Written Answers Nos. 706-726
706. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided for youth programmes and for local drugs task forces to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49462/13]
View answerLocal Drugs Task Forces operate a range of education and prevention programmes locally which aim to promote healthier lifestyle choices among young people and other vulnerable groups at risk of problem drug use. In the region of €19.2m was made available from the Drugs Initiative to the Local Drugs Task Forces this year, of which €7.2m was allocated to prevention and education related projects.
The provision of funding for youth programmes is a matter for the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
707. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Laois will be granted an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49471/13]
View answerFor 2013, a maximum waiting time target of 12 months has been set for a first time consultant-led outpatient appointment and this is reflected in the HSE Service Plan. The SDU and the NTPF are working closely with hospitals towards achievement of the maximum waiting time.
Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific hospital appointment query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
708. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when he proposes to bring forward primary legislation to provide a restructuring of the way in which the designated professions as covered by the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 will be registered and regulated to provide a more cost-effective operating system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49477/13]
View answerThe drafting of legislation to amend the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 is at an early stage and ongoing consultation with Parliamentary Counsel is underway. The proposed amendments are to aid the implementation of the decision, made in accordance with the Government's programme of rationalisation of State agencies, to merge the Opticians Board with the Health and Social Care Professionals Council, by regulating the professions of optometrist and dispensing optician under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. The two professions are currently regulated under the Opticians Act 1956.
In addition, amendments to the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 are proposed to enhance efficiency and cost effectiveness, while continuing to protect the public, and to update the Act in the interest of standardising the provisions of legislation governing health regulators. While these amendments include provision for the rationalisation of registration boards in certain circumstances, it is anticipated that comprehensive restructuring of the Council's regulatory framework will not be undertaken until such time as the registration boards have completed first phase establishment and registration.
It is hoped that the amending legislation will be published in 2014.
709. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49479/13]
View answerFor 2013, a maximum waiting time target of 12 months has been set for a first time consultant-led outpatient appointment and this is reflected in the HSE Service Plan. The SDU and the NTPF are working closely with hospitals towards achievement of the maximum waiting time.
Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific hospital appointment query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
710. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason the nuclear X-ray machine in Crumlin Hospital, Dublin, will not be able to deal with any patients or take X-rays in the month of January; the reason the machine is only used twice every month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49491/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
711. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the issue of the high cost of medication here compared to other countries; the progress that is being made and is expected to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49496/13]
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 State has introduced a series of reforms in recent years to reduce pharmaceutical prices and expenditure. These have resulted in reductions in the price 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.
A major new deal on the cost of drugs in the State was concluded with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) in October 2012. It will deliver a number of important benefits, including significant reductions for patients in the cost of drugs, a lowering of the drugs bill to the State, timely access for patients to new cutting-edge drugs for certain conditions, and reducing the cost base of the health system into the future.
The IPHA agreement provides that prices are referenced to the currency adjusted average price to wholesaler in the nine EU member states. The prices of a range of medicines were reduced on 1 January 2013 in accordance with the agreement. The gross savings arising from this deal will be in excess of €400 million over 3 years. €210 million from the gross savings will be available to fund new drugs.
A new agreement was also reached with the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Ireland (APMI), which represents the generic drugs industry. Since 1 November 2012, the HSE only reimburses generic products which are priced at 50% or less of the initial price of an originator medicine. This represents a significant structural change in generic drug pricing and should lead to an increase in the generic prescribing rate. It is estimated that the combined gross savings from the IPHA and APMI deals will be in excess of €120 million in 2013 with an additional €28 million saved in 2014.
The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, which came into operation on the 24th of June, introduces a system of generic substitution and reference pricing. 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. It is estimated that this system will yield €50 million in savings in 2014.
Under the Act, the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) is responsible for the assessment for interchangeability of medicines. Generic substitution will be introduced incrementally with the IMB prioritising those medicines which will achieve the greatest savings for patients and the State. The Board is in the process of reviewing an initial 20 active substances, which equates to approximately 1,500 individual medicines. They include statins, proton pump inhibitors, angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers.
The first List of Interchangeable Medicines, containing groups of atorvastatin products, was published by the IMB on the 7th August. The IMB is updating the List of Interchangeable Medicines on an ongoing basis and it expects to complete the assessment of the top 20 priority medicines by mid- 2014. The process will then continue until all relevant medicinal products on the reimbursable list have been assessed.
Once a List of Interchangeable Medicines is published by the IMB a two stage price reduction process gets underway. First, under the terms of the 2012 APMI Agreement, the price of all relevant products fall by 20%, e.g. atorvastatin prices were reduced from 1st September. Secondly, the legislation provides that the HSE may set a reference price for groups of interchangeable products published on the List of Interchangeable Products with a view to introducing further significant price cuts. Taking both price reductions into account, atorvastatin prices are down 70% since the introduction of generic substitution.
Reference pricing involves the setting of a common reimbursement price, or reference price, for a group of interchangeable medicines. It means that one reference price is set for each group or list of interchangeable medicines, and this is the price that the HSE will reimburse to pharmacies for all medicines in the group, regardless of the individual medicine’s prices. The first reference price for atorvastatin products was implemented on 1 November 2013. Reference prices will ensure that generic prices in Ireland will fall towards European norms.
713. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if his Department has secured expert advice in relation to the development of an anti-malaria policy; the names and qualifications of those providing such advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49510/13]
View answerMalaria is a serious tropical disease caused by parasites that are spread by biting mosquitoes. There are four kinds of malaria that can infect humans: Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae. P. falciparum is the most severe form of malaria, and it and P. vivax are the most commonly encountered.
The mosquitoes that transmit malaria are not found in Ireland and all cases of malaria in Ireland are imported. The disease is contracted in countries where malaria is endemic or found naturally. African countries have the highest risk of malaria, especially Central and West Africa. But malaria can also be caught in Central and South America, in Asia and most of the Middle East.
Malaria was made a notifiable disease by the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1948 (S.I. No. 99 of 1948). Provisional data published by the Health Protection and Surveillance Centre (HPSC) indicate that there were ten cases of malaria notified in the first quarter of 2013. Provisionally data also indicate that 65 cases of malaria notified to the HPSC in 2012.
Travellers to countries where malaria is endemic are advised to consult a GP or travel health clinic and take medical advice about malaria prophylaxis before travelling.
714. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if a medical card application now under appeal will be expedited in respect of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49523/13]
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.
715. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will consider increasing the eligibility levels for medical cards for single persons to two thirds of that of a couple in view of the hardship experienced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49551/13]
View answerThe income thresholds for a standard means tested medical card are determined by the HSE and the current weekly rates for a single person living alone and a married/cohabiting couple are detailed below.
The Deputy will note that the rate for a single person living alone is approximately of that of a couple for both age categories in the following table:
|
Category |
Aged under 66 |
Aged 66—69 |
|
Single person living alone |
€184 |
€201.50 |
|
Married or cohabiting couple (or lone parent with dependent children) |
€266.50 |
€298 |
716. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a freedom of information request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49552/13]
View answerThe request referred to was submitted to the Health Service Executive South. Under the Freedom of Information legislation the Health Service Executive is a completely separate body from the Department of Health. Statutory responsibility for compliance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Acts rests entirely with the Health Service Executive.
Provisions within the Freedom of Information legislation allow for an appeals process should any prescribed body fail to meet its requirements under the Acts.
717. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the cutbacks in State funding that have been made to an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 7 over the past three budgets; and if the service is at risk of closure. [49566/13]
View answerThis Government currently provides funding of over €1.5 billion to the Disability Services Programme through the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2013, and is committed to protecting frontline services for people with disabilities to the greatest possible extent.
The Minister for Health is working to ensure that protection is afforded to the disability sector, and the Social Care area as a whole.
In 2013 the HSE is seeking to maximise the provision of services within available resources and is committed to maintaining a consistent level to that provided in 2012, by providing the following specialist disability services: residential services to over 9,000 people with a disability; day services to over 22,000 people with intellectual and physical disabilities; respite residential support for over 7,500 people with intellectual and physical disabilities; 1.68m hours of Personal Assistant / Home Support Hours.
Pending completion of the national estimates, budgetary and service planning process for 2014 it is not possible to predict the service levels to be provided next year.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
718. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card may issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49572/13]
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.
719. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when occupational therapy will be offered in the case of the child of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare who has been waiting for three years and has been recognised as a priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49584/13]
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.
720. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health if it is normal practice for public hospitals to send accident and emergency bills to the next of kin of those who die as a result of road traffic accidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49588/13]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive for a report on the issue raised by the Deputy. I will revert to the Deputy on the matter as soon as possible.
721. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive an eye appointment in UCHG; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49591/13]
View answerFor 2013, a maximum waiting time target of 12 months has been set for a first time consultant-led outpatient appointment and this is reflected in the HSE Service Plan. The SDU and the NTPF are working closely with hospitals towards achievement of the maximum waiting time.
Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific hospital appointment query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
722. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if any home help will be offered in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49612/13]
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.
723. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he has had in relation to the need to finalise the required funding to bring the Narrow Water Bridge project to construction stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49246/13]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for each local authority. The Irish Government supported the original decision by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) to approve the allocation of EU funding to the Narrow Water bridge project and committed an upfront funding contribution of €3.9 million in January this year. The funding which was to be provided by my Department for the Narrow Water Bridge Project represented a significant commitment given the current financial circumstances. This funding contribution was due to be matched with a contribution from the Northern Ireland authorities in line with the agreed funding ratios for the Programme.
The Government was disappointed that the tender process resulted in a doubling of the initial costs budgeted for by the project partners for the construction of the bridge. The Government has indicated on many occasions that it would be willing to help to address the shortfall in funding for the Narrow Water Bridge, but this depends entirely on matching contributions from the other parties, including the Northern Ireland Executive. These commitments have not as yet been forthcoming.
As the Deputy will be aware, as part of the recovery programme that this Government has had to pursue to put the country back on its feet,unfortunately, there will be a further reduction in regional and local roads spending in 2014 of over €60 million. Ultimately it is from this budget that any additional funding from this State would have had to come and we would not have been in a position to provide a further €10 million towards this project as well as to underwrite any potential further overspend.
The progression and importance of this project has been discussed at the North South Ministerial Council on a number of occasions most recently on the 8th of November. In the Plenary Joint Communiqué issued subsequent to that meeting, it was stated that "Ministers remain supportive of the concept of the Narrow Water Bridge and have asked for an urgent analysis of the issues involved. They remain conscious that the priority is not to lose the EU funding involved."
It is important to note that there are time constraints with regard to the SEUPB funding, which has to be spent by 2015. SEUPB has now decided to withdraw the letter of offer. The SEUPB is now exploring options for the reallocation of this funding to eligible projects capable of being delivered by December 2015. While this development is unfortunate, this is a project that the Government would like to see delivered in the future and remains committed to. However, we simply do not have the scale of resources required to advance it at this stage when the priority must be on road maintenance and restoration as against new projects.
724. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of funding that will be made available in respect of local improvement schemes to the local authorities in counties Westmeath and Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49426/13]
View answerThe Local Improvements Scheme provided funding for road and laneways that council's have not taken in charge. However, the maintenance and improvement of these roads is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. As indicated to all local authorities in January 2013, the local improvement scheme was reinstated but with no separate allocation for this grant category. Under the new arrangements in 2013 local authorities may use up to 7% of their Discretionary Grant towards local improvement schemes should they wish to do so. The local contribution for these schemes has been increased to 20% of the total cost of the project. Apart from this amendment the same eligibility rules apply for these schemes. Furthermore, it is open to local authorities to supplement the 7% of their Discretionary Grant that they can use for the local improvement schemes with their own resources if they so wish.
Details of the 2014 regional and local roads grants will be communicated to local authorities early in the new year.
725. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the removal of the service by Bus Éireann to the town of Clogheen, County Tipperary; if an impact assessment was carried out to gauge the effect of this on the local community particularly older residents; and if any future service for the area is planned. [48858/13]
View answerThe scheduling and timetabling of buses is an operational matter for Bus Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and not one in which my Department has any role. I have forwarded your question to both the company and the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
726. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Roads Authority changed the criteria with regard to the dimensions and height of cats' eyes which are installed on our national secondary and primary roads (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49009/13]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
