Written Answers Nos. 611 - 633
611. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on his plans to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol; and on the measures, if any, he plans to take to tackle alcohol abuse. [22315/13]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that real and tangible proposals are currently being finalised on foot of the recommendations in the National Substance Misuse Strategy report. These proposals cover all of the areas mentioned in the report, including legislation on minimum unit pricing which is about setting a statutory floor price per gram of alcohol.
The Cabinet Committee on Social Policy has considered these proposals and I intend to bring forward specific proposals for consideration by Government shortly.
In the meantime, work on developing a framework for the necessary Department of Health legislation is continuing. For example, in conjunction with Northern Ireland, a health impact assessment is being commissioned as part of the process of developing a legislative basis for minimum unit pricing. (Scotland commissioned a similar assessment before drafting its legislation on minimum unit pricing.) The health impact assessment will study the impact of different minimum prices on a range of areas such as health, crime and likely economic impact.
612. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health if he intends to pursue a proposal for plain packaging of tobacco products; if so within what time frame; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22316/13]
View answerIn March I announced my intention to bring a Memorandum to Government seeking approval for the development of legislation on plain packaging. I intend to go to Government on this issue in the near future.
613. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the education programmes that are operated by his Department or the Health Service Executive towards addressing the problem of young people taking up smoking tobacco; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22319/13]
View answerIn the area of tobacco consumption one of the key areas of concern is the number of young people starting to smoke. It is important, therefore, that health promotion programmes which address smoking are in place at an early stage of young people's lives. Schools are a key setting for health promotion. The Health Promoting School (HPS) is an example of an ideal model for the promotion of health and well being and through the HPS programme many topics and issues, including smoking, can be addressed. Smoking is also specifically addressed through the Social Personal Health Education (SPHE) curriculum at both primary and post primary level and is also included as part of substance use prevention education in primary schools.
In 2011, a health education campaign, "QUIT", aimed at encouraging smokers to quit, was initiated by the HSE. It uses real-life stories about smoking related illness to help smokers to quit. This social marketing campaign is on-going.
Education programmes and social marketing campaigns are among a number of issues being considered by the Tobacco Policy Review Group. It is expected that the report of the Group will be published in the coming months.
614. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health when and the reason that he restricted the terms of reference of the Expert Group on Abortion to advising the Government on how to give effect to existing constitutional provisions rather than enabling it to make broader recommendations as set out in paragraph 3 of the terms of reference approved by the Government on 29 November 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22331/13]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the terms of reference of the Expert Group on the ABC v Ireland Judgment, as approved by Government on 29th November 2011, were as follows:
- To examine the A, B and C v Ireland judgment of the European Court of Human Rights;
- To elucidate its implications for the provision of health care services to pregnant women in Ireland;
- To recommend a series of options on how to implement the judgment taking into account the constitutional, legal, medical, and ethical considerations involved in the formulation of public policy in this area and the over-riding need for speedy action.
Following approval by Government, no changes were made to the terms of reference of the Expert Group.
615. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is acceptable that the National Women’s Council of Ireland, which is in receipt of significant State funding, openly campaigns for abortion here and refuses to represent the views of women who hold the opposing viewpoint, including women who regret their abortions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22334/13]
View answerThe Deputy may wish to note that in 2013 the Health Service Executive has allocated €20,560 to the National Women's Council of Ireland to help develop a Gender Mainstreaming Policy and to deliver a specified work programme to promote women's health. I have no remit in relation to any other activity undertaken by this organisation.
616. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if there are plans for a new phase of voluntary redundancies for staff in the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22338/13]
View answerThe health service is required to achieve a workforce of 98,955 whole time equivalents (WTEs) by the end of 2013. It is therefore necessary to pursue staff reductions throughout 2013 through natural turnover (retirements and resignations) and targeted measures.
On 1st May 2013 my Department issued a circular to the HSE, authorising the introduction of a Targeted Voluntary Redundancy (VR) Scheme in the HSE and in organisations funded by the HSE under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004. The purpose of this scheme is to facilitate the HSE and such organisations to achieve a permanent reduction of up to 1,500 WTE, in the numbers employed in the public health sector from 2013 onwards and to facilitate ongoing health sector reform.
The scheme will give managers greater flexibility in implementing the measures needed to remain within reduced budgets and staffing ceilings. It will be implemented by the HSE on a rolling basis as appropriate areas and functions are identified. Employees in the areas targeted will be given an opportunity to avail of the scheme. There will be no automatic right to redundancy.
617. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the number of qualified nurses currently employed in non-direct nursing care in (details supplied) in Dublin 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22348/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
618. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the total budget allocated by the Health Service Executive to County Kerry for respite care in 2011; the projected spend on respite care for 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22353/13]
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.
619. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the number of patients in nursing homes on the fair deal scheme in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22354/13]
View answer621. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by the Health Service Executive on the fair deal scheme in 2011 and the projected spend in 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22356/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 619 and 621 together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
620. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health when the current cessation of acceptance of fair deal applications will end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22355/13]
View answer624. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if the fair deal scheme has been suspended for existing patients who have applied from acute hospital beds and for those who apply while in care in the community or has the scheme been suspended for those applying for the fair deal scheme while in care in the community; if he will confirm that the scheme has not been ended entirely; and if he will provide an exact date upon which the suspension of the fair deal scheme will be lifted [22389/13]
View answer625. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health when the fair deal scheme will be reopened for applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22394/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 620, 624 and 625 together.
Firstly, I would like to clarify that the HSE did not stop accepting applications for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme.
On the 15th April 2013, the HSE temporarily suspended the chronological operation of the placement list for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. Instead, funding under the Scheme was targeted at hospitals with the highest number of delayed discharges in an effort to alleviate pressure in Emergency Departments. The hospitals targeted were the Dublin Academic Teaching Hospitals (DATHs) and CUH.
It is understood that the HSE will re-commence the chronological operation of the placement list with effect from 9th May 2013. This will ensure that funding is available to people in the community, people in nursing homes and people in acute hospitals other than the DATHs and CUH.
622. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of necessary medical treatments and abortions that have taken place in Irish hospitals over the past five years; if he will provide a tabular breakdown by month and year; the name of the hospital involved; the reason it was a necessary medical treatment or an abortion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22360/13]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that no official statistics are maintained in relation to terminations of pregnancy in Ireland. In relation to the Deputy's query on necessary medical treatments, I am taking this to mean treatments necessary to save a pregnant woman's life. In this regard, such treatments might cover a variety of interventions depending on the clinical diagnosis giving rise to a risk to life and the Deputy would need to provide additional clarification to enable me to address his question further.
623. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 690 of 12 February 2013, if he will ensure that the Kenmare Ambulance Service, County Kerry, is not downgraded; if he will take into consideration the issues that arose with the East of England Ambulance Service when implementing a similar strategy; if he will arrange a meeting between the local communities in Kenmare and the Health Service Executive/National Ambulance Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22388/13]
View answerThe National Ambulance Service (NAS), in line with a Labour Court decision, is in the process of introducing on-duty rostering to replace existing on-call arrangements. This means that on-duty ambulance crews are at their stations or in their vehicles during a shift, rather than having to be summoned to the station in the event of a call-out. Therefore, crews can respond to an emergency call immediately, instead of the average time of over 20 minutes for a vehicle to leave the station under on-call. This change, which was sought by both staff and the NAS, has obvious benefits for patients and response times and represents a clear improvement in service.
The NAS intends to introduce on-duty rostering and dynamic deployment of emergency resources, on a phased basis, across the entire Cork and Kerry region. So far, on-duty and dynamic deployment arrangements have been successfully introduced across County Cork, most recently in West Cork.
The NAS informs me that planning for the next phase, in South Kerry, can now be progressed. This phase will include ambulance stations in Caherciveen, Killarney and Kenmare. As in each phase to date, any decisions on the best model of service for South Kerry will be preceded by detailed consideration of activity, geography, demographics, location of acute hospitals and other facilities, supporting services, wider NAS developments and learning from previous phases, as well as public, clinical and community leader engagement.
The HSE is currently considering the most appropriate model of service delivery for South Kerry, to replace the current on-call, static deployment model and the operation of resources in isolation. No decisions have so far been made and a number of matters need to be progressed before deliberations in relation to South Kerry can be finalised. These include public, staff and clinical (including GP) consultations, continuing national reconfiguration of the control and dispatch system and the ongoing roll-out of the Intermediate Care Service for inter-facility patient transport in the region. A final model will emerge once this process is completed.
In light of the above, all stakeholders should take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the consultation process, as the most effective and appropriate forum to engage with the HSE and the NAS in relation to proposals for changes in emergency service delivery in South Kerry.
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
626. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views regarding the introduction of an automatic levy on the use of beds in a public hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22397/13]
View answer711. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding private health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23040/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 626 and 711 together.
Private in-patients in public hospitals are subject to maintenance charges that generally range from €586 to €1,046 per day when they are accommodated in a private designated bed. However, if a private designated bed is not available and a private in-patient is accommodated in a public bed, the maintenance charge is currently not levied, although the private in-patient continues to pay the fees of his/her hospital consultant.
The Comptroller and Auditor General has reported that 45% of in-patients treated privately by their consultants were not charged for their maintenance costs because they were not occupying private-designated beds. This situation represents a significant loss of income to the public hospital system and an indirect subsidy to private insurance companies, who cover most private patients. I believe that this situation cannot continue and that the new charge makes sense. Up to now insurers have enjoyed a significant subsidy, where these private patients have only paid a standard €75 charge per night even though they have seen their consultant privately.
The gap between the cost of providing this service to private in-patients and the amount that public hospitals are currently allowed to raise is estimated to be about a quarter of a billion euro. The subsidy is equivalent to the cost of running a hospital the size of the Mater, or the cost of treating over 30,000 public patients every year. While everyone is entitled to use a public hospital, some people chose to be treated privately, in which case they have chosen to pay the consultant and the hospital. The Government believes that users of private services should pay for the costs of providing these services even when they are provided by a public hospital.
As part of Budget 2013, the Government announced that it would raise €60m in 2013 under this heading, and €115m in a full year. This represents a modest phasing in of the charge – as called for by the insurers themselves - and is a relatively modest extra cost on an industry that pays out some €2 billion in claims costs every year.
627. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; if same will be expedited; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22400/13]
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.
628. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in Dublin 15 will receive occupational therapy; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22404/13]
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.
631. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when agency workers employed by the Health Service Executive in a company (details supplied), will receive their full entitlement under the Agency Workers Directive; and when backdated payments will be made. [22422/13]
View answerFollowing the enactment of the Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act in 2012, the HSE provided guidance to public service employers on the Act, including the fact that the equal pay provisions of the Act have retrospective effect to 5th December 2011. All agency staff employed through agencies contracted by the HSE have now had their basic pay adjusted in accordance with the Act.
The question of payment of any outstanding retrospective amounts due to employees of a specific company is a matter for the HSE, and as such, the Deputy's enquiry has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
632. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the options available to a person (details supplied) on disability allowance. [22444/13]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Service Scheme (DTSS) provides access to dental treatment for adult medical card holders. All medical card holders are entitled to specific dental treatments e.g., an annual dental examination, two fillings in each calendar year, extractions as necessary. Additional treatments are available to persons with specific medical conditions including persons in receipt of care or services for a disability and persons on a register of disability.
The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
633. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the reason a young person (details supplied) in County Carlow who has been assessed for braces was told they would not receive them until 2015 due to the waiting list. [22445/13]
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.
