Finian McGrath
Question:181. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding respite care in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [28758/14]
View answerRespite Care Grant Eligibility
Questions (181)
Written answers
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.
Mental Health Services Provision
Questions (182)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:182. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will identify the locations around the country where residential child and mental health services are available; the number of beds in each location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28760/14]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Cancer Screening Programmes
Questions (183, 205, 208, 212)
Simon Harris
Question:183. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend BreastCheck to women aged between 65 and 69 years as per the commitment in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28763/14]
View answer
Anne Ferris
Question:205. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health in view of the commitment given in the programme for Government, when he will extend BreastCheck screening to women aged between 65 and 69; if he will ensure that funding is provided for this extension of breast screening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28859/14]
View answer
Ann Phelan
Question:208. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Health if he will extend the free screening service provided by BreastCheck, to women aged between 65 and 69; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28875/14]
View answer
Niall Collins
Question:212. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health when he will implement the 2011 programme for Government promise to extend the free BreastCheck screening service to women aged between 65 and 69; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28889/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 183, 205, 208 and 212 together.
The BreastCheck Programme provides free mammograms to all women aged 50-64. A priority of the BreastCheck Programme at present is to maximise national uptake in the 50-64 year age cohort.
It is my intention to extend the upper age range to include the 65-69 age cohort as soon as possible in line with available resources.
Rare Diseases Strategy Publication
Questions (184)
Denis Naughten
Question:184. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when he will publish the national plan for rare diseases; the reason for the delay in publishing this plan; if there is a financial commitment to implement its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28764/14]
View answerWritten answers
The National Rare Disease Plan for Ireland 2014 – 2018 is to be launched on Thursday 3 July and will include information on its implementation.
Medicinal Products Licensing
Questions (185)
Denis Naughten
Question:185. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will approve funds for the use of Translarna, also known as ataluren for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in view of its approval in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28768/14]
View answerWritten answers
The first step for a medicine to be placed on the Irish market involves the manufacturer seeking an authorisation from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) or in the case of certain medicinal products, the European Medicines Agency. A determination on the application for authorisation is based on a rigorous scientific assessment of the application against legal and regulatory requirements.
Translarna is not currently authorised in Ireland. It is awaiting a decision from the European Commission for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Once authorised on the Irish market, the supplier must make an application to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for the product to be included on the list of products covered under the GMS and other community drug schemes. The 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.
Applications for reimbursement are considered in line with the procedures and timescales agreed by the Department of Health and the HSE with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association for the assessment of new medicines.
In accordance with these procedures, the HSE may ask the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) to conduct a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of the new product which provides detailed information on the potential budget impact of the medicine. It also assesses whether the product is cost effective at the price quoted by the company in question. The NCPE report is an important input to assist the HSE in its decision making process and informs further discussions between the HSE and the supplier. 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.
Water Charges Exemptions
Questions (186)
Billy Kelleher
Question:186. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the engagements he has had with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to the exempting or capping of water charges for certain medical conditions; the medical conditions that should be taken into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28769/14]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has and will continue to engage with and provide advice to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government on the issue of providing safe clean water to our population.
This includes providing advice to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government who are developing a scheme that ensures all persons, including those with increased water requirements due to medical conditions, have access to sufficient clean safe water.
Medical Card Data
Questions (187)
Ciaran Lynch
Question:187. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of the 52,322 medical cards which were not renewed because the cardholder did not respond that were subsequently reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28772/14]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (188)
Sandra McLellan
Question:188. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork that was sent in in January 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28775/14]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (189)
Tom Fleming
Question:189. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as all further information has been submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28778/14]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
Departmental Reports
Questions (190)
Clare Daly
Question:190. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health when the annual report required under sections 15 to 20, inclusive, of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and the number of terminations that have been carried out under the Act. [28782/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act provides that I, as the Minister for Health, must publish a report covering the operation of the Act in the preceding year by 30th June each year and lay it before the Houses of the Oireachtas. As the Act was commenced on the 1st January 2014, the first annual report covering its operation will be published in June 2015. The annual report will note the number of terminations received under Section 20 of the Act.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (191)
Lucinda Creighton
Question:191. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the circumstances regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4; if he will ensure that the decision will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28783/14]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
Insurance Costs
Questions (192)
Shane Ross
Question:192. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene in the impending issue affecting the health care system, namely, the fact that the Medical Protection Society have recently announced a 90% increase in subscription rates across all specialties; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this will render a significant number of practices sustainable and possibly result in many consultants leaving the independent sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28784/14]
View answerWritten answers
The State already supports private practitioners to cover their indemnity insurance costs for their wholly private practice. Government decided in July 2013 to extend for another 5 years the existing arrangements whereby there is a limit or 'cap' on the professional indemnity cover held by consultants in respect of their private practice. The Government also decided to adjust the cap annually in line with the Consumer Price Index.
Under these arrangements, where claims against a consultant working in private practice exceed the agreed limits or caps, the State's Clinical Indemnity Scheme will cover the portion of the claim that exceeds the agreed cap.
The cap rates to 1 July, 2014 are:
- for obstetricians, neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons undertaking spinal surgery to €565,000 per claim (including damages and legal costs) subject to annual aggregate limit of €1,695,000 per consultant.
- for all other specialties, the limit is €1,130,000 per claim (including damages and legal costs) with no aggregate limit.
The Medical Protection Society (MPS), has increased membership subscription rates in Ireland from the beginning of July, 2014, by an average of 42%. The main reason cited by the MPS for this is the increased cost of claims in Ireland, relative to the UK. Departmental officials have met the MPS and the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) in this regard. The IHCA has requested that further consideration should be given to reducing the caps to reduce the impact of the MPS increases on its members.
The State Claims Agency (SCA) has undertaken an actuarial analysis on behalf of my Department to assess the cost to the State of further reduction in the caps. My Department will work with the SCA to provide a comprehensive brief to the Minister on the Value for Money and also risk assessment of any proposal in this regard.
It took months of consideration and assessment before Government agreed in 2013 to the continuation of the caps and in the Government decision on the issue it was stressed that a Value for Money review should be undertaken before any change was made to the caps scheme. At a time of huge financial pressure on the public system any change to the caps system must be carefully considered and a Government decision would be needed to effect such a change.
Health Services Provision
Questions (193)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:193. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will consider arranging a DPT course for the Crumlin-Kimmage area. [28789/14]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Accident and Emergency Services Provision
Questions (194)
Seán Crowe
Question:194. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to any new policy changes in Tallaght hospital accident and emergency where recently some family or friends of loved ones are not being allowed access to the ward. [28791/14]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Administration
Questions (195)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:195. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the nursing home support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28799/14]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE operates a national placement list to enable it to operate within the budget for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. All applicants, once the financial assessment is complete and they have been approved for funding, are put on the placement list in chronological order to ensure equity nationally. The HSE makes every effort to match available funding to demand by releasing funding on a weekly basis.
Individuals who are awaiting funding approval can contact their local Area Manager's Office to discuss their circumstances and the options that may be available to them pending Nursing Homes Support Scheme funding becoming available. The provision of services must, however, be managed with due regard to available resources.
Medical Card Administration
Questions (196)
Michael Lowry
Question:196. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will increase the number of medical staff processing medical card applications; his views that the current medical staff numbers are adequate in view of the huge numbers of applications awaiting decisions based on discretionary grounds; the previously held discretionary cards that are set to be restored believed to be in the region of 15,000 cards, the considerable backlog already in place; his views that the current backlog is acceptable and fair; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship these delays are causing to persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28801/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine the specific queries raised and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (197)
Noel Harrington
Question:197. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health when will the post of visiting physiotherapist to Castletownbere Hospital, County Cork be replaced following the retirement of the existing physiotherapist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28813/14]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Departmental Staff Sick Leave
Questions (198)
Barry Cowen
Question:198. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in tabular form the total number of sick days taken by staff in his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 further broken down by uncertified, certified and long-term absence leave. [28831/14]
View answerWritten answers
Sick Leave is now recorded by the shared service system operated by Peoplepoint. I have outlined the information required by the Deputy as provided by the new Peoplepoint system.
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 (to date) |
|
Self Certified Sick Leave |
426.76 |
261.70 |
171.20 |
78.87 |
|
Certified Sick Leave (>28 Days) |
2591.11 |
2297.48 |
2078.73 |
534.92 |
|
Certified Sick Leave (<28 Days) |
1704.03 |
1410.50 |
1055.97 |
540.59 |
|
Total Certified Sick Leave |
4295.14 |
3707.98 |
3134.70 |
1075.51 |
|
Total Overall Sick Leave |
4721.90 |
3969.68 |
3305.90 |
1154.38 |
Consultancy Contracts Data
Questions (199)
Barry Cowen
Question:199. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form per annum all external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report and the publication date. [28846/14]
View answerWritten answers
Information for the period March 2011 to March 2014 is attached. Please contact me if any further detail is required.
|
Year |
Organisation/ Consultants |
Name of External Report |
Current status of the Report |
Amount/Cost |
|
2014 |
Sinéad Shannon |
Review of the international evidence and literature on selection criteria for the Outcomes Framework (Whilst this piece of research which was commissioned in December and approved in January, no payments have been made to date) |
Ongoing |
5,000 |
|
2013 |
Prospectus Strategy Consultants |
Review of Staffing Resources and Organisational Structure of the Department of Health |
Report completed but not published, for Department's use only |
72,940 |
|
2013 |
Deloitte and Touche Consultants Ltd |
Review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme |
Ongoing |
36,900 |
|
2013 |
Matheson Ormsby Prentice |
Legal Research and advisory services on the design and implementation of an insurance based health system providing universal coverage in Ireland |
Not Published |
123,000 |
|
2013 |
Prof Oonagh Walsh |
Report on symphysiotomy in Ireland, 1944-1984 |
Not published |
49,500 |
|
2013 |
Ernst & Young |
Reports relating to the development of the Programme Management Office (cost includes a range of consultancy services) |
Ongoing – internal reports |
79,212 |
|
2013 |
Dr Sinead Hanafin & Associates |
Review of the Traveller Health Advisory Committee |
Finalised |
6,150 |
|
2013 |
Prospectus |
Overview of the development of the Health & Wellbeing Programme |
Finalised |
15,156 |
|
2013 |
Research Matters |
Provision of Research Management Services |
Ongoing |
74,490 |
|
2013 |
Institute of Public Health |
Analysis re Consultation (Tobacco Products Directive) |
Completed - not yet published |
5,000 |
|
2013 |
Professor Hammond |
Research on Standardised Packaging- Irish Context |
Ongoing |
5,000 |
|
2013 |
CJP Consultants |
Preparation of report on the efficacy of minimum pricing and other public policies for alcohol. |
Published on website |
31,488 |
|
2013 |
Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland |
Annual Report of the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body (AMCMB) |
Published |
21,115 |
|
2012 |
McGee Pharma International |
Labelling of Medicinal Products in both Irish and English |
Completed |
13,644 |
|
2012 |
Goodbody Stockbrokers and Matheson Ormsby Prentice Solicitors |
Further Analysis of Options in relation to the restructuring of the Irish Private Health Insurance Market |
Report completed |
62,349 |
|
2012 |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with the assistance of PwC |
Review of the Department of Health's Parliamentary and Legislative Processes |
Report completed but not published - for Department's use only |
18,020 |
|
2012 |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform |
A survey of experience and qualifications in the Department of Health |
Report completed but not published - for Department's use only |
None |
|
2012 |
Michael Collins Associates |
Supplementary Report and Addendum on Cost Comparison for the Dolphin Review Group |
Completed not published, commercially sensitive |
12,423 |
|
2012 |
John Martin |
Further assessment of planning issues in relation to proposed sites for the Dolphin Review Group |
Published |
6,000 |
|
2012 |
Simon Clear |
Further assessment of planning issues in relation to proposed sites for the Dolphin Review Group |
Published |
9,475 |
|
2012 |
The Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, UCC, in conjunction with the Centre for Health Policy and Management, TCD. |
The Efficiency Review of the BreastCheck Screening Programme |
Published February 2013 |
71,270 |
|
2012 |
Mr Gerard Mullaly |
Reforming Chronic Care: Financing and Delivering Integrated Chronic Care |
Not published |
5,227 |
|
2012 |
Mr Gerard Mullaly |
The Integrated Continuing Care System (ICCS): Reforming Elderly Care in Ireland |
Not published |
7,558 |
|
2012 |
Matheson Ormsby Prentice |
Options Appraisal of multi-payer universal health insurance models: Preliminary advice |
Not Published |
6,150 |
|
2012 |
Department of Health / SIRA Consulting |
Report on the baseline measurement of the administrative burden from the Department of Health (as part of a cross Departmental project coordinated by Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation) |
Published 2013 |
14,000 |
|
2011 |
Goodbody Stockbrokers and Matheson Ormsby Prentice Solicitors |
Commissioned to undertake a review of the Irish Private Health Insurance Market in Relation to the Options which may exist for re-balancing |
Report completed |
300,080 |
Hospital Services
Questions (200)
Arthur Spring
Question:200. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health his plans to relocate diabetic services to a more suitable environment in Kerry General Hospital. [28852/14]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.