Written Answers Nos. 584-602
584. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the refurbishment works at St. Joseph's, Ardee, County Louth; when same will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2295/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
585. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently on waiting lists for audiological services in Galway; the way this number has changed since the appointment of a senior audiological scientist in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2300/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
586. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the financial assistance available by way of motorised transport grant or otherwise in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2325/14]
View answerThe Government, conscious of the position of the Ombudsman that the Mobility Allowance and the Motorised Transport Grant schemes are illegal in the context of the Equal Status Acts closed both schemes to new entrants on 26th February 2013.
In December 2013, the Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new travel subsidy scheme and associated statutory provisions will be progressed as a priority by the Minister for Health in consultation with other relevant Ministers.
The Revenue Commissioners operates the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme which provides a range of tax reliefs linked to the purchase and use of vehicles by disabled drivers and disabled passengers in Ireland. Under the terms of the scheme, qualifying individuals can claim remission or repayment of vehicle registration tax, repayment of value-added tax on the purchase of a vehicle and repayment of VAT on the cost of adapting a vehicle for a disabled driver or a disabled passenger. Details of this scheme and qualifying criteria are available on http://www.citizensinformation.ie and http://www.revenue.ie/.
587. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the inquiry which was established in November 2012 into allegations of improper and illegal advice given to pregnant women in various State-funded Irish Family Planning Association clinics; the reason the investigation has been downgraded to an audit; the reason, despite assurances in July 2013 that a report would be published in seven to eight weeks, that there is still no report available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2326/14]
View answerI have emphasised the importance of this matter to the HSE and requested they respond directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
588. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department including payments from Ministerial allowances, broken down by report; if he will provide the details of any consultants employed; the names of each report and their status as published or ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2363/14]
View answerInformation for the period from March 2011 to October 2012 is attached. 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, Swiftwrite 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 & 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 & 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 |
Drafted by Department Staff and Steering Group with members from various external agencies Geraldine Fitzpatrick PO (Chair) |
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 & 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 |
- |
589. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the investigation that is currently taking place into the recent death and assaults at Roscommon acute psychiatric unit in May 2013; the terms of reference; when the investigation will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2372/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
590. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children who are waiting to see a consultant allergist; the length of time they have been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2375/14]
View answer591. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant allergists that are located here and the hospitals in which they are based; his plans to create further consultant allergist positions here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2376/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 590 and 591 together.
In relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
592. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will carry out an independent review of the circumstances which resulted in an ambulance taking at least 50 minutes to attend the scene of an accident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2381/14]
View answerFirstly, I would like to extend my sympathies to the family of the person concerned.
I am advised by the National Ambulance Service (NAS) that at 17.45 on 30 December 2013, the NAS received an emergency call for an incident in Carndonagh; the call was triaged as Clinical Status 1 Delta (life-threatening). The nearest available resources, a rapid response vehicle with an advanced paramedic and an emergency ambulance, both in Letterkenny, were dispatched. As is standard procedure, the NAS also contacted the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, but no emergency resources were available. The response vehicle and ambulance arrived in 40 and 43 minutes respectively. A second ambulance from Letterkenny arrived in 50 minutes. The NAS also requested North West Doc and a local GP to provide treatment to the patient, and they were on scene when the NAS crews arrived. The patient was transported to Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry, arriving at 19.15.
The NAS has reviewed this call and is satisfied that the call was triaged correctly and that the nearest available resources were dispatched. At the time the call was received there was a high level of utilisation of emergency resources. In an effort to deal with such situations going forward, the NAS has established an escalation process with Letterkenny General Hospital to ensure that Ambulance Control at Ballyshannon is informed at the earliest opportunity of any capacity, activity or other challenges that may affect NAS service delivery.
The Health Information and Quality Authority as part of its Business Plan for 2014, and in line with its programme for the monitoring of the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare, will review the governance and management arrangements of pre-hospital emergency care services to include the timely call-handling, response, assessment, diagnosis, care and transportation of the acutely ill patient to the appropriate healthcare facility. This review had been due to commence in the 2nd quarter of 2014. However, in light of a number of recent incidents, the Authority has agreed to my request to commence the review in quarter 1. I understand that the review will focus initially on the governance arrangements for the service and how those arrangements translate into the safety, quality and effectiveness of services for patients.
I would also like to inform the Deputy that the NAS will undertake its own capacity review to determine current and future service delivery needs. This process will examine a number of areas, including staff numbers and skill mix, as well as resource distribution.
593. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the Health Service Executive voluntary redundancy scheme 2014; the areas and functions to be targeted by the HSE under the scheme; when employees will be able to apply for redundancy under the scheme; and the appropriate procedures by which they can do so. [2382/14]
View answerIn 2013 my Department authorised the introduction of a targeted voluntary redundancy facility in the HSE and in organisations funded by the HSE under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004. The purpose of the facility is to achieve a permanent reduction in numbers and to facilitate ongoing health sector reform. This facility will provide managers with the scope to reduce employee numbers in the context of changing health sector structures under the health reform programme. The targeted voluntary redundancy facility was introduced in the HSE with effect from 1st January 2014.
It is important to emphasise that there is no automatic right to voluntary redundancy; staff may be offered voluntary redundancy in the context of current and future business needs and service provision priorities.
594. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on their application for a medical card [2388/14]
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.
595. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card appeal in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2396/14]
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.
596. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form a breakdown of the number of calls out and the number of targets that were met for ambulance and rapid response vehicles in the east Cork area for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2400/14]
View answerIn relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to her directly.
597. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support a community programme (details supplied) in Dublin 5 and its reach-out project. [2404/14]
View answerDublin North East Local Drugs Task Force was allocated €1,017,087 to support community based drugs projects in 2014. From its allocation, a sum of €56,750 was allocated by the Task Force to the organisation referred to by the Deputy. I understand that the organisation in question applied to the Task Force for additional funding to operate a new treatment initiative this year. However, the Task Force was not able to fund the initiative from within available resources.
598. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a nursing home support scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2416/14]
View answerA fundamental principle enshrined in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 is that of patient choice. Once a person receives approval for financial support, they can choose to enter any nursing home that is participating in the scheme in any part of the country, subject to the nursing home having an available bed and being able to cater for the person's particular needs. This applies to public, private and voluntary nursing homes alike.
599. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a bed in a hospital in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2417/14]
View answerThe HSE has informed my Department that the patient in question was admitted to Galway University Hospital on Tuesday 14 January, 2014.
600. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding early intervention in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2425/14]
View answerAs the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
601. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Cork will receive an assessment for the ASD spectrum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2426/14]
View answerAs the issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. I have asked the HSE to look into the particular matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
602. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the number of children on the waiting list to access mental health services. [2428/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
