Tuesday, 24 Jun 2014

Written Answers Nos. 532 - 553

Departmental Strategies

Questions (532)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

532. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the implementation of a national strategy for people with blindness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26646/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Government continues to provide financial supports to those agencies involved in research, support and service provision for people with visual impairment in Ireland. The Government remains committed to the provision and development of vision services and supports through health prevention, screening and intervention policies and programmes, all of which contribute to address the priority goal of Vision 2020, namely to eliminate avoidable blindness in Ireland.

The issues involved in eye health span a number of areas in the health sector with regard to access to treatment, patient safety and quality of care. There are a number of eye conditions which require specialist health services including cataract, refractive error, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age related macular degeneration. There are detection and treatment services available at present in community and acute hospital settings for these conditions.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides a sight testing service as part of the school health screening programme for children of primary school age. Children who are identified as requiring treatment or intervention are referred to the HSE ophthalmic service for follow up. Urgent cases are given priority and less urgent cases are dealt with as quickly as possible. Children between 12 and 16 years, whose parents are in receipt of a medical card, are eligible for HSE eye-care services when named on their parents' card. Other children between 12 and 16 years are eligible to be seen by the HSE ophthalmic service when there is a medical reason for the eye condition, rather than a refractive error. The HSE also provides vision tests and standard prescription spectacles to adult medical card and Health Amendment Act Card holders.

The HSE is establishing an Ophthalmology Review Group with key stakeholders to examine issues around primary care ophthalmology services including population needs and adequacy of current services, with a view to making recommendations for a national plan for the service. Screening by the National Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme is well underway. In addition, there are a number of high level strategies which are relevant to the area of eye health, including Clinical Programmes; Public Health; Health Protection; Positive Ageing and Carers Strategies and Screening initiatives. A number of these strategies link with the Health Service Executive's Clinical Ophthalmology Programme.

Medical Research and Training Expenditure

Questions (533)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

533. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the current financial supports his Department provides to chronic pain syndrome research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26653/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

My Department supports research in health through the Health Research Board (HRB). The HRB is a statutory body under the aegis of the Department of Health and is the lead agency in Ireland supporting and funding health research. In 2014 the HRB received from my Department an allocation of €30.654m.

I am advised by the HRB that it has current commitments of €2.64M in research projects concerned with chronic pain, which examine a range of elements of this syndrome including mechanisms of disease, population prevalence, clinical, pharmaceutical, psychological and self-management of chronic pain and the economic impacts of chronic pain on sufferers. I am also informed that since 2005 the HRB has invested more than €4.6M in research projects that examined some aspect of chronic pain. Health research projects in Ireland, including those related to chronic pain syndrome, can also take place in many other fora including universities, hospitals, etc. Information on these research projects is not available in my Department.

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Questions (534, 588, 626, 631)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

534. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the addition of chronic pain syndrome to the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26654/14]

Brendan Griffin

Question:

588. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the number of lupus sufferers here; if lupus will be recognised on the long-term illness scheme and in medical card eligibility consideration in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26956/14]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

626. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health he has considered adding Crohn's disease and its variants to the long-term illness scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the extreme debilitating nature of the illness which can present tremendous difficulties to a patient in trying to achieve a normal standard of living; if he will also consider the condition for inclusion on the list of medical conditions to be assessed as being eligible for discretionary medical cards under the new guidelines due to be issued soon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27170/14]

Seamus Kirk

Question:

631. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health his plans to expand the long-term illness programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27193/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 534, 588, 626 and 631 together.

There are no official statistics on the number of persons diagnosed with the condition Lupus in Ireland. However, public hospital in-patient statistical data shows that there were 473 cases of patients admitted to public hospitals with a diagnosis of Lupus in 2012.

The Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the LTI Scheme. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered under the LTI Scheme. Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.

In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of GP consultations. The Government has decided to develop a new policy framework of eligibility for health services to take account of medical conditions. The HSE has established an expert panel to examine the range of conditions that should be considered as part of this process and has been asked to make an early report to the Minister for Health.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (535)

John Halligan

Question:

535. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the reason University Hospital Waterford is one of only very few hospitals in Ireland which do not have a designated play area for the paediatrics unit in the hospital. [26655/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In relation to the detailed query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (536)

Simon Harris

Question:

536. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency adolescent beds that are available in the Irish mental health services; where these beds are located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26656/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (537)

Simon Harris

Question:

537. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the reason dialectical behaviour therapy is not provided by the Irish health services for adolescents despite the fact that this is a recommended treatment for borderline personality disorder and the fact that this treatment is available in other countries, including the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26657/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The core aim of the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention is to oversee the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Reach Out, the National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention 2005 – 2014. Action Areas 12 and 13 in Reach Out which specifically relate to Deliberate Self-Harm and Mental Health Services aim to:

- Develop and resource an effective response in the health services for people who present to services having engaged in deliberate self-harm and design ways to reach out to those who self-harm, but are reluctant to access traditional services and supports.

- Improve mental health service provision, especially in the areas of community mental health, pre-discharge assessment from in-patient services, and follow-up support.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) helps reduce self-harm and self-destructive behaviours, using a combination of group skills training, individual therapy and phone coaching. DBT is delivered by a team of mental health professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, and nurses. It comprises individual therapy sessions for each participant, group skills training sessions delivered by two clinicians, crisis phone support and consultation meetings for clinicians each week.

Foundation and Intensive DBT training has been made available to all Integrated Service Areas through HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention funding in 2013/2014. Decisions on how, and if, DBT is provided are a matter for local HSE management. DBT training is not mandatory, and is very resource-intensive both in terms of preparing for, and committing to, training and subsequent service delivery. As such, it may not be suitable to all areas, and is only one of a broad range of service interventions.

By the end of 2013, 19 Community Mental Health Teams were trained in DBT. This includes 5 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) teams based in Donegal, Sligo, Cork (North Cork and North Lee area), and Linn Dara in Dublin. The HSE indicate that three more CAMHS teams will begin training in September 2014 - Cork South Lee, Galway and the Lucena clinic. All area teams were offered the opportunity to apply for this initiative, and all CAMHS teams that applied were accepted.

In 2014, the Department of Health and the HSE have committed to developing a new strategic framework for suicide prevention, building on the comprehensive work delivered under Reach Out. One of the core areas of practice for review and development is DBT. The framework, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year, will provide for improved coordination and integration of services to ensure that pathways of care for persons at risk of suicide or in suicidal crisis can be accessible, acceptable and available.

Health Services

Questions (538)

Dan Neville

Question:

538. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health if moneys will be reimbursed in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Limerick. [26660/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Patient Transport Provision

Questions (539)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

539. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health in the case of patients who must travel to a hospital for regular blood tests or other services, such as Warfarin patients, if there are any plans to introduce a shuttle bus service for such patients as opposed to relying on a taxi service; alternatively, if there is a possibility that blood tests could be taken at local primary care centres instead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26674/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 her directly.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (540)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

540. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health his plans to change the medical card eligibility guidelines in order that all third level students would automatically have full entitlement to a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26679/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Medical cards are provided to persons who, under the provisions of the Health Act 1970, are, in the opinion of the HSE unable, without undue hardship, to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. Applicants for a medical card are subject to assessment which is determined primarily by reference to the means, including the income and expenditure, of the applicant and his or her partner and dependants. At present, there are no proposals to automatically provide medical cards to all third level students in the health legislation.

Nursing Home Accommodation

Questions (541)

James Bannon

Question:

541. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in providing a nursing home bed at St. Joseph's care centre Dublin Road, Longford, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford who is a long stay patient at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26693/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Medical Card Reviews

Questions (542)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

542. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health if a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be restored following the recent decision by the Government to change the policy on discretionary medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26708/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

In the context of the Government's decision to develop a policy framework for providing eligibility for health services on the basis of medical conditions, the Government recently announced that a medical card or GP visit card is to be issued to a person, with a serious illness, whose discretionary card was refused renewal since the centralisation of medical card assessments. If the medical card or GP visit card to which the Deputy refers was awarded by way of discretion and was refused renewal in the period from 1 July 2011 to 31 May 2014 following the completion of an eligibility review, a card will issue by the HSE.

The HSE has commenced the process of identifying and contacting persons to advise them that their medical cards and GP visit cards will issue. It is estimated that this process will take 3 weeks. No action is required on the part of those affected as the HSE will be in contact. If people do not hear from the HSE by mid July, they should contact the HSE on its Lo-Call contact number: 1890 25 29 19. These individuals will be able to access medical card and GP visit card services in the normal manner when they have been advised by the HSE that their medical card or GP visit card is active. The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine the specific query raised 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.

Disease Awareness

Questions (543)

David Stanton

Question:

543. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the progress made by the scientific advisory committee of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre of the Health Service Executive to establish a group to review awareness of Lyme disease; if this group has now been established; if so, the composition of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26716/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

At the Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre in December 2013, it was agreed to establish a Lyme Borreliosis Subcommittee. The aim of the Lyme Borreliosis Subcommittee will be to develop strategies to undertake primary prevention in order to minimise the harm caused by of Lyme Borreliosis in Ireland. These strategies will be published in a Final Report.

The membership of the Lyme Borreliosis Subcommittee will comprise a range of experts who will be able to provide expertise and will be in a position to input into relevant policy areas relevant to Lyme borreliosis. These will include Public Health Experts from HPSC and from the regional Department of Public Health, representation from the Department of the Environment, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, an Occupational Health Physician, an Entomological/Tick Expert, Surveillance Scientist (HSE-Area) with support from HPSC Secretariat. In addition, the views of the Irish College of General Practitioners will be sought on the recommendations of the final documentation. Once a series of recommendations has been produced by the Subcommittee, this will go for general consultation through the normal HPSC consultation channels.

The Terms of Reference of the Lyme Borreliosis Subcommittee are:

- To raise awareness in Ireland of Lyme Borreliosis amongst clinicians and the general public;

- To identify and highlight best international practice in awareness raising about Lyme Borreliosis for the General Public;

- To develop policies of primary prevention of Lyme Borreliosis in Ireland based on best international evidence;

- To explore ways in which to improve surveillance of neuroborreliosis in Ireland;

- To develop strategies to raise awareness among the general public particularly in relation areas with higher tick populations;

- To produce a Final Report covering all the above areas.

In establishing this subcommittee, the Scientific Advisory Committee advised that the Subcommittee should ensure that there would be a robust process for including Lyme patient representation groups in the consultation process for the Sub-Committee’s output.

It is intended that this group will build upon the extensive work that has already been undertaken by HPSC in raising awareness of this condition. Following representation to the Department of Health by HPSC, Lyme Borreliosis (as neuroborreliosis) was included in the schedule of notifiable diseases in 2012, making a more accurate assessment of the level of the more serious forms of this disease in Ireland possible for the first time.

The Scientific Advisory Committee approved the establishment of the Lyme Borreliosis subcommittee in December 2013, with a decision that the group will be established in the second half of 2014 on completion of the work of the Scientific Advisory Committee’s Cryptosporidiosis Subcommittee. In order to ensure that momentum was not lost, work has been ongoing within HPSC to make sure that awareness-raising was maintained as a priority. There is an extensive section on Lyme disease for the public on the HPSC website at (http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Vectorborne/LymeDisease/).

In addition, HPSC has committed to holding a Lyme Awareness Week each year at the beginning of the Lyme disease season (the most recent Lyme Awareness Week ran from 19 - 25 May). More than a dozen radio interviews and several print media articles resulted from this raised awareness. This increased activity resulted in a 100% increase in the amount of web traffic to the various Lyme disease section of the HPSC website

Finally, to ensure that diagnosticians are increasingly aware of the issue of Lyme borreliosis, information is provided specifically for clinicians:

- Clinical Guidance: http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Vectorborne/LymeDisease/Clinicalguidance/

- Guidelines for the clinical management of patients with Lyme disease: http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Vectorborne/LymeDisease/Clinicalguidance/Title,12871,en.html

- Lyme Factsheet for health practitioners: http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Vectorborne/LymeDisease/Clinicalguidance/File,14649,en.pdf

- Prevention and control of tick-borne disease in Europe: Information to Healthcare Professionals (slides): http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Vectorborne/LymeDisease/Clinicalguidance/File,13966,en.pdf

HPSC continues to work with sister organisations and others to ensure that the issue of Lyme disease is brought to as wide an audience as possible.

Health Services Access

Questions (544)

Seán Kyne

Question:

544. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health his views on the national cancer care guidelines regarding a 12 week period of referrals for routine cases; and if such a waiting time for an 18 year old with a lump on her breast is too long, in view of the stress such a wait would cause to a girl so young. [26725/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

National GP referral guidelines have been developed for breast, lung, and prostate cancers. The purpose of the agreed guidelines is to prioritise patients who present to their GP with suspected cancer. These guidelines are based on best international evidence.

Patients presenting to GPs with symptoms and signs suggestive of breast cancer are normally seen by a Consultant within 2 weeks. One of the key determinants in assessing the degree of risk is the age of the patient, as a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. Breast cancer is extremely rare in women under 25 years of age. The Report of the National Cancer Registry of Ireland on Breast Cancer Incidence, Mortality, Treatment and Survival in Ireland 2005-2009 records that no woman in the 15-24 year age group was diagnosed with breast cancer during that period. All young women presenting with a breast lump to their GP are referred for investigation to the Symptomatic Breast Service. If a GP is particularly suspicious that a lump is in fact cancer it is open to her/him to liaise directly with the local cancer centre in regard to a more urgent appointment.

Hospital Food

Questions (545)

Ciara Conway

Question:

545. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding hospital meals; if he will respond to the points made; the health policy regarding hospital food and the need for all food served in hospitals to be clearly recognisable in presentation and to be healthy and of high nutritional value in content; his views on the policy regarding supplying fruit and vegetable offerings with each meal; if he is satisfied that food being served in hospitals is fulfilling patients' health and nutritional requirements; his plans to improve the menus and nutrition value of foods available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26731/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 her directly.

Hospital Food

Questions (546)

Ciara Conway

Question:

546. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health his views on whether chips are an acceptable dinner-time offering on a hospital menu; how often chips are being served on weekly menus in hospitals here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26732/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Health Services Provision

Questions (547)

Ciara Conway

Question:

547. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health the regulation and standards that exist in relation to home care/home support services, particularly but not limited to those servicing persons with neurological disabilities or those who have very specific support/care needs; if it is the case that the Health Service Executive is contracting for-profit service providers without any contract being drawn up regarding the specific types of services to be delivered and without any requirement for specifically trained or qualified carers; his plans to regulate and address the issues mentioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26736/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Government for National Recovery, 2011-2016 commits to developing and implementing national standards for home support services, which will be subject to HIQA inspection. Primary legislation and resources will be required for the introduction of a statutory regulation system for home care services, and this will be progressed in the context of overall legislative and resource priorities.

I would like to emphasise, however, that statutory regulation or licensing is only one way of improving quality and safety. The HSE is already progressing a range of measures to improve Home Care provision overall, to standardise services nationally and to promote quality and safety. These include a Procurement Framework for Home Care Services with quality and screening requirements which came into effect in 2012 and applies to services procured by the HSE from external providers. The HSE is currently undertaking a review of home care services with a view to improving services generally. The aspects of the question relating to operational matters have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Health Services Provision

Questions (548)

Ciara Conway

Question:

548. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a separate body or entity that has responsibility for home care/support services; if he is concerned that it appears to be the case that the HSE is contracting outside organisations to provide a service, but seems unable to state the type of service needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26737/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Government for National Recovery, 2011-2016 commits to developing and implementing national standards for home support services, which will be subject to HIQA inspection. Primary legislation and resources will be required for the introduction of a statutory regulation system for home care services, and this will be progressed in the context of overall legislative and resource priorities.

I would like to emphasise, however, that statutory regulation or licensing is only one way of improving quality and safety. The HSE is already progressing a range of measures to improve Home Care provision overall, to standardise services nationally and to promote quality and safety. These include a Procurement Framework for Home Care Services with quality and screening requirements which came into effect in 2012 and applies to services procured by the HSE from external providers. The HSE is currently undertaking a review of home care services with a view to improving services generally. The aspects of the question relating to operational matters have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Medicinal Products Availability

Questions (549, 639)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

549. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the drug Fampyra; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26743/14]

Pat Deering

Question:

639. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the drug Fampyra is included in the Health Service Executive's GMS and community drugs scheme. [27240/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 549 and 639 together.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

The HSE received an application for the inclusion of Fampridine in the GMS and community drugs schemes. The application was considered in line with the procedures and timescales agreed by the Department of Health and the HSE with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) for the assessment of new medicines. In accordance with these procedures, the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) conducted a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of Fampridine and concluded that, as the manufacturer was unable to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of Fampridine in the Irish healthcare setting, it was unable to recommend the reimbursement of the product. The report is available on the NCPE's website (www.ncpe.ie).

The HSE assessment process is intended to arrive at a decision on the funding of new medicines that is clinically appropriate, fair, consistent and sustainable. Due to the very difficult and challenging economic environment in which the Government targeted additional savings in health expenditure of €619 million in 2014, which must be achieved while protecting front line services to the most vulnerable to the greatest extent possible, the HSE decided it was not in a position to add the drug to the List of Reimbursable Items supplied under the GMS and other community drug schemes.

It is open to the supplier, at any time, to submit a new application to the HSE incorporating new evidence which demonstrates the cost effectiveness of Fampridine. The HSE will then re-consider the application to add this product to the List of Reimbursable Items, in line with the agreed procedures and timescales for the assessment of new medicines. In this context, I understand the manufacturer has indicated to the HSE that it intends to submit a revised application for Fampridine. The HSE will then re-consider the application on receipt in line with the agreed procedures and timescales for the assessment of new medicines.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (550)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

550. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that will be caused by the closure of the laboratory at St. John's Hospital, Limerick, which will further increase pressure on an already-stressed laboratory service at University College Hospital; if he will reconsider this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26767/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Questions (551, 552, 553, 555)

Michael P. Kitt

Question:

551. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health the reason advertisements for national nursing posts in his Department were only circulated within the Health Service Executive and not advertised in the national press; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26771/14]

Michael P. Kitt

Question:

552. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health the reason he has excluded persons working outside the Health Service Executive from competing for national nursing posts in his own Department when the policy emanating from his Department covers the private hospital sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26772/14]

Michael P. Kitt

Question:

553. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the best candidates with the requisite qualifications are available and can be released from the Health Service Executive to fill the national nursing posts recently advertised in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26773/14]

Michael P. Kitt

Question:

555. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health if he will review the recently advertised posts for national nursing posts; the reason these posts have not been advertised in the national press; if he will confirm that the posts have a fixed term contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26775/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 551 to 553, inclusive, and 555 together.

My Department received approval from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in March 2014 to fill three new Deputy Chief Nursing Officer (DCNO) posts in the Department of Health by way of secondment of existing staff from the public health sector. This is to ensure that the appointment of new DCNOs in the Department of Health will not increase the overall number of people employed in the public health sector. Consequently, the posts were advertised to staff in the HSE and other Health Agencies only and not in the national press. It is proposed that the new DCNOs will transfer on existing terms and conditions from their current posts in the public health sector on a 3 year secondment basis.

I am satisfied that suitable candidates with the requisite qualifications are available in the public health sector and will be released to take up posts in my Department. I am confident that the new DCNOs will contribute positively to nursing policy covering both the public and private health sectors.