Written Answers Nos 282-294
282. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the total number of general practitioners in this State at 31 May 2011, 2012 and 2013; the total State remuneration of same; if he will provide a breakdown of same by capitation and other; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31431/13]
View answer289. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health in terms of State contribution, the lowest, highest and median pay of general practitioners here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31438/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 289 together.
The number of medical practitioners registered as trained specialists in the specialty of General Practice on the Specialist Division of the Medical Council's Register of Medical Practitioners is as follows:
- As of 31st May 2011 = 2,279;
- As of 31st May 2012 = 2,583; and
- As of 31st May 2013 = 2,766.
The HSE, principally through the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS), makes payments to contracted General Practitioners (GPs) for services they provide under a range of agreements including the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme, the GP Visit Card Scheme, the National Immunisation Schemes, the Health (Amendment) Act 1996, Heartwatch, the Methadone Treatment Scheme and the National Cancer Screening Service.
The PCRS publishes a Statistical Analysis of Claims and Payments for each year in respect of payments which it makes to contracted health professionals, including GPs. These are available on line at: http://www.pcrs.ie/ PCRS Publications.
The 2011 Report (the most recent report published) states that €469.36 million was paid to GPs in 2011 (approximately €438 million of which related to the GMS Scheme).
The 2010 Report states that €493.83 million was paid to GPs in 2010 (approximately €460 million of which related to the GMS Scheme).
It is also worth noting that the number of GMS patients has increased each year over this period to date.
In relation to the additional information requested by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in this regard.
283. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a comparative analysis of the cost of employing a permanent staff nurse versus an agency staff nurse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31432/13]
View answerThe information regarding the cost of employing staff nurses is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE). I have forwarded your query to the HSE for direct response.
284. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the total number of agency staff employed by the Health Service Executive in the years 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; if he will provide a breakdown of same by grade and cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31433/13]
View answerThe detailed information sought by the Deputy in relation to agency staff is a matter for the HSE and, accordingly, the Deputy's enquiry has been referred to the Executive for direct reply.
285. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the diagnosis related group system is employed in the health service here; if there is scope to extend this system; the expected efficiencies and savings which could be expected from same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31434/13]
View answerDiagnosis Related Group (DRG) systems classify patients into distinct groupings which are clinically similar and consume similar health resources. Irish hospitals use the AR-DRG grouping system which groups each hospital’s inpatient and daycase workload into 698 DRGs. Until this point, the main use of the DRG system has been to adjust the budget allocations of acute public hospitals by up to 3% in line with the complexity of their casemix and their relative performance under the Casemix System. DRGs have also been used as a tool to assist with planning as well as monitoring and assessing performance within the acute hospital sector.
The draft Money Follows the Patient Policy Paper, which I published for consultation on 15 February last, proposes the introduction of a new model of funding for public hospital care. This involves changing from the current inefficient system of block grant budgets to a new approach where hospitals are paid for the actual level of activity they undertake. Introduction of MFTP effectively means that hospitals will be funded on the basis of the quantity and quality of the services they deliver to patients and not the size of last year’s budget. The new approach will be facilitated through the introduction of a prospective case-based payment system using the existing DRG grouping system.
Encouraging hospitals to use the resources at their disposal more efficiently is one of the central objectives of the MFTP system. A recent pilot project, which implemented a MFTP model in the orthopaedic speciality, showed the positive impact that MFTP can have through productivity gains. Introduction of MFTP resulted in a two day reduction in average length of stay for relevant DRGs and a 45% increase in day of surgery admission rates, while not raising any quality concerns.
It is proposed that MFTP will be rolled-out in shadow form in 2013 ahead of full phased implementation from 2014.
286. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the budget allocated to tackle childhood obesity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31435/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter this has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
287. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the consultants agreement made in September 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31436/13]
View answerIn September 2012, following intensive engagement between health service management and the consultant representative bodies at the Labour Relations Commission, a comprehensive set of measures was agreed. The agreement encompasses a range of flexibilities to enhance productivity and efficiency and to maximise the availability of consultants, as key clinical decision-makers. These arrangements are to be given effect as determined by service needs and resource considerations. Management across the hospital service have been instructed by the HSE to implement the agreement with effect from November 2012. I have asked the HSE to communicate with the Deputy with more detailed information.
Two items were referred to the Labour Court for a binding ruling – current rest day entitlements and the fee payable for second opinions under the Mental Health Acts. A third issue, historic rest days, was referred under the normal IR processes.
The Court recommended a 25% reduction in each consultant’s entitlement to historic rest leave and that this must be used by 2020. Management are giving effect to this recommendation though the Unions do not agree with it.
In relation to rest day entitlements the Labour Court recommended that compensatory rest be given in respect of actual call-out time only rather than leave (in the form of rest days) whether there is a call-out or not. Implementation of this recommendation is under discussion between management and the medical representative organisations in order to ensure workable arrangements that will not adversely affect care.
The Court recommended that the fee payable to Consultant Psychiatrists for the provision of a Second Opinion under the Mental Health Act, 2001 be addressed as part of the review of allowances in the public service. This matter will be dealt with in accordance with paragraph 2.27 of the Haddington Road Agreement.
290. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if it is the case that due to a range of factors including protracted pay negotiations and increased service demand that there will be a budget overrun in health in 2013; if there will be a supplementary budget required; the expected cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31439/13]
View answerIn 2013 the health sector continues to face the dual challenge of reducing costs while at the same time improving outcomes for patients. The financial challenges to be addressed this year are significant and a total cost reduction requirement of €721m was identified in the National Service Plan approved in January.
Based on a review of financial data to date, the HSE is not flagging any new concerns or risks beyond those which were set out within the National Service Plan 2013 (NSP). These risks remain and principally include:
- Savings of €353m within the Primary Care Reimbursement Service;
- Pay and pay related savings under the Croke Park Agreement and the Haddington Road Agreement;
- Private Health Insurance Income;
- The general scale of the overall challenge within the remainder of the community and in particular hospital services.
The rebalancing of hospital budgets in 2013 has ensured that hospitals have been given budgets which are related more closely to their costs in 2012 - however as indicated in the Service Plan it has not been possible to provide for the full amount of 2012 costs. The HSE will be required to address any slippage in Cost Containment Plans and to ensure that additional measures are identified and safely implemented to bridge any projected deficits which are within HSE direct control, while engaging with my Department on a continuing basis.
291. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the total number of hospital consultants in this State at 31 May 2011, 2012 and 2013; the total State remuneration of same; if he will provide a breakdown of same by speciality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31440/13]
View answerSubject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. I have asked the Executive to compile the data requested by the Deputy in relation to hospital consultant numbers and remuneration and to reply to him directly. Government policy is to move to a consultant provided service and in recent years consultant numbers have increased accordingly.
292. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being taken to prepare an Irish team for the 2016 Olympics for the new sport of BMX cycling and has he considered grant-aiding existing facilities such as Dublin City BMX in Cherry Orchard Industrial Estate in Dublin 10 or the others at planning stage throughout the country, both North and South; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31449/13]
View answerThe Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the allocation of funding for High Performance sport. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Irish Sports Council for direct reply in relation to any steps that have been taken regarding the 2016 Olympics and BMX cycling. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
In relation to the grant-aiding of facilities for BMX cycling, there is no record of an application to the Sports Capital Programme from Dublin City BMX. It is open to them or any sports organisation to make an application under the next round of the Sports Capital Programme. No decision has been taken on the timing of the next round of the Programme. Any such decision will of course have to be taken in the context of the likely capital provision for the subhead in future years.
293. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff members in his Department who availed of term time in 2012; the average duration of such in 2012; the number who will do so in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31213/13]
View answer294. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff members in organisations or agencies under the aegis of his Department who availed of term time in 2012; the average duration of such in 2012; the number who will do so in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31229/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 293 and 294 together.
The scheme of 'Term Time' as referred to by the Deputy, was replaced in 2009 by the Shorter Working Year Scheme. (Circular 14 of 2009 - Shorter Working Year Scheme superseded Circular 32 of 2006 - Revised Term Time Scheme 2006.) The purpose of the shorter working year scheme is to permit civil servants to balance their working arrangements with outside commitments, including the school holiday periods of their children. Staff wishing to avail of the scheme must apply each year. The granting of applications for the shorter working year is subject to the operating requirements of the Department not being adversely affected.
The number of staff in my Department who availed of the Shorter Working Year Scheme in 2012 was 22. The average duration of such leave availed of in 2012 was 5.7 weeks. The number of staff in my Department who have availed of or who applied to avail of the Shorter Working Year Scheme in 2013 to date is 14. The remuneration of the staff concerned is of course reduced pro rata to their reduced working year.
The information requested by the Deputy pertaining to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for said agencies. I have asked that they provide the Deputy with the information requested. If you do not receive a reply from the agencies or organisations within within 10 working days please advise my private office.
