Written Answers Nos. 579 - 597
579. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will explain the way the Social Inclusion Forum which plans to address poverty and social exclusion is compatible with the cuts faced by many families with children/adults with disability (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18250/13]
View answerThe Social Inclusion Forum was established by the Government as part of the structures to monitor and evaluate the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016. This event provides a forum for wider public consultation and discussion on social inclusion issues, in particular for people experiencing poverty and social exclusion and the groups that work with them. The forum has ensured that such stakeholders have a voice in the development of the policies that directly affect them, and how they are implemented. The Social Inclusion Forum is convened by the Department of Social Protection. In relation to disability funding, 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; and 1.68 million hours of Personal Assistant/Home Support Hours. The Government and the HSE are committed to protecting the level of Personal Assistant services available to persons with disabilities. In the 2013 National Service Plan (NSP), the HSE's priority is to maximise the provision of services to people with disabilities within available resources and to maintain a consistent level to that provided for in 2012, including the provision of 1.68 million hours of Personal Assistant/Home Support Hours.
The demand for life-skills training and day services for school-leavers with disabilities continues to grow. The HSE expects that approximately 700 school-leavers will require services in 2013. I am pleased to confirm that, although the 2013 allocation for disability services has been reduced by 1.2%, the HSE National Service Plan includes an additional €4 million to provide training places and day services for school-leavers in 2013. This funding will be allocated to each HSE Region based on the percentage of population. The recommendations of the National Working Group for the Review of HSE-funded Adult Day Services (New Directions) will guide the reconfiguration and modernisation of HSE funded adult day services and will underpin the collaborative action in terms of flexibility and innovation when addressing requirements for school leavers in 2013. Currently the National Disability Unit is liaising with the Regional Leads for Disability Services in terms of a cohesive and collaborative approach to meeting the needs of school leavers within the resources available. Both the voluntary sector and the HSE are committed to the best use of this funding in a creative and flexible manner so as to secure as many places as possible.
580. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the National Plan for Rare Diseases will be in place before the end of 2013 in view of the fact that it is required under the 2009 Council of the European Union recommendation on action in the field of rare diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18253/13]
View answerIreland has been supportive of the EU proposals on rare disease which concluded with the Council Recommendation in June 2009 to which the Deputy refers. The end point is that countries are recommended to develop plans or strategies preferably by the end of 2013. In 2011, I established a Steering Group to develop a policy framework for the prevention, detection and treatment of rare diseases based on the principles of high quality care, equity and to be patient centred. The policy will operate over a five year period, take account of the Council Recommendation on Rare Diseases (2009) and define priority actions subject to resource availability. Since that time work has been progressing steadily on the development of the Plan. This has included a Consultation Event with stakeholders in Farmleigh last June followed by an on-line consultation. Work on the drafting of the plan is well underway and it is my intention to publish the Plan by the end of this year.
581. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on when a clinical director for rare diseases will be appointed; the proposed location of the National Office for Rare Disease; when the report from the consultation on rare diseases will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18254/13]
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.
582. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date with reinstating the rheumatology service at Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18258/13]
View answerIn relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
583. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will consider banning the use of sunbeds for those under 18 years of age [18270/13]
View answerAt present there are no statutory regulations governing sunbed use. I do accept that there is a need for the use of sunbeds to be restricted, especially for children, because of the increased risk of skin cancer and other health problems. The Government has approved the drafting of legislation in this regard. This legislation will prohibit the use of sunbeds on a sunbed premises by persons under 18 years of age and will also set out a comprehensive range of measures to promote a greater public awareness across all age groups of the dangers of developing skin cancer, premature ageing and eye damage from exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Key provisions in the Bill will include: (i) a prohibition on anyone under 18 years of age using a sunbed on a sunbed premises; (ii) a prohibition on the sale to or hire of sunbeds to anyone under 18 years of age; (iii) a prohibition on the unsupervised use of sunbeds in a sunbed premises; (iv) an exemption for medical purposes; (v) control on the remote sale or hire of sunbeds (internet transactions); (vi) sunbed operators, sellers and hirers will be required to notify the HSE; (vii) a requirement that sunbed operators provide training for staff; (viii) an enforcement regime and the imposition of penalties for non-compliance; (ix) an obligation on all sunbed operators to provide protective eyewear to users; (x) a requirement that warning signs be displayed in all sunbed premises; (xi) a prohibition on certain promotional marketing practices; (xii) a requirement on operators to ensure that sunbed users are made fully aware of the potential dangers of sunbed use; and a related provision whereby sunbed users are required to sign to confirm that they have been made so aware.
Officials from my Department are working closely with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to complete the drafting of this legislation. It is important to bear in mind that the Bill, when finalised, must be notified to the EU Commission under the EU Transparency Directive prior to the publication and introduction of the Bill in the Oireachtas. This EU notification requirement will necessitate a minimum of three months to complete.
584. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if there is a dedicated person within her Department to liaise with other relevant Departments to facilitate and help persons (details supplied) who suffer from mental illness, who have difficulty accessing services such as benefits, getting on the social housing list and dealing with the rent allowance office. [18282/13]
View answerThere are a range of services available to individuals who have mental health problems. One of the core values of A Vision for Change is social inclusion in the context of recovery, supporting individuals to reclaim their valued role in their community by engaging with their community in accessing services and benefits with support. Mental health social workers carry out a range of functions as members of multidisciplinary Community Mental Health Teams. Case management involves the integration of health services with a range of other services including, housing, social welfare, job training and employment, liaison with statutory and voluntary agencies etc. The National Service User Executive also has a role in assisting service users along with other agencies such as Citizens Information services which provides an Advocacy service to persons with a disability, to support those people in accessing their entitlements such as rent allowances etc. In addition, individuals, while in-patients in acute mental health units, have access to a Peer Advocate who will provide information and support.
The Department of Health's statutory role is to support the Minister for Health in the formulation and evaluation of policies for the health services. It also has a role in the strategic planning of health services. This is carried out in conjunction with the Health Service Executive, voluntary service providers, Government Departments and other interested parties. There is no dedicated person within the Department of Health to liaise with other Government Departments and, or, Agencies on behalf of individuals who have mental health problems and who have difficulty accessing services such as those described by the Deputy.
585. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a nursing home fair deal scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18285/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
586. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding home help in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [18286/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
587. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a yearly medical card renewal in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 [18287/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
588. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene to ensure speedy treatment of a person (details supplied) in County Cork suffering from adolescent scoliosis who is in danger of permanent and irreversible damage to their spinal cord; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18289/13]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
589. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the current position on water flouridation, to address concerns that exist regarding an alleged artificial water flouridation of the water supply here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18295/13]
View answerThe Forum on Fluoridation, which reported in 2002, advised that the fluoridation of piped public water supplies should continue as a public health measure. One of the recommendations of the Forum was to amend the Regulations regarding fluoridation of public water supplies to redefine the optimal level of fluoride in drinking water from 0.8 to 1.0 parts per million (ppm) to between 0.6 and 0.8 ppm. Regulations were introduced in 2007 to give legal effect to this change. The fluoride currently used is sourced as a primary product; it is mined directly from a raw material source, the mineral fluorospar as calcium fluoride (CaF2). It then goes through a purification process to conform to tightly controlled specifications under the requirements of CEN Standard I.S.EN 12175:2001 to produce hydrofluorosilicic acid, specifically used as the mineral additive, fluoride, to water.
The effects of fluoridation on health and related matters are kept under constant review. The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, established in 2004, monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects. It advises that the balance of scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, at the optimal level, does not cause any ill effects and is the safest and most cost effective method of protecting the oral health of the population. The opinion of the Expert Body is supported by the World Health Organisation; the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Public Health Service and the Surgeon General of the United States; the World Dental Federation; the International Association for Dental Research; the Royal College of Physicians of England and by major international scientifically validated reviews in many countries.
590. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding home help hours in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18298/13]
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.
591. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [18374/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
592. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason a case review in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan has not been published by the Health Service Executive and forwarded to their clinical team. [18375/13]
View answerI have had further enquiries made of the HSE regarding this matter. The HSE has advised that its Local Health Manager in Cavan/Monaghan commissioned a review into the case. The review is at an advanced stage but certain issues of consent are still to be addressed. In the circumstances, the HSE has been asked to respond further to the Deputy in this matter.
593. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when he intends to publish legislation implementing the EU cross border directive on medical care; the financial implications for this directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18378/13]
View answerThe purpose of this Directive is to establish a clear legal framework to facilitate cross border healthcare with a focus on patient rights, information for patients on entitlements and patient choice. The Directive deals with complex issues, both nationally and between Member States, and work continues on the preparation of proposals for legislation. At this time it is not possible to announce any dates for such legislation but details of any proposed legislation will be announced in due course.
594. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the way in which speech and language services are allocated in respect of young citizens who have a severe phonological disorder; if he will indicate the number of hours on a weekly or monthly basis that citizens with speech and language support needs are usually allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18381/13]
View answerThe particular issue raised by the Deputy is a 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.
595. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will isssue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18391/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
596. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he will provide figures relating to the number, type of injury and age profile of those who received hospital treatment as a result of contact with liquid detergent tablets for the years 2012, 2011, 2010 , 2009, 2008 and 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18400/13]
View answerData on admitted patients are available from the Hospital In-patient Enquiry (HIPE) system which records information on each in-patient and daycase discharge from all publicly-funded acute hospitals. While HIPE does identify accidental poisoning of various types, it is not at the level of detail required to identify those who received hospital treatment as a result of contact with liquid detergent tablets.
The National Poisons Information Centre (NPIC) in Beaumont Hospital has provided data relating to the number of queries received by the Centre concerning liquid detergent tablets. In 2011, 144 enquiries were received and in 2012, 220 enquiries were received. The enquiries were from GPs, GP co-ops, hospitals and the general public. Almost all enquiries were related to incidents involving children and the majority (81%) concerned children aged one to three years old. According to the NPIC, vomiting was the most common symptom reported following ingestion of these products. Small numbers of children became drowsy or experienced coughing after the exposure. Eye redness and pain were the most common symptoms reported following eye contact with the contents of the detergent capsules.
597. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information on the percentage of the total home help hours administered by the Health Service Executive in County Donegal, allocated to private companies for the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013 [18481/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
