Written Answers Nos. 189-198
189. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding funding in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51977/12]
View answerIn 2010 the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence was published. It aims to provide a framework for sustainable intervention to prevent and effectively respond to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and is lead by Cosc which is the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence.
The HSE subsequently published its own Policy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. The principal actions are in line with the National Strategy. The HSE’s policy states that a health-focused analysis of violence is crucial, not only because the consequences of such violence require a significant amount of healthcare system resources, but most importantly because the health care system is often the first route through which victims seek to access supports.
Services to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence – including 20 crisis refuges, 27 domestic violence support services and 16 rape crisis centres received €19.182 Million in 2011. In relation to the specific issue raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
190. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card application has been refused in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51988/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
191. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the period of time for which a person (details supplied) in County Kildare received arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51996/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
192. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 who contracted narcolepsy with cathaplexy from the Health Service Executive swine flu injection; the supports that will be put in place for them in the future; if they are entitled to compensation as a result of HSE administering the drug that caused it [52002/12]
View answer197. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health his plans to propose a package of supports for children and families affected by Narcolepsy after vaccination with Pandermrix; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52056/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 197 together.
Our priority is to ensure that the children/adolescents affected are provided with services and supports to meet their health needs. 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. Meetings have been held by myself and my Department with representatives of the support group Suffers of Unique Narcolepsy Disorder (SOUND).
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.
I have requested that the HSE engage directly with the individual named in the Deputy's question, to provide all required supports.
193. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52009/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
194. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of whole time equivalent staff the expenditure on agency staff amounts to within the Health Service Executive and public health service broken down by separate grades and function in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52011/12]
View answer196. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the hiring of front line services through agencies is more cost effective then the lifting of the moratorium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52053/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 196 together.
The Government has decided that health service employment numbers must be reduced to approximately 102,000 by the end of this year, in line with its commitment to reduce public expenditure.
The HSE's National Service Plan 2012 allows for some targeted investment and recruitment in priority areas to address development priorities, such as in mental health and primary care, and some limited and targeted recruitment in critical service areas to help limit the impact of retirements on frontline services. However, given overall Government policy on reducing employment numbers and pay costs, such appointments may be made only within employment ceiling and budget.
In order to mitigate the impact on frontline services of the reduction in employment numbers and retirements, the priority is to reform how health services are delivered in order to ensure a more productive and cost effective health system. Therefore, the HSE is using the provisions of the Public Service Agreement to bring about greater flexibilities in work practices and rosters, redeployment and other changes to achieve more efficient delivery of services.
On 20 November, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced that he had invited members of the Public Services Committee of ICTU to discussions on a new agenda for improvements in the productivity of public servants and reductions in the cost of delivery of public services. One of the key objectives in this process will be to further enable the health services to provide the maximum level of safe services in the context of the necessary further reductions in staffing numbers in the next number of years.
The Deputy's query regarding expenditure on agency staff and equivalent staff numbers is a service matter and, as such, has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
195. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health the grants that can be applied for by organisations and projects based in the Dublin area that provide services to drug addicts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52033/12]
View answerDrugs Task Forces receive annual funding from the Drugs Initiative of my Department to allocate to community based drugs initiatives in their areas. Organisations providing services to drug users may apply to their local Drugs Task Force for funding.
A list of the relevant Drugs Task Forces in the Dublin area and details of their individual allocations for 2012 is set out in the table below for the information of the Deputy.
|
Drugs Task Force |
2012 Allocation |
|
Ballyfermot LDTF |
€1,569,489 |
|
Ballymun LDTF |
€1,180,695 |
|
Blanchardstown LDTF |
€1,124,343 |
|
Canal Communities LDTF |
€1,562,243 |
|
Clondalkin LDTF |
€1,421,577 |
|
Dublin North East LDTF |
€1,228,782 |
|
Dublin 12 LDTF |
€1,120,360 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown LDTF |
€926,167 |
|
Finglas Cabra LDTF |
€936,590 |
|
North Inner City LDTF |
€2,369,624 |
|
South Inner City LDTF |
€2,161,821 |
|
Tallaght LDTF |
€1,250,347 |
|
North Dublin City and County RDTF |
€826,087 |
|
East Coast RDTF |
€851,596 |
|
South West RDTF |
€849,524 |
198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card has not issued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52087/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
