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Tuesday, 20 Nov 2012

Written Answers Nos. 636-646

Hospital Procedures

Questions (637)

John Browne

Question:

637. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health when an application for an operation at Cappagh Hospital, Dublin, will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [51512/12]

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Written answers

The management of waiting lists for patients awaiting public health care is based on the principle that after urgent and cancer patients are treated, then clinically assessed routine patients should be seen in chronological order (i.e. longest waiter first). Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved.

In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Departmental Agencies Board Remuneration

Questions (638)

Emmet Stagg

Question:

638. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health the amount of remuneration of any kind whether salary, allowances or expenses paid to each of the members of the Irish expert group on fluoridation in each of the following years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51515/12]

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Written answers

Members of the Expert Body on Fluorides and Health are not paid a salary or allowances. Total of expenses for attendance at scientific conferences and for motor and travel for attendance at Expert Body meetings are shown in the table below for the years in question. The 2008 and 2009 figures include €188 and €479.96 respectively paid to the Chair of the Expert Body for travel insurance, mobile phone replacement, laptop modem and printer costs.

Year

Scientific Conferences €

Motor and Travel €

Total €

2008

6,451.75

5,319.71

11,771.46

2009

8,930.90

3,762.04

12,692.94

2010

2,161.12

5,114.51

7,275.94

2011

3,712.56

494.39

4,206.95

Budget 2013

Questions (639)

Micheál Martin

Question:

639. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he will to ensure that there are no further budget cuts to organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51518/12]

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Written answers

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.

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.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (640)

Micheál Martin

Question:

640. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an association (details supplied) is since October refusing applications for home help services for new clients and reducing the hours being provided to existing clients because of budgetary cuts; if he will advise the way many clients have been refused services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51519/12]

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Written answers

The capacity of the Health Service Executive to provide approved levels of home support services is continually reviewed in the context of overall resources available at particular times.

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

Public Sector Reform Review

Questions (641)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

641. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the services provided for the Health Service Executive by a company (details supplied); if he can confirm that this company further outsources these services and to where; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51523/12]

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Written answers

One of the key commitments in the Public Service Reform Plan is to identify and evaluate new business models and opportunities to support the delivery of non-core processes and services. External Service Delivery is an area that can potentially deliver a range of benefits for the provision of health services. These include both cost and efficiency savings stemming from better work and management practices.

The information requested by the Deputy is a service matter and I have forwarded your request to the Health Service Executive for direct response.

Research and Development Supports

Questions (642)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

642. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding health research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51528/12]

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Written answers

Much is being done in Ireland regarding research and innovation and the growth and jobs agendas. In this regard the Action Plan for Jobs (2012), and the Report of the Research Prioritisation Steering Group, were published this year. The aim is to target public investment towards research based on potential for economic return, particularly in the form of jobs; and protecting as much current employment while also creating jobs in new areas of opportunity.

I continue to stress that while the economic benefit of research is extremely important, it is imperative that the critical importance of research for policy and research for knowledge is recognised and supported. Knowledge derived from research is paramount in providing the evidence-base for better health policies and systems; systems that underpin effective and efficient health service provision. Such evidence will be a key input to the creation of a fairer, more efficient health system.

In acknowledging the potential for research to support economic growth and job creation, I consider that the economic and societal agendas are not necessarily mutually exclusive. The interaction and interdependence between research for health and research for economic purposes are evident in the research and innovation objectives supported by my Department.

In 2009 the Action Plan for Health Research 2009-2013, prepared by the Health Research Group was launched. The plan is in the implementation phase and Subgroups/Work Streams established under the Health Research Group are progressing the actions therein. The main purpose of the HRG, which is chaired by my Department, is to ensure that health research in Ireland is coordinated, prioritised, and focussed, and that national policies and strategies for health research are framed strategically in the context of the wider science, technology and innovation agenda.

The Health Research Board (HRB) is a statutory body under the aegis of the Department of Health. The HRB is the lead agency in Ireland supporting and funding health research. It provides funding, maintains health information systems and conducts research linked to national health priorities. The aim is to improve people's health, build health research capacity and make a significant contribution to Ireland's knowledge economy.

A robust clinical research infrastructure and established capacity and expertise are essential in developing and delivering health care. Through strategic investment, the Health Research Board (HRB), funded by my Department, is developing infrastructure, expertise, and capacity to create an integrated framework for clinical research in Ireland. This will not only improve patient outcomes, peoples health and health service delivery, but will support growth and jobs here in Ireland. I opened a Clinical Research Facility in Cork earlier this year which is funded by the HRB. In addition to this investment in Cork, the HRB is funding the establishment of two facilities in Dublin and Galway. The Wellcome Trust is co-funding the build in Dublin. These three facilitates will network together using standardised practices and procedures in clinical research conduct thereby greatly increasing Ireland’s appeal as a country of choice for performing large-scale multinational clinical research studies.

The Health Information Bill, which my Department is progressing, will provide for a range of measures including facilitating a uniform approach for ethics approval for multi site health research projects, not already otherwise governed by statutory regulation and EU law. It is expected that the Health Information Bill will be ready for publication by mid 2013.

During the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union key legislative proposals on Clinical Trials and Medical Devices will be progressed.

My Department is also represented on the Prioritisation Action Group (PAG), established by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and chaired by Minister Sherlock to progress the Report of the Research Prioritisation Steering Group. It is evident that while much of the work being progressed in the area of health research may not necessarily lead to direct commercial opportunity, it can complement and support the work of other sectors in the economy.

Senior officials in my Department recently had a very positive meeting with representatives of the organisation mentioned by the Deputy at which health research policy was discussed.

Hospital Appointment Status

Questions (643)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

643. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an operation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51529/12]

View answer

Written answers

The management of waiting lists for patients awaiting public health care is based on the principle that after urgent and cancer patients are treated, then clinically assessed routine patients should be seen in chronological order (i.e. longest waiter first). Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved.

In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Charges

Questions (644)

John McGuinness

Question:

644. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 613 of 23 October 2012, if he will give the information requested and define the meaning of a virtual bed or chair and the cost associated with the use of each and if the term virtual was introduced by hospitals or health insurance companies. [51532/12]

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Written answers

The Minister has not defined a 'virtual bed' or a 'chair' under the provisions of Section 55 of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The charges levied by hospitals in respect of each day or part of a day during which in-patient services are availed of in respect of private, semi-private and day-case accommodation in public hospitals are as set out in my reply to the Deputy's previous question on this matter.

Hospital Appointments Administration

Questions (645)

John McGuinness

Question:

645. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 755 of 19 July 2012, if the Health Service Executive will arrange an early date for an operation required by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if he will confirm the timeframe for the operation; if they have to wait their turn on the current list which is 69th on the bariatric surgery waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51540/12]

View answer

Written answers

The management of waiting lists for patients awaiting public health care is based on the principle that after urgent and cancer patients are treated, then clinically assessed routine patients should be seen in chronological order (i.e. longest waiter first). Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved.

In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

EU Directives

Questions (646)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

646. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when EU Directive 2010/63/EU will be implemented; the process of public consultation he has or intends to employ and the scrutiny period that will apply in the Houses of the Oireachtas preceding implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51566/12]

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Written answers

Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes significantly strengthens the protection of animals still needed for research and safety testing. The directive strongly promotes the principles of the three Rs (replacement of the use of animals to the greatest extent possible with alternative testing methods, refinement of scientific procedures to improve animal welfare and reduction in numbers of animals used). Significant changes in this regard are requirements to perform ethical evaluations prior to authorisation of projects using animals and higher standards of care and accommodation. Many of the provisions set out in the directive are mandatory. The directive will be transposed into Irish law during November, 2012 and will take effect from 1 January, 2013.

My Department sought the views of the public and interested parties in July, 2009 on the proposed directive. These views informed Ireland’s position as negotiations on the proposed directive progressed at EU level. My Department again sought the views of the public and interested parties in October, 2011 after the adoption of the directive. Officials of my Department have met with stakeholder groups including animal welfare groups in relation to the Directive's provisions. My Department has recently met with consultants of the Irish Anti Vivisection Society and with Research and Development establishments in this area. The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) has also had meetings with stakeholders to inform them of the requirements which will apply from 1 January 2013 and has updated its website with relevant information.

I appreciate the time and effort devoted by individuals and stakeholder groups in this regard. The submissions received in response to the first public consultation were particularly welcome as the directive was still under discussion at that stage. The second public consultation, of necessity, had a different focus given that the directive was already finalised at that stage. The responses to the second public consultation are, consequently, primarily focused on the nuts and bolts of the transposition process itself and are of particular assistance to the Department in this regard.

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 forthcoming Irish Presidency of the European Union. I am sure the Deputy would agree that it is important to transpose the considerably enhanced protections afforded to animals in the directive without delay. 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.

In the run up to the implementation of the directive, the Department and the IMB, which is the designated competent authority responsible for the implementation of the directive, will continue to consider the views of stakeholder groups.

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