Written Answers Nos. 1057-1103
1057. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason the national disability database was not used to inform parents of the proposed changes to therapy provision for children with special needs as it was decided in 2009. [47890/12]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has recognised the need to increase the level of consistency and standardisation in the way both early intervention services and services for school-aged children with disabilities are delivered and to this end is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of existing therapy resources to geographic based teams for children (0-18 years).
The National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years) has been established since 2010. It is supported by a National Co-ordinating Group which has representatives from the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Skills in addition to other key stakeholders. The Programme is based on the recommendations of the Report of the National Reference Group on Multidisciplinary Services for Children aged 5-18 Years produced by representatives of the professions and management involved in delivering multi-disciplinary services to children which is available on the HSE website www.hse.ie.
The Programme aims to address the following issues in relation to children’s disability services:
- Inequity of access to services due to inconsistent development of services;
- Environmental change arising from the reorientation towards mainstream education leading to increasing demand for health services to support inclusion;
- Increasing demand for services due to population growth and increased identification of children with disability;
- The need to re-align services with emerging primary care and integrated service structures.
The HSE has engaged in an extensive communications process regarding the Programme since it was launched in March 2010. This has included updates about the Programme on the HSE's dedicated learning and development website www.hseland.ie and the production and dissemination of an information bulletin to relevant stakeholders encompasing regional disability leads, service providers and umbrella groups such as Inclusion Ireland. Numerous information sessions for parents' groups have also taken place.
The National Disability Databases assist in informing the regional and national planning of disability services by providing information on current service use and future service need. The Databases are managed by the Health Research Board on behalf of the Department of Health.
Under Data Protection legislation, information held in relation to individuals can only be used in ways compatible with the purposes for which the information was initially provided. In the case of the National Disability Databases, information was sought from individuals for the purposes of recording current service provision, future service requirements, and for trend analysis and research. The use of this information for any other purpose would be in breach of the Data Protection Act.
Significantly, participation in the National Disability Databases is voluntary; the Databases do not, therefore, cover a proportion of people living in Ireland who have a physical or sensory or intellectual disability and who have opted not to be registered on the Databases.
1058. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 737 of 17 July 2012, when a person (details supplied) will receive an ear nose and throat appointment at Waterford Regional Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47895/12]
View answerI believe that the Health Service Executive have already responded to the Deputy in this matter.
1059. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the income threshold criteria for medical card eligibility for those under the age of 25 years; if there has been any change in this position in the past 12 months; if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers of persons with medical cards and an age breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47896/12]
View answerPersons aged 16 - 25 years, including students, who are eligible for medical card/GP visit cards are:
-Persons who are dependants of medical card/GP visit card holders;
-Financially independent persons with means who are within the medical card/GP visit card guidelines;
-Cases of undue hardship where it would be unduly burdensome to them to provide General Practitioner or medical and surgical services.
All 16 year old dependants of a medical card holder now receive their own medical card automatically. Eligibility is set to the parent’s expiry date. Renewal/review forms are not issued.
A number of enhancements were made earlier this year to the medical card application system. In relation to applicants in the age group 16 to 25, being in receipt of age-related Supplementary Welfare Allowance no longer, in itself, prohibits a person from being awarded a medical card or a GP visit card.
In April 2012, there were 1,758,927 medical cards, of which 166,767 were for young people in the age group 16 - 24. There were 126,279 GP visit cards, of which 11,487 were for young people in the age group 16 - 24.
1060. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the hospitals that are implementing the hospice friendly hospitals programme; the hospitals not implementing the programme and the measures being taken to address this deficit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47902/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1061. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when the draft standards for home care developed by the Health Service Executive will be extended not only to contracted-out home care packages but to other types of home care, such as home care provided directly by the HSE, or provided by private companies to persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47903/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1062. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will review the decision to have the one hour per week home help assistance removed from a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [47947/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1063. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has been an in-patient in Cork University Hospital for the past number of years is not being discharged to reside with their family and with the support of an appropriate care package [47959/12]
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.
1064. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the use of aspartamene in children's products here and in the EU; and his plans to make changes to the law in this area here [47964/12]
View answerThe Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has advised that the safety of aspartame has been comprehensively evaluated by international scientific experts including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the EU Scientific Committee on Food (SCF), the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These expert committees consider that aspartame is safe for use and have established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for aspartame of 40-50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day. This ADI is applicable to both adults and children over the age of 12 weeks and therefore there are no additional restrictions on the use of aspartame in food particularly consumed by children.
However, following some recent concerns regarding the safety of aspartame raised by several members of the European Parliament and the publication of several new studies on aspartame, EFSA is currently undertaking a full re-evaluation of the safety of the sweetener. This will be completed by May 2013 following a period of public consultation on the draft evaluation report. This consultation period is planned to commence at the end of 2012.
It should also be noted that the FSAI reviews all information on approved food additives such as aspartame on an ongoing basis. Based on current information available the FSAI consider that aspartame is safe for use.
1065. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health in the context of the Health Service Executive national programme for change in multi-disciplinary services for children aged five to eighteen years which has been initiated, if the multi-disciplinary team at a special needs school (details supplied) in County Cork will be disbanded to become part of community based teams; and if he will confirm that this will not result in any service reduction for the children attending this school. [47966/12]
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.
1066. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of years a consultant needs to qualify for a full pension; under the reduced pay scheme if he will detail a consultant's pension on the date of retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47973/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1067. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health his views on approving the concern drug Zytiga for inclusion on the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47979/12]
View answerFollowing intensive negotiations with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA), the Department of Health and the HSE have reached agreement on a major new deal on the cost of drugs in the State. This deal has a value in excess of €400 million over the next three years and will mean, amongst other things, greater access to new cutting-edge drugs. The HSE is finalising arrangements for the reimbursement of Abiraterone Acetate (Zytiga®) in line with the new agreement.
1068. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the reasoning and criteria used to change the proposed primary health care centre for Rowlagh, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, from being a publically funded development to being a public private partnership project; the timeframe for this project indicating the range of services that will be available in this centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47981/12]
View answerThe consideration of projects for inclusion in the multi-annual capital programme is an evolving process. There are always more construction projects than can be funded from the Exchequer's capital health care allocation. The Health Service Executive is required to prioritise infrastructure projects within its overall capital envelope taking into account the existing capital commitments and costs of completion over the period.
It is understood that the Deputy, in asserting that a PCC was to be delivered in Rowlagh by way of the HSE’s capital programme, may be referring to lists reported in the media. It is important to state that these lists related to work that was ongoing; that they were work in progress. The prioritisation exercise is a dynamic process, constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances, including the feasibility of implementation.
An assessment/evaluation of each proposed primary care centre location was undertaken with the infrastructural requirement evaluated under three headings: deprivation index, service priority and accommodation assessment. The selection of a delivery mechanism was not, however, solely dependent on the resultant priority or ranking. The delivery mechanism selected for each location was based on suitability and the availability of funding (insofar as it is known at any point in time). The following considerations were taken into account:
-Agreements for lease in place - where there were good prospects of the leased centre being delivered - these locations remained as lease strategy;
-The size of the centre - the larger centres are more attractive to PPP bidders;
-Extensions to existing facilities or refurbishment of existing buildings are not suitable projects for PPP.
The change in the delivery method for a potential PCC in Rowlagh/North Clondalkin was on the advice of the Head of Estates in the HSE, as PPP was considered to be the most expeditious method by which progress in this development could commence.
The method and time scale for the delivery of PCCs is dependent on a number of factors and the list will continue to be reviewed and revised as necessary. It is envisaged that approximately 20 of the 35 potential locations published as part of the Government's Infrastructure Stimulus Package will be progressed by way of PPP. The current position is that the HSE is engaging with the NDFA as required to progress the Primary Care Centre Public Private Partnership Programme. The HSE is currently analysing the available sites in each location and engaging with the GPs in each location to determine their interest in participating in the primary care centre development. It is not possible, at this time, to give start and completion dates for any of the 20 potential locations.
1069. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to introduce a unique health identifier as recommended by HIQUA; if a decision has been taken to develop a healthcare focused identifier rather than utilising the PPS number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47986/12]
View answerThe Health Information Bill, which is currently being drafted, will provide a legal framework for the use of identifiers in the health system, both public and private. The deployment of a patient identifier is very important to the provision of a safe, efficient health system and will also support the move towards universal health insurance. The Bill is expected to be ready for publication next year. While various options are currently being examined it is intended that the health identifier will leverage the existing identity infrastructure administered by the Minister for Social Protection, including the Public Services Card which is currently being deployed by that Department. My Department is engaging with all relevant stakeholders including the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Data Protection Commissioner and the Health Information and Quality Authority in relation to this matter.
1070. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of people aged between 16 to 25 years who died between 2005 and 2012 here following an acute complication secondary to Type 1 diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47993/12]
View answerVital Statistics are compiled by the Central Statistics Office. From 2007 to 2011 (the latest available full year of data), five persons between the ages of 16 and 25 died from insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (which includes Type 1 diabetes but excludes other types, such as Type 2). For three of the five deaths an additional diagnosis of ketoacidosis is recorded. No further information is available for the other two deaths.
Prior to 2007, due to the use of an earlier version of the International Cause of Death Classification system (i.e. ICD-9), it is not possible to distinguish between the different types of diabetes. However, one person between the ages of 16 and 25, in the period 2005 to 2006, is recorded as having died from diabetes mellitus.
1071. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed progress report on the new Kenmare, Community Hospital, County Kerry; when the new hospital will be ready to open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48029/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1072. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason the position of a specialist urologist was withdrawn in September 2012; his plans to reinstate this position; and if so, a timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48032/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1073. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the emergency response system in place for Spina Bifida or Hydrocephalus suffers; and if he will identify the centres where this emergency treatment is available [48033/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1074. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if any specific programmes have been put in place to assist persons with disabilities who are aging [48034/12]
View answerAgencies provide tailored supports and activities to meet the individual needs of people with a disability including their needs as they grow older. As an example, the Department is aware of reminiscence therapy in St Raphael's Centre, Youghal aimed at older clients and the introduction of care standards by the Daughters of Charity Services to support people with intellectual disability and dementia.
However, the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services, which was published in July this year, recommended a person-centred supports model and an assessment of need process which addresses the needs of the individual at whatever point they are in the life cycle. A person's requirements for supports and services should be re-assessed at the individual's request, at key transition periods or following a change in the individual's health or personal circumstances, in order to ensure that services are responsive to the changing needs of the individual. This re-assessment process should be practical and capable of being integrated into an agency's person-centred planning and manpower utilisation and deployment planning process.
The National Disability Databases assist in informing the regional and national planning of disability services by providing information on current service use and future service needs. The Databases are managed by the Health Research Board on behalf of the Department of Health. The National Intellectual Disability Database Annual Report for 2011, points to a changing age profile in those people with disabilities. This reflects an increase in the lifespan of people with intellectual disability and along with the general demographic trend, has major implications for planning for services designed specifically to meet the needs of older people with intellectual disability.
The Department has provided funding towards the Intellectual Disability (ID) Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, which was developed with a view to bridging the information gap that currently exists in Ireland in relation to ageing amongst those with intellectual disability. Over the next 10 years, the Supplement will chart and provide in-depth information on all domains of the lives of those participants, including their health, social, economic, environmental and psychological status. The data which becomes available from the ID Supplement, will be available to inform the ongoing planning and delivery of services to people with intellectual disability as they age.
1075. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his policy regarding the nursing homes support scheme (NHSS) in respect of a persons when an ancillary State support loan is not possible as the homeowner has availed of an equity release scheme; the assistance is available in such instances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48041/12]
View answerAncillary State support is an optional element of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme which may be available to people who have land-based assets in the State. It is effectively a loan advanced by the State which can be repaid at any time, but which will ultimately fall due for repayment upon the applicant's death. In order to avail of ancillary State support, the HSE must register a Charging Order against the asset. The Charging Order is a simple type of mortgage which secures the money loaned by the HSE.
The fact that an applicant to the Scheme has availed of an equity release scheme is not, of itself, a barrier to ancillary State support being approved. In such cases any money that applicant received from the equity release which is still in their possession would be taken into account during the financial assessment and any equity remaining in the asset may still be considered for the loan. However, the HSE does not have to approve an application for ancillary state support where it is not satisfied that there is sufficient equity remaining in the asset to ensure the security of the loan.
1076. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from the Children's University Hospital indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48042/12]
View answer1077. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48043/12]
View answer1078. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from National Maternity Hospital indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48044/12]
View answer1079. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Dublin, indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48045/12]
View answer1080. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from St. James' Hospital indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48046/12]
View answer1081. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from St. Vincent's UniversityHospital indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48047/12]
View answer1082. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Tallaght Hospital, Dublin. indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48048/12]
View answer1083. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Connolly Hospital, Dublin, indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012 [48049/12]
View answer1084. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48050/12]
View answer1085. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48051/12]
View answer1086. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, County Louth, indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48052/12]
View answer1087. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Cork University Hospital indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48053/12]
View answer1088. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Kerry General Hospital indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48054/12]
View answer1089. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Galway University Hospital indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48055/12]
View answer1090. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal, indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48056/12]
View answer1091. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Mayo General Hospital indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012 [48057/12]
View answer1092. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Mid-Western Regional Hospital, County Limerick, indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48058/12]
View answer1093. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Sligo Regional Hospital indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48059/12]
View answer1094. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath, indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48060/12]
View answer1095. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly, indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48061/12]
View answer1096. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, County Laois. indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48062/12]
View answer1097. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Naas General Hospital, County Kildare, indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48063/12]
View answer1098. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Cavan General Hospital, indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48064/12]
View answer1099. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, County Meath, indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48065/12]
View answer1100. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Waterford Regional Hospital, indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48066/12]
View answer1101. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from Wexford General Hospital, indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48067/12]
View answer1102. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from St. Luke's General Hospital, County Kilkenny, indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012 [48068/12]
View answer1103. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive has received any correspondence or contact from South Tipperary General Hospital, indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48069/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1076 to 1103, inclusive, together.
With regard to the first part of this question - whether I have received correspondence from hospitals indicating that the hospital will be unable to live within its budget - I do not receive correspondence regarding expenditure of particular hospitals. It is a matter for HSE management to ensure that individual units operate within their budgets.
My Department does obtain relevant information on expenditure from the performance reports, which are also available to the Deputy on the HSE website at http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Publications/corporate/performancereports/2012pr.html.
The only specific issue notified to Finance Unit in my Department relates to Tallaght Hospital. The Vote and Treasury Section in the HSE has indicated that the level of funding issued to Tallaght Hospital is in excess of the approved budget. However, I understand that this has been the subject of discussions at the HSE Board and was approved by the HSE's Accounting Officer.
With regard to the second part of the question, this relates to whether correspondence has been received by the HSE and, as such, is an operational matter for the HSE. I have forwarded this to the HSE, which will reply directly to Deputy Kelleher.
