Written Answers Nos. 627-649
627. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46004/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
628. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the issues contained in correspondence (details attached) concerning survivors of Thalidomide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46008/12]
View answerThe main aim of the Government is to address the health and personal social care needs of thalidomide survivors living in Ireland. I have stated that I am willing to enter into discussions about a health care package on a non-statutory basis; an ex-gratia payment having regard to current financial circumstances; and a statement to the Dáil recognising the challenges faced by survivors. My position remains unchanged from that outlined in my letter to the Irish Thalidomide Survivors Society in June this year in which I requested that the Society consider, in good faith, proceeding with the Health Care Protocol as envisaged i.e.
1. Appoint and train a multidisciplinary team
2. Arrange a multidisciplinary health evaluation
3. Identify and document the healthcare needs/issues
4. Develop plans to address healthcare needs/issues.
While acknowledging the Society’s expressed concerns, I await an answer from the Irish Thalidomide Survivors Society whether it is prepared to proceed with the Protocol. As explained previously I am not in a position to meet the demands of the Irish Thalidomide Survivors Society as outlined in their members mandate around setting up an independent agency and meeting costs associated with individuals need for housing adaptations and additional heating, clothing and transport needs.
629. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the issues contained in correspondence (details attached); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46010/12]
View answer660. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will consult with experts and stakeholders prior to tabling new regulations in relation to animal testing in view of the fact that the directive gives considerable discretion to national Governments in some key areas such as the way in which animal pain, suffering and distress will be measured. [46252/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 629 and 660 together.
Directive 2010/63/EU will considerably strengthen the protection of animals still needed for research and safety testing. The Directive will also minimise the number of animals used and require alternatives to be used wherever possible, while ensuring a level playing field for EU industry and enhancing the quality of research conducted in the EU. The "Three Rs" principle of replacing, reducing, and refining animal testing is firmly anchored in the new legislation and I strongly endorse this development. The Irish Anti-Vivisection Society (IAVS) has raised concerns about the level of consultation and scrutiny on the new Directive and about the transposition of Article 55 (Safeguard Clauses).
I cannot accept that consultation on and scrutiny of the Directive has been minimal. My Department sought the views of the public and interested parties in July, 2009 on the proposed Directive and again in October, 2011 in order to inform our transposition of the provisions of the Directive into Irish law. In both cases these public consultations were advertised in the National media and key stakeholder groups were also directly advised of the consultation process. Officials of my Department have met with a range of interested parties (including the IAVS on two occasions) on the Directive.
On the matter of scrutiny of the Directive, in July 2009, my Department provided an information note to the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny on the then proposed Directive and indicated that the transposition of the Directive would be done by Statutory Instrument in order to ensure that this transposition would be implemented within the allowed timeframe. Failure to do so could delay the considerably enhanced protections the new Directive provides for animals - a circumstance which animal protection organisations would, quite correctly, take issue with. It could also result in EU infringement proceedings against the State during the Irish Presidency of the European Union. The Joint Committee, after consideration of the proposed Directive, agreed that no further scrutiny was required, given that the aim of the proposal is to improve the existing 1986 Directive and in view of the scope allowed in the Directive for Member States to decide on practical transposition measures.
Many of the Directives provisions are mandatory. The discretionary Safeguard Clauses set out at Article 55 cover exceptional circumstances in which Member States may, on scientifically justifiable grounds, provisionally authorise applications for derogations relating to a number of restrictions set out in the Directive, including the use of on non-human primates set out in Article 8 and authorisation of procedures involving severe pain set out in Article 15. The European Commission, assisted by an Advisory Committee (composed of Member State representatives and chaired by the Commission) must, subsequently, authorise or disallow any such provisional authorisation.
Such exceptional provisional measures could be required to deal with an unexpected outbreak of a life threatening or debilitating clinical condition in humans or to allow for experiments necessary for the preservation of species. The Safeguard Clauses would also allow for emergency measures in the event of a natural disaster that resulted in, for example, the contamination of land and livestock or the outbreak of an infectious pathogenic disease.
It is clear from the Directive that the replacement, refinement and reduction of animal testing is at the core of this legislation and I strongly endorse this objective. Nevertheless, and even if difficult to foresee, it is my considered view that is both reasonable and correct to make provision for exceptional emergency situations that might arise, if only to ensure that the necessary legislative tools are available to deal with such an eventuality. The Directive provides Member States with the legislative tools needed to respond in an effective way to such situations. Not to incorporate such tools in our transposition of the Directive might prove to be most regrettable if fate were to take a hand.
It will only be possible to introduce any such provisional measure by way of Ministerial Order after consultation with the Irish Medicines Board (the Competent Authority for the purposes of the Directive) and any such measure will be subject to EU Member State and Commission scrutiny and approval.
I would, finally, like to draw the attention of Deputies to the comments of European Environment Commissioner Potocnik who has said that the European Union will, once the Directive is transposed, have the highest standards of experimental animal welfare in the world. The new Directive will be transposed into Irish law during November and will become operational from 1 January 2013.
630. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if any services have been removed from existing primary care centres; if so, if he will outline which services have been withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46015/12]
View answerMy Department has been advised by the HSE's National Primary Care Office that it has not been informed of the removal of any services from Primary Care Centres around the country. However, I understand the Deputy is referring specifically to the withdrawal of counselling and psychological services in Primary Care Centres in Dublin 17. Therefore, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in this regard.
631. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to a query (details supplied) regarding special needs cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46017/12]
View answerPending completion of the national estimates, budgetary and service planning process for 2013 it is not possible to predict the service levels to be provided next year.
632. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding funding for disability services (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46019/12]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. Pending completion of the national estimates, budgetary and service planning process for 2013 it is not possible to predict the service levels to be provided next year.
633. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the numbers of persons who committed suicide in each of the past 10 years who were within the month prior to their death in psychiatric units or hospitals and were subsequently released or discharged; if he will also provide the methodology involved in collating these statistics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46023/12]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not available. The responsibility for publishing national mortality data including that relating to suicide lies with the Central Statistics Office. This data is made available on an annual basis and is categorised by age, gender and county.
634. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the waiting period, for the last four years, for children seeking speech therapy services in the Lucan area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46050/12]
View answer635. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the waiting period for speech therapy in the Lucan area and the need to address this situation because of the large number of children who require these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46051/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 634 and 635 together.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
636. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will receive an appointment for Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 [46083/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
637. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to debt collection practices employed at Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24; if patients may expect to receive a letter from Intrum Justitia if bills are not paid within six weeks of discharge; the terms of the agreement between Tallaght Hospital and Intrum Justitia including the level of payment; if similar arrangements are in place for the recouping of moneys from private health insurance companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46091/12]
View answerThe Health Service Executive seeks to maximise the recovery of income in a socially responsible, ethical, efficient and cost effective way. Initial follow up on outstanding debt is carried out by each hospital and includes the use of reminder letters. Collection agencies are only used when the normal collection process has been exhausted. The use of debt collection agencies has been common practice in the health service for many years.
The HSE has drafted a National Income Collection Regulation for Acute Hospitals which will be issued shortly. The HSE also plans to issue a National Tender for the provision of collection services. Debt collection has been in place at Tallaght Hospital for 13 years. The process path involved is the same approach taken by other Dublin Academic Teaching Hospitals (DATHs). Currently, the hospital issues the patient with a bill three days after discharge. Between 2 and 4 weeks after the patient is discharged the first reminder letter is sent. If no payment is made, the debt collection process commences when a second reminder is sent to the patient 14 days after the hospital reminder.
638. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card was refused in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo [46113/12]
View answerIn cases where a decision is made not to grant a medical card, the applicant is informed of the decision. The applicant is notified of the right to appeal the decision and contact details for the appeals office are provided. Where a person submits an appeal to a decision not to renew a medical card within 21 days of that decision, the individual retains the medical card or GP visit card until the appeal is decided. The Appeals officer notifies the appellant of the final decision in the case. As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
639. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that no cuts will take place at a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 15 [46137/12]
View answer649. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider funding for a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 15 in view of their urgent need to employ a nurse and childcare specialist for their addiction treatment programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46233/12]
View answer678. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding for the only mother and child residential treatment service in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 15 [46351/12]
View answer701. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will extend funding to a treatment service (details supplied) in Dublin 15 for its detox initiatives [46544/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 639, 649, 678 and 701 together.
In line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Government is committed to continuing support for initiatives to tackle the drug problem, including programmes to help young parents overcome addiction. Coolmine Therapeutic Community (CTC) receives funding from my Department and the HSE to provide a range of services, including a specific residential programme targeting women, many of whom are mothers.
CTC has recently submitted an application to my Department under the National Lottery Fund Programme for additional funding for two full time creche workers for the women's residential centre. The organisation concerned has also been in contact with my Department in relation to funding for nurses who operate a detoxification programme. Both matters are currently under consideration. Funding in relation to 2013 for community drugs initiatives, such as CTC, will be determined in the context of the estimates process, taking into account the need to protect front line service provision.
640. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be reached on a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46143/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
641. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene in a case concerning a former Health Service Executive employee (details supplied) in County Mayo who is disputing a pension issue; if he will order the HSE to release the information requested by the Ombudsman for Pensions in relation to the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46144/12]
View answerWhere an employee/former employee of the Health Service Executive is not satisfied with a decision in relation to superannuation benefits, the person may make a formal complaint/seek an internal review under the HSE Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) arrangements. If the individual is not happy with the determination provided under the IDR process, the matter may be referred to the Pensions Ombudsman. There is no provision for an appeal to the Minister in this process, and as such, I have no role in the matter.
642. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that Safefood will be afforded the opportunity to fully participate, along with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the Health Service Executive, in the current review of the role of Safefood, in line with the approach taken in Northern Ireland; if he will outline the details of Safefood's involvement in the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46149/12]
View answerThe Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland (DHSSPS NI) has reviewed the roles and responsibilities of organisations working in the food safety, diet and nutrition areas in order to help identify the scope for greater efficiencies. My Department has now been forwarded a copy of this review which was finalised yesterday (22 October 2012). In preparing this review, the DHSSPS NI consulted with the main stakeholders involved in the sector, including the Food Safety Promotion Board (Safefood). My Department will undertake a similar review in this jurisdiction. It will take account of the outcome of the DHSSPS NI review and will be concluded shortly, once the views of the Food Safety Promotion Board have been taken into account.
The Food Safety Promotion Board will be given the opportunity to participate in my Department's review along with the other stakeholders referred to by the Deputy. We intend to provide the Food Safety Promotion Board with details of the other participant's views (including those of the DHSSPS NI) and to invite them to provide their own views on this basis.
643. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by the Health Service Executive on purchasing replacement or additional equipment for their ambulances services in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the number of additional ambulances purchased in each of these years; if each ambulance has a defibrillator on board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46212/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
644. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his plans for the future use of a unit (details supplied) in Dublin 8 [46213/12]
View answer645. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the remaining services provided at a unit (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and the locations to which the services that no longer use the unit have been redeployed [46214/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 644 and 645 together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
646. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason the €12.4 million community nursing unit in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 8 has not been opened [46215/12]
View answer647. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health with regard to a nursing unit in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 8, what, if any, is the temporary use of same [46216/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 646 and 647 together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
648. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the cuts to staff and services in County Louth and County Meath hospitals as a result of the cuts to agency and overtime announced him and the number of staff and hours that have been cut [46228/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
