Written Answers Nos. 759-783
759. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the date on which his Department was first informed by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland that positive tests showed the presence of horsemeat in beef burgers for human consumption; the actions he initiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5109/13]
View answer760. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the date on which his Department was first alerted that positive tests indicated that beef burgers for human consumption were adulterated with horsemeat; the action he took in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5110/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 759 and 760 together.
On 14th January 2013, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) confirmed to my Department that test results from one beef burger sample taken from Silvercrest Foods was found to contain horsemeat. The FSAI advised that the level of horse DNA in that sample indicated that horsemeat accounted for approximately 29% relative to the beef content. My officials immediately confirmed with FSAI that this did not pose any risk to public health. My Department also verified that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which has lead responsibility for this matter, had also been informed of these results by FSAI.
761. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health if the drug, Kalydeco, will be available to patients suffering from Cystic Fibrosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5114/13]
View answerDr. James Reilly, Minister for Health announced, on the 1st February 2013, that Kalydeco, a new innovative medicine for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients who have the G551D mutation, will be made available for patients in Ireland from the 1st of March.
762. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will give consideration to the concerns outlined in correspondence (details supplied) regarding funding for general practice-primary care; if he will take into account the concerns of general practitioners about the difficulties that will arise due to the reduction in funding announced in budget 2013; if he will also take into account the additional difficulties that will arise particularly for rural practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5127/13]
View answerOn Budget Day, it was announced that the fees and allowances payable to certain health professionals will be reviewed. The professionals concerned are General Practitioners, Pharmacists, Dentists, Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians who hold contracts with the HSE, Smeartakers contracted under the CervicalCheck programme and Consultant Psychiatrists who hold contracts with the Mental Health Commission.
On 13th December 2012, the Department of Health placed a notice in the National newspapers and on the Department’s website advising that a review of payments to the above health professionals was being carried out under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. Interested parties were invited to provide written submissions by Friday 4th January 2013. The Irish Medical Organisation also outlined the concerns of its members in an oral presentation to Department and HSE officials, including difficulties faced by rural practices. The consultation period ended on 11th January 2013.
Following careful consideration of submissions made during the review and having due regard to Section 9 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2009, the Minister for Health will decide whether any reductions in fees/allowances will be made, and, if so, the scale of reductions that would be fair and reasonable in the circumstances.
Should the Minister decide that reductions are warranted, Regulations will be made under the FEMPI Act with the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
763. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the €61 million of capital funding spent by his Department during December; the reason 17% of his Department's overall capital spend was held until December; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5137/13]
View answer764. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the reason his Department had a capital underspend of €41 million for 2012; what the funding was due to go towards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5138/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 763 and 764 together.
The health sector had a combined capital allocation of €399.5m in 2012 and a combined expenditure of approximately €349.963m giving an underspend of €49.537m approximately.
The HSE's capital under spend for 2012 is estimated at approximately €40.85m. As part of measures to address the revenue deficit the Executive was required to achieve capital savings of at least €28m. In addition there were further savings as a result of timing issues.
The HSE reported a capital spend of approximately €47m in December 2012 which represents approximately 12% of the Executive's 2012 capital allocation. The HSE's capital expenditure varies by month determined by progress on projects. The breakdown of the HSE's December capital expenditure is as follows: Construction €39m; and ICT €8m.
My Department had a capital spend of €5.525m in December 2012 giving a combined expenditure of €52.525 in December (approximately 13%) of the gross health sector capital allocation.
These are estimated figures pending the completion of the Appropriation Accounts in March 2013.
765. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if doctors in the Health Service Executive north east region have been charging medical card patients for blood tests; the timeframe in which the practice has been going on; if the practice is in breach of the GMS contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5145/13]
View answerIn circumstances where the taking of blood is necessary to either (a) assist in the process of diagnosing a patient or (b) monitor a diagnosed condition, General Practitioners (GPs) may not charge patients if they are eligible for free GMS services under the Health Act, 1970, as amended. It is the contracted responsibility of GPs to provide proper and necessary treatment to eligible persons. If part of that proper and necessary treatment includes routine phlebotomy, GPs must provide such services free of charge under the terms of their General Medical Services (GMS) contract.
The HSE has written to GP contract holders and clarified the position in relation to this matter and has also communicated its position to the Irish Medical Organisation.
Where evidence had emerged of GPs charging patients for routine phlebotomy services, the HSE wrote to the GP contractors advising them that by charging GMS patients they were in breach of the GMS contract and that persistence in the practice of charging patients could have contractual implications, including adjustments to routine payments such as nurse subsidies. The HSE is continuing to address this issue.
The HSE is also continuing to advise eligible patients who believe they have been inappropriately charged by a GP for routine phlebotomy services, to seek a refund from the GPs in question.
In relation to the provision of phlebotomy services to GMS patients by GPs in the HSE's North East region, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
766. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the total amounts invested in his Department's primary care strategy on an annual basis since 2010; if he will outline in a tabular form the number of medical posts and administration posts created under the strategy on a regional basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5146/13]
View answerThe implementation of the Primary Care Strategy is a priority for this Government. The objective is to develop services in the community which will give people direct access to integrated multi-disciplinary teams of general practitioners, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and others.
At the end of December 2010, there were 350 Primary Care Teams operating, i.e. holding clinical team meetings, involving GPs and HSE staff. Since then a further 76 PCTs have been established, mainly through the reconfiguration of existing HSE staff to work as part of these multidisciplinary teams, giving a total of 426 PCTs in operation at the end of December 2012. The 426 Teams provide services for almost 4 million of the population with 2,636 HSE staff members and over 1,692 GPs participating. The following table provides a breakdown by HSE Area.
|
HSE Region |
No of Teams in Place |
No of GPs Participating |
No of HSE Staff on Teams |
|
DML |
131 |
490 |
822 |
|
DNE |
70 |
233 |
479 |
|
SOUTH |
120 |
523 |
581 |
|
WEST |
105 |
446 |
754 |
|
TOTAL |
426 |
1,692 |
2,636 |
The HSE's 2013 National Service Plan commits to having 484 operational Teams in place by the end of this year.
Unfortunately, due to the difficult financial situation, it was not possible to provide dedicated funding for primary care in 2011 or 2012. However, I am pleased to say that €20 million is set aside for primary care in the HSE’s 2012 National Service Plan. The HSE has completed a detailed analysis of the numbers and distribution of public health nurses, registered general nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists. The analysis revealed considerable variation across the 17 Integrated Service Areas in ratios of health care professionals to population, and to population numbers in areas of high deprivation.
Based on this analysis, it is intended that an additional 70 Public Health Nurses; 37 Registered General Nurses; 51 Occupational Therapists; 46 Physiotherapists; and 47 Speech & Language Therapists will be recruited as soon as possible in 2013.
On 17th July 2012, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced the Government’s €2¼ billion Infrastructure Stimulus Package, which included up to €115 million being made available for primary care centres (PCCs) to be delivered by public private partnership (PPP). Thirty five locations for PCCs have been identified, of which 20 will be commissioned subject to (a) agreement between the local GPs and the HSE on active local GP involvement and (b) site suitability and availability. The Capital Plan 2012-2016 contains provision for the delivery of primary care infrastructure at an additional 8 locations while the leasing initiative is expected to deliver up to an additional 15 facilities which should be substantially completed by end 2013/early 2014.
767. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will outline, in tabular form and on a regional basis, the amount of moneys due to service providers from his Department under headings (details supplied) for more than one month, two months, three months and more than six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5147/13]
View answerPayments in respect of immunisations, out-of-hours services and special items of service are made to service providers by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service in accordance with the provisions of the respective contract for service which the service provider holds with the HSE. Consequently, the HSE has been requested to provide the specific information in tabular form on a regional basis to the Deputy as soon as possible.
768. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health his plans to upgrade the Westdoc Base at St. Joseph's District Hospital, Ballina, County Mayo [5148/13]
View answer90% of the population have access to GP out-of-hours services in 14 centres nationally, including Westdoc. As the specific issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
769. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will provide data on the provision of child and adolescent psychological services; the numbers of early school leavers who avail of mental health or other health or social services from his Department in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5160/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
770. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will furnish the latest Health Service Executive emergency department activity comparison and the corresponding one from 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5170/13]
View answerThis information is collected and collated by the Business Intelligence Unit within the Health Service Executive. Therefore, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
771. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health if he will approve an emergency medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick in view of the fact that there are extreme medical issues at stake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5178/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
772. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health his views on the conditions and working hours of junior doctors in the Health Service Executive; his plans to engage with the Irish Medical Organisation to re-examine their working hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5181/13]
View answer790. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support the non-consultant hospital doctors' campaign to cut the maximum shift worked from 36 hours down to 24 hours. [5258/13]
View answer793. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health if Ireland complies with the EU working time directive for non-consultant hospital doctors at present; if NCHDs are working more than 48 hours per week and-or working for more than 24 hours consecutively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5281/13]
View answer810. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health in view of the non consultant hospital doctors campaign to cut the maximum working shift for junior doctors, if he will confirm the existing working practices in respect of hours and pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5347/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 772, 790, 793 and 810 together.
The Government is committed to achieving compliance with the European Working Time Directive in respect of non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) by 2014. I have emphasised to the HSE the high priority the Government and I attach to this issue.
In January 2012, a detailed plan for the achievement of compliance by NCHDs with the Working Time Directive was submitted to the EU Commission. The plan affirmed Ireland's commitment to achieving compliance with the Directive over a three-year time period. It committed to implementing the measures necessary, including: the implementation of new work patterns for medical staff, transfer of work undertaken by NCHDs to other grades, and the organisation of hospital services to support compliance. The Health Service Executive’s Service Plan for 2013 specifically recognises the need to address the issue as a priority, stating that there will be a particular focus in the acute hospital service on the achievement of compliance with the European Working Time Directive amongst the non-consultant hospital doctor workforce, in line with the Implementation Plan submitted to the Commission in 2012. The HSE is currently finalising its National Operational Plan to support the implementation of the National Service Plan 2013. This will specify in greater detail the actions to be taken during the year in relation to EWTD compliance. A key priority for the HSE in 2013 will be a further reduction of average weekly hours worked and also a reduction in the duration of shifts undertaken.
The HSE, as the principal health service employer, engages with the IMO on a regular basis in relation to contractual matters, including EWTD compliance, and will continue to do so.
773. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health his policy regarding the addition of the meningitis vaccination to the national vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5182/13]
View answer785. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce the new Meningitis B vaccine into the childhood immunisation schedule (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5241/13]
View answer841. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce the new Meningitis B vaccine for Meningococcal B Meningitis and septicaemia into the childhood immunisation schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5647/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 773, 785 and 841 together.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice, international best practice and by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).
A Health Technology Assessment which includes a cost benefit analysis is carried out prior to any new vaccine being considered. This has a vital role in ensuring that care technologies, including vaccines, are used in a manner appropriate to their ability to maximise health gain and achieve value for money.
Should NIAC advice recommend the inclusion of a new vaccine into the primary childhood immunisation programme in Ireland, my Department, in association with the Health Service Executive's National Immunisation Office will examine the issue.
774. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on the Human Tissue Bill which has been in preparation by his Department since 2009; when will it be brought before Dáil Éireann; what is contained in the proposed Bill with respect to the presumed consent versus expressed consent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5190/13]
View answerThe Heads of a human tissue Bill which will meet the key recommendation of the Madden Report on Post Mortem Practice and Procedures that no hospital post-mortem may be carried out and no tissue retained without consent/authorisation are at an advanced stage of drafting.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Programme for Government envisages the introduction of an opt-out system of organ donation, with a view to improving the availability of organs for patients in need of transplantation. This will of course require detailed consideration and further consultation and I am developing proposals for Government on this matter.
775. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding orthodontic treatment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [5194/13]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
776. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a long-term care plan in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [5195/13]
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.
777. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on autistic services for teenagers in the Dublin area. [5196/13]
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.
778. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the health centre in Johnstownbridge, County Kildare; his plans to develop a new health centre in the area that would incorporate both the Enfield County Meath and Johnstownbridge, County Kildare areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5199/13]
View answerAs you are aware there will always be more construction projects than can be funded by the Exchequer. The primary care infrastructure model offers a good fit for private sector finance and the HSE will continue to work with interested parties to deliver primary care centres.
As the delivery of health care infrastructure is a service matter your query has been referred to the Executive for direct reply.
779. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports of the closure of the health centre at Monasterevin, County Kildare; and in view of the fact that the current health centre in the town serves a population base of in excess of 7,000 people, if he will take appropriate steps to secure its future. [5203/13]
View answer789. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to the closure of local health centres in County Kildare; if he will identify any such centres under consideration; if he will desist from the closure of such facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5256/13]
View answer795. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the way he justifies the proposed closure of the Monasterevin local health centre in County Kildare in view of the Government's commitment to primary care development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5284/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 779, 789 and 795 together.
The Government is committed to moving the focus of health care from secondary care to primary care, key aspects of which include the continued development of Primary Care Teams and Primary Care Centres.
The HSE has responsibility for the provision of Primary Care Centres and the maintenance of existing health centres. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputies.
780. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that funding is made available for children who have a profound hearing impairment to receive the double cochlear implant procedure which is standard in other EU states, including the NHS in the UK, particularly in view of the fact that there are around 350 children waiting for the procedure and at present can only receive a single implant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5205/13]
View answer800. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will consider providing bilateral cochlear implants as recommended in the 2009 Audiology Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5329/13]
View answer801. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of people, on average, who receive cochlear implants each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5330/13]
View answer802. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the amount extra, on average, it would cost the State yearly to provide bilateral cochlear implants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5331/13]
View answer816. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided to provide cochlear implants to children when profound deafness exists in both ears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5423/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 780, 800 to 802, inclusive, and 816 together.
I am advised that Beaumont Hospital carried out over ninety cochlear implants in 2012 and that over seven hundred patients are currently under the care of the hospital programme which provides rehabilitation and programming on a recurring basis. 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.
781. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he has received and reviewed a copy of the Men's Health Forum in Ireland's new report Young Men and Suicide Project; the measures he is taking on foot of the report to specifically address the problem of suicide among young men here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5218/13]
View answerI have received a copy of the recently published Report on the All-Ireland Young Men and Suicide Project and I am currently examining the recommendations contained in the Report.
Dealing with the current high levels of suicide and deliberate self harm is a priority for this Government. Reach Out our National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention recognises the youth sector as a high risk group and sets out a number of specific actions. Consequently, the HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) has developed a range of initiatives aimed specifically at supporting young people who are suicidal and also supporting their peers in recognising and responding appropriately to signs of emotional distress and suicidal thoughts.
Key initiatives progressed by the NOSP in 2012 include the provision of a wide range of awareness and training programmes including safeTALK and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Training) which trains participants to become more alert to the possibility of suicide in their community, the continuation of the National Awareness Campaigns which, last year, specifically targeted men and young men, the funding of partner agencies and projects, a number of which provide support services to young people and the development of Guidance for Post Primary Schools on Mental Health & Suicide Prevention developed with the Department of Education and Skills which was launched last week.
The annual budget for suicide prevention has increased this year to over €13m, of which €8.1m is available to NOSP to fund voluntary and statutory agencies delivering services in the area of prevention, intervention, postvention and research and the remaining €5m is available regionally to fund Resource Officers for Suicide Prevention, Self-Harm Liaison Nurses in Hospital Emergency Departments and local suicide prevention initiatives. The Department of Health is currently in discussions with the National Office to develop a programme of measures that will reduce the tragic loss of life through suicide. The implementation of the recommendations contained in the Young Men and Suicide Project Report will be considered in the context of those discussions.
782. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the appointment of the Director of the National Suicide Office and the key aims of the agency for the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5219/13]
View answerA new Director of the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) was appointed in November 2012. The role of the Office is to oversee the implementation of Reach Out, our National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention. The key functions of NOSP include the coordination of the implementation of Reach Out, the commissioning of research into suicidal behaviour in Ireland to develop evidence based policy and interventions, the development and implementation of information and education campaigns to increase awareness of mental health and suicide prevention and liaising with the media to ensure responsible reporting of suicidal behaviour in Ireland.
The annual budget for suicide prevention increased this year to over €13m, with €8.1m available to NOSP to fund voluntary and statutory agencies delivering services in the area of prevention, intervention, postvention and research and the remaining €5m available regionally to fund Resource Officers for Suicide Prevention, Self-Harm Liaison Nurses in Hospital Emergency Departments and local suicide prevention initiatives.
The Department is currently in discussions with the National Office to develop a programme of measures that will reduce the tragic loss of life through suicide. Priority initiatives identified for this year include:
- The further development of existing National Mental Health Awareness campaigns to promote help seeking.
- Increased training for GPs and practice staff - GP training is seen to be one of most effective interventions in suicide prevention.
- Building the capacity of communities to respond to suicide.
- Implementation of the clinical care programme for self harm. This will include the funding of nursing posts within Hospital Emergency Departments, training of acute hospital staff on suicide and self harm intervention and the development of the SCAN (Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse) model which allows for crisis interventions at primary care.
- Investment in voluntary agencies providing frontline services.
783. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the current waiting time for an application for a medical card and a general practitioner card; the number of applicants currently waiting for their medical card and GP application to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5237/13]
View answerThe current processing time for medical cards/GP Visit Cards applications is 95.47% within 15 days as at 1st February 2013 with 4801 applications currently being processed.
