Billy Kelleher
Question:630. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the date on which it is proposed to publish the tobacco policy review report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6651/13]
View answerTobacco Control Measures
Questions (630)
Written answers
The Report of the Tobacco Policy Review Group is at an advanced stage of development. Following consultation with other relevant Government Departments, it is my intention to bring the report to Government for approval to proceed with its publication and implementation.
Universal Health Insurance White Paper
Questions (631)
Billy Kelleher
Question:631. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when he expects to publish both the preliminary document and the white paper of universal health insurance; the consultation processes he has planned on both these documents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6653/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is embarking on a major reform programme for the health system, the aim of which is to deliver a single-tier health service, supported by universal health insurance (UHI), where access is based on need, not on income. Under UHI, everyone will be insured and will have equal access to a standard package of primary and acute hospital services, including acute mental health services. A new Insurance Fund will subsidise or pay insurance premiums for those who qualify for a subsidy.
The Department is preparing a White Paper on Universal Health Insurance which will provide further detail on the UHI model for Ireland in addition to the estimated costs and financing mechanisms associated with the introduction of universal health insurance. The work involved is both complex and technical, necessitating significant research and financial modelling to support analysis and costing of different design options. This, in turn, demands a wide-range of specialised expertise. The Department is engaged in a process to ensure the provision of this expertise to feed into work on the preparation of the White Paper during 2013. The White Paper will be published as early as possible within the Government’s term of office.
In advance of the White Paper, my Department has produced a Preliminary Paper on UHI, which I intend to publish shortly.
The reform programme is a major undertaking that requires careful planning and sequencing over a number of years. The Programme for Government acknowledges that full implementation of UHI will take some time to achieve. Future Health: A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012-2015 highlights the importance of a step-by-step evidence-based approach to achieving an effective, equitable and efficient system and sets out key actions to systematically deliver on reform. It is anticipated that by 2016 the necessary groundwork will be in place to enable us to phase in implementation of UHI, as promised in the Programme for Government.
It is my intention to consult widely on the reform implementation process, including the White Paper on Universal Health Insurance, when published. I have already commenced this process. For example, in the two weeks following the launch of Future Health,I met with some 1,500 local clinical and administrative staff and management as well as regional health forums at fourteen different events across the four HSE regions.
Tobacco Control Measures
Questions (632)
Billy Kelleher
Question:632. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made with regard to the implementation of the tobacco products directive here; the steps he has put in place to date; the matters yet to be addressed; the timeframe in which he anticipates implementation being completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6672/13]
View answerWritten answers
The 2001 Tobacco Products Directive concerns the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products in the EU. Last December, following extensive consultation with stakeholders, including a public consultation, the European Commission published a proposal for a new EU Tobacco Products Directive, the ultimate purpose of which is to reduce the numbers of people smoking. Areas covered by the new proposal include ingredients and emissions, labelling and packaging, traceability and security features, nicotine containing products and cross border distance sales of tobacco.
The proposal is being discussed in the European Parliament and Council of Ministers and the Commission has expressed the hope that it will be adopted in 2014. The Commission presented the proposal and impact assessment at the first meeting of the Working Party on Public Health under the Irish Presidency on the 7th January 2013. The first discussion of the proposal took place on the 21st January 2013. I am fully supportive of the measures outlined in the proposal. My objective is to build consensus, facilitate agreement among the Member States and significantly progress the Commission’s proposal during Ireland's Presidency.
Graduate Nursing Scheme Application Numbers
Questions (633, 649, 686)
Ciara Conway
Question:633. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the actual number of applicants on the graduate nursing scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6676/13]
View answer
Pat Deering
Question:649. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the uptake on the proposed placement scheme for graduate nurses and midwives; and the alternative plans in place [6754/13]
View answer
Eric J. Byrne
Question:686. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter regarding the nursing graduate recruitment initiative (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7077/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 633, 649 and 686 together.
This graduate employment initiative was introduced on the basis of a phased intake over several months, with potential for up to 1,000 graduates to be employed.
The number of applications processed as at 12 February 2013, is 84. The HSE will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis for 2012 graduates, and also those who graduated in 2010 and 2011. Further recruitment will continue during 2013. In particular, Phase 2, which will cover Mental Health, Intellectual Disability, Midwifery and Paediatrics, will launch in the coming days. There will also be opportunities for those who graduate in 2013 to participate in due course.
The initiative will give nursing and midwifery graduates an employment opportunity and facilitate their professional development at a time when it is not possible to offer permanent posts given the requirement to reduce the numbers employed in the health sector. They will be able to avail of a suite of educational programmes including intravenous canulation and training in anaphylaxis treatment. It has also been agreed that participants will be facilitated in obtaining a certificate in advanced healthcare skills to cover areas such as health assessment and pharmacology.
Tobacco Control Measures
Questions (634)
Finian McGrath
Question:634. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify that the three weeks and one week timeframe set for the tobacco products directive which occurred over the Christmas period was an appropriate timeframe to allow for proper public consultation on this directive; if he will provide the results of these consultations with the total number of submissions; if he will provide a breakdown of the number that were in favour and against this directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6687/13]
View answerWritten answers
On the 19th December, 2012 the European Commission published a proposal for a new EU Tobacco Products Directive, the ultimate purpose of which is to reduce the numbers of people smoking. The proposal is being discussed by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers and the Commission has expressed the hope that it will be adopted by the European Parliament and Council in 2014. The proposal was published following extensive consultation of stakeholders in an EU wide public consultation which generated 85,000 responses. On publication of the proposal in December, my Department held a public consultation by inviting submissions from interested parties. The closing date for this consultation process was the 16th January, 2013.
The Commission presented the proposal to all Member States at the first meeting of the Working Party on Public Health on 7th January 2013.
The closing date for the Irish public consultation was set for 16th January to ensure that submissions were received prior to the Member States' detailed consideration of the proposal at the meeting of the Working Party held on the 21st January 2013. These meetings are on-going and will continue throughout the Irish Presidency. My objective is to build consensus, facilitate agreement among the Member States and to significantly progress the proposal during Ireland's Presidency.
My Department is currently analysing the submissions received following the public consultation.
Home Care Packages
Questions (635)
Finian McGrath
Question:635. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a home care package in respect of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [6689/13]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Care Services
Questions (636)
Finian McGrath
Question:636. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding long term care in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [6690/13]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Graduate Nursing Scheme
Questions (637)
Timmy Dooley
Question:637. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the criteria used in the Health Service Executive West and in particular the regional maternity hospital, County Limerick, where student nurses after qualifying in 2012 were offered seven month contracts on 100% salary ahead of qualified nurses who were placed higher on the national panel of April 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6703/13]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.