Tuesday, 26 Mar 2013

Written Answers Nos. 532 - 548

Health Service Staff

Questions (532)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

532. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the percentage of nurses that are women. [14845/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The number of nurses working in the public health service, as at 31 January 2013, is 34,736.49 (WTE). Approximately 91% of these are female.

Health Service Inquiries

Questions (533)

Clare Daly

Question:

533. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health when the report into the death of a person (details supplied) is due; if the leaking of the draft report is being investigated; and if the family has received a copy of the report. [14849/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive's Investigation Team expects that the Report referred to by the Deputy will be completed shortly. The Chair of the Investigation Team and his colleagues on the Team are continuing to work diligently to complete the report as soon as possible recognising the need to balance expedience with thoroughness. The HSE has communicated with the solicitor of the next of kin regarding the exact date for provision of a copy of the report to his client. The HSE is undertaking an internal review of the leaking of the draft report.

Guthrie Cards Retention

Questions (534, 538, 557, 565, 574, 575)

Clare Daly

Question:

534. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the Health Service Executive not to destroy the bio-bank of Guthrie cards on or after 31 March in order that there can be proper discussion regarding same in a more informed way and if necessary to enact legislation to save these cards. [14850/13]

Michael Lowry

Question:

538. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the steps that have been taken to notify those living abroad of the destruction of heel prick/Guthrie tests for those born between 1984 and 2002; if he is satisfied that due notification has been given both nationally and abroad; if he will ensure that any move to destroy these tests is postponed until due notification is given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14881/13]

Nicky McFadden

Question:

557. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the current position in relation to the retention/destruction of newborn screening card blood samples, also known as Guthrie cards; if he will acknowledge the important genetic information provided by these cards to obtain genetic diagnosis and detect cardiac conditions; if the issue could be dealt with in the upcoming Human Tissue Bill so that both data protection requirements and the protection of blood samples can be taken into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14982/13]

Joe McHugh

Question:

565. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health his views on the database of Guthrie cards and on its availability for usage by the Health Service Executive as a resource for supporting health service delivery into the future. [15074/13]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

574. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will consider introducing legislation to allow for the preservation of important medical data in view of the decision to destroy all Guthrie screening cards between 1984 and 2002 under the national newborn bloodspot screening programme, containing potentially valuable biomedical data for rare genetic diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15141/13]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

575. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his plans to reverse the decision to destroy all Guthrie screening cards between 1984 to 2002 under the national newborn bloodspot screening programme in view of the volume of potentially valuable biomedical data for rare genetic diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15142/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 534, 538, 557, 565, 574 and 575 together.

I have requested that the HSE hold off on the destruction of the (so called) Guthrie Cards, cards which contain blood samples from children born in Ireland dating back to 1984. I have asked for the delay amid concern over the effectiveness of a communication campaign to alert the general public to the issue. I have asked that the delay give time for an expert group to consider the matter further.

The newborn screening cards taken between 1984 and 2002 were retained without the informed consent of the parents or guardians of the children. There is no written consent from parents for the retention or use of these newborn screening cards taken between 1984 and 2002 for research, or other, purposes.

The Data Protection Commissioner had ruled that the cards should be destroyed by the HSE to comply with a ruling from the Data Protection Commissioner that the indefinite retention of newborn screening cards breached the Data Protection Acts 1998 and 2003.

The HSE has been running a campaign to allow parents of children born between 1984 and 2002 who wish to donate their child’s newborn screening card for research to have the card returned to them. They can then donate them for research purposes.

It was intended that the retrieval procedure will begin after the ending of the campaign but public awareness appears to be low. The length of time it could take for retrieval will depend on how many cards have to be returned, however no material will be destroyed before all requests have been processed.

In the wake of mounting concern from a range respected bodies about the potential value into the future of the loss of the material, and in the context of low public awareness of the issue, I have requested that no destruction of the cards begins before an expert group has had an opportunity to consider the matter further.

I have requested the group, which will involve representatives from the Attorney General’s Office, consider if a method can be found to archive the material in a manner that satisfies the concerns of the Data Protection Commissioner.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (535)

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

535. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when an otolaryngology appointment will be available in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14856/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In relation to waiting list management in general, the National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has recently been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. In relation to this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the situation and respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.

Homeless Persons Supports

Questions (536)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

536. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the residential accommodation and services provided by the Health Service Executive in Dublin 1 and Dublin 7; the staffing levels; the type of accommodation and services; the numbers availing of the accommodation and service; and if there are similar statistics available for other areas in Dublin. [14861/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and local authorities have statutory responsibility for the provision of homelessness services in Ireland in line with the National Homeless Strategy, 'The Way Home 2008-2013' and 'Pathway to Home'.

Local authorities identify and address the level of need through a range of community based accommodation options and related housing supports, and the HSE and its partner agencies arrange health and personal social care supports appropriate to the individual service user's needs within this structure.

The allocation of the HSE's homeless budget comes within the remit of the HSE and is allocated based on identified needs in line with the overall financial constraints that the HSE operates within.

Residential accommodation and services provided by the HSE in Dublin 1 and Dublin 7 also relate to mental health and addiction services.

In line with the agreed Programme for Government, this Government has prioritised the reform of our mental health services, and is committed in particular to the delivery of more and better quality care in the community as envisaged in ‘A Vision for Change ’. With regard to residential services, a great deal of progress has been made with the accelerated closure of old psychiatric hospitals and their replacement with bespoke new facilities such as the Phoenix Care Centre, which was opened recently at the St. Brendan’s Campus, Grangegorman in the Dublin 7 area.

In relation to the specific issue raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Home Care Packages

Questions (537)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

537. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a home care package is approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14871/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Question No. 538 answered with Question No. 534.

Medical Card Numbers

Questions (539)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

539. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the number of members of An Garda Síochána that currently have a medical card; the estimated cost of this to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14884/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Disability Support Service

Questions (540)

Colm Keaveney

Question:

540. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter regarding services providers (details supplied); if he will confirm that the agreed cut to the core disability budget will be applied consistently and without variation across all service providers here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14890/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

This Government currently provides funding of over €1.5 billion to the Disability Services Programme through the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2013, and is committed to protecting frontline services for people with disabilities to the greatest possible extent.

The Minister for Health is working to ensure that protection is afforded to the disability sector, and the Social Care area as a whole.

In 2013 the HSE is seeking to maximise the provision of services within available resources and to maintaining a consistent level to that provided in 2012, by providing the following specialist disability services:

- residential services to over 9,000 people with a disability;

- day services to over 22,000 people with intellectual and physical disabilities;

- respite residential support for over 7,500 people with intellectual and physical disabilities;

- 1.68m hours of Personal Assistant / Home Support Hours.

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.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Questions (541)

Tom Fleming

Question:

541. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide financial assistance to a home (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14899/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Financial support for long-term nursing home care is provided under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. The Scheme provides support to individuals, not to nursing homes. In order to be an approved nursing home for the purposes of the Scheme all private nursing homes, and voluntary nursing homes which previously received funding for long-term residential care under section 39 of the Health Act 2004, must negotiate and agree a price for the cost of long-term nursing home care with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). This is necessary due to the commitment by the State to meet the full balance of the cost of care over and above individuals’ contributions.

The NTPF is independent in the performance of this function and, in carrying it out, it must ensure value for money for both the individual and the State. The NTPF negotiates with each nursing home individually and may examine the records and accounts of nursing homes as part of the process.

Finally, the Scheme only applies to long-term nursing home care. Nursing homes, including the one referred to by the Deputy, can have separate agreements with the HSE for the provision of other services, e.g. day care, respite and convalescence.

Health Services Expenditure

Questions (542, 543)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

542. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos 612 and 570 of 12 March 2013, the reason the medicine olanzapine costs consumers €166 in this State compared with €9 in Northern Ireland. [14915/13]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

543. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos 612 and 570 of 12 March 2013, the reason the medicine atorvastatin costs consumers €33.77 in this State compared with €2.87 in Northern Ireland [14916/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 542 and 543 together.

The prices of drugs vary between countries for a number of reasons, including different prices set by manufacturers, different wholesale and pharmacy mark-ups, different dispensing fees and different rates of VAT. In recent years, a number of changes to the pricing and reimbursement system have been successfully introduced in Ireland. These have resulted in reductions in the prices of thousands of medicines.

Following intensive negotiations involving the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA), the HSE and the Department of Health, a major new deal on the cost of drugs in the State was concluded in October last. It will deliver a number of important benefits, including

- significant reductions for patients in the cost of drugs,

- a lowering of the drugs bill to the State,

- timely access for patients to new cutting-edge drugs for certain conditions, and

- reducing the cost base of the health system into the future.

The gross savings arising from this deal will be in excess of €400m over 3 years. €210 million from the gross savings will make available new drugs to patients over 3 years. Thus, the deal will result in a net reduction in the HSE expenditure on drugs of about €190m.

The Department and the HSE have successfully finalised discussions with the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Ireland (APMI), which represents the generic industry, on a new agreement to deliver further savings in the cost of generic drugs. Under this Agreement, from 1 November 2012, the HSE will only reimburse generic products which have been priced at 50% or less of the initial price of an originator medicine. In the event that an originator medicine is priced at less than 50% of its initial price the HSE will require a generic price to be priced below the originator price. This represents a significant structural change in generic drug pricing and should lead to an increase in the generic prescribing rate.

It is estimated that the combined gross savings from the IPHA and APMI deals will be in excess of €120 million in 2013.

The IPHA agreement provides that prices are referenced to the currency adjusted average price to wholesaler in the nominated EU member states in which the medicine is then available. The prices of a range of medicines were reduced on 1 January 2013 in accordance with the agreement.

The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012, which was passed at Committee Stage on the 19th of March, provides for the introduction of a system of generic substitution and reference pricing. The Bill provides that when the HSE is setting a reference price for, or reviewing a reference price set for, a relevant group of interchangeable medicinal products it shall take into account the following criteria:

- the ability of suppliers to meet patient demand for the relevant item;

- the value for money afforded by the relevant item;

- the equivalent prices of the relevant item in all other Member States where the product is marketed;

- the prices of therapeutically similar items; and

- the resources available to the HSE.

It is important to balance achieving best value for money for the taxpayer with assuring continuity of supply for critical medical products, particularly in a small market like Ireland. Consequently, the Bill aims to achieve value for money while avoiding disruption in the availability of medicines on the Irish market. This legislation will promote price competition among suppliers and ensure that lower prices are paid for these medicines resulting in further savings for both taxpayers and patients.

Disabled Drivers Grant Eligibility

Questions (544)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

544. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an explanation as to why a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 had their primary medical certificate withdrawn by the Health Service Executive despite their medical condition deteriorating and medical evidence to prove this deterioration being provided to the HSE. [14921/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Hospital Services

Questions (545)

Billy Timmins

Question:

545. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the poition regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14937/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Primary Care Centres Provision

Questions (546)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

546. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the current position with regard to the proposed provision of a Health Service Executive primary care centre (details supplied) in County Dublin. [14938/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Delivery of health care infrastructure is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Pension Provisions

Questions (547)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

547. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the reason a staff member of the Health Service Executive from County Sligo who is due to retire at 65 cannot receive their pension until the age of 66; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14941/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (548)

Jack Wall

Question:

548. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive a date for a scan in Tallaght General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14944/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In relation to waiting list management in general, the National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has recently been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. In relation to this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the situation and respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.