

Question:

591. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the amount of money due from health insurance companies to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital for 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44133/12]

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John O'Mahony

Question:

592. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the amount of money due from health insurance companies to St. John's Hospital, County Limerick, for the years 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44134/12]

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John O'Mahony

Question:

593. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the amount of money due from health insurance companies to Roscommon General Hospital for the years 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012 [44135/12]

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John O'Mahony

Question:

594. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the amount of money due from health insurance companies to the University College Hospital, County Galway, for the years 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012 [44136/12]

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John O'Mahony

Question:

595. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the amount of money due from health insurance companies to Sligo General Hospital for the years 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44137/12]

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John O'Mahony

Question:

596. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the amount of money due from health insurance companies to Clare General Hospital for the years 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44138/12]

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John O'Mahony

Question:

597. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the amount of money due from health insurance companies to Merlin Park Hospital, County Galway, for the years 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44139/12]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 590 to 597, inclusive, together.

The information requested by the Deputy is being updated by the HSE at present, and I will forward the up-to-date position to him as soon as it becomes available. At the end of July, some €43m was outstanding from private health insurers to the hospitals in question. The Department has been working with the main health insurers to agree in principle a system of improved cash-flow and accelerated payment which will provide a once-off cash flow benefit in 2012 in the region of €125m for the health system. The details of the accelerated payment arrangements are at an advanced stage and are being finalised with the health insurers at present.

The HSE is continuing a drive to reduce the time taken to submit claims to private health insurance companies. A key element in this drive includes the implementation of an electronic claims management system in its hospitals. This system will address the deficiencies of the paper based process and will also ensure that standardised work practices are implemented across hospitals.

Hospital Appointments Administration

Questions (598)

Billy Timmins

Question:

598. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44149/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Digital Television Service Provision

Questions (599, 600, 601)

Gerry Adams

Question:

599. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he plans to install Saorview compatible equipment in public nursing homes; if it will be financed by his Department; if so from which funding stream; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44158/12]

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Gerry Adams

Question:

600. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the tender process and negotiations with digital receiver set-top boxes manufacturers and licensed installers, undertaken to ensure a quality of service but also to ensure that citizens received value for money in the context of plans to install Saorview compatible equipment in public nursing homes [44159/12]

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Gerry Adams

Question:

601. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if only a single Saorview box will be allocated for use within the communal area of public nursing homes; the arrangements that will be put in place for patients who are confined to their own rooms [44160/12]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 599 to 601, inclusive, together.

As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Services

Questions (602, 604, 606, 607)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

602. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if a date has been set for the movement of the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, to the Elm Park development near St. Vincent's Hospital; if any budget has been provided for such a move within his Department; if he will provide an update on the general plans in place for the future of maternity hospitals on the south of Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44166/12]

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Kevin Humphreys

Question:

604. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if approval has been sought or granted yet for the movement of the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin 2, to the Elm Park development near St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44168/12]

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Kevin Humphreys

Question:

606. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if negotiations between him and his Department officials with the National Assets Management Agency regarding the movement of the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin 2, to the Elm Park development near St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin 4, concluded or if they are still ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44173/12]

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Kevin Humphreys

Question:

607. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the negotiations or discussions that have taken place with the National Assets Management Agency regarding the movement of the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin 2, to the Elm Park development near St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin 4; the number of times he or his Department officials have met with NAMA about this move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44174/12]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 602, 604, 606 and 607 together.

The 2008 KPMG Independent Review of Maternity and Gynaecology Services in the Greater Dublin Area Report recommended that the Dublin maternity hospitals should be located alongside adult acute services. Co-location of maternity hospitals with adult acute services is the optimal solution for the provision of hospital-based maternity services, as it can provide access to the full range of medical and surgical specialties and clinical support services in sufficient volume and complexity to provide added value. This is particularly important for high-risk mothers and babies. Therefore it is proposed that the maternity hospitals should be relocated alongside adult acute services. In this context the National Maternity Hospital is to be relocated to St Vincent's. The Dublin maternity hospitals have been working with the HSE in relation to the development of their business cases for relocation.

Within the context of its commercial remit, NAMA advises that it is at all times open to proposals which can contribute to the achievement of broader social and economic objectives. My officials and I met with NAMA once this year and the Secretary General of the Department also met with NAMA in June 2011. While a variety of topics and areas of interest were discussed at these meetings, you will understand that I cannot provide detail on the negotiations and discussions for reasons of commercial sensitivity.

The relocation of the National Maternity Hospital to the Elm Park development adjacent to St Vincent's University Hospital was explored and considered earlier this year. Discussions took place with NAMA in relation to the Elm Park development and these negotiations have now concluded. While there were some discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the proposal, formal sanction was not sought for the relocation of the NMH to the Elm Park development. No budget has been been provided within my Department for this project as management and delivery of the health infrastructure programme is the responsibility of the HSE. This project cannot be dealt with in isolation and must be considered in the context of the HSE multi-annual capital programme. The HSE is required to prioritise capital infrastructure projects within its overall capital funding allocation taking into account the existing capital commitments and costs to completion over the period. Work on the draft Capital Plan for the next multi-annual period 2013-2017 will begin shortly and will be submitted to my Department in due course. My Department will then review the proposals and follow up with the HSE where further details may be required. The draft Capital Plan 2013-2017 will require my approval with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Health Services Expenditure

Questions (603)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

603. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the amount that has been spent on capital investment into the buildings, fixtures, fittings and permanent equipment at the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin 2, in each of the past 10 years; the moneys that are budgeted for in future expenditures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44167/12]

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Written answers

The management and delivery of the health capital programme is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

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