Written Answers Nos. 706-729
706. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to risks or improprieties which led to his decision to overhaul completely the staff of the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation tribunal in Autumn 2012; and his views on the manner in which the tribunal operated its financial affairs from 2007 to 2012. [3768/14]
View answer707. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will put on record any financial data, consultants' reports or relevant disclosures that he relied upon to overhaul the staff of the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation tribunal. [3769/14]
View answer708. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if there was a budget deficit carried over on the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation tribunal accounts of €17 million in 2007, which improved to a €106.6 million surplus in 2009; and the reason the tribunal switched the format of its online reports in 2010 in a manner which prevented tracking and public accountability of this item on its accounts. [3770/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 706 to 708, inclusive, together.
The Minister for Health appoints the members of the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal under Section 3 of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Act l997. Ministerial appointments to the Tribunal are made on the nomination of the Attorney General. The term of office of the Chairperson of the Tribunal and each member is specified by the Minister for Health when making each appointment. The Minister does not play a role in regard to the staffing of the Hepatitis C Tribunal.
The term of office of six members of the Tribunal expired on 31 July 2012 and the term of office of a further seven expired on 10 October 2012. I appointed seven ordinary members to the Tribunal for a three year term beginning 21 September 2012, six of whom were new members. My decision on these appointments to the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal was not influenced by financial data or consultants' reports.
Under Sections 10 and 11 of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Act l997, the Department of Finance established two Special Accounts to meet the costs of the Tribunal. The Hepatitis C Compensation Scheme is a demand led scheme and it can be difficult to accurately estimate future payments within calendar years. While the accounts of the Tribunal may show a surplus or a deficit from year to year, this reflects the demand arising and Vote accounting timing issues within particular calendar years.
The format of the Annual Report for the Tribunal was changed in 2010 but all the information contained in previous Annual Reports was retained. In the printed copy of the 2011 Annual Report the legal costs are presented as in previous Reports. However, the 2011 Annual Report as placed on the website of the Tribunal inadvertently placed the legal costs within the Reparation Fund heading. This was subsequently amended to reflect the printed publication.
709. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the amount paid in compensation over the past three years by the Health Service Executive either through the courts or by settlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3782/14]
View answerI have referred this matter to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
710. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the eligibility for a mobility grant in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3783/14]
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.
711. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the locations of each of the three ambulances that were available in the Drogheda area at 1.46 a.m. on 1 January 2014 when the first emergency call was received in respect of the stabbing of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3787/14]
View answer712. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the nature of each emergency call to the three ambulances that were in the Drogheda area at the time of the first report of the stabbing of a person (details supplied) on 1 January 2014. [3788/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 711 and 712 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
713. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the protocol used to determine the response of ambulance units to emergency calls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3789/14]
View answer714. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the protocols used by the national ambulance service to prioritise emergency calls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3790/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 713 and 714 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
715. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the building designated to be used as a public health centre in Portumna is now infested with vermin and is unfit for the purpose for which it was provided; the action that has been taken to rectify same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3812/14]
View answerThe HSE has responsibility for the provision of Primary Care Centres and the operation and maintenance of existing health centres. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
716. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive is rehiring staff who previously retired with a gratuity to manage the transfer of patients from St. Brendan's Hospital, Ballinasloe to Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3821/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
717. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a fair deal appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3834/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
718. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the prospective funding model for palliative care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3835/14]
View answerIn line with recommendations contained in Future Health - A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012 - 2015, the HSE is currently working on a Prospective Funding Model for Palliative Care which will assist in integrating and accounting for palliative care across all funding streams and delivery models. An Expert Group on Prospective Funding in Palliative Care was established in May 2012 to produce a report with recommendations about the development of this Prospective Funding Model for the consideration of the HSE and the Department of Health. The Group is chaired by Professor Charles Normand, Professor of Health Policy and Management, Trinity College Dublin, and includes a representative of my Department.
It is expected that an interim report will be submitted to the Department of Health in Q3 2014 which will include:
- a review of international approaches to palliative care funding;
- a description of the best practice model of palliative care provision;
- a description of current data collection systems for palliative care activity;
- a description of the current funding system for palliative care; and
- a definition of the current spend on palliative care with unit costings for specialist palliative care provision.
719. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the situations in which hospitals are permitted to use private ambulances to transfer patients between hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3843/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
720. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the number of insulin pumps the Health Service Executive currently has in stock; if the current roll-out of these pumps is adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3860/14]
View answerAs the particular queries raised by the Deputy are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
721. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on trolleys in the accident and emergency unit of University Hospital Limerick on each day since 1 January 2014; the maximum waiting time for admission on each of those days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3868/14]
View answer
722. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of whole-time equivalent nursing staff at University Hospital Limerick on 1 January in each of the years 2008 to 2011, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3869/14]
View answerThe detailed information sought by the Deputy in relation to health service staff is a matter for the HSE and, accordingly, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
723. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health his plans to include a drug (details supplied) that helps patients, suffering from the effects and symptoms of multiple sclerosis, in the long-term illness scheme or the drug payment scheme; his reason for the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3870/14]
View answer
724. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve the accident and emergency facilities at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3871/14]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to provide me with the information requested by the Deputy and I will forward it to him as soon as it becomes available.
725. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health when the free general practitioner visit card for children, up to and including five years of age, will be implemented; when parents will receive the card for their children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3878/14]
View answer738. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the arrangements his Department will be making to provide for the establishment of free general practitioner care for children under six years of age as announced in Budget 2014; and if he will indicate the timeframe for same. [3933/14]
View answer741. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health when the free general practitioner care system for children aged five and under will come into effect. [3980/14]
View answer743. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the introduction of free general practitioner care for children aged five and under; when same will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3988/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 725, 738, 741 and 743 together.
The Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service without fees within its term of office, as set out in the Programme for Government and the Future Health strategy framework. As announced in the Budget, it has been decided to commence the roll-out of a universal GP service by providing all children aged 5 and under with access to a GP service without fees. This will mean that almost half of the population will have access to GP services without fees. The Government is providing new, additional funding of €37 million to meet the cost of this measure.
The implementation of this new service requires primary legislation and work on preparing this is ongoing. Preparations are also proceeding in relation to the necessary administrative arrangements. Details of application procedures and the start date for the new service will be announced in due course.
726. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the future of St. Brigid's Hospital, Shaen, Portlaoise, County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3883/14]
View answer727. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the future of Abbeyleix hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3888/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 726 and 727 together.
As the Deputy is aware the Health Service Executive was asked to re-examine all of the available relevant information with a view to finalising a recommendation in relation to both St. Brigid's Hospital, Shaen and Abbeyleix Community Nursing Unit. The Department awaits the HSE's response and an announcement will be made as soon as possible once the Minister receives the HSE's definitive position.
728. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the number of children in the Dublin 15 area on waiting lists for speech and language therapy; the number who have been on the waiting list for less than six months, six to 12 months, 12 to 24 months, and more than 24 months; and the steps being taken to address the situation. [3889/14]
View answerSignificant resources have been invested by this country in recent years in services for children with disabilities. The Government is committed to the provision and development of services for these children, having regard to available resources.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Health Service Executive is currently engaged in a national programme of reconfiguring therapy resources for children with disabilities, including autism, with a view to ensuring there is more equitable access to services for children, according to their individual needs. Established since 2010, the national re-configuration programme is based on the recommendations of the Report of the National Reference Group on Multidisciplinary Disability Services for Children aged 5-18. A key objective of the HSE's Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People Programme (0-18 years ) is to ensure there is a clear pathway for all children to the services they need regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of their disability or developmental delay. In practical terms this means that health professionals and parents will know exactly where a child should be referred and how to refer them.
A fundamental principle underlying the Programme is that children should receive the health services they need as close to their home and school as possible. Some children may have their needs met by their local primary care services. An Early Intervention Team and a School Age Team will look after all children with more complex needs in a defined geographic network area, regardless of the nature of their disability. These Teams will be supported by specialist services in areas requiring a high level of expertise. The Programme supports the principle of providing access to mainstream education where appropriate while also recognising a continuing role for special schools.
The specific issue of waiting times for therapy services, including speech and language therapy, is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for this question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
729. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the progress being made on the roll-out of universal health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3892/14]
View answerThe Government is embarking on a major reform programme for the health system, the aim of which is to deliver a single-tier health service, supported by universal health insurance (UHI), where there is fair access to services based on need, not on ability to pay. The Programme for Government commits that everyone will have a choice of insurer. Under UHI, everyone will be insured and will have equal access to a standard package of primary and acute hospital services, including acute mental health services. A new National Insurance Fund will subsidise or pay insurance premiums for those who qualify for a subsidy.
Intensive work is currently under way on the preparation of a White Paper on Universal Health Insurance which will provide more detail on the UHI model for Ireland, including the overall design of the model, the standard package of services, funding mechanisms and the key stages of the journey to UHI. Drafting is at an advanced stage and the intention is to bring the White Paper to Government in early 2014 with a view to publication thereafter.
The health reform programme is a major undertaking that requires careful planning and sequencing over a number of years and full implementation of UHI will take some time to achieve. I anticipate that by 2016 the necessary groundwork will be in place to enable us to phase in implementation of UHI, as promised in the Programme for Government. I should add that it is my intention to consult widely on the implementation of the proposals contained in the White Paper.
