Written Answers Nos. 612-35
612. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding a programme (details supplied); if a decision will be made to reverse a cut in funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52858/12]
View answerThe Youth Affairs Unit of my Department supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth sector. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 and Local Drugs Task Force Projects.
Funding of €56.806m has been provided to my Department to support the provision of youth services in 2012. Some 477 projects and youth services throughout the country receive support under the schemes. The annual funding allocations for youth projects are determined by my Department and the funding is administered, on behalf of my Department, by a number of grant administering agencies that includes the City of Dublin Youth Services Board (CDYSB) of the CDVEC.
My Department is working on the funding allocation for youth services in 2013. Having regard to the savings requirements identified in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure my Department is seeking to ensure that, in the determination process for the allocations, the front line youth services, particularly those for the most vulnerable young people are protected as far as is possible from the impact of any necessary reductions in funding.
No decisions have been made by my Department neither in relation to the 2013 funding for youth services throughout the country, nor in relation to the funding allocations to be provided for individual projects, including Common Ground. My Department has been advised that the CDYSB, in anticipation of reductions in the funding allocations next year, has been holding a series of meetings with the projects within its area in relation to 2013. Any proposals or recommendations that a body administering funding on behalf of my Department, such as CDYSB, makes in relation to the distribution of funding in its locality on account of its local knowledge of the needs of young people would require the approval of my Department before they are implemented. My Department will be making every effort to advise organisations and projects of their 2013 allocations as soon as possible.
613. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health the reason a mobility grant has been discontinued in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52813/12]
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.
614. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the date on which his Department was first notified of the death of a person (details supplied) and the date on which he was first notified; the persons who notified him and the person who notified his Department; the action if any that was taken by the Health Service Executive prior to him or his Department being notified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53108/12]
View answer699. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the date on which his Department was first notified of the death of a person (details supplied) and the date on which he was first notified;the person who notified him and the person who notified his Department; the action, if any, that was taken by the Health Service Executive prior to he or his Department being notified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52908/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 614 and 699 together.
It would not be customary for my Department to be routinely advised of deaths which have occurred in hospitals, nor to be informed of inquiries being carried out by the Health Service Executive (HSE) into such deaths. However, in this case my Department became aware of the death of Ms Savita Halappanavar on 12th November as a result of a press query.
On receipt of this query my officials checked with the HSE and were informed that this incident was escalated directly from the hospital for the attention of the HSE’s National Incident Management Team (NIMT) on 1st November, in accordance with its Risk and Incident Escalation Procedure’ which outlines the steps that must be taken by each manager to escalate risks and incidents, as appropriate, that occur within their own service. This procedure is to be used in circumstances where a national or integrated response is required.
In addition, in the case of a maternal death, a number of standard procedures are followed including a risk review of the case and the completion of a maternal death notification form, through Maternal Death Enquiry Ireland. Ms Halappanavar's death was also notified to the Coroner as is standard practice and will be the subject of a Coroner's Inquest.
On 23rd November the Board of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) following a request from the HSE and in accordance with Section 9(1) of the Health Act 2007, announced that it will investigate the safety, quality and standards of services provided by the HSE at University College Hospital Galway (UCHG) to critically ill patients, including critically ill pregnant women as reflected in the care and treatment provided to Savita Halappanavar.
I am most anxious that we can establish all the facts and address any possible safety concerns that may arise as a result of the investigation and that could have implications for women attending our maternity services as expeditiously as possible. However, while it is vital that the investigation is expedited, it is also vital to ensure the circumstances surrounding Ms Halappanavar's death are investigated thoroughly.
615. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if a national dementia strategy will be published in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52172/12]
View answer660. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support a commitment to a whole of Government approach to develop a comprehensive and robust dementia strategy and creating a clinical and policy leadership in dementia and delivering solutions through actions in relation to services and supports for persons throughout the dementia journey [52528/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 615 and 660 together.
The Programme for Government gives a commitment to develop a National Strategy on Dementia by 2013 which will increase awareness, ensure early diagnosis and intervention, and enhance community based services for people living with this condition. The first stage of the process was to assemble the research and evidence upon which the strategy will be developed. This was completed earlier this year and the report of the findings Creating Excellence in Dementia Care: a Research Review for Ireland’s National Dementia Strategy has been published. A guide for the general public, Future Dementia Care in Ireland: Sharing the Evidence to Mobilise Action was compiled to disseminate the report’s findings and to give a better understanding of dementia. Both the report and the guide are available at www.doh.ie.
A public consultation process which sought the views of interested parties, to help inform the development of the strategy concluded at the end of August and officials are currently examining the responses. Following on from this process a working group will be established to develop the strategy in 2013.
616. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health his plans for the retention and continued development of a facility (details supplied) in County Louth. [52177/12]
View answer617. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health his plans for the development of certain facilities (details supplied) in County Louth [52178/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 616 and 617 together.
In relation to the particular matters raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
618. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding plans for free general practitioner visit cards for under fives (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52190/12]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Health Act 1970, medical cards are provided to persons who, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive, are unable without undue hardship to arrange general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants. The assessment for a medical card is determined primarily by reference to the means of the applicant and his/her dependants.
In 2005, the GP Visit Card was introduced as a graduated benefit, so that people on lower incomes, particularly parents of young children, who do not qualify for a medical card, would not be deterred on cost grounds from visiting their GP. Where a person’s application for a medical card is unsuccessful, the application is then automatically considered to determine whether the person is entitled to a GP visit card. The assessment income threshold for GP visit cards was initially 25% higher than for the medical card. In June 2006, the differential was doubled to 50%. It is the Government’s intention to extend free GP services to the entire population during the course of this Government.
619. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the amount of State funding given to the Irish Patients' Association and Patient Focus in each of the years 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012. [52191/12]
View answerMy Department has not allocated funding to the organisations in question during this period. I have requested the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly in respect of any funding it may have made to the respective organisations.
620. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health when a post (details supplied) will be advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52195/12]
View answerIn regards to this particular issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy.
621. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health if an application for the home care package will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; if they will be considered for extra home help hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52199/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
622. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information regarding the exceptions funding available to hospitals to allow them carry out cochlear implants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52206/12]
View answerThe HSE National Service Plan sets out the health and personal social services that will be delivered during 2012 from within the HSE budget. In relation to the specific service which is the subject of the Deputy's query, it has therefore been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
623. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if the new annual fee for Health and Social Care Professionals to commence from 31 May 2013 can be reduced; if he will acknowledge that the set annual registration fee of €295 is significantly higher than the fees required of similarly paid and qualified professionals, that the registration fee would be a significant burden on social care staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52208/12]
View answer665. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health his views on the proposed annual fee of €295 which all social workers will have to pay from next May to register in order to continue practising in the State; if it is his intention to reduce this fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52579/12]
View answer678. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will review the proposed annual fee for the registration of social workers with a view to settling on a more affordable fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52745/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 623, 665 and 678 together.
The Health and Social Care Professionals Council (HSCPC) and the 12 registration boards to be established under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 are responsible for protecting the public by regulating health and social care professionals. The Council (also known as CORU) was established in March 2007 and is working to put in place the necessary structures for registration, education and fitness to practise for the 12 health and social care professions designated under the Act.
The first registration board to be established, the Social Workers Registration Board, was established in August 2010, and the associated Social Workers Register opened for receipt and processing of applications on 31st May, 2011. A second registration board, the Radiographers Registration Board, was established on 16th December, 2011 and its register is expected to be established in the near future. Three further registration boards, the Dietitians Registration Board, the Occupational Therapists Registration Board, and the Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board have been established with effect from 1st November 2012. It is also proposed to establish the Physiotherapists Registration Board in early 2013.
All the registration boards and their registers for the remaining designated professions should be established by 2015. Under the provisions of the 2005 Act, there is a two-year transitional period from the date on which the register of the members of that profession is established, during which existing practitioners may apply for registration. The Council which is an independent statutory body is responsible for setting the level of fees. The current fee structure is as follows: A registration fee of €100 for new graduates, who have obtained recognised professional qualifications within two years of applying for registration; An annual retention fee of €295 for registrants, including those who paid the lower rate on graduation, is payable on the annual renewal date.
All health regulators are self funding by way of annual fee income with operational costs being determined by the complexity and breadth of statutory functions specified in its legislation. The greater the registrant base the lower the annual fee charged. Given the enormous registrant base in teaching and nursing, for example, the annual fee charged amounts to less than €100 per annum. Health regulators are single profession regulators whereas the HSCPC is charged with regulating twelve disparate professions, which can add significantly to operating costs. The twelve designated professions to be registered by the Council range in number from under 50 in the case of Clinical Biochemists to a high of 3,000 approximately for Medical Scientists and 5,550 for Social Care Workers, only amount to about 20,000 registrants in total across all professions. is is an extremely low registrant base when compared to a registrant base of well in excess of 60,000 for nurses.
The HSCPC is charged with extensive statutory functions under the 2005 Act, registration being only one, and the annual fee of €295 being charged is considered the minimum required to enable the Council to operate. The fee charged by the Council, which is mindful of the requirement to become self funding by end 2015, is on a par with that charged by other health regulators and less than some in certain cases. It is calculated approximately on the basis of the overall projected costs of the agency when fully operational divided by the total number of registrants and then further reduced to €295 to take account of the Council's phased establishment. The State is currently funding the HSCPC in its establishment phase (€1.937 million in 2012) to offset the current shortfall in income from registration fees and will continue to do so on a reducing basis for the next 3 years.
In response to concerns about the level of fee, the HSCPC has reviewed the regulatory structure to establish what scope exists for controlling registration fees and operational costs and has adopted the following measures: Where an existing practitioner with the necessary experience and recognised professional qualifications, or equivalent, pays the registration fee of €295 and is granted registration during the transitional period, also known as grandparenting, the application fee will cover them for the remainder of the grandparenting period and one full year of retention of registration after expiration of grandparenting. This concession will only apply to existing practitioners availing of the transitional provisions set out in the Act; the Council has requested the HSE to put in place arrangements for the deduction of the registration fee from monthly salary thereby spreading the cost throughout the year; Finally, the Council has proposed significant restructuring of the way in which the designated professions will be registered and regulated to provide a more cost effective operating system. This will require the enactment of primary legislation in due course.
624. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the number of midwives working in Irish maternity hospitals in tabular form. [52222/12]
View answer625. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the correct number of midwives per mother working in maternity wards should be. [52223/12]
View answer626. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the number of midwives per mother in each of the maternity hospitals in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52224/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 624 to 626, inclusive, together.
There is no set ratio of midwives to mothers in maternity hospitals. The staffing level in such services varies according to the clinical needs and midwifery dependency of mothers. I have asked the HSE to provide figures relating to midwifery staffing levels in maternity hospitals directly to the Deputy.
627. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card has been refused for a seriously ill child who requires palliative care; if he will have this decision reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52262/12]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
628. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if a long term stay bed will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork [52266/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
629. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a specific area (details supplied) will continue to receive maximum assistance and that there will be no further cutbacks in this area [52267/12]
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.
630. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will advise and assist citizens who have V.H.I membership, and have been refused cover for their medical expenses. [52287/12]
View answerThe main legislative provisions for the regulation of the Irish private health insurance market are included in the Health Insurance Acts 1994 to 2011. Within that statutory framework, all private health insurers are free to design their own health insurance schemes and to enter into agreements with health service providers. As Minister for Health I do not have statutory powers to direct the VHI or any insurer as to what specific benefits are payable under any particular contract. However, the Health Insurance Act 1994 (Minimum Benefit) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 83/1996 as amended by S.I. 333/2005) set out a minimum level of cover which must be provided by insurers. In addition, the Health Insurance Act 1994 (Open Enrolment) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 81/1996 as amended by S.I. 332/2005) outline the waiting periods which insurers may require customers to serve in different circumstances, including in relation to pre-existing conditions.
Cover for medical expenses under a customer's health insurance contract is a private contractual matter between the customer and the insurer. If the customer is not satisfied with any decision made by an insurer relating to the benefits payable under their contract, they should first discuss it with the insurer concerned. However, if the customer remains dissatisfied with the insurer's response, they may contact the Financial Services Ombudsman. The Financial Services Ombudsman is a statutory officer who deals independently with unresolved complaints from consumers about their individual dealings with all financial service providers. is service is provided free of charge to the complainant. The decision of the Financial Services Ombudsman is binding on all parties unless the decision is appealed to the High Court. Customers also have rights of access to the courts in disputes with insurers.
Insurers provide a 14 day cooling off period where they will cancel a customer's contract and give a full premium refund. However, I would advise all private health insurance customers to consider carefully the full range of plans and levels of cover available within the market before taking out a contract, so that they can be sure that their own needs are fully met. It is important to note that once entered into, health insurance contracts are of one year duration. Even if the customer is paying the premium in instalments over the twelve month contract term, this does not alter the contract in that respect.
The Health Insurance Authority (HIA) is the independent regulator of the private health insurance market in Ireland. It provides information to policy holders in relation to rights and health insurance plans and the benefits provided. The HIA's web-site is www.hia.ie and has a very useful health insurance comparison tool which may assist the public in finding the most suitable and competitive health insurance plan to meet their needs. The HIA can also be contacted at Lo-Call 1850 929 166.
631. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the consultant orthodontist serving the midlands area of counties Laois and Offaly, currently transferring to the southern region has left; if he will outline the steps he proposes to take in order to ensure a replacement to deal with the backlog in respect of orthodontic treatment in counties Laois and Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52313/12]
View answerThe HSE has commissioned an independent review of orthodontic services. The outcome of this review will give guidance as to what changes will be desirable to provide the best possible model of care delivery, given the current resources available and future demand for services. The HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy regarding the provision of orthodontic services in Laois and Offaly.
632. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on the plans to extend free general practitioner care to all claimants of medicines under the long term illness scheme as announced in Budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52330/12]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, GP care without fees within its first term of office. Primary legislation is required to give effect to Government commitment to introduce a universal GP service without fees.
Legislation to allow the Minister for Health to make regulations to extend access to GP services without fees to persons with prescribed illnesses is currently being drafted by this Department and the Office of the Attorney General and will be published shortly. Implementation dates and application details will be announced in due course.
633. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the role of the mental health services in the Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012 to 2015 [52332/12]
View answerOur Programme for Government lays a strong emphasis on mental health and provided for special additional funding from 2012 onwards primarily to strengthen our multidisciplinary community based mental health services, to also enable access to mental health services in primary care settings and to advance suicide prevention measures. In line with this policy and as set out in the recently published Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012 - 2015, it is proposed that as far as possible mental health care should be treated in a similar way to other acute episodes of care and funded on a ‘Money Follows the Patient’ basis. However, international evidence indicates that this is not easy to achieve in mental health services.
I would refer the Deputy to Chapter 10 of the Framework document which describes the plans for the reform of all Social and Continuing Care Services including Mental Health. As part of the move to Hospital Groups/Trusts, specific arrangements will be put in place to accommodate acute in-patient mental health services. Such services are increasingly being delivered in or on the grounds of general hospitals. Specialist Mental Health Services are, however, also provided in a variety of other settings including through day hospitals, day centres, respite houses, community and home based treatment teams. The strategy is that resources must be efficiently managed, targeted at areas of greatest need, and delivered at the point of lowest complexity.
It is anticipated within ‘Future Health’ that all these services will eventually be provided through a strategic commissioning model which will commission or procure packages of services specified by a care needs assessment. In the mental health sector, services outside the acute in-patient hospital based services will largely continue to be provided by the public sector in whatever structure or framework is found to best suit its needs and it will be the responsibility of the new Director of Mental Health to ensure the development of effective and efficient governance arrangements to give effect to the new policy within the context of the overall health reform programme.
634. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on mental health services as a percentage of the overall health services expenditure in each of the years 2005 to 2012 inclusive [52333/12]
View answerDetails of the overall gross non-capital health and mental health budgets are published annually in the Revised Book of Estimates. Based on that information, the following table details the mental health budget as a percentage of the total non-capital health budget for each of the years 2005 - 2012 inclusive:
|
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
7.0% |
8.3% |
7.8% |
7.3% |
6.9% |
6.8% |
5.3% |
5.8% |
About 1 in 4 people will experience some mental health problems in their lifetime, approximately 90% of mental health problems are dealt with in primary care and some 30% of people who attend primary care have a mental health problem and expenditure on these services is not captured in the mental health budgets or the percentages above.
635. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will define a virtual bed and a virtual chair as is used for billing of private patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52338/12]
View answerThe current in-patient charges are provided for by Section 55 of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). These charges are levied 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-care accommodation in public hospitals. These rates are set out in the following table.
|
- |
Hospital Category |
Private Accommodation |
Semi-Private Accommodation |
Day-care |
|
1 |
HSE Regional Hospitals, Voluntary & Joint Board Teaching Hospitals |
€1,046 |
€933 |
€753 |
|
2 |
HSE County Hospitals Voluntary Non-Teaching Hospitals |
€819 |
€730 |
€586 |
|
3 |
HSE District Hospitals |
€260 |
€222 |
€193 |
The private in-patient daily charge of €75, subject to a maximum payment of €750 in any period of 12 consecutive months also applies.
