Written Answers Nos. 583 - 601
584. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in relation to their application for receipt of incremental payments due after 20 years' service in employment; if he will outline the eligibility criteria for receipt of incremental payments to long-term employees in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20369/13]
View answerPrior to the introduction in 2009 of the moratorium on staff recruitment and promotion in the public service, arrangements were in place whereby staff nurses, who applied, were promoted to the Senior Staff Nurse Grade after 20 years' service. The relevant agreement between Management and the Unions stipulated that the post of Senior Staff Nurse was not a long-service increment. Since the moratorium, no appointments to the post of Senior Staff Nurse have been made, given that such appointments would constitute promotion.
In the context of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) proposals following the public service pay discussions earlier this year, the management side had indicated its preparedness to resume the appointment of nurses with the requisite service to the Senior Staff Nurse grade. Given that, at the request of Government, the Chief Executive of the LRC is currently consulting further with the parties to those discussions, I do not consider it appropriate to comment further at this point on the issue raised by the Deputy.
586. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine correspondence on a matter (details supplied) regarding eating disorders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20387/13]
View answerHaving examined the correspondence in relation to the Internet and eating disorders, I wish to advise the Deputy that the Internet is an international and worldwide phenomenon, that has no borders and no single control mechanism. Therefore, efforts to combat harmful materials and activities on the Internet can be hampered by the multiplicity of jurisdictions, various legal systems, differing societal norms, or other relevant factors in this regard. Many pro-eating disorder websites may be hosted outside this jurisdiction, principally in the United States. As such they would be subject to the US jurisdiction and action that could be taken would be limited.
While acknowledging such difficulties, it should be emphasised that there is a self-regulatory framework in place for internet service providers (ISPs) in Ireland. The Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland Code of Practice and Ethics sets out clear guidelines and minimum standards in respect of dealing with complaints regarding suspected illegal material. However, it is considered that pro-eating disorder websites would not be illegal, and any action that could be taken against them would be limited. The Deputy may rest assured that the Department of Health, in conjunction with other relevant agencies, are cognisant of the issues raised in this instance and will continue to pursue an inter-agency response to policy and service delivery levels to best tackle concerns in relation to eating disorders overall.
587. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an evaluation of the performance of Limerick Regional Hospital's management of diabetic foot disease against the management standards for the condition, set down in the Health Service Executive's 2011 model of care for the diabetic foot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20436/13]
View answer591. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an evaluation of the performance of Waterford Regional Hospital's management of diabetic foot disease against the management standards for the condition, set down in the Health Service Executive's 2011 model of care for the diabetic foot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20505/13]
View answer592. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an evaluation of the performance of Cork University Hospital's management of diabetic foot disease against the management standards for the condition as set down in the Health Service Executive's 2011 model of care for the diabetic foot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20506/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 587, 591 and 592 together.
The HSE National Clinical Programme for Diabetes - which includes the care of children and adolescents with diabetes - was established within the Clinical Strategy and Programmes Directorate. The purpose of the Programme is to define the way diabetic Clinical Services should be delivered, resourced and measured; and a clinician has been appointed to lead on the development of the programme. One of the objectives of the National Diabetes Programme is to develop a footcare screening and treatment service to prevent foot ulceration and subsequent lower limb amputation. In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
588. Deputy Liam Twomey asked the Minister for Health the number of patients availing of specialist palliative care home care and those availing of specialist palliative care in-patient unit care in each county in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20437/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
589. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health if his Department has reviewed the position of the Canadian Government when it introduced generic drug legislation but had to repeal a section of it due to the problems it encountered with epilepsy replacement generic drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20438/13]
View answerLegislation from a number of jurisdictions, including Canada, was reviewed as part of the work of the Joint Department of Health/HSE working group on reference pricing and generic substitution. In addition, the Irish Medicines Board has reviewed the policy on interchangeability of anti-epileptic drugs of a number of countries, including, Denmark, Sweden, the UK, and the Netherlands. I am not aware of any issues in relation to legislation introducing generic substitution in Canada.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill, passed Committee Stage on 19 March and is currently at Report Stage. Under the Bill, the Irish Medicines Board has statutory responsibility for establishing and publishing a List of Interchangeable Medicinal Products. In deciding whether to add a group of medicinal products to the List of Interchangeable Medicinal Products, the Board must be satisfied that each medicinal product which falls within the group:
(a) has the same qualitative and quantitative composition in each of its active substances as each of the other medicinal products which fall within the group;
(b) is in the same pharmaceutical form as, or in a pharmaceutical form that is appropriate for substitution for, each of the other products in the group; and
(c) has the same route of administration as each of the other medicinal products which fall within the group.
In addition, the Bill provides that the Board is not permitted to add a group of medicinal products to the List of Interchangeable Medicinal Products where:
- there is a difference in bioavailability between the medicinal products and the interchangeable medicinal products which currently fall within the group of interchangeable medicinal products which may lead to a clinically significant difference in efficacy between them, and
- any of the medicinal products cannot be safely substituted for any one or more of the other medicinal products in the group.
I would like to emphasise that in making a decision to add a medicinal product to a group of interchangeable medicinal products or a group of medicinal products to the List of Interchangeable Medicinal Products the Board is obliged to have regard to the criteria as set out in the Bill and that these criteria fully reflect the recommendations set out in the Joint Department of Health/HSE report 'Proposed Model of Reference Pricing and Generic Substitution' (the Moran Report, 2010) regarding criteria for interchangeability. To further enhance the patient safety aspect of generic substitution, Section 13 of the Bill allows a prescriber to indicate on a prescription that a branded interchangeable medicinal product should, for clinical reasons, not be substituted.
I am satisfied that the provisions of the Bill address the concerns raised in relation to the substitution of anti-epileptic drugs. I met with the Irish Epilepsy Association in January and explained this position. It is also important to point out that generic medicines must meet exactly the same standards of quality and safety and have the same effect as the originator medicine. All of the generic medicines on the Irish market are required to be properly licensed and meet the requirements of the Irish Medicines Board.
590. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is given an orthodontist appointment as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20513/13]
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.
593. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the number of random financial reviews that have been carried out on medical card patients whose cards were not due to expire until 2021; the number of reviews that are due to take place; of the reviews that have taken place, the number of persons who have lost their entitlement to a full medical card and have had it replaced with a general practitioner only card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20507/13]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive for a report on the issue raised by the Deputy. I will revert to the Deputy on the matter as soon as possible.
594. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of the funds that were made available for road improvements in County Louth in 2012. [19754/13]
View answerDetails of funding provided in 2012 for regional and local roads are outlined in the payments booklet entitled 2012 Regional and Local Road Grant Payments which is available in the Dáil library. Details in relation to funding provided to Louth County Council in 2012 for national roads is available from the National Roads Authority (NRA). Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
595. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline his vision for the development of the country's maritime heritage, with specific reference to community dividends from tourism associated with lighthouses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19946/13]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy. It is not involved in the administration of tourism-related funding programmes or in support to specific tourism sectors, which are the responsibility of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for further information and direct reply.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland, published by the Government in July 2012, contains an action that the appropriate departments and agencies will utilise existing built and natural assets, for example lighthouses and offshore islands, to develop tourism products and services. Work in this area is ongoing and will be particularly supported by the development of the Wild Atlantic Way initiative which will highlight all aspects of the maritime experience, heritage and culture. I am advised that the Commissioners of Irish Lights are currently in discussion with the Special EU Programmes Body about a cross-border project to develop the tourism potential of lighthouses along the northern coast. Fáilte Ireland, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and a number of other public bodies are supporting the Commissioners of Irish Lights in relation to the project, which will facilitate the visitor to explore the best of our land and sea scapes. I look forward to seeing this project progressed by the participating bodies at an early date.
596. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of vehicles that were subject to an additional late-payment penalty in relation to eFlow in 2012. [19740/13]
View answer597. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will clarify by county address the number of drivers who were subject to an additional late-payment penalty in relation to eFlow in 2012. [19741/13]
View answer598. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total revenue raised in late-payment penalties in relation to eFlow in 2012. [19742/13]
View answer599. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the revenue generated from late-payment penalties is ringfenced for specific development purposes by the National Roads Authority. [19743/13]
View answer600. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is possible for the National Roads Authority to introduce very large signage, in a different colour to the standard blue, on the M50 warning drivers of penalty payments being issued in the event of tolls not being paid on time. [19744/13]
View answer601. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of drivers who received a penalty notice from eFlow in 2012 but were not on the M50 at the time. [19745/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 596 to 601, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will be aware, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have overall responsibility for policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The implementation of individual national road schemes which provide for tolling, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2007. Moreover, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is very specifically vested in the NRA under Part V of the Roads Act, 1993 (as amended). In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I am referring his Question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
