Written Answers Nos. 678 - 696
679. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the increasing use of anabolic steroids and the health dangers associated with this; if he will clarify the medical guidelines and the legal provisions regarding the regulation of the supply of these substances; and his views on the steps he is taking to address this matter. [4000/13]
View answer699. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 700 of 27 November 2012 and in view of the ongoing problem of over-use of Benzodiazepines, if all public consultation has now been completed; if he has communicated the intended alterations to regulations under the Misuse of Drugs Act that are relevant to the EU; and his target date for the commencement of the new regulations. [4238/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 679 and 699 together.
The Department is reviewing the Misuse of Drugs Regulations with a view to, amongst other issues, introducing additional controls on certain prescription drugs being traded illicitly, including benzodiazepine medicines. A consultation process has taken place with key stakeholders in relation to the proposed amendments, which include introducing import and export controls on benzodiazepines as well as an offence of possession, thereby assisting the law enforcement roles of Customs and of the Garda Siochána.
Anabolic steroids are currently subject to prescription control under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 540 of 2003), which means they cannot be supplied except in accordance with a prescription. In view of their potential for abuse, it is proposed to place them under the control of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations by making it an offence to import anabolic steroids other than for medical purposes. Draft Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations are currently being prepared and will be submitted for the Government's approval. Following this, it will be necessary to notify the proposed legislation to the EU Commission and Member States to complete the 3 month EU notification period under the Technical Standards Directive.
680. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will seek an immediate explanation from Temple Street Children's Hospital, Dublin, as to the reason the referral list for circumcisions that are required for medical reasons has been closed; if the hospital is authorised to cease accepting such referrals; the strategy in place to deal with young children who require such procedures as in the case of a child (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and as a matter of urgency, in view of the fact that the child is in pain, if he will investigate if there is another health facility in the State at which this procedure can be carried out. [4001/13]
View answerI wish to confirm that Temple Street Children's Hospital does accept referrals for circumcisions which are based on clinical need.
I am advised that the GP referral letter in this case was addressed to the urology department and did not indicate that there was any urgency in the matter. If the GP wishes to refer this case to the General Surgery Department and indicates the level of urgency, it will be dealt with accordingly.
681. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will review the decision to have the home help assistance reduced for an elderly person (details supplied) in County Cork; and, if he does not intend to do so, if he will ask for an assessment of the person's needs to be carried out to determine the assistance she may need. [4011/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
682. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the major health construction projects that received EU funding in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; the percentage of the costs that was covered by EU funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4022/13]
View answerDelivery of healthcare infrastructure is a service issue. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
683. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the construction works that were carried out at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4023/13]
View answerDelivery of healthcare infrastructure is a service issue. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
684. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will assist a family (details supplied) in County Louth [4112/13]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
686. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cavan will receive an appointment with the child development team of the Health Service Executive; the plans in place to ensure that timely diagnoses are made for children with Asperger's Syndrome; if priority will be given to this case in view of the circumstances involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4131/13]
View answerThe Government is committed to the provision and development of services for children with a disability including those with autism having regard to the resources available. A range of community and other services are provided for children with a disability including those with autism by or on behalf of the HSE. Significantly the HSE is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of existing therapy resources to geographic based teams for children and young people with disabilities including those with autism under its Progressing Disabilities Programme for Children and Young People (0-18 years). This aims to increase the level of consistency and standardisation in the way both early intervention services and services for school-aged children with disabilities are delivered.
A detailed action plan is being implemented with the following objectives:
- One clear pathway to services for all children with disabilities according to need
- Resources used to the greatest benefit for all children and families
- Health and education working together to support children to achieve their potential.
In practical terms this means that health professionals and parents will know exactly where a child should be referred and how to refer them. Services may be provided at primary care level or by early intervention and school age disability teams, with access to specialist services, according to the child’s needs.The reconfiguration of existing therapy resources aims to ensure that the resources available are used to best effect. The particular issue raised by the Deputy is an operational service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
687. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular format, the amount spent on smoking cessation programmes each year since and including 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4148/13]
View answerSmoking Cessation Services within the Health Service Executive offer a wide variety of services in different areas. Specialist Smoking Cessation Counsellors are trained to deliver these services on full time, part time and sessional basis nationally. Health Promotion Departments within the HSE also offer an extensive programme of training that includes developing skills for health care practitioners to support people wishing to stop smoking. The HSE funds the National Smokers Quitline which, in conjunction with the Irish Cancer Society, provides a smoking cessation advice and support service. This provides the public with access to a telephone support service from a trained smoking cessation counsellor. In 2011, a new health education campaign, QUIT, aimed at encouraging smokers to quit was initiated by the HSE. It uses real-life stories about smoking related illness to help smokers to quit. As this is a service matter, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
688. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the reason a person with a full medical card is not covered for essential dental work under this medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4170/13]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Service Scheme (DTSS) provides access to dental treatment for adult medical card holders. The HSE prioritises for treatment patients with special needs, high risk patients and those who have greater clinical needs. A free oral examination every calendar year and free emergency dental treatment with a focus on relief of pain and sepsis are available to all eligible patients. Eligible patients can also receive two fillings, all extractions and a number of complex treatments. Prior approval from the HSE Service Area Principal Dental Surgeon is required for complex treatments. When a patient requires secondary and/or tertiary level services a treatment plan including an estimate of costs should be submitted to the Service Area Principal Dental Surgeon for prior approval. The HSE would require specific details of the individual case referred to by the Deputy in order to respond to the issue raised. If the Deputy wishes to provide me with such details I will ask the HSE to examine the matter.
690. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the HPV vaccine to schoolboys here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4182/13]
View answer728. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the HPV vaccine to Irish schoolboys in the same way as they are being offered this vaccine free in other countries to help prevent passing on the HPV virus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4397/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 690 and 728 together.
International studies and scientific assessments suggest that the best way to prevent most disease due to HPV is to vaccinate as many girls and women as possible. Routine vaccination is not recommended for boys. According to research carried out by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the burden of disease associated with HPV 16/18 in males is small, as it is related to some anogenital and head and neck cancers and the efficacy of vaccines for the prevention of these relatively rare cancers is not yet known. Following an evaluation of the HPV vaccine in the Irish context, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee recommended that all girls of 12 years of age should be offered HPV vaccination.
691. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a home care package will be recommended for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4187/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
693. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the plans in place for the care of a severely disturbed violent youth (details supplied) in Dublin 7. [4196/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
