Terence Flanagan
Question:210. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding a meeting with a club (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54616/13]
View answerDepartmental Meetings
Questions (210)
Written answers
My Department has made contact with the persons concerned to arrange a meeting in January 2014.
Adoption Legislation
Questions (211)
Anne Ferris
Question:211. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has considered the possibility of holding a referendum to make a constitutional amendment to allow the citizens of Ireland to decide whether adopted persons will be allowed full access to information on files about their adoption held by the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54637/13]
View answerWritten answers
Work is continuing in relation to the preparation of the Heads of Bill of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill. I am anxious to bring the Heads of Bill before Government at the earliest possible date. The Constitutional and legal context within which the development of these legislative proposals must be undertaken is complex. Certain legal and policy questions are currently being finalised and I expect to shortly submit a General Scheme and Heads of Bill to Government. The proposals will have to address the Constitutional and legal position with regard to any retrospective application of legislation, particularly as it relates to the right to privacy and the necessity to obtain consent for the release of personal information. I have agreed with the Oireachtas Health and Children Committee that once agreed by Government, the Heads of Bill will be the subject of Committee hearings so that the complex and sensitive issues involved can be the subject of public consideration.
Adoption Records Provision
Questions (212)
Anne Ferris
Question:212. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of adoptees and the number of natural parents currently registered on the national adoption contact preference register; the number of matches made and communicated in the past 12 months; the average duration each person has been on the register and the average time spent on the register prior to a match being made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54638/13]
View answerWritten answers
The National Adoption Contact Register (NACPR) was established in 2005 to assist adopted people and their natural families to make contact with each other, exchange information or state their contact preferences. They decide, through a range of information and contact options, how they wish to proceed. The Adoption Authority of Ireland has responsibility for the operation of the Contact Preference Register. In 2007, the Adoption Board published a review of the operation of the Register from 2005 to 2007. This review contains detailed information about the register and is available on the Information and Tracing section of the Adoption Authority website (www.aai.gov.ie).
The Authority has stated that there are currently 7534 adopted persons and 3361 relatives registered. To date in 2013 there have been 69 matches. It should be noted that the NACPR is a contact preference register and not a tracing database. The Authority can only act on making a 'match' when two parties register and agree to contact.
The Authority, the Health Service Executive and accredited adoption services routinely inform enquirers about the existence of the register and encourage anyone interested in tracing or gaining information to sign up. I am conscious of recent media coverage of the issue of information and tracing and I would hope that this will encourage more birth mothers in particular to access the Contact Preference Register and where possible to consent to the release of information.
Ministerial Advisers Remuneration
Questions (213)
Billy Kelleher
Question:213. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the names and amount by which each programme manager-special adviser in her Department has exceeded the relevant pay guidelines as laid down; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54746/13]
View answerWritten answers
My Advisers have all been placed on the Principal Officer standard scale, in accordance with Department of Finance instructions on Ministerial appointments.
Disability Support Services Expenditure
Questions (214)
Terence Flanagan
Question:214. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the cost to the State of funding for care and support services for multiple sclerosis patients, such as physiotherapy and specialist counselling, in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54490/13]
View answerWritten answers
Health budgets are not routinely broken down to the level of individual conditions such as multiple sclerosis. The specialist disability services programme in the Health Service Executive spends around €1.5 billion each year. Specialist disability services provided by the HSE include a wide range of services/supports including assessment of need, community nursing, therapy supports, day services, respite supports, assisted living supports and residential services.
Disability Support Services Expenditure
Questions (215, 216)
Terence Flanagan
Question:215. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of multiple sclerosis patients receiving injectable beta-interferon treatment in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the cost to the Health Service Executive of those treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54491/13]
View answerTerence Flanagan
Question:216. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the prescribing guidelines for the various disease modifying treatments for patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis; the extent to which he believes these guidelines are being adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54492/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.
The following table sets out the number of multiple sclerosis patients who received injectable beta-interferon treatment in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013 and the cost to the Health Service Executive of those treatments:
|
Year |
Unique Patients |
Cost |
|
2011 |
1,103 |
€11,285,318 |
|
2012 |
866 |
€10,236,437 |
|
Jan to Oct 2013 |
814 |
€7,480,363 |
In regard to prescribing practises, a Medicines Management Programme (MMP) has been established by the HSE to provide sustained national leadership in this area.
The aims of the MMP include (a) ensuring that patients have access to the essential medicines that they need; (b) facilitating more cost-effective prescribing with initiatives in relation to high-cost medicines; (c) ensuring value for money in relation to medicines; and (d) enhancing evidence based prescribing and optimising patient safety through a reduction in medication related adverse events.
The issue of prescribing guidelines for multiple sclerosis treatments has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Card Reviews
Questions (217)
Heather Humphreys
Question:217. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on a medical card review in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54501/13]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.