Written Answers Nos. 756-784
756. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total number of new appointments made in his Department and those agencies under his remit since March 2011 to date in 2014, with a breakdown of the grade to which they were appointed during the period. [35116/14]
View answerSince my Department was established in June 2011 a number of new appointments (consisting of sanctioned recruitment of critical vacancies and internal promotions) were made as follows:
|
Grade |
No. |
|
Assistant Secretary |
1 |
|
Director |
1 |
|
Principal Officer |
5 |
|
Head of Research |
1 |
|
Public Health Specialist |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
4 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer (Accountant) |
1 |
|
Legal Advisor |
2 |
|
Statistician |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
4 |
|
Administrative Officer |
2 |
|
Executive Officer |
3 |
|
Staff Officer |
1 |
The table does not take account of direct transfers from a number of Departments to my Department on its establishment, Ministerial appointments on changes of Minister in 2014, or returns to the Department from career breaks or external secondments.
Similar information relating to agencies under the remit of my Department is not routinely held in the Department and my officials have requested that the Agencies concerned respond directly to the Deputy.
757. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs 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. [35130/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not currently available within my Department. I have asked my officials to request this information from PeoplePoint, the shared civil service HR Centre, in respect of my Department and to furnish it directly to the Deputy.
I have also asked my officials to arrange that the agencies under the remit of my Department supply the information requested directly to the Deputy.
758. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs 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 for over one year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35141/14]
View answerAt the time of the Haddington Road Agreement, four officers of my Department were on career breaks. Of these, two could not be immediately accommodated back into the Department when their career break ended and were therefore placed on a redeployment panel. One officer had to wait the full 12 months before resuming duty at my Department and the other was offered a 12 month secondment to another Department/Office while on the redeployment panel. This officer will return to my Department when the secondment ends shortly.
759. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on the treatment received by persons (details supplied) in County Meath in the procedures being followed to diagnose these persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33009/14]
View answerAs the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
760. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the plans to review the pay of hospital consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33490/14]
View answerThe previous Minister for Health established a Working Group, chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, President of DCU, in July 2013, to carry out a strategic review of medical training and career structure in order to ensure the continued recruitment of high quality Consultants. The final report of the group was submitted at the end of June 2014.
The MacCraith group’s second interim report recommended an urgent industrial relations engagement with the staff associations representing consultants to address the barriers to consultant recruitment. An intensive engagement between the parties took place over July and August and on the 26th August 2014 the Labour Relations Commission issued a proposal which included increased pay for Consultants entering the public health service. This proposal included incremental credit for relevant experience, which would allow consultants with 5 years relevant experience to be appointed at up to €155,000. The IMO Consultant and NCHD Committees decided to put the LRC proposals concerning consultant pay and career structure to a ballot of members. To date no ballot date has been set.
761. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to reinstate motorised transport grant or mobility allowance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33581/14]
View answer765. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to renew the motorised transport grant scheme which is currently suspended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34617/14]
View answer958. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding the review of the motorised transport grant and the mobility allowance; when the new scheme will be put in place; if the existing scheme will be restored as the unnecessary delay is causing difficulty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33709/14]
View answer974. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when he will announce the outcome of the review into an alternative to the motorised transport grant-mobility allowance. [33772/14]
View answer1115. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a date for the restoration of the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant. [34648/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 761, 765, 958, 974 and 1115 together.
Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance schemes, in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes on 26th February, 2013.
On 26th November 2013, the Government decided that the preparatory work required for a new travel subsidy scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health.
Work is ongoing on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme. Once approved by Government, the time frame for the introduction of a new scheme will become clearer.
762. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health his plans to deal with the escalating levels of drug addiction in Dublin and particularly in the city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33830/14]
View answerAn objective of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-16 is to develop a national treatment and rehabilitation service that provides drug free and harm reduction approaches for problem substance users and to encourage problem substance users to engage with, and avail of, such services.
To this end the HSE provides a variety of drug treatment interventions to meet the needs of individual drug users. These include interventions to reduce drug-related harm such as needle exchange provision, together with evidence-based treatment options such as opioid substitution, counselling and community and residential rehabilitation initiatives.
As the issues raised by the Deputy are service matters they have been referred to the Health Services Executive for direct reply.
763. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health his plans to amend the eighth amendment of the Constitution to permit termination of pregnancy in circumstances other than those prescribed at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33831/14]
View answerArticle 40.3.3 of the Irish Constitution states that:
'The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.'
The interpretation of Article 40.3.3 was considered by the Supreme Court in Attorney General v X (the X case [1992] 2 IR 1.). Further, in December 2009, the European Court of Human Rights heard a case brought by three women in respect of the alleged breach of their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights in regard to abortion in Ireland (the A,B, and C v Ireland case [2010] ECHR 2032.).
The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 was enacted in July 2013 and commenced in January 2014. The purpose of this Act is to restate the general prohibition on abortion in Ireland while regulating access to lawful termination of pregnancy in accordance with the X case and the judgement in the European Court of Human Rights in the A, B and C v Ireland case.
I do not intend to propose any amendments to the 8th Amendment of the Constitution at present.
764. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the revenue that would be raised by charging a €500 tobacco licence fee on retailers. [33845/14]
View answer766. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on the proposed introduction of a tobacco licence fee (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34733/14]
View answer777. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to continue the policy of increasing the licensing fee charged to tobacco retailers from a one off payment of €50 to an annual fee of €500; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32979/14]
View answer878. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his position regarding the future of cigarette vending machines; the retail licence fee that applies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33342/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 764, 766, 777 and 878 together.
In June 2014, the Government approved the drafting of a General Scheme of a Bill to provide for the introduction of a licensing system and other measures in relation to the sale of tobacco products and non-medicinal nicotine delivery systems (including e-cigarettes).
The proposed licensing system will facilitate stricter controls for the selling of tobacco products in line with Tobacco Free Ireland. Under current legislation, any retailer wishing to sell tobacco products must be registered with the HSE National Tobacco Control Office and pay a registration fee. However, there is a significant anomaly in that registration is applied per retailer, rather than by premises. This means that multiple retailers like supermarket chains make a single once-off payment, regardless of the number of outlets they have. It is proposed that this new measure will address that anomaly by licensing the sale of tobacco products on a premises bases and providing for the payment of an annual fee.
Work is ongoing in relation to this legislation and as such details, including fees have not yet been determined. A consultation process will be conducted as part of the Regulatory Impact Analysis and all interested parties will be provided with an opportunity to contribute through this process.
767. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown as to the number of outpatient appointments where appointees failed to show up at University Hospital Waterford over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32900/14]
View answerIn relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to her directly.
768. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on the introduction of a law to make it illegal for persons to smoke who were born after the year 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32905/14]
View answerAt present it is illegal to sell tobacco products to those under 18 years. Tobacco Free Ireland, the latest policy document on smoking in this country, has the protection of children as one of its main themes.
One of the key strategies for protecting children and young people, as well as for moving towards the creation of a tobacco free society, is the denormalisation of tobacco use. Making smoking less attractive to children and young people, and increasing its social unacceptability are essential elements of this strategy. Initiatives already in place such as the workplace smoking ban, together with the development of further smoke-free areas as recommended in Tobacco Free Ireland, including tobacco free playgrounds, education campuses, child care and health care facilities, will all play a part in this regard.
The year 2025 has been identified as the date on which Ireland will become tobacco free, i.e. with a smoking prevalence of 5% or less. It is anticipated that the recommendations made in Tobacco Free Ireland will make a significant contribution to achieving this target.
769. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will re-assess a medical card review application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32919/14]
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.
770. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on a fair deal application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32930/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
771. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health if specialised glass frames will be supplied under the GMS scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32932/14]
View answerI have asked the HSE to investigate this case and respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
772. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the current panel for student paramedics is open to applications; if not, if he will indicate when persons may submit applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32938/14]
View answer1154. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if there is any mechanism by which a failed student paramedic applicant may be added to the current panel or are they required to wait for the next intake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32939/14]
View answer1155. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Cork has any other mechanism open to them in trying to get on the current panel for student paramedics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32940/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 772, 1154 and 1155 together.
As these questions relate to an operational matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the HSE for direct reply.
773. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive proposes to build a primary care centre (details supplied) in Dublin 22 ; the current status of the development; the time frame for commencement of the development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32941/14]
View answerDelivery of infrastructure to accommodate primary care services is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
774. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if his Department or the Health Service Executive has a policy regarding advising patients of test results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32960/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
775. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the community nursing unit on the grounds of St. Patrick's Hospital in Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32965/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
776. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health not to penalise holders of health insurance with a further increase in the Government's health insurance levy or a reduction in tax relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32970/14]
View answerI am committed to maintaining a sustainable private health insurance market, and I am keen to create the best possible environment within which more people, particularly younger people, will want to obtain and retain private health insurance cover that is affordable, competitive and meets consumers' needs.
As required under the Health Insurance Acts 1994 to 2013, the Health Insurance Authority submits a report to the Minister for Health in October each year recommending the risk equalisation credits and corresponding stamp duty levies for the following year, taking into account factors such as the changing demographic profile of the insured population and market developments. The Minister for Health, following consideration of the Health Insurance Authority’s report and having consulted with the Minister for Finance, sets the Risk Equalisation credits for the following year having regard to maintaining the sustainability of the market and promoting fair and open competition. The Minister for Health makes a recommendation to the Minister for Finance on the stamp duty levies required to fund those credits for the following year, and these are set by the Minister for Finance. Decisions for the 2015 rates will be made following receipt of the October 2014 report from the HIA and will be underpinned by my commitment to maintaining a sustainable private health insurance market.
Budget 2014 reduced the amount of tax relief at source applied to health insurance policies on premiums in excess of €1000. Tax relief at source provided for private health insurance is a matter for the Minister for Finance.
778. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if the RIA prepared for the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 addresses the potential economic impact that could occur if another country were to introduce plain packaging for Irish food or alcohol products in retaliation for the introduction of plain packaging of tobacco products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32980/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, a Regulatory Impact Analysis was carried out in connection with the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014, and it is now available on the Department of Health’s website at http://health.gov.ie/blog/uncategorized/regulatory-impact-assessment/.
As part of the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) process, submissions were sought by the Department of Health from stakeholders, including the tobacco industry and retailer organisations, on the specific content of the General Scheme of the Bill, the impact of its provisions and on any omissions identified. In developing the legislation, my Department also considered the findings of the Joint Committee on Health and Children, who invited and received submissions and met with many of the key stakeholders in this regard.
As far as I am aware, plans have not been announced by any other country to introduce standardised packaging for any product other than tobacco, to date. As the Deputy will know, Australia was the first country in the world to introduce standardised packaging for tobacco products, in December 2012. Since then, New Zealand has initiated the legislative process to introduce standardised packaging of tobacco products. The UK is currently considering whether to introduce standardised packaging of tobacco products and in the interim has notified draft regulations to the Commission under the Technical Standards Directive (98/34/EC).
779. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the February 2014 World Health Organization report which called for the expansion of tobacco-type restrictions to alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages; if he is considering introducing plain packaging or similar measures for alcohol, sugar-sweetened beverages and fatty foods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32982/14]
View answerI assume that the Deputy is referring to the World Cancer Report 2014, issued by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The report notes the need for multipronged preventive action including treaties and laws extending tobacco-style restrictions to alcohol and sweetened beverages in order to address the alarming rise in the cancer burden.
Ireland is supportive of the World Health Organisation Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol. Many of the recommendations in the WHO Global Strategy, including in particular those on pricing, marketing and monitoring and surveillance are included in our national alcohol policy. Last October, the Government 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.
The Special Action Group on Obesity (SAGO) comprising representatives from relevant Government Departments, the HSE, the Food Safety Authority, members of academia, service professionals and Safe Food was established to examine and progress a number of issues to address the problem of overweight and obesity in Ireland. The Group is considering a range of measures in support of healthy eating and to reduce overweight and obesity.
There are no plans to extend standardised packaging to alcohol products, sugar sweetened beverages or fatty foods.
780. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his Department or the Government has received any communication on the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 from the European Commission under the EU 98/34 notification procedure or through other channels; if he will detail the contents of these communications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32983/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Government approved the publication of the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 on 10th June 2014 and the presentation of the Bill in the Seanad. The Bill was initiated in the Seanad on the 19th June and completed Committee and Report Stage on the 24th June. The Bill commenced Second Stage in the Dáil on 2nd July 2014.
On 17th June, formal notification of the publication of the Bill was made to the Commission and to Member States under the EU Technical Standards Directive (98/34/EC) and the Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU). Four detailed opinions on the Bill have been received from Portugal, Bulgaria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. To date, comments or opinions have not been received from the EU Commission.
781. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to streamline and improve access to medications such as natalizumab (tysabri) and alemtuzumanb (lemtrada) for persons with multiple sclerosis in view of the effective lottery at present where access to these essential treatments is dependent on individual hospital budgets and varies considerably from hospital to hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32990/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
782. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Meath to ensure that all necessary assessments are carried out immediately to allow for fully informed diagnoses to take place as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33010/14]
View answerAs the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
783. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will place chronic obstructive pulmonary disease commonly known as COPD on the list of long-term critical illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33017/14]
View answer1012. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will include myeloma on the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33922/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 783 and 1012 together.
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, 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.
784. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the use of so-called miracle mineral solutions as cures or treatments for conditions including cancer, AIDS and autism and the potential harms to those receiving the solutions; and if his Department is examining whether the use of such solutions will be banned in this jurisdiction. [33023/14]
View answer817. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he has concerns about the use of chlorine dioxide and miracle mineral solution (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33148/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 784 and 817 together.
Products that claim to treat medical conditions such as cancer, AIDS and autism are considered to be medicines and require an authorisation prior to being placed on the market in Ireland. The product referred to as Miracle Mineral Solution is not authorised as a medicine for sale or supply in Ireland. This product is considered to be a medicine and therefore cannot be supplied in Ireland without a marketing authorisation.
The supply of unauthorised products in Ireland is a very serious matter. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has confirmed that it is actively following up on this issue as a matter of urgency. The HPRA continues to advise consumers not to take this product as its safety and efficacy have not been independently verified by a competent authority for medicines, such as the HPRA.
