Written Answers Nos. 658-681
658. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has explored the health consequences of the below-cost selling of sugary food and drinks to children; if she has considered developing a strategy to deal with the consequences of such a policy in view of the rising rates of obesity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3746/14]
View answerMy Department works closely with the Department of Health in relation to a range of health issues affecting children and young people, including the serious issues of overweight and obesity levels which have been highlighted in the Longitudinal Study "Growing Up in Ireland" which my Department funds.
A Special Advisory Group on Obesity has been established by the Minister for Health and is working to develop a range of actions in response to the Obesity Strategy and a representative of my Department is participating in this work. It is recognised that food and drinks with a high sugar component are important contributors to overweight and obesity in young people and I understand that the Department of Health has held discussions with schools on changing the contents of vending machines to ensure that the majority of products they stock are healthy options and the provision of guidelines to early years providers on healthy nutrition for young children.
Information to assist parents to make healthy choices for their children will be an important element in tackling the consumption of sugary foods and drinks by children and young people. In the latter part of 2013 the Minister for Health and I jointly launched a three year media and social media campaign aimed at giving practical tips to parents on managing their children’s weight. One of the advertisements developed for the campaign encourages substituting water for sugary drinks and poster and print advertisements show parents how much sugar is contained in various drinks. Information resources have also been made available on the internet and in the form of leaflets in GP surgeries, Family Resource Centres, Public Libraries and other places visited by parents and children.
659. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to extend the emergency out-of-hours social work service nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3903/14]
View answerThe Child and Family Agency (CFA) provides a range of services aimed at addressing emergency situations in the area of child welfare and protection. In the main, these emergency situations arise out of hours.
At present out-of-hours emergency services for children at risk in the greater Dublin area are provided through the Crisis Intervention Service (CIS). Outside the greater Dublin area the service is provided through the Emergency Place of Safety Service (EPSS).
The Crisis Intervention Service provides out-of-hours emergency social work assistance to young people aged under 18 years. Where necessary, the social worker arranges for a foster care or residential placement for the child until the next working day. The service operates across the greater Dublin area (Counties Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow). Referrals are made by service providers outside of normal working hours e.g. Gardaí, hospital and ambulance service personnel.
The Emergency Place of Safety Service (EPSS) operates outside the greater Dublin area and allows Gardaí to access an emergency placement for children found to be at risk out-of-hours. This service involves the placement of a child in a family setting until the next working day, when the local social work service assumes responsibility for the case. As part of this service Gardaí have access to advice and information from a social work off-site resource which is provided on a contract basis. The purpose of this service is to provide placements to children where Gardaí have removed children from their homes under Section 12 of the Child Care Act, outside of normal working hours, on an emergency basis or where a young person presents themselves as needing care and protection.
There has been a steady increase in the number of calls to the CIS and EPSS and an increase in the number of children placed since its commencement. In 2012 there were 712 referrals with 522 children placed in care and in the period to the end of the third quarter of 2013 there were 580 referrals and 432 children placed in care.
An Emergency Out of Hours Social Work service was piloted in Cork and Donegal. It is intended to expand this service in 2014 to include additional urban and rural areas and discussions are underway with stakeholders in this regard. The proposed service is to operate on the basis of a joint, national protocol between the CFA, an Garda Síochána and an external provider.
662. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress that has been made on the implementation of the recommendations in the review of the youth homelessness strategy published last year, including the consultation that has been undertaken regarding the recommendations in the review; and the timeline for the full implementation of agreed recommendations. [4095/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, my Department commissioned the Centre for Effective Services (CES) to undertake a review of the implementation of the Youth Homelessness Strategy published by the Department of Health and Children in 2001.
The purpose of the review was to establish the extent to which the strategy has been successful, to identify challenges to its implementation and to make recommendations for future action. CES consulted with the relevant service providers, NGOs and young people as part of this process. The report, Every Child a Home: A Review of the Implementation of the Youth Homelessness Strategy, was published in July 2013.
The review found that there had been significant improvements in the service response to children presenting as homeless in the last ten years and that the range and standard of services has improved over the past decade and this appears to have contributed to a decrease in the number of children and young people accessing services through the homeless sector.
Young people aged between 15 and 17 who come to the attention of emergency and youth homeless services as being vulnerable and at risk are typically more challenging to care for as they may be out of school, have experienced neglect and serious family discord, problematic drug use, have mental health or learning difficulties, move amongst peers and they may be less inclined to engage with social work services. Services need to provide early and flexible options to engage with these young people and to support them beyond their 18th birthday.
My Department has engaged with the Departments of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Education and Skills, Social Protection and Health as well as the (then) HSE Children and Family Services and National Educational Welfare Board seeking their views on how the recommendations of “Every Child a Home” relevant to each sector are being or might be brought forward. My Department will establish a committee of statutory stakeholders to consider the best way to progress priority recommendations and it is intended to convene the first meeting shortly.
663. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children-young persons in the care of the State that are in special foster care placements in this jurisdiction; the number of special foster care placements facilitated by private agencies; and the number of children-young persons in the care of the State in special foster care placements outside of this jurisdiction. [4096/14]
View answer664. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views that some regular foster care placements may evolve to meet the criteria which fits their being recategorised as special foster care placements, due to the level and type of skills needed to manage emerging issues; and if she will outline the criteria for a placement to be called a special foster care placement. [4097/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 663 and 664 together.
Foster care applicants undergo an assessment and training process to establish their suitability and competence. This process has six stages
- Application
- Assessment by a social worker
- Garda vetting, medical and referenced checks, including garda checks of adult children of the foster carers living at home
- Approval by the Fostering Committee
- Approval of the ‘match’ between the foster carers with the Care Plan of the prospective child
- Placement of a child with the foster carers.
Foster carers are selected on the basis of their ability to meet the needs of individual children. In some cases a child may require a foster care placement with additional supports to meet additional needs and in these cases extra supports and respite facilities may be provided when required. The Child and Family Agency does not currently collate national data on this type of placement.
The Child and Family Agency is currently developing a Foster Care Strategy which will review all aspects of foster care provision. The development of a tiered approach to foster care is being considered as part of this strategy, including meeting the different individual needs of children in foster care. The Agency is fully supportive of the view that children with challenging needs should be placed in foster care placements.
665. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of semi-State companies under the remit of her Department that paid bonuses to their employees in 2011, 2012 and 2013; if she will identify these semi-State companies; the number of employees and the level of bonuses paid; her views on the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4162/14]
View answerI can confirm that there are no semi-state companies currently in operation under the aegis of my Department.
668. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will, in respect of her Department's audit committee, provide details of its current membership; the date of appointment of each member; the fees paid to each member; if members of the committee are required to hold certain professional qualifications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4212/14]
View answerI can confirm that the membership of my Department's Audit & Risk Committee comprises the following members. The members as appointed by the Secretary General of my Department have considerable expertise in the area of finance and audit as is demonstrated by their experience.
Chairperson – Mr Ken Slattery (Mr Timothy Kenneth Slattery), Independent Board Member (Non Executive) and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee in Department of Finance & Personnel – Enterprise Shared Services, Northern Ireland; former Acting Chief Executive of Irish Payments Services Organisation; former Director of Operations (Corporate Banking) with Bank of Ireland Group.
External member – Mr Frank Goodman, Chief Executive of the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland; Former Chief Executive of Legal Aid Board & Director Office of Ombudsman.
External member – Ms Valerie Plant, Assistant National Director (Annual Financial Statements and Governance), HSE Finance.
Internal member - John Lohan, Principal Officer, DCYA.
Secretary to the Committee – Ciara Murray, DCYA.
Members of the DCYA Audit & Risk Committee were appointed in early 2012.
All fees payable to the Committee have been waived by the members.
Members of the DCYA Audit & Risk Committee have been appointed in line with the membership guidelines as outlined by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform; which state that the Committee have the capacity to understand the financial, cultural, strategic and political environment in which the Department operates. The Committee’s expertise also demonstrates recent and relevant financial experience, as required.
669. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of appointments to State boards under the remit of her Department that were made as a result of applications made through the publicjobs.ie website in the past three years; the number of board posts that were advertised on publicjobs.ie; the number of board posts that were not advertised on the website but instead were made directly; and the average pay to directly appointed board members. [4589/14]
View answerI would like to inform the Deputy that since my Department was established in June 2011 to the present time, five non-commercial State agencies have been funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These were the Child and Family Agency, the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI), the Family Support Agency (FSA), the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Ombudsman for Children. With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken responsibility for the Children Detention Schools as provided in Part 10 of the Children Act 2001.
Apart from the Ombudsman for Children's Office which does not have a board, I am responsible for all board of management appointments.
Since I took office in March 2011, I have directly appointed 48 persons to the boards of management under the aegis of my Department.
As the Deputy may be aware, in line with the Government decision of April 2011, new arrangements were put in place for the making of appointments to State Boards and bodies. Following this Government Decision, on my Department's website I have invited expressions of interest from persons interested in being appointed to the boards of State Bodies and Agencies operating under the Department's aegis. The notice indicates the vacancies in the boards of the respective bodies. My officials acknowledge all expressions of interest received and maintain a database of those expressions. My Department’s website is monitored and updated on a regular basis to reflect the number of vacancies as they arise.
Expressions of interest for the Board of the Management of the Family Support Agency were also sought via the Public Appointments Service (PAS) who ran a competition for the filling of vacancies on that Board. Following this process, the Minister appointed members to the Board of Management of the Family Support Agency in September 2013.
The membership of the board of the Family Support Agency was appointed to the board of the new Child and Family Agency on its establishment on January 1st 2014. Under the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board were dissolved and the service provision for these Agencies along with Child and Family Services previously provided by the HSE transferred to the new Agency on its establishment.
In making my decisions on appointments to boards, subject to the governing legislation, I consider the most suitable persons for the positions available with due regard to the body or agency in question and its particular responsibilities and I seek to ensure that the appropriate mix of skills and experience is in place to achieve the best result.
With regard to the issue of fees, I can confirm that the average annual fees currently paid to board members on the:
- Child and Family Agency are €11,970 for an ordinary member and €20,520 for a chairperson
- Adoption Authority are €7,965 for an ordinary member and €63,120 for a chairperson
The Board of Management of the Children’s Detention Schools have waived their fees. In line with established practice, each Board Member of the recently established Child and Family Agency, in their letter of appointment, was given the option of waiving their fees, entirely at their own discretion.
670. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of pro bono work provided to her Department by legal, accountancy and consulting firms in the past 24 months; how many of those firms have been awarded State contracts by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4602/14]
View answerThere was no pro bono work as referred to by the Deputy engaged by my Department and bodies under my aegis in the past 24 months.
671. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide a list of the top 20 consulting firms engaged by her Department, including public bodies, in order of fee generation or cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4615/14]
View answerIt is the policy of my Department to minimise consultancy fees to the greatest extent possible, and to hire consultants only as the need arises and where the required professional expertise is not available in-house. All contracts entered into by my Department must conform with the relevant laws and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines on Public Procurement.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the following consultancy firms were engaged by my Department in 2013.
|
Professional Service |
Company engaged during 2013 |
Cost of Service in 2013 |
|
Development of a Toolkit for the Participation for Seldom Heard Young People |
Cnag ar an Doras |
€22,140.00 |
|
Evaluation of Dáil na nÓg 2013 |
Liz Harper |
€3,325.00 |
|
Young People's Report –‘Young Voices, Have Your Say’ |
Cnag ar an Doras |
€4,918.00 |
|
Role Review for Child & Family Agency |
Mazars |
€16,512.75 |
|
Care Issues Review |
Conal Devine & Associates |
€13,636.21 |
|
Care Issues Review |
HV McElfatrick |
€3,556.56 |
|
Staff Roster Review |
McGuinness Killen Partnership |
€6,715.80 |
The costs of services provided represent the overall costs to the Department. Final payments to the service providers are reduced to take account of Professional Services Withholding Tax.
My Department is currently working to compile a complete list as requested and this will be forwarded directly to the Deputy immediately as it becomes available.
672. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Meath has been waiting for a review of their medical card application since September 2013. [3797/14]
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.
673. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the outpatient waiting list for Galway and Roscommon university hospitals group; and if he will provide a breakdown of this figure according to the specialties for which the patients are awaiting an appointment. [3481/14]
View answerIn relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
674. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health if he is concerned that Ireland is falling short of the 75% flu vaccination target for older age groups, according to a progress report on the 2009 EU council recommendation; and the reason Ireland’s vaccination coverage dropped from 70% in 2008-09 to 56.3% in 2011-2012. [3489/14]
View answerIn Ireland the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) collates influenza vaccine uptake statistics in those aged 65 years and older based on data obtained from the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS), HSE- Finance Shared Services. These data provide information on the number of patients vaccinated with influenza vaccine (by age group and HSE-Area of residence), attendance at GP clinics and pharmacies for vaccination and the number of registered medical and GP visit cardholders aged 65 years and older. The number of patients vaccinated with influenza vaccine refers to GP and pharmacy paid claims for influenza vaccination reported by the PCRS and so are dependent on GPs’ and pharmacist’s claims for reimbursement. Data from pharmacies are only available for the 2012/2013 influenza season when administration of influenza vaccine by pharmacists commenced.
As highlighted, the uptake of influenza vaccine in those aged 65 years and older decreased from 70% in the 2008/2009 to 56.9% in 2011/2012. These estimates are based on PCRS data received by HPSC. The uptake in the season 2008/2009 was the highest uptake reported. The reason for this decline is unknown but as previously stated may be due to data received by PCRS which is dependent on GPs’ and pharmacist’s claims for reimbursement. Data from pharmacies were only available for the 2012/2013 influenza season when administration of influenza vaccine by pharmacists commenced which may have influenced 2011/2012 season data. In addition, during the period 2011/2012 data reported were not complete as PCRS did not report vaccinations administered by GPs and claimed through the new vaccination claiming system. The 2012/2013 dataset is not fully complete from PCRS and it may improve when the complete dataset is received. In 2008/2009 there were a number of high profile avian influenza H5N1 outbreaks in UK and other European countries. It is also possible that the higher uptake noted that year reflected a mistaken belief that seasonal influenza vaccine would protect against H5N1 avian influenza.
Of note is that a national telephone survey undertaken after the 2012/2013 influenza season measuring influenza vaccine uptake reports 59.9% coverage (provisional data) in those aged 65 years and over which is similar to the uptake recorded in the previous season i.e. 2011/2012 season. This survey also explored the reasons for non-vaccination among respondents.
Respondents in the age group 65 years and over perceived themselves as not needing the influenza vaccine and of not being at risk of contracting influenza. In those who were vaccinated, recommendation by the GP was a strong predictor of influenza vaccination.
As pointed out the influenza vaccine coverage in this age group is below the WHO target of 75% and this is of concern. Efforts to improve flu vaccine uptake in those aged 65 years and older are made annually by launching the influenza vaccination campaign (media and written materials by the National Immunisation Office) at the start of the influenza season. In addition, HSE areas communicate to all nursing homes and residential care units at the start of each flu season regarding the importance of improving influenza vaccine uptake among elderly residents.
Table 1: Cumulative percentage seasonal influenza vaccine uptake in Medical Card Holders aged 65 years and older by season (September – August), attending GP clinics.
|
Sept - August |
2011/12 |
2010/11 |
2009/10 |
2008/09 |
2007/08 |
2006/07 |
2005/06 |
2004/05 |
Mean |
|
No. vaccinated |
250,525 |
276,240 |
225,358 |
294,156 |
259,100 |
246,695 |
249,013 |
236,425 |
254,689.0 |
|
No. Medical card holders * |
444,628 |
432,650 |
419,010 |
419,327 |
419,767 |
407,196 |
395,458 |
385,162 |
415,400 |
|
% Uptake |
56.3 |
63.8 |
53.8 |
70.1 |
61.7 |
60.6 |
63.0 |
61.4 |
61.3 |
The number of Medical card holders includes GP visit card holders and represents the average number of card holders for the period September 2011 - August 2012.
675. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health the reason flu vaccination rates for Irish persons with chronic medical conditions-risk groups were just below 29% in 2009-2010 - the most recent available data - compared with 70% in the Netherlands; and the reason vaccination rates among health care workers here reached only 18% in 2011-12, down from 26.5% in 2009-10. [3490/14]
View answerThere is a good deal to say about this legislation. Although it is a succinct and short tranche of legislation, it is important in what it contains. It is equally important in what it does not contain and what it ought to contain. There are certain issues I wish to highlight in my contribution.
676. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the provision of additional services in primary care centres to deliver more medical treatment at community level and ease pressure in public hospitals; and if he will outline the types of services that could be extended to these centres [3491/14]
View answerThe development of primary care is central to the Government's objective to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost effective health system and is a key element of the overall Health Reform Programme. This includes the development of Primary Care Teams (PCTs) and Primary Care Centres (PCCs). The core objective is to achieve a more balanced health service by ensuring that the vast majority of patients and clients who require urgent or planned care are managed within primary and community based settings. This will be achieved by increasing activity in the primary care setting and redirecting services away from acute hospitals to the community.
The development of primary care centres, through a combination of public and private investment, will facilitate the delivery of multi-disciplinary primary health care.
It is the Government’s intention to develop as many primary care centres as possible using one of the following methods:
- Direct build (by HSE);
- Leasing arrangements with the private sector;
- Public Private Partnership.
Considerable progress has been made in the delivery of primary care centres and 34 centres have opened since May 2011.
The establishment of Community Intervention Teams (CITs) is an example of delivering services appropriate for care in the home/community. These Teams work in partnership with PCTs, General Practice, Community Hospitals, home support services, acute hospitals and other professionals, to deliver enhanced services and patient centred care in the most appropriate setting. The benefits of CITs include:
- hospital avoidance;
- facilitating early discharge from hospital; and
- access to quality care at home swiftly and with minimum inconvenience.
There are currently 7 functioning CITs nationally, with further developments and expansions planned in 2014. The number of patient referrals to CITs in 2013 was 21,493.
Other services scheduled for transfer to Primary Care Centres include the following and these will be progressed further by the HSE during 2014:
- Chronic Illness management, specifically Diabetes, COPD, Elderly Care and Mental Health;
- Diagnostic services, e.g. radiology, ultrasound examination, etc.;
- Phlebotomy, INR Testing and Warfarin.
The above are examples of routine clinical activity targeted for transfer from acute hospitals to primary care in the short to medium term as the Primary Care Centre infrastructure is developed.
677. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a new UK helpline, run by the Irish suicide charity Console, has reported receiving 600 calls in December from Irish immigrants, mostly young men, at immediate risk of taking their own lives; and to outline the interaction agencies here have with their counterparts in Britain on the issue. [3492/14]
View answerI understand that Console established a separate UK Company, ‘Console Suicide Prevention Limited' in November 2012, at the invitation of the UK Authorities. This service operates independently of the Console Service in Ireland and has obtained Charitable Status in the UK. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through the Emigrant Support Programme, provided €59,200 to Console in 2013 to assist with the start-up costs.
I have been informed that Console UK received 600 Helpline calls in December 2013 from Irish Emigrants living in England, Scotland and Wales. The classification of the calls are as follows:
- 42% Low, moderate suicide risk
- 10% high, immediate suicide risk
- 18% Concern about a relative, friend suicide risk
- 10% Information and referral to voluntary & statutory agencies
- 20% Listening only.
The HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention has regular contacts with the statutory agencies in the UK and shares information in relation to suicide prevention.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also provides support to various organisations including Console and others who provide welfare services to the Irish community throughout Britain, and through direct consular assistance to individuals on a variety of issues, which may include mental health.
678. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the plans the Health Service Executive has to build a new community nursing unit in Waterford to replace beds lost due to the closure of St. Brigid's Ward at St. Patrick's Hospital in Waterford. [3511/14]
View answerThis Government’s policy is to support older people to live with dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not feasible, the health service supports access to quality long-term residential care where this is appropriate. The Health Service Executive continues to develop and improve health services in all regions of the country ensuring quality and patient safety.
Prior to 2009, the provision of a community residential care facility at St Patrick’s was included in the capital construction projects. However, as a consequence of the economic downturn and the resulting substantial reduction in the capital funding available for the health service construction programme it was not been possible to deliver this or other projects.
In 2012, the HSE reviewed its long stay bed complement and developed Viability Plans. In 2013 priority locations for funding were identified. As regards this project the HSE has undertaken a Historic Building Assessment Report and also has completed a Development Control Plan. The project now proposed is a 100 bed Community Nursing Unit (CNU) to be built on the St Patrick’s campus, to replace existing accommodation in both St Patrick’s and St Otteran’s. The HSE is in the process of appointing a number of design teams for a variety of projects including this CNU which will enable building design, statutory approvals and tender documents be completed.
As with all capital projects this project must be considered within the overall capital envelope available to the health service. There will always be more construction projects than can be funded by the Exchequer. The method and timescale for the delivery of health care infrastructure is a dynamic process which is constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances, including the feasibility of implementation. There is limited funding available for new projects over the period 2014-2018 given the level of commitments and the costs to completion already in place.
The HSE has submitted to my Department its draft Capital Plan for the multi-annual five year period 2014-2018. My Department is reviewing the proposals and following up where further details may be required. The proposed plan requires my approval with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
679. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will reverse the cuts made by the Health Service Executive regarding the provisions for orthotics for children with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3572/14]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to ensuring the on-going delivery of vital services and supports to people with disabilities within available resources. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has been provided with funding in the order of €1.4 billion this year to fund its 2014 disability services programme for children and adults with disabilities.
As 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.
680. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cavan was refused home help; the way he or she can access home help; the way he or she can change the public health nurse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3574/14]
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.
681. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason there appears to be a difference within Health Service Executive areas regarding the provision of finance to medical card holders for the purchase of wigs for cancer patients; the reason a lump sum is paid in some counties while in County Waterford, for example, two payments of €220 are provided months apart, neither of which covers the cost of a wig, particularly for those who are on a limited income and, therefore, the medical card, and cannot afford the remainder of the cost of a wig; if he will ensure this disparity is corrected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3575/14]
View answerThe HSE has informed me that the provision of wigs for cancer patients is administered locally at present through local health offices. The HSE advises that it is undertaking a full review of the operation of this service and is developing standard procedures for consistent application across the country. It is anticipated that these standard protocols will be in place by mid 2014.
