Written Answers Nos. 238-246
238. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the total cost of administration by service providers under the disability budget; the steps being taken to reduce this as a percentage of the total disability budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53297/12]
View answerThe Value for Money (VFM) and Policy Review of the Disability Services, which I published in July this year, found that there was a wide variation in the percentage of the pay bill spent on management/administration costs across the statutory and voluntary providers and also in different care settings. The overall average pay cost of management/ administration based on 2009 data was calculated at €116m, or 11.1% of total pay costs, with management pay accounting for 4.4% of total pay, and clerical and administrative pay accounting for another 6.7% (ref. VFM Review, Table 4.13).
The VFM Review found that there were many factors influencing the percentage of an agency’s budget which was spent on administration, including the size and function of the agency, so that comparisons were best made between agencies of similar scale and model of service. The Review found that it was difficult to draw any conclusions about a universal approach to the generation of management/ administration savings, which were likely to vary on a case by case basis. On the broader front, the VFM Review identified significant opportunities to achieve savings in agencies’ unit cost base and to reduce average costs across the sector. Savings in management/ administration costs would be a component in this overall cost reduction. In terms of driving efficiencies, a number of administrative areas such as Human Resources, Finance, and Procurement are being examined and progressed through the work of the National Consultative Forum. The Health Service Executive remains committed to working with all voluntary disability service providers to ensure that all of the resources available for specialist disability services are used in the most efficient and effective manner possible.
239. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card will not issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who has no source of income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53298/12]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
240. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the budgetary position for community care/non acute provision on 30 September 2012 in each of the Health Service Executive Regional divisions and within the HSE West Division; the budgetary position on that date in counties Donegal, Sligo/Leitrim, Galway/Roscommon, Mayo and the Mid West; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53299/12]
View answer249. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the overall budgets allocated within the Health Service Executive for each of the regions of Dublin North East, Dublin Mid Leinster, HSE South, HSE west and the current operating deficits for each of these. [53356/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 249 together.
The Health Service Executive publishes its Performance Report every month. The Report provides an overall analysis of key performance data from Finance, HR, Hospital and Primary & Community Services. The activity data reported is based on Performance Activity and Key Performance Indicators outlined in the HSE National Service Plan 2012. A Supplementary Report is also produced each month which provides more detailed data on the metrics covered in the Performance Report.
The September Performance Report is now available on the HSE website at the following link - http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Publications/corporate/performancereports/2012pr.html
A financial overview setting out budgets to date and actual expenditure to date is available on page 6 of the Report while a more detailed analysis by Region and Programme is set out in the Supplementary Report.
241. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been made on a medical card appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53303/12]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
242. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the total number of Government special advisers employed in his Department; the total cost of employing these advisers and the cost of employing these advisers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53314/12]
View answerThe following is a breakdown of the information requested :
|
Minister |
Advisor |
Wholetime Equivalent |
Title |
Current Salary |
|
Mark Costigan |
1 |
Press Advisor |
€92,672 |
|
|
James Reilly |
Maureen Windle |
0.66 |
Special Advisor |
€61,784 |
243. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form, the funding set aside in the Health Service Executive capital plan for the provision of primary care centres with a breakdown of the allocation for each of the years covered by the plan; the number of primary care centres to be provided by the plan with details of scheduling, completion timelines, and locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53344/12]
View answerThe Capital Plan 2012-2016 - expenditure for year 2012, has been approved. It contains Exchequer capital provision for the delivery of primary care centres as follows:
|
Location |
Current Project Status |
Scheduling and estimated completion timelines |
|
Cork City NW at St Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital |
HSE has commenced the procurement of a design team. |
The HSE has been requested to provide you with its best estimates. |
|
Finglas |
HSE has commenced the procurement of a design team. |
The HSE has been requested to provide you with its best estimates. |
|
Grangegorman |
HSE has commenced the procurement of a design team. |
The HSE has been requested to provide you with its best estimates. |
|
Corduff |
HSE has commenced the procurement of a design team. |
The HSE has been requested to provide you with its best estimates. |
|
Monaghan Town |
HSE has commenced the procurement of a design team. |
The HSE has been requested to provide you with its best estimates. |
|
Ballinamore |
At tender stage. |
The HSE estimates that it will be operational by end Q1 2014. |
|
Manorhamilton |
At tender stage. |
The HSE estimates that it will be operational by end Q1 2013 |
|
Sligo Town at Nazareth House |
The primary care centre accommodation will be delivered in phase 2 of the refurbishment of Nazareth House. |
The phase 1 refurbishment of Nazareth House will commence in Q4 2012. The HSE estimates that phase 2 will commence in 2013 and will be completed in early 2014. |
As project delivery is at such an early stage it is not proposed to provide details of capital indented for the projects for reasons of commercial sensitivity.
244. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health when a package of supports will be put in place for families whose children have been affected by unique narcolepsy disorder arising from vaccination with pandemrix; if he will give details of this package of supports; when this package of supports will be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53346/12]
View answer245. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the implementation status of the final report of the National Narcolepsy Study Steering Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53347/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together.
The association between Pandemic vaccination and an increased risk of narcolepsy in children/adolescents is acknowledged in the epidemiological report of the National Narcolepsy Study Steering Committee. However, causation has not been established. My priority is to ensure that children/adolescents affected by narcolepsy with symptom onset post pandemic vaccination are provided with services and supports to meet their health needs. The HSE and the Department of Education and Skills together provide a comprehensive range of services and supports to those affected. These supports and services include access to rapid diagnosis, clear treatment pathways, temporary medical cards and reimbursement of expenses incurred. Multidisciplinary assessments which allow for the appropriate individualised health and educational supports to be put in place are ongoing. 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.
Both myself and officials from my Department and the Department of Education and Skills has met SOUND on a number of occasions, to outline the services available. At our most recent meeting, in July 2012, I reiterated my commitment to bring a Memorandum to Cabinet setting out the full response to the issue. My Department is considering all 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.
246. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 has been refused a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53351/12]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
