Written Answers Nos. 1 - 94
78. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce minimum standards with statutory support for the care of elderly persons and vulnerable adults in their own homes by public and private care providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36436/14]
View answerThe Health Information and Quality Authority is the independent authority established under the Health Act 2007 to drive continuous improvement and to monitor safety and quality in Ireland’s health and personal social care services. With effect from 2009 nursing homes for older people have been registered and inspected by HIQA and during the course of this Government this function has extended to residential services for those with disabilities and child protection services. The HSE is progressing a range of measures to improve Home Care provision overall, to standardise services nationally and to promote quality and safety. This includes a Procurement Framework for Home Care Services which came into effect in 2012. Providers are monitored through Service Level Agreements with the HSE. They are required to provide a prescribed range of information in relation to the services they provide. These are supervised through regular local operational meetings and review of care plans. National Guidelines for the Standardised Implementation of the Home Care Package Scheme, which set out standard procedures for providers of home supports, were introduced in parallel with this initiative.
The HSE is also developing National Quality Guidelines for home help services for Older People which will apply to all home support services, including those procured by the HSE from external providers. The HSE is also currently undertaking a full review of home care services with a view to improving services generally.
Government for National Recovery, 2011-2016 commits to developing and implementing national standards for home support services which will be subject to HIQA inspection. Primary legislation and resources will be required for the introduction of a statutory regulation system for home care services. This will be considered by Government on a prioritised and phased basis as resources, legislative and planning processes allow.
79. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if there is a national policy guiding the Health Service Executive in terms of insulin pump treatment for young persons with diabetes; if it is planned that the policy be applied equally on a national basis; if funding constraints are preventing the implementation of the policy outside of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36489/14]
View answerNational policy for paediatric/adolescent diabetes care was informed by the Diabetes Expert Advisory Group. It recommended that continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion or pump therapy should be the primary treatment option in children, especially those aged less than five years of age. It also recommended the regionalisation of care. The centres envisaged for care were in the major regional hospitals.
On foot of the Diabetes Expert Advisory Group’s Report, the Paediatric Diabetes Working Group was established in 2011 under the auspices of the HSE Paediatrics and Diabetes Clinical Programmes. In 2012, the Working Group developed a model of care for the provision of insulin pump therapy for children under five years with Type 1 diabetes. It reported that it viewed the model of care as “the first step in a stepwise progression of the evolution of a National Paediatric Diabetes Model of Care”.
The improvement of services under the National Diabetes Programme is being implemented on a phased basis. As part of this progress, there are now 5 paediatric diabetes centres in Ireland providing insulin pump therapy. These are Cork University Hospital, Limerick University Hospital/Galway shared service, Children’s University Hospital at Temple Street, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital at Crumlin, and Tallaght Hospital. All regional centres have prioritised children under five years of age for the provision of therapy. Proposals to deal with any service issues outside Dublin - such as those relating to pumps for children over five years at University Hospital Galway - will be considered in the context of the annual Service Planning process.
Finally, the HSE has advised that a model for the provision of care to all children under 16 years of age with Type 1 diabetes is currently being drafted.
80. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that the extremely dangerous MMS and CD are outlawed following numerous attempts at specially organised events to push them as a miracle cure for conditions such as autism and the fact that the product is toxic industrial strength bleach. [36501/14]
View answerIrish and EU medicines legislation requires that any product which it is claimed treats a medical condition must be authorised as a medicinal product by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) before being placed on the market. From the information available to me, the product referred to as Master Mineral Solution (MMS) or CD contains the substance chlorine dioxide. MMS is not authorised as a medicine for sale or supply in Ireland and it is therefore an offence to place this product on the market in Ireland without a marketing authorisation.
The HPRA continues to advise consumers not to take this product as its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated or accepted by any medicines regulatory agency. The Food Safety Authority and the National Poisons Information Centre of Ireland have also issued a public safety warning regarding the use of MMS.
The HPRA has confirmed that it is actively following up on this issue as a matter of urgency. Consumers experiencing side effects thought to be associated with MMS are advised to consult a health care professional.
As Minister I would be very concerned at the promotion of unauthorised products for which unfounded claims of medicinal benefits are made. I would strongly advise people not to purchase such products, which may well be harmful to anyone who consumes them.
81. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which he or his Department continues to monitor the costs of private health insurance throughout the health sector; if conclusions have been reached as to the cause of increased premiums having particular regard to the concept of community rating or departures therefrom; if the cost of private health insurance in the private and public sectors has been separately examined with a view to preventing cross subsidisation; if evaluation has been done or comparisons made between the public and private sectors in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36507/14]
View answerMy Department and the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) monitor the factors that contribute to costs on an ongoing basis. The cost of private health insurance is influenced by issues such as the number of persons and the age profile of those holding private health insurance and new treatment interventions which can have an impact on the cost of care and the cost of claims.
I am determined to address the issues contributing to increased costs in the sector. Health insurers also have an important role to play in keeping health insurance affordable. I welcome the 2% reduction in claims costs across the market for 2013 reported by the HIA and urge the sector to further build on this positive achievement. As part of the Consultative Forum on Health Insurance, Mr. Pat McLoughlin was appointed as Independent Chair to work with insurance companies, my Department and the HIA to identify effective cost management strategies for the industry. Mr. McLoughlin's final report is expected shortly and I will consider how the recommendations can best be implemented.
I am also keen to create the best possible environment within which more people, particularly young people, will want to obtain and retain private health insurance. Under Lifetime Community Rating, from 1 May 2015 loadings will be incurred by anyone aged 35 or over taking out private health insurance for the first time. Loadings can be avoided by taking out health insurance before this date. I am also going to address the sharp price increase that younger people currently experience when they can no longer avail of student discounts. This has led to a substantial reduction in penetration rates in the 20-25 age group, which I will address by making legislative provision for the introduction of Young Adult rates in 2015.
The Deputy refers to the cost of private health insurance in the private and public sectors in the context of cross-subsidisation. The Health (Amendment) Act, 2013, provided for the introduction of charges for all private inpatients, including those accommodated in public beds. As a result, private patients pay for receiving a private service that, up until now, has been heavily subsidised by the taxpayer.
82. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the operation of the treatment abroad scheme department of the Health Service Executive in relation to the making of decisions, the appeal process and new E112 forms which remove the right to voluntary and informed consent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36499/14]
View answerThe Treatment Abroad Scheme, operated by the Health Service Executive, provides for the referral of patients to another EU/EEA country or Switzerland for a treatment that is not available in Ireland or where undue delay is experienced in accessing necessary treatment in Ireland. Under the Scheme, the HSE provides for the cost of approved treatments abroad through the issue of form E112.
There are clear qualifying criteria to access the Scheme set out in EU Regulations and in Department of Health Guidelines. Treatment must be medically necessary, must meet the patient’s needs and may not be an experimental treatment. It is also a requirement that the hospital outside the state will accept form E112. The application must be assessed and a determination given before that patient goes abroad. The HSE is not required to approve a treatment which is not available in Ireland where an equivalent treatment which will meet the patient’s needs is available.
The Scheme is operated on an equitable and transparent basis for all applicants and ensures the implementation of the governing statutory framework is applied in a consistent manner.
Each application to the Scheme is reviewed individually on its own merits and there are no restrictions on a person making an application to the Scheme for review and decision. Previous approvals or declines are not used as an influencing factor on subsequent applications. Each application is processed and given a formal written decision. If that decision is one of decline, the reason for that decision is clearly outlined and the option of an appeal is afforded.
The application form does not remove the right to voluntary and informed consent. In fact, the application form is specifically designed to secure that consent by notifying the applicant that the HSE reserves the right to access medical records. This access is specific to that required for the proportionate administering of the Scheme.
An application to the Scheme is for the funding of a treatment, not an approval of the treatment sought. In processing an application the HSE must examine the form to decide if the application meets with the rules set for the Scheme. Of necessity the HSE must ensure it has sufficient information to establish compliance with the legislation and guidelines and the veracity of the application. It is considered that the measures undertaken by the HSE in respect of the application process are proportionate, both in ensuring the patient's right to access the Scheme and also in ensuring the Scheme is properly administered.
83. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the way he proposes to reduce waiting times for outpatients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36537/14]
View answerAt the end of December 2013, 98% or 295,815 patients were waiting less than 52 weeks for an outpatient appointment. This was achieved by year-long intervention with a special funded focus from September to December which included outsourcing of patients determined to be suitable for such assessment. Currently 89% are waiting less than one year for access to outpatients.
There has been a 13% increase in referrals to outpatients from January to July in 2014 versus the same period in 2013. As a result, there has been an increase in outpatient activity overall, This includes an increase in new activity from January to July 2014 of 8.9% (an extra 43,225 new patients) compared with the same period 2013. There has also been a 12.6% increase in review activity in that time (an extra 153,209 patients). The total additional patients seen year to date, compared to same period last year, has been 196,434.
In addition, almost half a million patients failed to attend for a scheduled appointment in 2013. Embedding the Outpatient Performance Improvement Programme best practice processes in acute hospitals has shown a marked improvement in ‘Did Not Attends’ or DNAs. Figures for January to July 2014 show DNA rates falling from 15% to 13%. This improvement allowed significant added productivity in terms of capacity and capability management of outpatient clinic sessions.
Patients waiting over one year are concentrated in a small number of specialties namely, orthopaedics, ENT, ophthalmology, dermatology, general surgery, neurology and urology. The HSE is addressing capacity and capability issues in these specialties and is exploring the potential to see patients on a group basis to utilise any unused capacity where available. A number of other initiatives are also under way to provide alternative pathways of care that will ensure quicker access for patients to a broader range of health professionals.
84. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health his views on the forthcoming seminar scheduled in November by the Genesis II group, in which unregulated products such as MMS and CD, which claim to cure autism and cancer and are banned in the US and UK, will be sold; if the Health Products Regulatory Authority has the necessary powers to ensure these events do not take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36505/14]
View answerIrish and EU medicines legislation requires that any product which it is claimed treats a medical condition must be authorised as a medicinal product by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) before being placed on the market. From the information available to me, the product referred to as Master Mineral Solution (MMS) or CD contains the substance chlorine dioxide. MMS is not authorised as a medicine for sale or supply in Ireland and it is therefore an offence to place this product on the market in Ireland without a marketing authorisation.
The HPRA continues to advise consumers not to take this product as its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated or accepted by any medicines regulatory agency. The Food Safety Authority and the National Poisons Information Centre of Ireland have also issued a public safety warning regarding the use of MMS.
The HPRA has confirmed that it is actively following up on this issue as a matter of urgency. Consumers experiencing side effects thought to be associated with MMS are advised to consult a health care professional.
As Minister I would be very concerned at the promotion of unauthorised products for which unfounded claims of medicinal benefits are made. I would strongly advise people not to purchase such products, which may well be harmful to anyone who consumes them.
85. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide special needs assistants for children with disabilities attending pre-schools and crèches. [36157/14]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, provides for a free pre-school year to eligible children in the year before they commence primary school. The objective of this scheme is to support early learning in a formal setting in advance of starting school. I understand that certain flexibilities are built into the scheme in an effort to accommodate children with special needs, such as an overage exemption, or waiver, for children with special needs who do not meet the age criteria and the option to avail of the free pre-school year over two years.
The Health Service Executive has no statutory obligation to provide assistant supports for children with special needs wishing to avail of the free pre-school year. However, the HSE does work at local level and in partnership with the relevant disability service providers to address individual needs as they arise. This is done, for example, by funding special pre-schools that cater specifically for children with disabilities. In some cases at local level, disability services have also facilitated children with disabilities to attend mainstream pre-schools by providing assistant supports where possible and where resources are available.
At a national level, a dedicated Cross-Sectoral Team, comprising representatives of my Department, the HSE, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs plays a key role in fostering greater collaboration on children’s disability issues and to build on the cross-sectoral working arrangements that are already in place. A sub group of this Cross-Sectoral Team has been set up to examine the issues around the integration of children with disabilities into mainstream pre-school settings, building on previous analysis in this area. Representatives of the Departments of Health, Children and Youth Affairs, Education and Skills, the Health Service Executive and of the City and County Childcare Committees are members of this group and it is chaired by the Department of Health. The issue of supports for children with disabilities in mainstream pre-school settings is being examined by this sub-group, which is due to report to the Cross-Sectoral Team in the near future.
86. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the planned extension of free breast screening to women in the 65 to 69 years age bracket; the timeframe now envisaged for its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36543/14]
View answerAs indicated in previous replies, I fully support the proposed extension of the Breastcheck screening programme to the 65-69 year age cohort. The timing of the implementation of this priority extension of the service will depend on the availability of resources and will be kept under review in this context.
87. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health the measures he has taken or hopes to take to stabilise the private health insurance market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36496/14]
View answerThere is a need for much greater cost control in the private health insurance industry so that premiums are affordable for as many people as possible. My Department and the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) monitor the factors that contribute to costs on an ongoing basis. The cost of private health insurance is influenced by issues such as the number of persons and the age profile of those holding private health insurance, ongoing medical innovations which can have an impact on the cost of care and the cost of claims.
I am determined to address the issues contributing to increased costs in the sector. Health insurers also have an important role to play in keeping health insurance affordable. I welcome the 2% reduction in claims costs across the market for 2013 reported by the HIA and urge the sector to further build on this positive achievement. As part of the Consultative Forum on Health Insurance, Mr. Pat McLoughlin was appointed as Independent Chair to work with insurance companies, my Department and the HIA to identify effective cost management strategies for the industry. Mr. McLoughlin's final report is expected shortly and I will consider how the recommendations can best be implemented.
I am also keen to create the best possible environment within which more people, particularly young people, will want to obtain and retain private health insurance. Under Lifetime Community Rating, from 1 May 2015 loadings will be incurred by anyone aged 35 or over taking out private health insurance for the first time. Loadings can be avoided by taking out health insurance before this date. I am also going to address the sharp price increase that younger people currently experience when they can no longer avail of student discounts. This has led to a substantial reduction in penetration rates in the 20-25 age group, which I will address by making legislative provision for the introduction of Young Adult rates in 2015.
These measures are designed to encourage more people to join the market at younger ages, which is critical to the sustainability of our system of community-rated health insurance.
88. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health in view of the case in the High Court at the end of August where no inpatient bed was available for a teenager with psychiatric difficulties, if he is satisfied that the welfare of children with such difficulties is being adequately catered for considering the new stresses on the system since 16 and 17 year olds have been brought into child and adolescent mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35735/14]
View answerThe Mental Health Division of the HSE is committed to ensuring that all aspects of Child and Adolescent Mental Health services (CAMHS) are delivered nationally in a consistent and timely fashion. A Vision for Change describes how services should be coordinated and integrated to meet the full range of social, psychological and physical care needs of children with mental health problems.
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service is a key Service Improvement Project for the HSE. The project aims to improve access to and use of CAMHS In-patient, Day Hospital and Community based services, particularly in the context of agreed protocols governing the area of 16-17 year olds. The first meeting of a multi-disciplinary Group established to progress this project took place this month, and it is intended that meetings will be held on a monthly basis. The Group has also met with the Management Teams of all four CAMHS In-Patient units, to review various operational issues including eliminating any restrictions inhibiting full operational bed usage in certain circumstances.
In June of this year, the operational capacity of the Child and Adolescent Acute Inpatient Units was 56 beds. However, due to building works and temporary difficulties arising from loss of certain staff in three of the CAMHS Units, capacity nationally has reduced to 46. It is planned that these issues will be resolved as quickly as possible, and that capacity will increase to 58 by year-end. In addition, construction work is continuing on a new 22 Bed unit at the Cherry Orchard Hospital site in Dublin, which will be completed in September 2015. Where required, and if no public bed is available, in-patient beds are utilised in private hospitals. There are also a small number of children that may require placement outside of the State, where this is deemed to be the best service option in such cases.
It should be noted also that the HSE Mental Health Division is placing particular focus at the moment on overcoming certain issues to improve recruitment and retention rates for Consultant Psychiatrists.
89. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the current health budget deficit; the expectation of the final figure for this year's deficit; the steps he is taking to ensure that this deficit will be met in 2014; the services that the current Government might restrict if the health budget does not increase sufficiently for next year in line with the existing increase and envisioned increased use of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36542/14]
View answerIn Vote terms the Health Service Executive Vote 39 is showing a net current deficit of €260m against profile at the end of September. However, receipts from the UK which were profiled for November were actually received in September; when this is excluded, a net current deficit of €432m emerges.
In income and expenditure terms the HSE is reporting a year to date net expenditure of €7.039 billion to the end of July against a budget of €6.754 billion, leading to a variance of €285 million. The acute hospital sector accounts for €160m or 57% of the overall deficit. Employment agency costs were €194m, up €63m on last year, a significant element of which was incurred in acute hospital services. The Primary Care Division had an overall deficit of €54m with local demand-led schemes a key area experiencing excess expenditure.
Undoubtedly, 2014 is proving to be a financially challenging year for the health services. While the budgetary targets this year are particularly constrained, it is important to recognise that very demanding financial and resource constraints have applied in each of the last number of years as a direct consequence of the crisis in the public finances. The cumulative impact of this unprecedented period of financial and resource restraint has resulted in reductions in the health service budget of the order of €1.5 billion since 2008 with numbers employed reduced by over 14,000 over this period.
These challenges come at a time when the demand for health services is increasing each year which, in turn, is driving costs upwards. Despite these resource reductions the HSE has managed to support growing demand for its services arising from such factors as population growth, increased levels of chronic disease, the ageing of the population, increased demand for prescription drugs, and new costly medical technologies and treatments.
Currently it is anticipated that a supplementary estimate above €500 million will be required to support services in 2014. This is based on costs to the end of July and takes account of the HSE’s best estimate of likely expenditure to year end, mitigated by ongoing cost containment plans and income generation. It is important to stress that, as with any forecast, there is some degree of uncertainty particularly given the scale of the overall HSE cost base, the complexity of the services and the lack of a national financial system. This forecast deficit excludes any overrun on the State Claims Agency.
The HSE continues to work closely with my Department to mitigate the projected deficit to the greatest degree possible.
The level of funding available for the health budget and the extent of the savings required in the health sector are being considered as part of the estimates and budgetary process for 2015 which is currently underway. Pending completion of the national estimates, budgetary and service planning process for 2015 it is not possible to predict the service levels to be provided next year.
90. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will withdraw the guidance document for the implementation of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act, which amplifies rather than minimises the flaws in the legislation and leaves Ireland still in breach of the European Court of Human Rights, as a woman whose life is in danger cannot effectively access her legal right to an abortion. [36497/14]
View answerI welcome the publication of the Guidance Document for the Implementation of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act and it is my understanding that this document is in full compliance with the Act. In addition, the Guidance Document identifies referral pathways to fulfil the requirements of the Act, and other relevant matters, and this information should assist health professionals in the practical operation of the Act.
I wish to thank the relevant professional bodies and all the members of the Committee for their expertise, dedication and support in drafting this important Document.
91. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the national children's hospital; the extent the initial preparatory work in terms of planning permission and identification of the scale and size of the project has been identified and agreed; if agreement has been reached as to the full extent of services intended within the hospital complex; the extent to which previous expenditure relating to the Mater hospital site in the sum of €50 million will be utilised by way of reduction in the capital costs of the current project; when he expects to be in a position to arrange for the start of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36506/14]
View answerThe National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is the statutory body responsible for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital. The new hospital will be co-located with St James's Hospital, and ultimately tri-located with a maternity hospital to be developed on campus. In addition to the main hospital, the project includes two satellite centres at the campuses of Tallaght and Connolly Hospitals.
The Project Brief for the hospital, prepared by the Development Board in conjunction with the Children's Hospital Group Board, was approved by the HSE in June 2014, with the prior consent of the Minister for Health. It sets out details of the specialties to be provided and the planned accommodation. This will include 384 in-patient beds, all in single en-suite rooms with in-room parent accommodation, a further 85 daycare beds and 14 theatres, including three hybrid theatres to facilitate access to imaging during surgery, all in the main hospital. There will be 111 outpatient consulting examination rooms across both the main hospital and the two satellite centres, as well as ED and urgent care facilities. Car parking for 1,000 vehicles is planned at the main hospital, while sufficient parking will also be provided at the satellite centres.
Approximately €39m was spent in the previous phase of this project at the Mater campus. Work undertaken for the project on that site, in particular development of activity projections and capacity requirements, development of functional requirements and decisions on workflow, adjacency planning and logistics, has been built on in developing the Project Brief for the hospital in its new location.
Following a rigorous procurement process, the design team for the project has been appointed and began work on designing the hospital in early August with the aim of submitting a planning application in June 2015. Ahead of this, the Development Board has been engaging with both Dublin City Council and An Bord Pleanala over the past number of months in relation to all planning issues and will continue to do so. Subject to planning permission, the project is expected to be on site at all three locations in January 2016.
92. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the action he and the Health Service Executive will take to assist St. Christopher’s Services to continue providing a safe and quality service to the residents of Morlea House, County Longford, and Marian Avenue, Ballymahon, County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36485/14]
View answerThe Programme for Government committed to putting National Standards for Residential Services for People with Disabilities on a statutory footing, to ensure that services could be inspected by HIQA. This commitment was fulfilled when two regulations, one relating to care and support and the second relating to registration issues, were approved and signed by the Minister for Health, with the scheme commencing on 1st November 2013.
The introduction of registration and inspection represents a significant advance in terms of delivering consistent and high quality services for people with disabilities in residential services. The purpose of the regulations is to safeguard and support the delivery of person-centred care to vulnerable people of any age who are receiving residential care services and ensure that their health, well-being and quality of life is promoted and protected. This will empower providers to deliver even higher quality standards.
St. Christopher's Services in Longford delivers services on behalf of the HSE. Like all non-statutory providers, St. Christopher's are responsible for the management of their resources within their allocated funding. I have been assured by the HSE that it has been working with the Board of Directors of St. Christopher's Services to address their funding concerns.
A number of measures to reduce their funding deficit have been proposed and meetings are ongoing in this regard. The HSE will continue to work with St. Christopher's and assist them in finding efficiencies within their service.
93. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update of the progress being made on the delivery of orthodontic care through orthodontic therapists; his plans to extend the remit of the Health Information and Quality Authority to cover those practitioners delivering orthodontic treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36437/14]
View answerThe HSE Dublin North East (DNE) Orthodontic Service has been chosen as the pilot area for this new training programme. One member of the dental hygienist staff and one member of the dental nursing staff have commenced training in September 2014. In the course of training these students will work under the direct supervision of specialist orthodontists currently working in HSE units in the treatment of a number of children eligible for HSE-funded orthodontic treatment. This course is being accredited by Dublin Dental Hospital, Trinity College and is one year in duration.
Practitioners delivering orthodontic treatment are required to be registered by the Dental Council. The Council has power, subject in some instances to confirmation by the High Court to advise, admonish, censure, suspend, attach conditions to registration or erase a dentist's name from the Register. Extension of the remit of the Health Information and Quality Authority in the manner suggested by the Deputy is not considered necessary or appropriate.
94. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the way he proposes to address waiting times for the fair deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36532/14]
View answerThe HSE operates a national placement list for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme to enable it to operate within budget. 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 equity nationally. Funding is released by the HSE on a weekly basis to ensure those on the placement list receive funding as soon as possible. Currently, the average waiting time on the placement list following funding approval is 15 weeks. As of the 23rd September (latest figures available), there are 2,007 on the placement list awaiting funding release.
Funding for these services will be considered in the context of the Estimates Process 2015, which is currently underway. The funding that will be available must be balanced across all of the various service areas in a way that achieves the best possible outcomes for the greatest number of service users and prioritises areas of greatest need as far as possible.
