Written Answers Nos. 653-675
653. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will present a detailed report on plans for a new national children's hospital on the St. James's Hospital site; if he is concerned at news that the planning process has been delayed; if he will give assurances on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16556/14]
View answerThe National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is responsible for this priority capital project, and is focused on delivering the new hospital on schedule to optimal design and value for money. The Development Board is currently in the final selection phase of the process leading to the appointment of the Design Team. Short-listed architectural teams have been announced (available at www.newchildrenshospital.ie) and tender documents issued on 24 March to these and all shortlisted bidders across all design team disciplines.
The Development Board had sought to have a design team appointed by April with the target of submitting planning permission in the autumn. However, the process of design team procurement is now expected to be completed in June. This reflects the need for very rigorous financial evaluation prior to finalising the shortlist. It also reflects a very robust and detailed approach to the preparation of the design tender documents in order to ensure that they build in value engineering, look at ways of delivering the project as quickly as possible, provide for a more collaborative approach and contain the required flexibility. Following appointment of the design team, design development will begin with the aim being to make a planning submission in February 2015. I am advised that overall the project remains on track to commence transition of services to the new children's hospital at the end of 2018.
I also announced in January that satellite centres of the main hospital would be built on the campuses of Tallaght and Connolly hospitals. Each will provide urgent care and outpatient care, improving access for children in the Greater Dublin Area to these services and are expected to be complete in mid-2016.
The Children's Hospital Group is focused on ensuring the operational integration of the three existing children's hospital services well in advance of their move to the new hospital. This is of critical importance in ensuring the new hospital functions effectively from the outset.
654. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm progress on previously announced plans to include alcohol in the remit of Tallaght Drugs Task Force; if he will appreciate the need for additional resources to be made available to the task force in respect of the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16558/14]
View answerIn light of the acceptance by Government of the recommendations in the Report of the Steering Group on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, the role of Task Forces in tackling the problem of alcohol misuse is currently being considered by the National Coordinating Committee for Drug and Alcohol Task Forces.
At the meeting of the Committee on 3rd April last, it was agreed that the titles of Task Forces should be changed to "Drug and Alcohol Task Forces". This is in line with the recommendations in the Report on the Review of Drugs Task Forces and the National Structures under which they operate. In order to minimise the costs associated with changing letterheads or websites, it was agreed that Task Forces may implement this change at a time of their choosing, for example, to coincide with a launch or a significant occasion.
Allocations to Task Forces for 2014 have already been agreed and there are no plans to revisit these.
657. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a bed in Dún Laoghaire rehabilitation unit will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [16566/14]
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.
658. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the costs to his Department to process and respond to a priority, an oral and a written parliamentary question. [16593/14]
View answerIn 2011, an analysis of Parliamentary Affairs business processes in my Department was co-ordinated by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This included an estimation of the average cost of responding to Oral (including Priority) and Written Parliamentary Questions. These were indicative estimates based on survey responses from staff in my Department. They do not include any costs relating to, say, stationery, nor do they include any estimates of costs relating to input to responses from the Health Service Executive. They are set out in the table below.
|
Process |
Average Cost based on 2011 figures |
|
Written PQs |
€ 77 |
|
Oral PQs |
€741 |
659. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will review a medical card decision in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry whereby the same income from social welfare was also assessed as means from self employment; if he will take into consideration the fact that there was not any profit from self employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16603/14]
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.
660. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health when a child (details provided) in County Mayo who has been awaiting a occupational therapist appointment since October 2013 will receive an appointment; his views on whether children with autism and their families are being adversely affected by having to wait such long periods for an appointment with an occupational therapist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16608/14]
View answerThe Government is committed to the provision and development of services for children with special needs within available resources. Health related therapy supports and interventions for these children can be accessed through both the Health Service Executive’s primary care services and its disability services.
The HSE's National Service Plan 2013 provided for additional funding of €20m to strengthen primary care services. This comprises over €18.5m for the recruitment of over 260 primary care team posts and over €1.4m to support community intervention team development. In terms of disability services, therapy services for children are currently being reconfigured into geographically-based multidisciplinary teams, as part of the HSE’s Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18years) Programme. The objective of this Programme is to achieve a national, unified approach to delivering disability health services so that there is a clear pathway to services for all children, regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of their disability. The National Service Plan 2014 provides for targeted investment of €4m for the roll out of this Programme which equates to 80 additional therapy posts.
The additional investment that is being made in both primary care and disability services and the reconfiguration of children’s disability services into geographically-based multidisciplinary teams will have a positive impact on the provision of clinical services for all children requiring access to health related supports, including occupational therapy.
As the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the HSE. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
661. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated to St. Francis Hospice, Raheny and Blanchardstown in 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16644/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
662. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 566 of 11 February 2014 where the Health Service Executive stated that currently clients with medical cards can avail of continence products, therefore any client on disability allowance who also has a medical card is deemed eligible; the year in which this commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16645/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
663. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 566 of 11 February 2014, where the Health Service Executive stated (details supplied); if he will clarify in regard to the the class 1 and class 2 charges when they are applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16646/14]
View answerCharges for long-stay in-patient services were provided for under the Health (Amendment) Act 2005 and came into effect on 15 July 2005 under the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations 2005. These Regulations have been amended on a number of occasions since then, most recently by the Health (Charges for In-patient Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2011, which came into effect on 23 July 2011.
The Regulations made under the Act provide for two different classes of charges:
- Class 1- charges for those receiving in-patient services on premises where 24 hour nursing care is provided are based on income, subject to a current maximum of €175 per week) and
- Class 2 - charges for those receiving in-patient services on premises where 24 hour nursing care is not provided are based on income, subject to a current maximum of €130 per week).
A person in receipt of Disability Allowance at the current maximum rate of €188 p.w. would be liable, subject to a financial assessment, to a maximum charge under Class 1 of €155 p.w. and under Class 2 of €120 p.w. The charges are structured to ensure that those paying them retain a minimum income for personal use i.e. at least €33 per week for those paying Class 1 rates and at least €64 per week for those paying Class 2 rates.
Section 53(4) of the Health Act 1970 provides that the HSE may reduce or waive a charge imposed on a person in order to avoid undue financial hardship to that person. To assist in the fair application of the provisions of the Act and the related Regulations, the HSE has developed national guidelines for the determination and levying of charges for in-patient services, which include the need to have regard to the income of the person, the provisions of the Regulations and the patient's individual circumstances.
With regard to the individual in question, I am advised by the HSE that Class 1 charges were applicable between 15 July 2005 and 17 October 2010 and that Class 2 charges were applicable from 18 October 2010 until 30 March 2013.
665. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that following a recent FOI request it was established that the Health Service Executive west is unaware of the amount it spent in 2013 on running quit smoking courses across the west; if he is satisfied with the lack of accountability on the part of the HSE west; if he will ensure these moneys are accounted for and provide details of same; if he will further ensure corrective measures are taken and proper procedures are followed and full records are held in relation to the spend of public money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16650/14]
View answerExpenditure on individual health-care programmes is a matter for the Health Service Executive. As such I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
666. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in determination of an application for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16651/14]
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.
667. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if it is still policy that a medical card-GP visit card holder who genuinely engages with a review will not have their eligibility withdrawn before that review is complete; and the reason in some cases this policy is not being adhered to. [16655/14]
View answerAll medical card and GP visit card holders are subject to a periodic review of eligibility to determine continuing eligibility.
A person (and their dependants, if it applies), the subject of a medical card/GP visit card eligibility review assessment, will continue to have their eligibility extended pending the outcome of a review assessment, provided
1. they have returned their review form within the time specified, and
2. are engaging with the HSE in enabling their review assessment to complete.
The medical card/GP visit card holder does not need to take any action other than genuinely co-operate with the review process and communicate with the HSE on an ongoing basis throughout the process. If the HSE is made aware that a person has a disability or special needs, assistance will be afforded to help that person complete the review application and explain the support documentation they need to send. The local health office can be contacted or LoCall 1890 252 919 to request this assistance.
In addition, a person (and their dependants, if any) that is assessed on review as ineligible for medical card/GP visit card renewal and makes appeal of this decision within the time allowed, will retain their eligibility pending the appeal decision.
If the Deputy wishes to provide information about a particular individual whose eligibility was withdrawn, prior to the conclusion of a medical card review and while co-operating with the HSE, I will arrange to have the matter investigated further.
669. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that health insurance premiums do not continue to rise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16677/14]
View answerThe health insurance market is challenged by factors such as an ageing population, a reduction in numbers holding private health insurance and constant pressures on claims costs. However, I am determined to address these issues and to promote a sustainable private health insurance market as we move towards Universal Health Insurance.
I have consistently emphasised the need for much greater cost control in the private health insurance industry so that premiums are affordable for as many people as possible. I appointed an independent chair to work with health insurers, the HIA and my own Department to identify effective strategies for costs management. Mr. Pat McLoughlin's first report, published at the end of December, made a number of important recommendations now being pursued by insurers, the HSE and my Department. These recommendations include measures to control costs, greatly improve clinical audit, streamline claims processing and address fraud, waste and abuse in the industry. Work on Phase II of Mr. McLoughlin's report, which will deal further with the factors driving costs in health insurance, is progressing well and will be completed as soon as possible.
In addition, the Deputy may wish to note that many consumers can make large savings on their health insurance premiums by shopping around for the health insurance plan that best suits their needs. For those who have been insured on the same plan for a number of years, it is important to review the level of cover to ensure that their needs are being met, without being over-insured. Consumers have a legal right to switch between or within insurers to get better value and to reduce their premium costs. The Health Insurance Authority (HIA) provides information to consumers regarding their rights and also on health insurance plans and benefits. The HIA's web-site www.hia.ie has a useful plan comparison tool which assists in finding suitable and competitive health insurance plans. The HIA may also be contacted by phone at LoCall 1850 929 166.
670. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite the processing of a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford. [16696/14]
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.
671. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the total number of emergency ambulance calls in 2011; the total number that required a patient to be transported; the number of category 1 calls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16697/14]
View answer672. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the total number of emergency ambulance calls in the first six months of 2012; the total number that required a patient to be transported; the number of category 1 calls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16698/14]
View answer673. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the total number of emergency ambulance calls in the second six months of 2012; the total number that required a patient to be transported; the number of category 1 calls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16699/14]
View answer674. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the total number of emergency ambulance calls in 2013; the total number that required a patient to be transported; the number of category 1 calls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16700/14]
View answer675. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the total number of non-emergency patient transfers performed by the Intermediate Care Service in 2012; the corresponding figure for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16701/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 671 to 675, inclusive together.
In relation to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
