Wednesday, 6 Mar 2013

Written Answers Nos. 220-228

HSE Staffing

Questions (220)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

220. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of social work teams employed by the Health Service Executive nationally in each of the past three years; the number of social workers, social work team leaders, principal social workers, aftercare workers, access workers, child care workers, family support works and administration staff employed within these social work teams for the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11812/13]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Figures supplied by the HSE, from its census of employment in the public health and social care sector, indicate that the number of whole-time equivalent (WTE) social workers, social work team leaders, senior social workers, principal social workers, social care staff and family support workers within social work teams for the past three years was as follows:

Grade	31/05/2010	31/05/2011	31/05/2012	31/01/2013
Social Worker	634	866	868	990
Social Worker, Team Leader	181	214	219	264
Social Worker, Senior	68	72	67	83
Social Worker, Principal	68	75	61	88
Sub Total	951	1,227	1,215	1,425
Social Care Worker	681	741	723	811
Social Care Manager, Deputy	13	13	14	14
Social Care Manager	51	53	48	57
Social Care Leader	291	299	293	327
Sub Total	1,036	1,106	1,078	1,209
Family Support Worker	161	147	133	146

The census numbers reflect the outcome of a process of reclassification of social workers within the HSE into various care groups, including children and families, as part of the process of establishing the Child and Family Support Agency separate from the HSE.

My Department has requested additional information from the HSE with regard to the other staff groups identified and I will forward this information to the Deputy when it is received.

HSE Staffing

Questions (221)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

221. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the way in which the Working Time Directive 2003/88/EC of the EU is applied to non-consultant hospital doctors, to specialist hospital consultants, to allied health professionals based in hospitals and to nursing staff in hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11780/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government is committed to achieving compliance with the European Working Time Directive, and related Irish legislation in respect of non-consultant hospital doctors by 2014. I have emphasised to the Health Service Executive the high priority the Government and I attach to this issue.

The HSE's National Service Plan 2013 states that there will be a particular focus in the acute hospital service on the achievement of compliance with the Directive amongst the non-consultant hospital doctor workforce. National Standards for reducing non-consultant hospital doctors hours have been issued to hospital managers and clinical directors. These specify a series of compliance targets and timescales and will be used to assess progress on a site by site basis, The HSE has also recently established a national group chaired by a senior executive to bring a clear and urgent focus to implementation of the Directive, assessment of performance and site by site accountability for change. The hours of other healthcare workers are in compliance with the Directive.

The Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 provided for implementation of the 1993 Working Time Directive in respect of most workers, including healthcare workers. Non-Consultant hospital doctors however had been excluded from this Directive and consequently they were excluded from Part II of the Act, which provides for minimum rest periods, a maximum working week of 48 hours averaged over a reference period, and other matters relating to working time.

Directive 2003/88/EC consolidated Directive 93/104/EC and Directive 2000/34/EC. The latter Directive had reversed the exclusion of non-consultant hospital doctors, and provided for a phased reduction of their maximum average weekly working hours, with full compliance to be achieved by August 2009. The European Communities (Organisation of Working Time) (Activities of Doctors in Training) Regulations 2004 transposed the EU Working Time Directive for non-consultant hospital doctors in Ireland. It provided for:

- the phased reduction in the average working week to 48 hours;

- 11 hours rest every 24 hours or equivalent compensatory rest before return to work; and

- 35 hours continuous rest per week or twice a fortnight or 59 hours continuous rest per fortnight.

The consolidating 2003 Directive recognises that certain activities may require continuity of service and allows for the provision of compensatory rest where this arises, subject to the workers concerned being afforded appropriate protection. It specifically identifies doctors in training as a relevant category. In 2010, the 2004 transposing Regulations were amended to specifically recognise collective agreements permitted under the Directive between the two sides of industry, such as that reached between the HSE and the IMO which provides for non-consultant hospital doctors working for 24 hours, subject to compensatory rest being granted.

Water Fluoridation

Questions (222)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

222. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the location from which the hydrofluorisilic acid used to deliver fluoride to our drinking water is being sourced from at present; if he will provide a source to confirm the origin of this hydrofluorisilic acid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11785/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The hydrofluorosilicic acid supplied and delivered by the current supplier, Chemifloc, is sourced from Derivados del Fluor (DDF) in Spain.

Universal Health Insurance Provision

Questions (223, 258)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

223. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the universal health insurance will take into account that persons already pay the pay related social insurance and the universal social charge; if the UHI will result in a reduction in PRSI and USC rates overall or will it be an additional charge for persons on top of PRSI and the USC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11946/13]

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

258. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he has had discussions with the Department of Finance in relation to the proposed universal health insurance and if this charge will take into account that persons already pay the pay related social insurance and the universal social charge; if the UHI will result in a reduction in PRSI and USC rates overall or will there be an additional charge for persons on top of PRSI and the USC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11944/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 258 together.

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.

In relation to financing of UHI, my Department is currently advancing work on the White Paper on Universal Health Insurance. This White Paper 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 and demands a wide-range of specialised legal and financial expertise which my Department is currently in the process of engaging. It also requires strong engagement across a number of Government Departments. To facilitate this, my officials are currently establishing a UHI Design Team which will include representatives from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and elsewhere. The Team will oversee progress on the White Paper and ensure effective, timely collaboration across different Government areas as appropriate.

Mobility Allowance Decision

Questions (224, 225, 250, 251)

Joe McHugh

Question:

224. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health when a replacement scheme will be in place after the motorised transport scheme ceases in four months time. [12240/13]

Brendan Griffin

Question:

225. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the way he intends to replace the current mobility allowance and motorised transport grant schemes; if he will guarantee that all current recipients of the grants will be in receipt of the new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12051/13]

Michael Creed

Question:

250. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he will explain the operation of the motorised transport grant; the number in receipt of this assistance to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11876/13]

Michael Creed

Question:

251. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the operation of the mobility allowance scheme; the numbers in receipt of this allowance; if he will provide a breakdown on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11877/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 224, 225, 250 and 251 together.

The Motorised Transport Grant was a means tested, Health Service Executive (HSE) payment to enable a person with a severe disability to purchase or adapt a car where that car is essential to retain employment. The maximum grant of €5,020 was payable once in any three year period. More than 300 people received the grant each year at an estimated cost of €1.3 million. The key eligibility criteria for the Motorised Transport Grant included medical criteria, the requirement of a car in order to retain employment and a means test to determine the amount of grant (if any) payable. Eligibility for the Motorised Transport Grant could also be considered in Exceptional Circumstances, other than for employment retention, for a person with a severe disability who lived in very isolated circumstances and where their disability prevented use of public transport.

The Mobility Allowance was a means tested, HSE payment to persons with a severe disability, (who are unable to walk or be in such condition that the exertion required to walk would be dangerous to their health) who are over 16 years and under 66 years, to enable them to benefit from a change in surroundings. The Mobility Allowance is paid monthly and the current rate is €208.50 per month. There are in excess of 4,700 recipients of mobility allowance at an annual cost of over €9 million.

I have provided the Deputies with the figures for the numbers of applicants in receipt of the Mobility Allowance and the Motorised Transport Grant for the last full year for which those figures are available, i.e. 2011, in the table below.

Conscious of the position of the Ombudsman that the Mobility Allowance and the Motorised Transport Grant schemes are illegal in the context of the Equal Status Acts and following detailed consideration of the issues involved with Cabinet colleagues, the Government decided on 26th February that it was no longer possible to allow the two schemes to continue as they operated and to devise an alternate solution for meeting the priority transport needs of people with a disability. Although the Government's decision ends both schemes to new applicants with immediate effect, the payment of Mobility Allowance to those currently in receipt of it, will continue for another four months.

The Government remains very conscious that there are many people who cannot access public transport and who rely on supports such as the Mobility Allowance and the Motorised Transport Grant for their transport needs. Unfortunately it is not possible to expand these schemes to comply with the Equality Status Acts, without incurring very significant additional costs, which would result in a requirement for severe service cut back in current disability, older people and mental health services. It is important to note that the decision is in no way intended to save costs and the funding involved in the two schemes (€10.6 million) remains committed to meeting the priority transport needs of people with a disability.

A special review group, which will be independently chaired, has been established to seek an alternative method to provide for the needs of people in a manner that does not run counter to the Equal Status Acts. Following the initial phase of the group's work, which will concentrate on issues around Mobility Allowance and the Motorised Transport Grant, a key concentration of the group will be to look at opportunities for the enhancement of the transport options provided to the relevant persons in need. As part of the review, the HSE will examine the circumstances of all those currently benefiting from the schemes to ensure the identified solutions will encompass their priority mobility needs. In addition, the Minister for Health has instructed the HSE to contact each individual in receipt of the payments to notify them of this decision.

County / HSE Region	Applicants in receipt of Mobility Allowance in 2011	Applicants in receipt of Motorised Transport Grant in 2011
Dublin South	99	1
Dublin South City	75	1
Dublin South East	68	0
Dublin South West / Kildare West Wicklow	394	5
Dublin West	207	1
Midlands	152	12
Wicklow	114	1
Meath	102	6
Louth	110	3
Cavan / Monaghan	80	3
Dublin North Central	185	1
Dublin North West	299	0
Dublin North	255	6
Carlow / Kilkenny	251	1
Cork North	109	0
Cork North Lee	213	3
Cork South Lee	171	0
Cork West	69	1
Kerry	173	1
Tipperary South Riding	116	14
Waterford	128	4
Wexford	191	7
Donegal	113	83
Galway	367	39
Mayo	160	15
Mid West	371	19
Roscommon	45	13
Sligo / Leitrim / West Cavan	85	38
TOTALS	4,702	278

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (226, 227)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

226. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the annual cost of providing non-means tested medical cards to EU citizens over the age of 60 years who have worked in other EU countries but retire to Ireland with a contributory pension from abroad; if the costs of those are recouped from member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11715/13]

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

227. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the process and policy for the awarding of non-means tested medical cards to Irish citizens over the age of 60 years who have worked in other EU countries but retire to Ireland with a contributory pension from abroad; the number of medical cards that are currently awarded to such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11716/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 227 together.

I have asked the Health Service Executive for a report on the issues raised by the Deputy. I will revert to the Deputy on the matter as soon as possible.

Medicinal Products Supply

Questions (228)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

228. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding medication for cystic fibrosis in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11718/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The HSE has circulated a detailed protocol to hospitals in relation to the administration of the medication mentioned by the Deputy. The case of the particular patient has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.