Written Answers Nos. 471-487
471. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding an application for funding to her Department in respect of an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44566/13]
View answerFunding in the region of €1 million is available in 2013 from my Department for fit-out, refurbishment works or building enhancement projects for the startup of new Youth Cafés. One of the core functions of a youth café is that it offers support to young people, ranging from practical support to advice through their participation in activities that are of interest to them and that are varied and on offer at times that suit their normal activities. The criteria for the Youth Café scheme places a clear focus on both long term sustainability and service planning. Pobal is assisting my Department in managing the Youth Café Programme 2013.
In all, 95 applications have been received for the scheme. The initial evaluation has been completed and the appraisal process is underway in my Department and nearing completion. It is expected that applicants will be notified of the outcome in the coming weeks.
472. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of additional preschool inspectors that will be employed State wide and in each county up to December 2014 as a result of the €4.5 million budget increase; and the proportion of that investment that will be spent on preschool mentoring and support staff training in that period. [44607/13]
View answerOn foot of last week's budget, I will be allocating €4.5m in Exchequer funding to support the implementation of the Pre-School Quality Agenda which will seek to support and assure higher standards in pre-school services.
Of this funding, €2.5m is being provided for the introduction of a new mentoring service for pre-school services and €1.5m is provided to support staff training to meet the new qualification requirements recently announced by my Department.
€0.5m of the funding will be allocated towards the cost of taking on additional pre-school inspectors. Additional funding is expected to be raised from a new model of annual registration fees payable by pre-school services, to be introduced as part of statutory registration.
The number of additional inspectors recruited to the Pre-School Inspectorate as a result of the funding allocated, and the location of these posts, will be a matter for the Child and Family Agency which is due to be formally established in January 2014.
474. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide the full year effect of all expenditure reductions for her Department as set out in the expenditure report 2014, as was provided for in the expenditure report 2013. [44741/13]
View answerThe Estimate provision for my Department in 2014 will amount to €449 million which represents an increase of almost €15 million over its 2013 allocation. This level of funding is especially significant when account is taken of the €9 million in savings, identified in Section C of the 2014 Expenditure Report, which are built-in as a result of commitments made in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure 2012 – 2014. These savings are being achieved, to the greatest extent possible, through increased operating efficiencies and value for money to protect front line services. I consider that my Department`s Budget allocation for 2014 will enable the delivery of a significant level of public services, as well a number of new policy measures which include:
- Additional funding to support the programme of reform for child welfare and protection services that will be implemented by the new Child and Family Agency which is due to be established in January 2014;
- Delivery of a Pre-School Quality Agenda which seeks to support high standards through supporting the efforts of providers and their staff in delivering improved and more reliable quality; and to respond to concerns raised by parents;
- Additional investment to address child poverty through the Area Based Childhood (ABC) programme - a joint initiative between my Department and Atlantic Philanthropies to improve outcomes for children in disadvantaged communities; and
- Additional funding to support youth organisations and services.
475. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans regarding the future use of a premises (details supplied) in County Monaghan. [44887/13]
View answerI have been advised by the HSE that the premises and resources at Rath na nOg, Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan are being re designated to provide services as a child well-being centre.
The HSE has also advised that this child well-being centre will provide specialised time limited interventions to children within the catchment area in conjunction with social work services under the auspices of Children and Family Services. This community resource will be of much benefit to children and families in the local area.
Negotiations are in train with the Department of Education and Science with regard to the provision of educational support and interventions as part of the overall package of services.
476. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will outline Government plans for plain packaging of cigarettes; if he will set out an indicative timeframe for the introduction of relevant measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44638/13]
View answerGovernment approval was received last May to begin the process of introducing standardised packaging of tobacco products in Ireland. Work is progressing on the development of draft heads of a bill to regulate the retail packaging of tobacco products. An interdepartmental Steering Group on Standardised Packaging has also been established to oversee the implementation of a project plan in this regard.
The introduction of standardised packaging of tobacco products in one of a number of measures which will be implemented in order to reduce smoking in our society. These measures are outlined in the policy document Tobacco Free Ireland which I launched earlier this month. The two key themes underpinning the report are protecting children and the denormalisation of smoking.
The report sets a target for Ireland to be tobacco free (i.e. with a prevalence rate of less than 5%) by 2025.
477. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide clarification regarding any changes to the fair deal scheme in view of claims from a person (details supplied) that participants in the scheme are now being asked to cover a shortfall between nursing home costs and the amount covered by the national treatment purchase fund; the way supplementary payments from participants will be reconciled with the financial safeguards of the fair deal scheme should they come into conflict with those safeguards, for example, if supplementary payment leaves the participant with a personal allowance of less than 20% of their income; if the Health Service Executive is aware of and approves nursing homes asking for supplementary payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44779/13]
View answerThe legislation underpinning the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) requires each private nursing home to negotiate and agree a price for long-term residential care services with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) should they wish to be an approved nursing home for the purposes of the Scheme. This is a necessary feature of the scheme due to the commitment by the State to meet the full balance of the cost of care over and above a person's contribution.
The NTPF is independent in the performance of this function and, in carrying it out, it must ensure value for money for both the individual and the State. It negotiates with each nursing home individually and may examine the records and accounts of nursing homes as part of the process. This method of negotiation is necessary in order to ensure that the State obtains the best value for each individual in a nursing home and to comply with competition law.
In negotiating with nursing homes, the NTPF has regard to:
- costs reasonably and prudently incurred by the nursing home and evidence of value for money,
- price(s) previously charged,
- local market price, and
- Budgetary constraints and the obligation on the State to use available resources in the most beneficial, effective and efficient manner to improve, promote and protect the health and welfare of the public.
If price negotiations break down, a three stage review process can be invoked. Details of the process are set out on the NTPF website.
The services which fall within the scope of long-term residential care services, and which are covered by the cost agreed with the NTPF, are:
- nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person,
- basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living,
- bed and board, and
- laundry service.
In determining the services covered by the NHSS, it was considered very important that nursing home residents and taxpayers would be protected and would not end up paying for the same services twice. For this reason, goods and services that are already available to individuals under an existing scheme are not included in the goods and services covered by the NHSS, as this would involve effectively paying twice for the same items or service.
A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the Medical Card Scheme or the Drugs Payment Scheme, is unaffected by the NHSS. In other words, a person can continue to receive goods and services in accordance with the terms of these other schemes regardless of whether they are in a private nursing home or elsewhere.
It should be noted that certain items of expenditure, termed allowable deductions, can be taken into account during the financial assessment of an applicant for the NHSS. These include certain medical expenses.
There have been no changes to the goods and services covered by the NHSS since it commenced.
As the Deputy is aware, the Nursing Homes Support Scheme is currently the subject of a review. This review will consider the sustainability of the Scheme as well as looking at community based services. It will also include an examination of the overall cost of long-term residential care in public and private nursing homes and the effectiveness of the current methods of negotiating/setting prices. It is envisaged that the review will be completed in early 2014.
Finally, under the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009, the registered provider must agree a contract with each resident within one month of their admission. This contract must include details of the services to be provided to that resident and the fees to be charged. Residents should not be charged fees which are not set out in the contract.
The Health Act 2007 gives statutory responsibility to the Chief Inspector of Social Services, part of the Health Information and Quality Authority, for the independent inspection and registration of public and private nursing homes. The Chief Inspector has the power to refuse to register, attach conditions to a registration or cancel the registration of a designated centre in the event of non-compliance with the Regulations or the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland .
478. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been made on an application for registration to the nursing board in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44093/13]
View answerThe information regarding Nurse Registration is a matter for The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (formerly An Bord Altranais). I have forwarded your query to the Board for direct response.
479. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will reconsider eligibility for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who was recently found ineligible but who cannot afford their monthly medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44124/13]
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.
480. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44125/13]
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.
481. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the funding for Cork local drugs task force has been cut by €453,148, 23%, since 2008, which has seriously impacted the organisation's capacity to deliver drug and alcohol services; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that further reductions will lead to many services ceasing to operate; if he will commit to ensuring their funding is maintained at current levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44126/13]
View answer563. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if funding for the Cork Local Drugs Task Force will be reduced in 2014; the amount by which it will be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44603/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 481 and 563 together.
No decisions have been taken yet in relation to the allocations to Drugs Task Forces for 2014. The matter is currently under consideration. It is anticipated that Drugs Task Forces will be informed of their allocations later in the year.
482. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork may expect to have their hip replacement surgery. [44130/13]
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.
483. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork may expect their knee surgery at Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital, Dublin. [44131/13]
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.
484. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding respite care in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [44135/13]
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.
485. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm if the inspection for the community pharmacy contractor agreement (details supplied) has happened; if not, when this is due to occur; the reason for delaying the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44141/13]
View answerThe 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.
486. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if there has been a change of function-services provided at the emergency department of Our Lady's Hospital Navan, County Meath; his views on the care of a patient (details supplied) at that hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44142/13]
View answerThe Smaller Hospitals Framework, which ensures the future of our local hospitals, sets out the necessity for moving high volume, lower complexity cases to smaller hospitals whilst moving more complex cases to larger hospitals. These changes will help to make sure that the services provided in all hospitals are safe, appropriate and sustainable.
Work continues across smaller hospitals to put in place appropriate service arrangements. In line with the Framework, trauma bypass has been in place in Navan Hospital since early 2010, with the Emergency Department continuing to accept non-trauma ambulance presentation and self-presentations. As part of this process, the building currently housing the ED will be used as a Minor Injuries Unit. However, full implementation of the Framework is dependent on the development of ED and bed capacity in the region, to safely manage the ED, intensive care and acute medical workload.
With regard to specific complaints about experiences of individuals in our hospitals, there is a formal complaints policy entitled “Your Service Your Say”, details of which are on the HSE website, at http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/yourhealthservice/feedback/complaints/. In accordance with this procedure, a complaint must be made in the first instance to the hospital in which the incident causing the complaint occurred.
If an individual is not satisfied with the response from the hospital, a review can be sought from the HSE Director of Advocacy and the Ombudsman, whose details are set out below.
HSE Director of Advocacy
Oak House
Millennium Park
Naas
Co Kildare
Tel 1890 424 555
Office of the Ombudsman
18, Lower Leeson Street
Dublin 2
Tel 1890 223 030
Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.ie
In relation to the specific clinical issue you have raised, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
487. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the huge discrepancy between the cost of asthma inhalers in this jurisdiction compared to Northern Ireland; if his attention has been drawn to the hugely detrimental impact this drastic price difference is having on the almost half a million asthma sufferers here; if he will detail the reasons these vital inhalers are multiple times more expensive here; his views on whether this is acceptable; the steps being taken to tackle price differentials in vital drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44145/13]
View answerThe prices of drugs vary between countries for a number of reasons, including different prices set by manufacturers, different wholesale and pharmacy mark-ups, different dispensing fees and different rates of VAT. The size of the market can also be a factor in the prices set by manufacturers.
The State has introduced a series of reforms in recent years to reduce pharmaceutical prices and expenditure. These have resulted in reductions in the prices of thousands of medicines. Price reductions of the order of 30% per item reimbursed have been achieved between 2009 and 2013; the average cost per items reimbursed is now running at 2001/2002 levels.
The HSE price for a 200 dose 100mcg/dose Ventolin Evohaler is €3.20. The HSE price of a Salbutamol Inhaler is approx. €2.95. The Drug Tariff price under the UK's National Health Service for a 200 dose 100mcg/dose Salbutamol inhaler is £1.50. Ventolin Evohaler itself is not listed in the Drug Tariff.
The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, which came into operation on the 24th of June, introduces a system of price setting for items on the reimbursement list. This legislation will promote price competition among suppliers and ensure that lower prices are paid for these medicines resulting in further savings for both taxpayers and patients. Section 18(4) of the Act provides for the review, by the HSE, of all items on the reimbursement list.
