Written Answers Nos. 584-602
584. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the way the fair deal bill of more than €29,000 was calculated in respect of a person (details supplied); if he will state whether the existing mortgage on the property was taken into account when calculating the final bill; if he will take a sympathetic view of families in this position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40538/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
585. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the arrangements put in place by his Department to ensure compliance with the Official Languages Act, specifically requirements for signage in departmental offices, schools, third level institutions; details of any assessments undertaken by departmental staff to assess requirements; the number of signs assessed; when any corrective actions were put in place; if any or all of the actions taken by his Department were within the designated timeframes set out in legislation, and if not the reasoning for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40548/13]
View answerThe Department of Health has a statutory scheme in accordance with the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003. This scheme details the services the Department will provide through the medium of Irish and is designed to ensure that customers who wish to conduct their business with the Department through Irish can do so. In July and September 2013, the commitments outlined in the Department's scheme were audited by the Office of the Comisinéir Teanga, including commitments in relation to bilingual signage in the Department's office. The outcome of this audit is awaited. Any necessary corrective actions will be put in place.
586. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card keeps being reviewed for a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; when the current medical card is due to expire; if his attention has been drawn to the significant administrative burden that is placed on a person every time a review takes place and a person has to submit documentation; if the medical card may be secured until the person's son turns 18 years and completes his secondary education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40591/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
587. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of the Acts or specific provisions of Acts under his Department that have not yet been commenced; if it is intended to commence the provision in each case; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40601/13]
View answer
588. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an application for a medical card will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [40608/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
589. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the Health Service Executive's intention in relation to developments at Blanchardstown Centre for Independent Living; the number of persons affected by the proposals; the reason the decision was taken; if adequate resolution proposals have been advanced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40612/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
590. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the number of management-administrative staff employed by the Health Service Executive each year since 1996; the total staff employed by the HSE each year since 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40617/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
|
- |
Total WTE excl. Career Break |
Management/Administrative |
|
31/12/1996 |
42,005.29 |
5,445.74 |
|
31/12/1997 |
44,347.10 |
6,015.64 |
|
31/12/1998 |
46,118.95 |
6,486.91 |
|
31/12/1999 |
48,116.79 |
7,301.03 |
|
31/12/2000 |
53,804.25 |
8,727.46 |
|
31/12/2001 |
59,733.75 |
10,359.96 |
|
31/12/2002 |
63,172.20 |
11,116.78 |
|
31/12/2003 |
64,673.59 |
11,227.35 |
|
31/12/2004 |
65,775.83 |
11,478.63 |
|
31/12/2005 |
67,704.37 |
11,908.51 |
|
31/12/2006 |
70,324.24 |
12,256.67 |
|
31/12/2007 |
73,461.05 |
12,834.69 |
|
31/12/2008 |
72,694.59 |
12,691.26 |
|
31/12/2009 |
71,812.06 |
12,534.82 |
|
31/12/2010 |
70,789.30 |
12,332.13 |
|
31/12/2011 |
67,722.34 |
11,339.32 |
|
31/12/2012 |
65,687.01 |
11,162.26 |
|
31/08/2013 |
64,999.63 |
10,976.21 |
Data source: Health Service Personnel Census
The methodology by which employment figures are compiled changed in 2007 and consequently the year-on-year figures are not comparable.
The HSE has operated a moratorium on the filling of management/administrative posts in recent years, so as to focus development funds as far as possible on front-line services. Management/administrative staff numbers have reduced by 2,176 since September 2007 - a reduction of over 16%.
In the context of the 2013 Employment Control Framework, numbers employed in the health service must be further reduced. The Incentivised Career Break Scheme which was rolled out in the HSE earlier this year was a targeted measure to contribute towards the reduction in employment numbers required; 78 management/administrative staff have recently been approved for incentivised career breaks. The scope for release of further staff is under consideration by the HSE in the light of the additional hours element of the Haddington Road Agreement. It is anticipated that in 2014 the HSE will introduce voluntary redundancy on a targeted basis to staff identified as surplus to requirements.
591. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who died from smoking-related diseases in 2012; the amount of expenditure dedicated to anti-smoking advertisements on television in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40618/13]
View answerWith regard to the Deputy’s query on the number of smoking related deaths last year, I wish to inform him that although figures are not routinely collated on persons who die from smoking related diseases, it has been estimated that at least 5,200 people die from diseases caused by tobacco use each year. This represents approximately 19% of all deaths. The breakdown of the 5,200 deaths is as follows: cancers 44%; circulatory diseases 30%; respiratory diseases 25%; digestive diseases 1%.
The health education campaign QUIT, aimed at encouraging smokers to quit, was initiated by the HSE in 2011. It incorporates paid media (TV, radio, bus shelters, etc.), public relations, online and phone support, counselling and clinics, special events and promotions, all aimed at the core target audience of smokers aged 25-39. The campaign has shown marked and sustained increases in the numbers of people seeking help to quit. As the campaign is operated directly by the HSE, I have referred your query on costs to the HSE for direct reply to you. Finally, I am very pleased to inform the Deputy that I am due to launch the new Irish tobacco policy, Tobacco Free Ireland, on Thursday, 3 October. It sets out a plan to reduce the number of people smoking in this country to 5% in 2025. It outlines a suite of measures to tackle the problem, in recognition of the fact that no one element in isolation can be effective in reducing tobacco consumption.
592. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that a number of sites have been bought by the Health Service Executive and a number of sites are earmarked to be developed in the Dublin 12-8 area, if he will outline the HSE's overall plan for the Dublin 12-8 area, including Our Lady of Lourdes Children Hospital, Crumlin, mental heath facilities, primary health services and so on; and if he will arrange for the relevant HSE officials to meet the local authority, local Deputies, councillors and representatives of community organisations in the area as soon as possible. [40623/13]
View answerManagement of the healthcare property portfolio is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. Each of the HSE's four administrative areas has a Regional Health Forum, which includes representatives from the city and county councils within that area. The Fora make representations to the HSE on the range and operation of health and personal social services in their area. It is open to public representative members of the Fora to use this mechanism to present their views to the HSE on sites to be developed.
593. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the level of compliance with European Union directives within his ministerial areas of responsibility; the current fines resulting from non-compliance and potential fines resulting from present non-compliance the State is or may be exposed to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40637/13]
View answerCurrently, there are three infringement proceedings instigated against Ireland in the area of health because of non-compliance with EU Directives. These are infringement 2006/5023 re exemption of VHI from application of Directives 73/239/EEC and 92/49/EEC; infringement Nos. 2003/2135 and 2006/2083 re Council Directive 95/59/EC of 27 November, 1995 on taxes other than turnover taxes which affect the consumption of manufactured tobacco; infringement 2009/2039 re incorrect application of Directive 2003/88/EC on organisation of working time as regards doctors in training in public hospitals. Whilst infringements proceedings are underway, no fines have issued to date. My Department is progressing matters to comply with the Directives in order to minimise the risk to penalties and fines.
594. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the progress being made to provide some redress and compensation for the victims of the blackleg vaccine; if his attention has been drawn to the distress and upset being caused due to the excessive delays in dealing with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40644/13]
View answerBlackleg is a disease of livestock which does not directly affect people. Vaccination against blackleg has never been part of the human vaccination schedule. I am aware of allegations that blackleg vaccine may have been administered in error to children in State care in the 1970s as part of a clinical trial. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs holds responsibility for matters relating to children in care, including those arising from the use of children in care in clinic trials. I will raise this matter with my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
595. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will report the use of a recently bought site (details supplied); if the Health Service Executive is willing to discuss with the community any benefit the acquisition may have in relation to community amenities. [40645/13]
View answerManagement of the healthcare property portfolio is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
596. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will recommend that the Health Service Executive board make provision for staffing the new day case building at St. Joseph's Raheny, where construction is due for completion in December 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40663/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
597. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a full medical card in respect of a person (details supplied). [40670/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
598. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will receive an appointment for surgery. [40683/13]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. In relation to this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the situation and respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
599. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a surgical appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [40719/13]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. In relation to this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the situation and respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
600. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a hospital appointment will be organised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40722/13]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. In relation to this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the situation and respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
601. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health if negotiations with the manufacturers of pirfenidone or esbriet have been concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40725/13]
View answerThe HSE has accepted the pricing and reimbursement application for Pirfenidone (Esbriet) and associated commercially confidential offer made by Intermune (the market authorisation holder) and commenced reimbursement of the product with effect from 1st of August 2013.
602. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan. [40773/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
