Written Answers Nos. 702 - 733
702. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in determination of an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32630/14]
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.
703. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide certain information regarding public hospital waiting lists for surgery (details supplied). [32633/14]
View answerIn relation to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
704. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the extent to which patient information is made available to third party pharmaceutical companies or any other entity broken down by category of information; if he will instruct the health care pricing office to divulge precisely how much information has been provided by indicating, in tabular format, the entities to which information has been provided; the dates upon which information was provided in the past ten years; the number of patients whose information has been shared; if consent was sought in any case; if any sum was paid in exchange for said information; the stated reasons for which access to this information was sought; if he has contacted the Data Protection Commissioner to ascertain if this data transfer is consistent with data protection legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32636/14]
View answerThe HSE has confirmed that the Healthcare Pricing Office (HPO) does not make hospital patients’ personal records available to pharmaceutical companies, insurers or any other commercial entities. The HPO may provide statistics on hospital activity to third parties. Such information is of an aggregate statistical nature which means that patients cannot be identified. More detailed information is provided to bodies including the National Cancer Registry, the Health Research Board as well as researchers in universities. However, I have been assured by the HPO that in providing any such data, patients’ identities are removed from the information given. The issue of consent does not arise in the transfer of the data because all information is anonymised. The HPO does not apply a charge for the provision of information.
It is important to note that the HPO has implemented measures to ensure the confidentiality of hospital patient data. In order to safeguard patient privacy and ensure that no patients can be personally identified, the HPO collects only a reduced range of information about patients at the national level. This means that the HPO does not collect patient names, addresses or full dates of birth. The HPO has advised me that the relevant section of the ESRI (the functions of which have since been subsumed into the HPO) met with the Data Protection Commissioner in 2010. Following on from that engagement the ESRI changed its data collection methodology to improve its data protection procedures. I have been advised by the HPO that it is compliant with the advice given to it by the Office of the Data Commissioner regarding its procedures governing data.
In conclusion, I have been advised by the HPO that it is acutely aware of its responsibilities in relation to patient privacy and is fully respectful of the rights of patients in this regard. My Department does not hold the detailed information sought by the Deputy. For this reason, I have requested that the HSE respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
705. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital consultant in respect of persons (details supplied) in Dublin north; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32641/14]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
706. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the following matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32642/14]
View answerThe 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 30 June each year and lay it before the Houses of the Oireachtas. As the Act was commenced on 1 January 2014, the first annual report covering its operation will be published in June 2015.
707. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in tabular form the child and adolescent mental health service annual budget for past three years; the average waiting time for past three years; and if he will confirm that all services within this area are fully staffed and operational. [32656/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
708. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the plans his Department has to reduce general practitioner visit fees in line with troika obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32663/14]
View answerThere are no troika obligations requiring the reduction of fees paid to General Practitioners (GPs). There was a commitment in the EU/IMF programme which required the introduction of legislative changes to remove restrictions to trade and competition in sheltered sectors, including eliminating restrictions on GPs wishing to treat public patients. This is the only reference to GPs in the programme. The Health (Provision of General Practitioner Services) Act 2012 delivered on that commitment. This Act eliminated restrictions on GPs wishing to obtain contracts to treat public patients under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme by opening up access to GMS contracts to all fully qualified and vocationally trained GPs.
709. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite and grant a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [32698/14]
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.
710. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the financial help his Department provides for outdoor health equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32699/14]
View answerThe provision of outdoor health equipment in public parks is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Environment and Local Government.
711. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite and grant a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath [32702/14]
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.
712. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his response to the claim by certain general practitioners with medical card contracts to the Rights Commissioner that they are entitled to be considered employees of the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32706/14]
View answerUnder the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme's governing legislation, the HSE contract general practitioners (GPs) to provide services to eligible persons. The contract is one for services rather than employment, therefore, GPs are not employees but contractors. As GP contracts are with the HSE rather than the Department, I have referred this matter to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
713. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite and grant a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [32709/14]
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.
714. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite and grant a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [32718/14]
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.
715. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health regarding the group of experts reviewing the eligibility criteria for medical cards, if he will consider including representatives of or experts with knowledge of kidney disease and organ transplantation in the expert group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32724/14]
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.
716. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently awaiting placement under the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32727/14]
View answerThe HSE operates a national placement list to enable it to operate within the budget for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. All applicants who are approved for funding are put on the placement list in chronological order by the date of determination of their application. Funding issues to applicants in this chronological order to ensure equality nationally. As of 30 June (latest figures available) there were 1,465 people on the National Placement List for funding with average waiting times of 12 weeks. Funding is released on a weekly basis to ensure those on the placement list receive funding as soon as possible.
717. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite and grant a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [32728/14]
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.
718. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite and grant a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [32732/14]
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.
719. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payment in respect of the fair deal nursing home support scheme; if payment will be back dated to the date on which they received approval for inclusion in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32733/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been forwarded to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
720. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the reason a grant was withdrawn; if he will ensure that the financial support provided by his Department to an organisation (details supplied) stays the same or increases in the next budget (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32734/14]
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.
721. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form a detailed breakdown of the name and number of ministerial special advisers in his Department; their annual remuneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32748/14]
View answer753. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide full details, including salary, of every appointment he has approved since coming into office of special advisers under his remit; the salary cap that is in place with respect to special adviser appointments; the number of appointments he has approved with salary in excess of the cap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32896/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 721 and 753 together.
The necessary arrangements in respect of the appointment of my Special Advisors in my new role as Minister for Health are currently being made by my Department. Subject to receipt of sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform it is my intention to make the following appointments.
|
NAME |
POSITION |
ANNUAL SALARY |
|
Mr. Brian Murphy |
Special Advisor |
€99,370 |
|
Mr. Dominic Miller |
Press Advisor |
€84,706 |
Both Mr. Murphy and Mr. Miller were employed as my Special Advisors while in my previous role as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. Mr. Murphy's rate of pay was approved on an exceptional basis in 2011 by the Department of Finance in view of his previous salary. Mr. Miller's salary currently equates to the fourth point of the Principal Officer Standard (Non PPC) salary scale and is in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines in respect of Ministerial appointments.
722. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the gender quota targets for the boards of State bodies and agencies under hisr remit; the level reached to date; and his future plans to meet and maintain the targets. [32763/14]
View answerThe Government decision S21590E of March, 1995 regarding the appointment of women to State Bodies states that there is a requirement for a minimum of 40% of both men and women appointed as Ministerial representatives to all State Bodies. Although the overall current membership of State boards under the aegis of my Department is well balanced, with 56% of the membership being male and 44% female, some individual boards do not yet have a balance of 40% of each gender. These figures have remained largely unchanged over the last three years. In so far as possible when making appointments to such boards, I will endeavour to ensure an appropriate balance between men and women.
723. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health his priorities for the remainder of his term in office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32778/14]
View answerI was appointed Minister for Health on 15 July. Since my appointment, I have been engaging with officials in my Department and the Health Service Executive, familiarising myself with the issues. I intend to continue that engagement, including with relevant stakeholders, before making decisions on priorities. I can assure the Deputy that addressing financial and budgetary issues, extending primary care and promoting healthy living will be among those priorities. I am looking forward to dealing with the challenges and making a difference to people’s lives as Minister for Health.
724. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a copy of the briefing he has received upon entering office from his Department; if he will publish the briefing; and if so, when the briefing will be published. [32793/14]
View answerI intend to publish a copy of this briefing on the Department's web site in due course, once appropriate redactions are made, in line with the Freedom of Information Acts.
725. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the capital works carried out at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath; and the future expansion plans at the same location. [32799/14]
View answerDelivery of healthcare facilities is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
726. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite and grant a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [32811/14]
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.
727. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the specified date that the designated four additional therapists for County Kerry will be hired; if he will lift the embargo on replacing staff on maternity or sick leave or retirement in the case of child disability therapists, which service is severely understaffed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32817/14]
View answerThe Government has decided that the numbers employed across the public service must be reduced in order to meet fiscal and budgetary targets. In order to mitigate the impact on front line services of the reduction in employment numbers, the priority is to reform how health services are delivered in order to ensure a more productive and cost effective health system. The revised working arrangements provided for in the Haddington Road Agreement are a pivotal element in this regard. Subject to approval by senior managers, arrangements are in place in the HSE to allow the recruitment of staff where it has been established that there is an urgent service requirement. In addition, the HSE continues to fill a significant number of development posts in line with service priorities identified by Government.
On the specific issue of therapy services for children with a disability the Health Service Executive is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of existing therapy resources to multi-disciplinary geographic based teams for children as part of its National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years) 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 Programme has been identified as a service priority and an additional €4m ongoing funding has been allocated under the HSE National Service Plan to drive its implementation. The HSE has decided on the allocation of an additional 80 therapy posts nationally, which includes four therapy posts to support the reorganisation of services in Kerry. My Department has asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the issue of recruitment.
728. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite and grant a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [32818/14]
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.
729. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the changes that have been made to the fees payable to general practitioners under the financial emergency measures in the public interest; the percentage reduction this equates to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32823/14]
View answer735. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if general practitioner capitation fees will be reduced under the financial emergency measures in the public interest; if a fee based on the number of patient consultations will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32833/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 729 and 735 together.
Under the General Medical Services (GMS) contract, GPs receive a range of fees and allowances, including an annual capitation payment in respect of each medical card and GP visit card patient on their GMS list. Under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2009, an 8% reduction in a range of fees and allowances payable to GPs was introduced in 2009, which effected full year savings in the region of €34 million. Further reductions to a range of GP fees and allowances were introduced in 2010, which effected full year savings in the region of €44 million. This equated to an approximate additional reduction of 9%.
In 2013 the Minister for Health decided to apply further reductions to the fees and allowances payable to GPs. This equated to an overall reduction of 7.5%, amounting to a saving of some €38 million in a full year. The current rates of payment are set out in the following regulations:
S.I. 277/2013 - Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to General Practitioners) Regulations 2013;
S.I. 278/2013 - Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to General Practitioners) (National Immunisation Programmes) Regulations 2013, both of which came into effect on 24 July 2013.
Under the FEMPI legislation, the Minister for Health is required to carry out a review of the operation, effectiveness and impact of the amounts and rates fixed under the regulations each year. A review took place in June and it was decided that the reduced fees provided for in the FEMPI regulations should be maintained in place. The regulations will be reviewed again in 2015 and a decision will be taken at that time regarding maintaining, restoring or further reducing fees.
730. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay on a decision in granting a discretionary medical card in respect of a family (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32825/14]
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.
731. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay on a decision in granting a discretionary medical card for a family (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32826/14]
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.
732. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health his plans to add chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to the long-term illness scheme; if it is a condition that will be considered in terms of granting a medical card based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32827/14]
View answerThe 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. The conditions covered by the LTI Scheme are as follows: Acute Leukaemia; Mental handicap; Cerebral Palsy; Mental Illness (in a person under 16); Cystic Fibrosis; Multiple Sclerosis; Diabetes Insipidus; Muscular Dystrophies; Diabetes Mellitus; Parkinsonism; Epilepsy; Phenylketonuria; Haemophilia; Spina Bifida; Hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by 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. Under the provisions of the Health Acts, medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive (HSE), unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.
The Government has decided to develop a new policy framework providing for eligibility for a range of appropriate health services to take account of medical conditions. The HSE has established an Expert Panel to examine the range of conditions and services that should be considered as part of this process. A public consultation has also been undertaken to seek the views of the public, including patients, patient representative groups and professional bodies. The submissions received will inform the work of the Expert Panel. The panel has been asked to report to the Director General of the Health Service by September 2014.
733. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the action his Department may take on the ever increasing cost of indemnity for hospital consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32828/14]
View answerHospital consultants working in the public health service have their professional indemnity covered by the State's Clinical Indemnity Scheme since 2004. Consultants working in full-time private practice and those with B* contracts which permit off-site practice must obtain indemnity cover from medical defence organisations. One of the medical defence organisations, the Medical Protection Society (MPS), which indemnifies the majority of consultants concerned, increased its membership subscription rates in Ireland from the beginning of July, 2014, by an average of 42%. The consultants must purchase their professional medical indemnity up to agreed financial limits or 'caps'. Professional medical indemnity is provided by the medical defence organisations. In the event that a claim for an adverse medical event against a consultant exceeds these caps, the excess is covered by the State's Clinical Indemnity Scheme.
Following a detailed assessment, Government agreed to extend the caps arrangements in 2013 for a period of five years. The Government also decided in July 2013 to adjust the cap annually in line with the Consumer Price Index. It is important to note that without the caps, indemnity subscription rates for consultants in private practice would have increased to a far greater extent than they have. The caps rates since 1 July, 2014 are:
- consultant obstetricians, neurosurgeons, and orthopaedic surgeons undertaking spinal surgery - €590,425 per claim as well as an annual aggregate limit of €1,771,275 per consultant;
- for all other specialties the limit is €1,180,850 per claim with no aggregate limit;
Officials in my Department have met representatives of the Medical Protection Society and also the Irish Hospital Consultants Association about this issue. The State Claims Agency commissioned an actuarial assessment of any proposed decrease in the caps rates, which, while of benefit to private consultants, would incur more costs for the State and this issue is being examined by my Department in conjunction with the State Claims Agency. At a time of huge financial pressure on the public health system any change to the caps arrangement must be carefully considered and a Government decision would be needed to effect such a change.
