Written Answers Nos 1129-1155
1130. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a nursing home placement in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34762/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1131. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information on the level of funding and the source of the funding to elderly/senior citizens organisations, both on a national, county and local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34767/14]
View answerMy Department administers a National Lottery Discretionary Fund from which once-off grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations, providing a range of health related services. If an organisation wishes to make an application for National Lottery Funding they should send in a formal application. Detailed procedures along with the application form are set out on the Department's website at www.health.gov.ie. The closing date for applications this year was 31 July 2014.
I have requested the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with regard to the funding it provides in relation to such organisations.
1132. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the recruitment of children's orthopaedic surgeons nationally; the number employed by location; in view of the unacceptable waiting times for such children's operations, the way in which treatment elsewhere may be purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34772/14]
View answerAs this relates to an operational matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply.
1133. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the revised timing for the introduction of universal health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34776/14]
View answerThe Government remains committed to the health reform programme, in particular the objective of a single-tier health system and to this end published the White Paper on Universal Health Insurance in April of this year. My Department initiated a consultation process on the White Paper following its publication. An independent analysis of the submissions is underway and I expect to receive this report later this month.
My Department has also initiated a major costing exercise to estimate the cost of UHI for households and the Exchequer and is working closely with the ESRI and the Health Insurance Authority and initial costings should be available in early 2015.
Recently I suggested that the target date of 2019 for the implementation of UHI may be too ambitious. The independent thematic analysis of submissions from the consultation process on the White Paper and the results of the major costing exercise on UHI will assist in charting a realistic course towards the objective of a universal, single-tier health service.
I am committed to the objective of universal primary care as a key building block for a universal healthcare system. The first priority in this area is the phased introduction of a universal GP service for the entire population. Other key healthcare reforms which are being implemented include the establishment of hospital groups and the ongoing rollout of Money Follows The Patient.
1134. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his policy ambitions for the remainder of the Government term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34777/14]
View answerAs I said on my appointment, for the remainder of this Government’s term of Office I will concentrate on achieving a small number of realistic goals while laying the ground work for further Health reform.
Firstly, I want to achieve a realistic budget for the Department. That will allow for the maintenance of the existing level of services and for some improvements.
After securing a budget, I will focus on introducing universal GP care without fees. The legislation to extend it to under 6s is in place and the legislation to extend it to the over 70s should be in place by the end of the year.
I also want to continue the work of my predecessor Minister Reilly in further developing and building the Hospital Groups by putting in place Boards, CEOs and Senior Management Teams and the developments of strategic plans.
I also want to take an active role in promoting healthy living. Changes in lifestyle can prevent many diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and lung disease.
Other priorities for the remainder of the Government term include the following:
1. Stabilise cost of health insurance
2. Reduce cost of medicines
3. Retaining doctors and nurses
4. Five Major Capital Projects
5. Delayed Discharges
6. Universal Patient Registration.
1135. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding prescription charges for persons (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34782/14]
View answerThe HSE is responsible for the administration of the General Medical Services Scheme, therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1136. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he has given consideration to developing or supporting a social farming scheme or schemes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34790/14]
View answerI am familiar with the Social Farming Across Borders project, as I met with the organisation involved on 27 May last.
The Deputy will be aware that this pilot project was funded by the EU and involved various agencies, on a partnership basis, in the educational, rural development, and health and personal social services spheres. The HSE was supportive of this pilot project through the provision of local expertise and advice in relation to mental health or disability service issues.
Arising from the meeting in May, it was agreed that Social Farming Across Borders would review the outcomes of the pilot project and consider all issues surrounding sustainability of the concept, including possible or appropriate future funding sources. This review might lead to submission of a detailed Business Case to the HSE for the Executive's consideration, in light of its service priorities and overall resource availability. This would include consideration by the Executive of its existing, or planned, community-based initiatives of a similar nature to enhance mental health or disability services generally.
In the circumstances, it would be matter for the organisation to pursue this issue with the HSE. The Executive will keep the Department of Health informed of any developments.
1137. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health in the context of budget 2015, if he will bring proposals to cabinet to tackle the problem of alcohol misuse, in particular the below cost selling of alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34801/14]
View answerAddressing the price of alcohol is an important component of any long-term strategic approach to tackling alcohol misuse. There is a link between consumption and harm and evidence that affordability is one of the drivers of increased consumption. The Government has approved an extensive package of measures to deal with alcohol misuse, to be incorporated in a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. These measures are based on the recommendations contained in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, 2012. The package of measures to be implemented will include provision for minimum unit pricing, regulation of the marketing and advertising of alcohol, regulation of sports sponsorship, structural separation of alcohol from other products in mixed trading outlets and labelling of alcohol products. Work on developing a framework for the necessary Department of Health legislation is continuing and is hoped to publish a General Scheme of a Bill in the Autumn.
The Government has decided that minimum unit pricing is the most effective policy measure to deal with the sale of alcohol at cheap prices. Minimum unit pricing is a mechanism of imposing a statutory floor in price levels per gram of alcohol that must be legally observed by retailers in both the on and off trade sector. This is a targeted measure, designed to prevent the sale of alcohol at very cheap prices. It is mainly aimed at those who are higher risk, such as adolescents and people who have a harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption pattern.
1138. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the current waiting time and the efforts being made to reduce this waiting time for funding to be allocated under the fair deal scheme, once an application has been approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34808/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1139. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the delays to those in need of urgent orthopaedic procedures of 12 months in a hospital (details supplied); the efforts being made to reduce this waiting time for those who are in urgent need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34809/14]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him on this matter.
1140. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to include paediatric IBD on the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34827/14]
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, which 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.
1141. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the procedures followed in the establishment of the hospital groups; the person who decided on the constituent hospitals for each group; if he is satisfied with the present composition of such groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34829/14]
View answerThe establishment of Hospital Groups was committed to in Future Health: A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012-2015 and is a key building block in delivering on the Programme for Government commitment to fundamentally reform our health services. Following Government approval, the Minister published two reports in May 2013: the Report on The Establishment of Hospital Groups as a transition to Independent Hospital Trusts, and Securing the Future of Smaller Hospitals: a Framework for Development. The establishment of acute hospitals into a small number of groups, each with its own governance and management, will provide an optimum configuration for hospital services to deliver high quality, safe patient care in a cost effective manner.
Recommendations on the formation of specific groups and arrangements for the management and governance of all groups were included as part of the report The Establishment of Hospital Groups as a transition to Independent Hospital Trust. This report was based on a comprehensive consultation process, as well as a significant number of submissions from stakeholders and individual citizens. These recommendations were considered and endorsed by a Strategic Board that was chaired by Professor Higgins and was composed of representatives with national and international expertise in health service delivery, governance and linkages with academic institutions. In May last year both of these reports were submitted to Government for consideration and decision and both reports were accepted.
1142. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if, in view of his Department's submission on the Government's comprehensive review of expenditure, he will confirm that there will be no reduction in the number of beds at Cavan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34830/14]
View answerMy Department has made a submission to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform under the Government's Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) exercise. This Review exercise is carried out every three to four years. The last such Review was completed in 2011. My Department’s CRE submission is currently under consideration and it would not be appropriate for me to comment in detail on the specifics of the submission at this time. In this context, I can confirm that my first priority in terms of health service provision is to provide safe and high quality health services across all parts of the health sector, including the hospitals sector, and that there are currently no specific plans to reduce the number of beds at Cavan General Hospital.
1143. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when an MS nurse will be appointed for the mid-west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34841/14]
View answerAs this relates to an operational matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply.
1144. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update regarding his revised plan regarding the roll-out of free general practitioner visit cards for both the young and old; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34858/14]
View answerThe Government is committed to the introduction of a universal GP service for the entire population in line with the Programme for Government. As announced in Budget 2014, it was decided to commence the roll-out of a universal GP service for the entire population by initially providing all children under 6 years with access to a GP service without fees. The Health (General Practitioner Service) Act 2014, which provides an entitlement for all children aged under 6 to a GP service without fees, was passed by the Oireachtas in July 2014.
On 4th June 2014, a Framework Agreement was concluded between the Department of Health, the HSE and the IMO. The Framework Agreement sets out a process for engagement concerning the GMS/GP contract and other publicly funded contracts involving GPs. Discussions are underway between the Department, the HSE and the IMO under the Agreement in relation to the provision of free GP care to children under 6 years. A number of meetings have taken place and further meetings have been scheduled.
When discussions on the contract’s scope and content and fee structure have been concluded, the setting of the fee rates will be a matter for the Minister for Health, subject to the provisions of legislation and the Framework Agreement. The aim is to have the phase in respect of the under 6's implemented by the end of this year or early next year, subject to the conclusion of discussions between the parties. This will mean that almost half of the population will have access to GP services without fees. The Government is providing new, additional funding of €37 million to meet the cost of this measure which will provide a GP service to approximately 240,000 children that must currently pay to see a GP.
The Government will prioritise the over 70’s in the next phase of the roll-out of free access to GP care. The Government has approved the drafting of a Bill to provide a GP service without fees for all persons aged 70 years and over. Drafting of the Bill has commenced and is the subject on ongoing interaction between the Department and the Attorney-General’s Office. The expectation is that the Health (General Practitioner Service) (No. 2) Bill 2014 will be published shortly. The aim is to have the over 70’s phase implemented this year or early next year, subject to the conclusion of discussions between the Department of Health, the HSE and the IMO. The estimated cost is €18 million for 2015.
1145. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the total number of new appointments made in his Department and those under his remit since March 2011 to date in 2014, with a breakdown of the grade to which they were appointed during the period. [35123/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of appointments made in the Department of Health is detailed below:
|
New staff appointed in the Department of Health - March 2011 to date |
|
|
Grade |
No. appointed |
|
Personal Assistant |
6 |
|
Personal Secretary |
8 |
|
Special Advisor |
8 |
|
Driver |
10 |
|
Legal Advisor |
1 |
|
Secretary General |
2 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
1 |
|
Chief Nursing Officer |
1 |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Administrative Officer |
3 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
2 |
|
Total |
45 |
The information relating to appointments in non-commercial State Agencies under the remit of my Department is being compiled and will be forwarded separately to the Deputy. The HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy in respect of its appointments.
1146. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of public sector employees under his remit who are subject to a freeze on their increment payment in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35136/14]
View answerI have no direct role in this matter, so I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy's question directly.
1147. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of civil servants, public servants and semi-State employees in his Department on career break at the time of the Haddington Road agreement who lost their right to return to their old positions; of these, the number who have since been offered redeployment opportunities; the number who availed of suitable redeployment opportunities; the number who terminated their employment; the number who have been accommodated with supernumerary positions after being on redeployment lists of over one year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35147/14]
View answerThere were no civil servants in my Department on a career break at the time of the Haddington Road Agreement who did not return to positions in the Department following the end of their career breaks. The information relating to staff of non-commercial State Agencies under the remit of my Department is being compiled and will be forwarded separately to the Deputy. The HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy in respect of its staff.
1148. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine a medical card renewal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32910/14]
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.
1149. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an operation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [32920/14]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved.
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1150. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if he intends including omacor as medication covered under the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32926/14]
View answerThe 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, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1151. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who are currently on the waiting list to receive botox treatment for migraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32935/14]
View answer1153. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the funding available to sufferers of severe migraine to avail of botox treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32937/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1151 and 1153 together.
In relation to the queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
1152. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the services available to a person who suffers from severe migraine and is currently on a two year public waiting list for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32936/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
