Tuesday, 16 Jul 2013

Written Answers Nos. 1046 - 1063

Hospital Charges

Questions (1046)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1046. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the cost of reducing accident and emergency attendance by €10. [34310/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The cost to the Health Service Executive of a 10% reduction in accident and emergency charges in acute statutory hospitals based on charges raised would be approximately €950,000 per annum.

European Health Insurance Card Issues

Questions (1047)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

1047. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when an updated EU health insurance card can be effected in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34311/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (1048)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

1048. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current waiting time for therapeutic input in the Wellmount Health Centre is over a year and that the Health Service Executive area manager of Dublin north east estimates that waiting times will grow due to the increasing demands and constraints on the services, and that the waiting times are more than a year for each subsequent block of therapy sessions needed; the measures he will implement to combat the long-term damage for young children arising from his inability to tackle excessively long waiting times for fundamental therapeutic input such as speech and language, if he has discussed the matter with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs; if he has discussed the matter with the Department of Education and Skills as this failure by his Department clearly impacts on the increased need for special needs assistants to assist children as they progress in their education. [34344/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Government is fully committed to protecting front-line services, including services for children with disabilities, to the greatest extent possible, notwithstanding the financial constraints within which the health sector must operate. Significant resources have been invested by the health sector in recent years in services for children with disabilities. In particular, there is now an increased awareness of the importance of early intervention for these children in terms of ensuring they get the best start in life and are supported as much as possible to reach their full potential.

My Department co-operates on a regular basis with the both Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Education and Skills on issues of mutual interest and concern pertaining to children with disabilities, including autism. This cross-cutting engagement on children with disabilities issues is being facilitated by a dedicated Unit that has been established in the Department of Health.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Health Service Executive has operational responsibility for the provision of health and personal social services, including disability services for children. Within this context, it has a responsibility to ensure that the health-related needs of children with special needs are addressed and that these children are appropriately supported in pre-school and school settings. This is done in a number of ways such as by providing grant-aid to support pre-school provision in community pre-schools and by funding special pre-schools that cater specifically for children with disabilities. It also facilitates children with special needs to attend mainstream pre-school by providing the necessary assistant supports. The HSE’s role in supporting children with special needs involves it working in close co-operation with the disability service providers that it funds, with the education sector and with the parents and families of the children in question.

With regard to the HSE's Speech and Language Therapy Service, I understand that each individual that presents to the Service has an initial assessment to determine their individual need for therapy. The therapist, in conjunction with the parent(s) or carer, will determine the severity of the individual’s difficulties and prioritise for therapy accordingly. The level of intervention is in line with clinic policy, age and severity of the diagnosis. The waiting period for intervention is dependent on the nature and severity of the disorder following assessment.

The HSE aims to ensure that the resources available are used to best effect, in order to provide assessment and ongoing therapy to children and adults in line with their prioritised needs. Along with the significant investment in area of speech and language therapists employed in recent years, a range of new approaches have been developed and used in many Speech and Language Therapy services across the country. These include providing structures, training and support to parents-carers so that they can work to help improve the individual’s speech and language. In addition, therapy is delivered in group settings where appropriate. The HSE has stated that it is committed to working in partnership with other service providers to achieve maximum benefits for children and adults with speech and language therapy requirements, and aims to ensure that, the speech and language therapy resources available are used in the most effective manner possible.

My Department has asked the HSE to look at the specific operational service issue of waiting times for therapeutic input at the Wellmount Heathcare facility and to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.

Speech and Language Therapy

Questions (1049)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

1049. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the number of children aged between three and 12 years who are on a waiting list for speech and language therapy. [34348/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (1050)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

1050. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the number of children aged between three and 12 years who are on a waiting list for behavioural therapy. [34349/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

Health Services Issues

Questions (1051)

Tom Fleming

Question:

1051. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will address the waiting lists and delays in waiting times for audiology services in County Kerry as the current waiting time for initial assessment for those on the routine waiting list is three years and three months; if he will provide additional resources to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34350/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The HSE National Audiology Review Group (NARG) report, published in April 2011, identified some inconsistencies and shortcomings in audiology services around the country, including unacceptable waiting times, and made recommendations to address these issues. An Audiology Clinical Care Programme has been put in place under the Clinical Strategy and Programmes Directorate. An additional €3.7 million was made available in 2011 to begin the implementation of the recommendations of the Review Group and a further €1.9 million was made available in 2013. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy concerning services in County Kerry and to reply to him as soon as possible.

Health Services Staff Issues

Questions (1052)

Robert Troy

Question:

1052. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a replacement is being sought for the staff member who carries out assessments at the early intervention centre in Springfield, Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34351/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

Hospital Staff Issues

Questions (1053)

Robert Troy

Question:

1053. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, by grade the number of hospital staff assigned to the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath who are currently on leaves of absence; and if they are in receipt of a salary. [34361/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Patient Transport Provision

Questions (1054)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

1054. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the Health Service Executive to restore the minibus transport service for patients in County Kildare who need to avail of this facility in order to attend outpatient clinic appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34370/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.

Departmental Reports

Questions (1055)

Niall Collins

Question:

1055. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the name, costs, date of commission, date or expected date of publication and name of the external consultant of all external reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011. [34405/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Information for the period from March 2011 to October 2012 is set out in the following table. Information for the period from November 2012 to date is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Title / subject matter of report	Persons drafting report	Costs to date	Has the report been completed?
National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) Annual Report 2010	Translator: Ariel Killick, Translation of NACD 2010 Annual report	813	Report completed. Published 05/2011
An Overview of New Psychoactive Substances and the Outlets Supplying Them (Headshop report)	Editor: Brenda O’Hanlon (published June 2011) First Impression/Clever Cat Design (design and layout)	1,313 4,812	Report completed. Published 06/2011
Parental Substance Misuse – Literature Review. Main report	Author: Dr. Justine Horgan, Senior Researcher, NACD Editor: Mr. David Quinn,rite Ovo (report design and layout)	880 1,694	Report completed. Published 10/2011
Parental Substance Misuse - Key Messages and Recommendations	Author: Dr. Justine Horgan, Senior Researcher, NACD. Ovo (design, layout and printing)	1,192	Report completed. Published 10/2011
Responding to Challenges of Substance Use Among Young People	Author: Ms. Peigin Doyle, Writer/Editor/Publicist	1,512	Report completed. Published 11/2011
The Potency of THC in Cannabis Products (Working Paper Series, No. 1)	Author: Ms Colette Arnold, Forensic Science Laboratory Ovo (Working paper series design, layout, printing)	841	Report completed. Published 11/2011
Research into methods and data sources for the estimation of prevalence of problematic opiate and cocaine use in Ireland (Working Paper Series, No. 2)	Commissioned by NACD. Work carried out by Gannon, Hay and McKell. Paid for prior to February 2011 Clever Cat Design (report design, layout, printing)	1,065	Report completed. Published 12/2011
Protocol for National Substance Misuse Rehabilitation Cohort Study (Working Paper Series, No. 3)	Commissioned by NACD. Work carried out by Gannon, Hay and McKeganey. Paid for prior to February 2011 Clever Cat Design (report design, layout, printing)	830	Report completed Published 12/2011
A Family Affair – Supporting Children Living with Parental Substance Misuse. A Report of the Conference	Author: Ms. Peigin Doyle, Writer/Editor/Publicist Ovo (report design and layout)	2,602 553	Report completed Published 01/2012
General Population Survey on Drug Prevalence 2010/11 Technical report	Work carried out by IPSOS MORI. Paid for prior February 2011 Publisher: CleverCat (design and layout)	423	Reported completed Published 02/2012
Study on the prevalence of drug use, including intravenous drug use and blood borne viruses among the Irish prisoner population	Authors: Dr. A. Drummond, Dr. M. Codd, Ms N. Donnelly, Mr. D. McCausland, Dr. J. Mehegan, L. Daly and Professor C. Kelleher	115,859	Report completed, not yet published.
Illicit Drug Markets in Ireland	Author: Mr. Johnny Connolly, Research Officer, Health Research Board Editor: Ms. Winifred Power	10,000 4,930	Report not yet completed. Currently at copy-editing stage.
Health Behaviour in School Children Report (HBSC)	External (Health Promotion Research Centre-NUI Galway)	100,641	Yes
School Survey Project on Alcohol and Drugs (ESPAD)	External (Mark Morgan, St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin)	22,687	Yes
National Narcolepsy Study Steering Committee Report – Study of increase incidence of narcolepsy in young people following receipt of H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccination	HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre – Dr Darina O’Flanagan (Chair of Steering Committee)	Nil	Yes. Report was published on Department’s website in April 2012
Positive ageing: indicators of well-being in older people	Health Research Board	Nil	Report not yet completed.
Towards a Restraint Free Environment in Nursing Homes – a Policy Document	Geraldine Fitzpatrick PO (Chair), Michael Smith, AP, Sheila O'Malley, Chief Nursing Advisor, Marita Kinsella, Chief Pharmacist, Noreen Quinn, Pharmacist, Dr Colette Bonner, DCMO, (all DoH); Dr Shaun O’Keeffe, Geriatrician, University College Hospital Galway; Ann Ryan, Inspector Manager, and Vicky Blomfield, Regional Operations Manager, both HIQA; Suzanne Cahill, Director of Dementia Services Information and Development Centre's research programme at Trinity College Dublin; Ann Coyle, Planning Specialist for Older People, HSE; Sinéad Fitzpatrick, Practice Development Facilitator and Vena Doyle, Practice Development Facilitator, Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI)	Department paid for printing and translation costs - 2,075	Yes and published 4 October 2011
High Level Issues Analysis of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme	Accenture	No costs incurred	Yes
Strategic Framework for Role Expansion of Nurses and Midwives: Promoting Quality Patient Care	Sheila O’Malley (Chief Nursing Officer in this Dept. who retired February 2012) and Steering Group with members from various outside agencies.	8,567 (printing costs)	Yes
National Policy and Strategy for the Provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011 - 2015	Drafted by Department Staff – James O’Grady – now retired Editing and Proofing by Ms. Carole Devanney Formatting, Design & Printing by Brunswick Press	Cost for editing and proofing 2,890 Cost for formatting, design and printing of 200 copies 6,738	Yes - Published Dec 2011
Commissioned to undertake a review of the Irish private health insurance market in relation to the options which may exist for rebalancing.	Goodbody Stockbrokers and Matheson Ormsby Prentice Solicitors	300,080	Yes
Further Analysis of Options in relation to the restructuring of the Private Health Insurance Market	Goodbody Stockbrokers and Matheson Ormsby Prentice Solicitors	Not available as yet	Draft report under consideration
Review of Parliamentary and Legislative Processes by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform	Report drafted by Mr Owen Jacob, Principal Officer, Business Consulting Unit, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform – Assistance was provided by Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC)	18,020 (PWC)	Yes
All Ireland Traveller Health Study (AITHS)	UCD, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science	139,000 paid in 2011	Yes
Evaluation of the Suboxone Feasibility Study	Create Consultancy Ltd. External Consultants	A total of 10,863 was spent in 2011.	Yes
Financial Report on the HSE	Mark Ogden	€15,851	Yes
Development of a Model of Demand and Supply of GP and Practice Nurse Services in the Republic of Ireland	Trinity College Dublin	30,552	Yes
Financial Management in the HSE	PA Consulting	182,980	Yes
-	TOTAL	€990,263

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (1056)

Billy Timmins

Question:

1056. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position on mental health reform (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34422/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Budgetary pressures within the HSE delayed the full utilisation of the €35 million allocated in Budget 2012 for the development of community mental health services, but this sum is available again this year together with a further additional €35 million which was provided in Budget 2013 for the continued development of mental health services across a range of headings, including the further development of forensic services and community mental health teams for adults, children, older persons and mental health intellectual disability, and to the recruitment of 477 additional staff to implement these measures.

Each of the four HSE regions were asked to submit a business case against each of the identified objectives detailing how the funding is to be spent and the type and number of WTE to be recruited. Approval has issued all four HSE Regions to enable recruitment to commence. As at end June 2013, 117 of the 477 posts approved in 2013 had been accepted by candidates and are awaiting clearance with a further 34 posts offered to candidates.

The HSE’s National Recruitment Service (NRS) creates national panels in anticipation of vacancies. On occasion however, it is difficult to fill some posts for various reasons, including geographical location, international shortage of some grades, most notably clinical Psychologists etc. The NRS is currently working to ensure that the remaining posts will be filled as soon as possible, from existing panels or through competition in the absence of panels, at the earliest opportunity. I have been assured by the HSE that the recruitment process for the new posts being funded in 2013, and any outstanding post from the 414 approved in 2012, is being given priority within the HSE.

The €35 million allocation for mental health this year also includes €400,000 to support a national project to prepare a business case for a national mental health ICT system and to seek the necessary resources to identify and implement such a system. The HSE is currently carrying out the necessary preparatory work in this regard.

With regard to the level of funding for mental health next year, this is being considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2014.

Mental Health Services Report

Questions (1057, 1060)

Billy Timmins

Question:

1057. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position on the mental health report, A Vision for Change; the steps he has taken to implement the holistic service propounded in this report in 2012/13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34423/13]

Billy Timmins

Question:

1060. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position on the report of the Inspector of Mental Health Services who has found that mental health services were stagnant and perhaps had slipped backwards in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34426/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1057 and 1060 together.

The Government has prioritised the reform of the mental health service in line with A Vision for Change. This commitment was clearly shown in the Programme for Government which provides for the ring-fencing of €35 million from within the overall health budget to develop community mental health services and to ensure early access to more appropriate services for adults and children.

Additional funding totalling €70 million and almost 900 new posts have been provided as part of the last two budgets primarily to strengthen Community Mental Health Teams for both adults and children and to enhance specialist community mental health services for older people with a mental illness, those with an intellectual disability and mental illness and forensic mental health services in line with A Vision for Change.

The annual report from the Mental Health Commission which included the report of the Inspector for Mental Health Service 2012 acknowledged the continued progress towards ending the use of outdated and unsuitable buildings to provide inpatient services and the continued development of child and adolescent units which has contributed to a decline in the number of admissions of children to adult units.

However, it is disappointing that the pace of change towards a modern, patient-centred, recovery orientated mental health service has been somewhat slower than expected. It is also a concern that the Inspector found that overall compliance with regulation, rules and codes of practice in 2012 can only be regarded as fair with no significant improvement on previous years. High standards in facilities and in inpatient care must be the norm without exception. The aim is to further develop mental health services that are recovery oriented and that put service users, their families and carers at the centre. In this regard, I welcome the commitment in the HSE National Service Plan to improve the quality of mental health services in line with the requirements of the Mental Health Commission.

The recruitment of the additional 900 WTEs for mental health and the appointment by the HSE of a new Director for Mental Health will pave the way for a significant change in the management and delivery of our mental health services and will be a key step towards remedying many of the problems identified by the Inspector for Mental Health Services.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (1058, 1059)

Billy Timmins

Question:

1058. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding emergency beds for children and teenagers who need emergency inpatient treatment in psychiatric hospitals; the number of beds available in County Wicklow and the east Carlow area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34424/13]

Billy Timmins

Question:

1059. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position on waiting times for children and teenagers who need emergency psychiatric assessment in County Wicklow and the east Carlow area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34425/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1058 and 1059 together.

As this is a service matter the Deputy's questions have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Question No. 1060 answered with Question No. 1057.

Primary Care Services Provision

Questions (1061)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

1061. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork who needs oxygen daily will not be covered under a medical card while in a nursing home. [34432/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The HSE is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes. Therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Symphysiotomy Report

Questions (1062)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1062. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the meetings that took place between the Health Service Executive with regards to symphysiotomy; the details of the meetings; the number of meetings; the agenda of such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34459/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

My Department received the independent report on symphysiotomy in Ireland at the end of May and it was submitted to me shortly after that. My Department's officials and I have been studying its conclusions.

The report is the result of considerable work by the author and includes both academic research and consultation on this research involving patient groups, health professionals and in particular, women who had undergone symphysiotomy. I am anxious to ensure appropriate treatment for these women. The finalised report will inform the Government’s overall consideration of this matter, including any actions that may be required in response to its recommendations, or any legal implications.

I will brief Government on the report shortly, so that it may decide on the next steps, with the aim of bringing closure to the issue for the women involved.

I have also made a commitment to meet representatives of the symphysiotomy support groups once the Government has made a decision on the matter and prior to the publication of the report. Contrary to media reports, the Department has not been in discussion with one particular group about the issue.

The information requested by the Deputy regarding any meetings that the Health Service Executive may have had in relation to symphysiotomy is a matter for the Executive.

Accordingly, I have forwarded this request to the executive for direct response.

Haddington Road Agreement Issues

Questions (1063)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

1063. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the annual net and gross saving to the Exchequer, following implementation of the Haddington Road agreement, if hospital consultant pay was capped at €150,000 per annum. [34478/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy with the information sought.