Written Answers Nos. 562-582
562. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is any legislative requirement for prospective adoptive parents to use the services of ARC Adoption Services for any or all aspects of processing adoption of children from Bulgaria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51466/12]
View answerSection 66(2) of the Adoption Act, 2010 allows for the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) to delegate certain functions in relation to making arrangements for adoptions to the Health Service Executive or such accredited bodies as the Authority may specify.
In the notice of 21 December 2011 published on the AAI website, the Authority noted that on 3 May 2011, pursuant to Article 22 of the Hague Convention, the Authority had delegated its functions under Articles 15, 16 and 17 (save for a decision on an Article 17 placement approval notice being issued, which is a reserved function of the Adoption Authority of Ireland) to ARC Adoption Ltd,. with regard to adoptions from Bulgaria. Accordingly, the documents in relation to these Articles must be sent/received via ARC Adoption Ltd.
563. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that two schools for special needs students (details supplied) in County Mayo have been without a speech and language therapist since the 2012/2013 school year commenced in August; if he will acknowledge that this situation is not acceptable for the students, parents and staff affected; if he will immediately sanction the appointment of a substitute speech and language therapist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51400/12]
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.
564. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to false advertising by unregistered, unregulated operators providing dentures directly to consumers; the efforts he will make to ensure an end to this; the role of the National Consumer Agency in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51609/12]
View answer649. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of cases the Dental Council has brought to the attention of the Gardaí relating to breaches of Section 51 of the Dentists Act, 1985, due to unregistered, unregulated operators providing dentures directly to consumers; the number of subsequent prosecutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51608/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 564 and 649 together.
The Dental Council can bring a prosecution for a breach of Section 51 of the Dentists Act 1985 which prohibits the practice of dentistry by unregistered persons. The Council must prove that the individuals were either practising dentistry or holding themselves out as being willing to practice. The Council does not have powers to deal with the advertising issue generally and identification of the individual concerned is difficult if the advertisement does not name the person. There is currently one prosecution pending in respect of an unregistered operator providing dentures directly to consumers and other matters. The Dental Council does not have information to hand on any previous prosecutions. I will provide the information to the Deputy once I have confirmation from the Council of any previous records.
Insofar as the issue of false advertising is concerned, I understand from my colleague the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation that the Consumer Protection Act 2007 prohibits traders from engaging in misleading commercial practices, including in relation to the provision of false information regarding particular matters which would be likely to cause the average consumer to make a transactional decision that she or he would not otherwise make. Consumers who are concerned that traders may be engaged in misleading commercial practices may wish to bring their concerns to the attention of the National Consumer Agency who have responsibility for enforcing the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act 2007.
565. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when the report on the review of Drugs Task Forces will be published and implemented. [51685/12]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that in late 2011, a review of the future direction and role of Drugs Task Forces and the national structures that underpin the general drugs area was initiated. The relevant funding Departments and Agencies, the Community and Voluntary Sectors and the Drugs Task Forces were consulted as part of the review. A report on the review is being finalised and will be made available when deliberations are complete.
566. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on sufferers of unique narcolepsy disorder regarding a package of supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51817/12]
View answer568. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health when he will approve a package of measures to support young persons with narcolepsy who had been vaccinated against swine flu with pandemrix; if he will engage with the representative of an organisation (details supplied) in advance of the approval of any package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50836/12]
View answer574. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the date on which he will publish the package of supports from the National Narcolepsy Steering Committee Study, to assist sufferers, that was due to have been published in July; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50931/12]
View answer600. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the supports available to children who have contracted narcolepsy as a result of the Pandemrix vaccine for swine flu; the measures that will be undertaken in this regard; when the Memorandum for Government setting out the full response to this issue will be brought before Dáil Eireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51196/12]
View answer604. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to deal with children who are affected by narcolepsy as represented by the group called SOUND; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51233/12]
View answer630. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if he will make a commitment to provide supports for children who contracted narcolepsy associated with the Pandemrix vaccine after they turned 18 years, particularly those who are in continuing education. [51484/12]
View answer636. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health when he intends to honour a commitment which he gave to an organisation (details supplied) to introduce a package of supports for children suffering from narcolepsy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51510/12]
View answer647. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Health when he proposes to put a paper to the Government on foot of the recommendations of the final report of the National Narcolepsy Study Steering Committee which concluded that the increased incidence of narcolepsy in children and adolescents in Ireland since 2009 came as a result of the a side affect of the Pandemrix vaccine administered for the H1N1 virus; when a package of supports will be put in place for those families affected; the supports that will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51576/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 566, 568, 574, 600, 604, 630, 636 and 647 together.
My priority is to ensure that the children/adolescents affected are provided with services and supports to meet their health needs. Meetings have been held by myself and my Department with representatives from SOUND on a number of occasions. 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.
The Department of Education and Skills has also held a number of meetings with SOUND to outline the range of educational supports which may be provided for children with narcolepsy, subject to an assessment of their needs. These supports can include special arrangements at state exams, access to Special Needs Assistant support, additional learning assistance in schools, information for schools regarding this condition, and home tuition support for children who have missed a significant time in school due to illness.
A meeting was recently held between SOUND and representatives from the Higher Education Authority National Access Office and the Department of Education Higher Education Unit, in relation to assistance which may be made for young adults with narcolepsy in Third Level education. Students with Narcolepsy may access the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) scheme, which offers enhanced access routes to third level education for pupils with disabilities. Support can also be provided to pupils in colleges through the Disability Officers at third level colleges. The Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD) group, which works to promote full access to and participation in further and higher education for students with disabilities and to enhance their employment prospects on graduation, will also provide assistance to SOUND in relation to these matters.
The 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. A further meeting with representatives from SOUND will be arranged when the matter has been successfully concluded.
567. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health regarding the fluoridation of the water supply, the frequency with which the fluoridated water is tested for overdosing and or underdosing; the number of times the water has been found to be over the limit; the number of times the water was found to be under the limit; if it is hydrofluorosilicic acid that is used to fluoridate the water supply; the amount in total used per year during the process of fluoridation; the sources for the hydrofluorosilicic acid used; if he will provide the environmental impact studies, health studies and safety studies that have taken place since fluoridation was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50835/12]
View answerUnder The Fluoridation of Water Supplies Regulations 2007, water services authorities are required to arrange for the testing, on a daily basis, of the fluoride content of water to which fluoride has been added. The water services authorities have regard to the Code of Practice on the Fluoridation of Drinking Water 2007 published by the Expert Body on Fluorides and Health to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the technical aspects of the fluoridation of drinking water. The water services authorities also measure the quantity of hydrofluosilicic acid used plus the quantity of water treated in order to calculate the concentration of hydrofluosilicic acid in the water. The HSE undertakes monthly sampling of tap water and can access the daily records of the water services authorities if an issue arises regarding fluoridation levels.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collects and analyses the monitoring results carried out by water services authorities on drinking water supplies. The most recent EPA report on 'The Provision and Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland' (2010) includes information on water supplies where fluoride parametric values are exceeded. Of the 3,398 samples from public water supplies which were analysed, 74 were above the Irish statutory requirements of 0.8mg/litre. All but one of these elevated levels was below the EU standard of 1.5mg/litre. The EPA is not required to collect data where fluoride parametric values is below the statutory requirement. I have asked the HSE to collate this information and I will forward it to the Deputy when it is available.
Hydrofluosilicic acid is used to fluoridate public water supplies. The amount used for 2009, 2010 and 2011 was over 3.9 million litres each year and up to the end of August 2012 was at over 2.6 million litres. Hydrofluosilicic acid is derived from fluorspar and sourced in Spain.
Water fluoridation is one of the most widely studied public health policy initiatives in the world. There have been a number of relevant WHO documents, notably "Fluorides and Human Health", Monograph Series 59 (1970), WHO Geneva; "Fluorides and Oral Health", Technical Report Series No. 846 (1994), WHO Geneva; and "Environmental Health Criteria 227 FLUORIDES", (2002), WHO Geneva. More recently, the review by the EU Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER, 2011) considered the environmental impact of water fluoridation.
Oral health studies carried out in Ireland include O’Mullane DM, McCarthy D (1981) "Dental Health Status and Dental Knowledge Attitudes and Behaviour in Irish Adults" (Journal of the Irish Dental Association); National Survey of Adult's Oral Health 1990; National Survey of Adult's Oral Health 2001; North South Survey of Children’s Oral Health 2002; Comber et al (2011) "Drinking water fluoridation and osteosarcoma incidence on the island of Ireland".
International reviews include "The York Review – A systematic review of public water fluoridation: a commentary" (2002) Treasure et al; The Report of the Forum on Fluoridation (2002); "A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of fluoridation" (2007) Australian Government. All of these publications are in the public domain.
The balance of scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, at the optimal level, does not cause any ill effects and continues to be safe and effective in protecting the oral health of all age groups. There are no plans to discontinue the policy of fluoridation of public water supplies, which continues to make an effective contribution to oral health in Ireland.
569. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the terms of the Neary redress scheme as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50846/12]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to seek a mechanism to compensate those women who were excluded on age grounds alone from the Lourdes Hospital Redress Scheme.
My Department has been engaged in a review to identify the most appropriate mechanism to compensate the women concerned. This review has included taking instructions and legal advice, including advice from the Office of the Attorney General, with a view to bringing proposals to Government for a decision. This process is ongoing and will be concluded as quickly as possible.
570. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will reinstate the drug omacor for medical card holders that are prescribed same long term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50849/12]
View answerThe 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. These include omega-3 triglyceride products.
Omega-3 triglyceride products (e.g. Omacor) have been identified both nationally and internationally as not being cost effective or being of lesser benefit to patients. However, these products are available over the counter without prescriptions.
571. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a profile bed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50894/12]
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.
572. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the reason a promised podiatry post at Mullingar Hospital, County Westmeath, sanctioned in April 2012, will now not be filled; if he will acknowledge the importance of having the post as part of the national foot care programme to tackle the increase in diabetes related foot ulcers and amputations; the date on which the post will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50920/12]
View answerAs this is a local service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
573. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the reason Huntington’s Disease is not included among the medical conditions for qualification under the long-term illness scheme and if he will consider the addition of same for the purpose of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50924/12]
View answerThere are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme. Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €132 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines. In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of general practice consultation.
575. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his plans for the approval, development or analysis of APR surgery as an approved treatment for a disease of the spine that requires surgery [50933/12]
View answerAn abdominoperineal resection (APR) is a surgery for rectal cancer or anal cancer. APRs involve the removal of the anus, the rectum and part of the sigmoid colon along with the associated (regional) lymph nodes. These procedures therefore require very specialised surgical and clinical expertise.
The HSE-National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) is responsible for the implementation of the National Cancer Control Strategy which aims to achieve better cancer prevention, early detection and treatment that maximise survival through a co-ordinated national service, based on international evidence and best practice. For this reason the majority of cancer services are provided in 8 designated cancer centres.
The HSE-NCCP has made substantial progress in reorganising site specific cancers so as to improve outcomes and one of its main priorities for 2013 is to continue to transfer rectal cancer surgery from 13 centres into the 8 cancer centres.
I have referred the Deputy's specific question to the HSE, for direct reply, as it requires input from the clinical specialists involved in treatment of diseases of the spine.
576. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the position regarding medical card holders that have been hospitalised after a road traffic accident in the Isle of Man in relation to hospital charges and fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50937/12]
View answerThere are no reciprocal healthcare arrangements in place between Ireland and the Isle of Man. I currently have no plans to introduce such arrangements. Irish people visiting the Isle of Man should always ensure they have travel insurance to cover any medical treatment they may need.
577. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the situation of a family who are concerned that their child (details supplied) has refused to receive any further medical treatment and is rapidly declining in health [50956/12]
View answerThis Government has prioritised the provision of quality patient-centred community based mental health services where the need for hospital admission is greatly reduced while still providing in-patient care when appropriate. We are committed to implementing A Vision for Change and providing quality care on a voluntary basis. The circumstances in which persons may be detained and the rules regarding treatment in these cases are set out in the Mental Health Act 2001 which is currently under review by an Expert Group. In relation to the specific query raised, as this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
578. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will retain the current funding level for a foundation (details supplied) in budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50957/12]
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. In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
579. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his plans in the forthcoming year regarding home help, home care packages and personal assistant hours with particular reference to ensuring that patients can remain in the familiar environment of their home for as long as possible and ensuring the best possible care for the patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50988/12]
View answerThe level of funding available for the health sector next year is being considered as part of the Estimates process for 2013, which is currently underway. Deliberations by the Government on expenditure allocations for next year will continue up until Budget time, and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of this process. Notwithstanding the very difficult financial position facing the Exchequer, the Government remains committed to the policy of maximising the provision of Home Care supports across relevant care programmes.
580. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has had their full medical card changed to a doctor only card with no notice or reason. [50989/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
581. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the long term care options available in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50990/12]
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.
582. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a medical card renewal will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50992/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
