Written Answers Nos. 583-604
583. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the dietary supplement for children with coeliac disease at €6.50 per month is regarded as sufficient; if consideration was given to the adequacy of the supplement in advance of the withdrawal of this support from those in receipt of medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49560/12]
View answerIn the current financial environment the Health Service Executive (HSE) is facing a challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, it has become necessary for the HSE to suspend certain products from its list of reimbursable items. This includes gluten-free products. Many European countries do not pay for food products under their Health Service Arrangements – the logic being that all persons need to buy food.
Gluten-free products have become more widely available in supermarkets in recent years and tend to be significantly cheaper than products sold through community pharmacies. A Supplementary Welfare Allowance Adult Diet Supplement may be awarded by the Department of Social Protection to eligible persons. Persons wishing to apply for this allowance can do so by completing an application form which can be downloaded at the following link: http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Forms/Documents/swa9.pdf. Separate application forms are available for children.
The operation of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection. For persons who are not awarded a Diet Supplement, monies spent on gluten-free foods can be taken into account for tax purposes.
584. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if proposals regarding supports for those suffering from Narcolepsy following vaccination are to hand; and when they will be communicated to sufferers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49407/12]
View answer600. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding narcolepsy (details supplied) in Dublin 13. [49529/12]
View answer602. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health when he will report to Government on the findings of the final report of the National Narcolepsy Study Steering Committee on the investigation of an increase in the incidence of narcolepsy in children and adolescents based on the commitment given to the members of Sufferers of Unique Narcolepsy Disorder [49541/12]
View answer610. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the action he will take in relation to persons who are affected by narcolepsy as a result of the Pandremix vaccine for swine flu given in 2009-10; if a paper will be put to Dáil Éireann on this issue and the timeline for same [49626/12]
View answer616. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health in view of the report on Narcolepsy published on 19 April 2012 regarding the increased incidence of this condition as a result of the vaccination of Pandemrix, if he has studied the report; his response to the parents of children and the organisation called SOUND that a paper would be put to Government regarding the State Vaccination Programme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a family (details supplied) County Dublin, are struggling to make sense of their childs condition following their diagnosis on 4 July 2012; if he will bring a paper to Dail Eireann as promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49676/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 584, 600, 602, 610 and 616 together.
My Department is working closely with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Education and Skills to address the needs of those affected by narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination.
The HSE provides a range of services and supports to those affected including access to rapid diagnosis, clear treatment pathways, temporary medical cards and reimbursement of expenses incurred. Multi-disciplinary assessments which allow for the appropriate individualised health and educational supports to be put in place have commenced. The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is also engaging with the HSE and with the individual schools and parents of children concerned to identify and provide educational supports for the children and adolescents affected.
Department is considering all other possible supports which may need to be put in place for those affected. Any such supports require my approval and the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I would like to assure the Deputy that this matter continues to be a priority for my Department.
585. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding negotiation agreements with an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49413/12]
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 adaptation
586. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the number of home help hours paid for by the Health Service Executive, either directly through employment or contracts or through agencies and if they broken down by category or type of care provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49444/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
587. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will report on funding for applied suicide intervention skills training; and the funding he envisages allocating to this service in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49448/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
588. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to ensure the maintenance of the Coolmine Therapeutic Community Centre's mother and child rehabilitation service which is in need of funding, so much so, that they cannot fund a nurse or child specialist for their Dublin West facility. [49461/12]
View answerCoolmine Therapeutic Community 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. Reflecting the Government's ongoing commitment to the National Drugs Strategy, I have approved an additional €100,000 in funding to enable the facility to provide a creche service. This will allow mothers to keep their children with them during residential treatment and remove potential barriers for women who wish to access this service.
589. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that for every €1 spent on drug rehabilitation programmes, €3 is saved from the prison budget; his views on the collaboration programmes and shared budget streams between his Department and the Department of Justice. [49462/12]
View answerI am not aware of the basis for the statement referred to by the Deputy. The development of integrated treatment and rehabilitation services for problem substance users is a key focus of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. Indeed, over half of the €250m approximately that is allocated by Departments and agencies to drugs programmes is expended under the Treatment and Rehabilitation Pillar of the Strategy. My Department and the Department of Justice & Equality, together with the Health Service Executive, the Irish Prison Service, the Probation Service and An Garda Síochána, work very closely to implement the National Drugs Strategy. The Irish Prison Service are now major providers of drug treatment services and there is an increasing focus on working to ensure a smooth transition to community services for individuals when they leave prison.
In addition, there is close collaboration between the health, justice, community and voluntary sectors across a number of initiatives that target young people who come to the attention of the criminal justice system due to drug-related offences. Such initiatives include youth diversion programmes, drugs intervention programmes for young offenders and the Drug Treatment Court.
590. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the cost breakdown to the Health Service Executive in the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 to subsidise antidepressants and anxiolytic drugs [49465/12]
View answerThe cost to the Health Service Executive of antidepressants and anxiolytics for 2009, 2010 and 2011 is set out in the table.
|
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
|
Antidepressants |
€81,374,005 |
€67,303,876 |
€67,220,203 |
|
Anxiolytics |
€10,739,808 |
€9,747,964 |
€9,606,691 |
591. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the capacity, number of patients per year, within the public services to provide mental health services [49466/12]
View answer592. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the cost per day of a hospital bed within the mental health services for psychiatric patients [49467/12]
View answer593. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the waiting time in terms of access to mental health professionals within the public services [49468/12]
View answer594. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of days, on average, that a patient stays in, once admitted into a hospital for psychiatric care [49469/12]
View answer595. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of patients being taken care of every month by psychologists and or psychiatrists in the Health Service Executive [49470/12]
View answer596. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of patients, as a percentage, that are referred to a psychologist after an emergency appointment at a public hospital [49471/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 591 to 596, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
597. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will outline on a county basis, the number of home help cases that have been reviewed; if he will outline on a county basis the number of cases that have had their hours reduced as a result of this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49512/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
598. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on their medical card application [49518/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
599. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in processing a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49521/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
601. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the projected increase in the over 65 year old population in the coming decade; if any funds or moneys are being set aside or are being planned to provide this section of the population with the future facilities and care that will be needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49532/12]
View answerGovernment policy is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. This objective is realised through a range of Home Care supports, or other measures such as Day or Respite Care facilities. These services are core to not only supporting the preferred wishes of many vulnerable older people , but also can alleviate pressures elsewhere in the wider care system. In addition, we also support access, as appropriate, to Long or Short-Term Residential Care.
The demand for these services, which are often delivered in partnership with non-statutory agencies, will continue as the demographics, and the complex needs, of older people change. For example, at present, there are approximately 535,000 people over age 65 (11% of total population). This is projected to rise to about 775,000 by 2021, 910,000 by 2026, and to around 1.4 million by 2041 (22% of the total population). The number over age 85 is expected to quadruple from approximately 110,000 in 2006 to 444,000 by 2041. The capacity of the Health Service Executive to provide approved levels of services for vulnerable older people is continually reviewed in the context of overall resources available at particular times. In this regard, 2012 has been a very challenging year for the health services generally, and the reality is that this will continue to be the position for the foreseeable future.
It remains the case, however, that investment in this area is significant by any standard, as the HSE Service Plan 2012 provided in the region of €1.4 billion overall for Services for Older People. This includes Long Term Residential Care, Home Care Supports and Day or Respite Care. All measures are being taken by the HSE to ensure that as many people as possible continue to receive appropriate services, in line with assessed individual needs. The position in relation to 2013, or beyond, is obviously subject to the annual Estimates process, in the light of evolving resources and services priorities for the health sector overall.
Notwithstanding the difficult economic situation to be overcome, we intend to carry through insofar as possible the commitments relating to older people contained in the agreed Programme for Government. These include a review of Fair Deal to consider, amongst other things, an extension of the scheme to community based services and to other sectors (Disability and Mental Health), together with its overall sustainability. The review will be completed in 2013. We will also complete the National Positive Ageing Strategy, so that older people are recognised, supported and enabled to live independent full lives. This measure will set the strategic tone for future years, across a number of Government Departments and agencies.
The Department of Health reviews on a regular basis the projected future requirements for the health service, including policies and services relating to older people. This process also takes account of relevant external studies or reports, which often can make a constructive contribution on how we as a society might meet the changing requirements of older people across all of Ireland in future years.
603. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health his plans to close the learning disability service based at Cloonamahon, County Sligo by 2018; if so, the location at which the users of the service will be accommodated; the role envisaged for the Cloonamahon campus in relation to health service provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49559/12]
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.
604. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to put in place a time limit on the validity of prescriptions issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49594/12]
View answerRegulation 7(5) of the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 as amended provides that prescriptions for medicinal products are valid for a period of six months from the date specified on the prescription. Prescriptions for Controlled Drugs, which are listed in Schedule 2 and 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1988 as amended, are valid for fourteen days from the date on the prescription.
