Written Answers Nos. 106 - 130
106. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the recently published Irish Heart Foundation report Towards Earlier Discharge, Better Outcomes, Lower Cost: Stroke Rehabilitation in Ireland; if he will consider taking on some of the recommendations and implementing them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37266/14]
View answerI am aware of the recently published Irish Heart Foundation report Towards Earlier Discharge, Better Outcomes, Lower Cost: Stroke Rehabilitation in Ireland. The implementation of any recommendations of that Report are within the remit of the HSE, who will respond further to the Deputy.
107. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details, including terms of reference, make up and timeframe for reporting, of the independent investigation being set up by the Health Service Executive and tasked to address matters regarding orthodontic services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37268/14]
View answerPA Consulting Group was commissioned by the HSE to undertake a review of Orthodontic Services. The terms of reference were to:
- assess the current delivery system and
- make recommendations for the future organisation and management.
The review commenced in November 2012 and was completed in late 2013.
The key issue highlighted by the review is that the Orthodontic Service should be fully integrated within the Primary Care Service. This is under consideration by the HSE to be implemented as part of the HSE's reform programme.
108. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in improving services for citizens with dementia; if he will introduce a charter of rights for all such citizens whether they are living in the community or in care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37273/14]
View answerIt is estimated that there are currently approximately 47,000 people with dementia in Ireland and that number is expected to increase threefold to approximately 132,000 by 2041. Accordingly, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to develop a 'National Alzheimer’s and other Dementias' Strategy to increase awareness, ensure early diagnosis and intervention and, ensure development of enhanced community based services.
A public consultation process to inform the development of the Strategy was conducted in 2012 and a report of this was published on my Department’s website in February 2013. A Working Group, representative of key stakeholders from my Department, the HSE, the medical profession and the community and voluntary sector was convened to advise on the preparation of the Strategy, which is now at an advanced stage and the Strategy will be published over the coming months.
The Strategy will have a very practical focus, will be action oriented and will focus on what can be done to make a difference to the lives of people with dementia. Implementation will commence immediately after publication, with the initial emphasis being on actions that can be progressed within existing resources. The Strategy does not envisage the introduction of a charter of rights for people with dementia, but as well as specific Actions, it will set out a number of Principles to inform the design and delivery of all services and supports for people with dementia.
109. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card review appeal in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37274/14]
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.
110. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37275/14]
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.
111. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health the total allocated budget for his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the actual outturns in each of his Department subheads at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37285/14]
View answerThe amount allocated to my Department's Vote and the outturn by subhead for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 are published by the Comptroller and Auditor General in the Appropriation Account for the Vote each year. These Appropriation Accounts are available on the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General's website.
The following table sets out the amount allocated by subhead for 2014 for my Department's Vote, as published in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2014, and the amount spent to date by subhead.
|
- |
Subhead |
REV 2014 |
Actual to end September 2014 |
|
- |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
A.1. |
Salaries, wages and allowances |
24,692 |
16,443 |
|
A.2. |
Travel and subsistence |
654 |
271 |
|
A.3. |
Training and development and incidental expenses |
1,003 |
461 |
|
A.4. |
Postal and telecommunications services |
628 |
282 |
|
A.5. |
Office equipment and external IT services |
1,824 |
903 |
|
A.6. |
Office premises expenses |
725 |
293 |
|
A.7. |
Consultancy services and value for money and policy reviews |
1,391 |
1,020 |
|
B.1. |
Grants to research bodies and other research grants |
36,183 |
15,914 |
|
B.2. |
Grants to health agencies and other similar organisations (part funded by National Lottery) |
3,286 |
1,461 |
|
B.3. |
Drugs Initiative |
7,381 |
6,897 |
|
C. |
Expenses in connection with the World Health Organisation and other International bodies |
2,600 |
1,719 |
|
D. |
Statutory and non-statutory inquiries and miscellaneous legal fees and settlements |
10,093 |
8,088 |
|
E.1. |
Developmental, consultative, supervisory, regulatory and advisory bodies |
56,643 |
32,362 |
|
E.2. |
The Food Safety Promotion Board |
5,771 |
5,712 |
|
E.3. |
The National Treatment Purchase Fund Board and Special Delivery Unit |
5,100 |
2,550 |
|
E.4. |
Ireland / Northern Ireland Interreg |
2,190 |
853 |
|
F.1. |
Payments in respect of disablement caused by thalidomide |
745 |
288 |
|
F.2. |
Payments in respect of persons claiming to have been damaged by vaccination |
1 |
— |
|
F.3. |
Payments to a special account established under section 10 of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Acts 1997 and 2002 |
24,786 |
21,100 |
|
F.4. |
Payments to a reparation fund established under section 11 of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Acts 1997 and 2002 |
3,849 |
2,500 |
|
G. |
Dissemination of information, conferences and publications in respect of health and health services |
813 |
270 |
|
H. |
Grants in respect of building and equipping (including ICT) of agencies funded by the Department |
15,527 |
5,769 |
|
- |
Gross expenditure |
205,885 |
125,156 |
|
I. |
Appropriations-in-aid |
3,916 |
3,471 |
|
- |
Net expenditure |
201,969 |
211,685 |
112. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of all local drugs task forces currently in receipt of funding from his Department or the Health Service Executive; the total allocated budget for each local drug task force in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37291/14]
View answerIn furtherance of the National Drugs Strategy, my Department administers a Drugs Initiative which primarily funds community based drugs initiatives supported by Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. The budget allocation for the fourteen Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces for each of the years referred to by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Task Force |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Ballyfermot |
1,492,413 |
1,569,489 |
1,522,404 |
461,150 |
|
Ballymun |
1,209,976 |
1,180,695 |
1,145,274 |
632,817 |
|
Blanchardstown |
1,152,227 |
1,124,343 |
1,090,613 |
179,305 |
|
Bray |
1,612,114 |
1,573,101 |
1,525,908 |
573,860 |
|
Canal Communities |
1,600,987 |
1,562,243 |
1,515,376 |
338,605 |
|
Clondalkin |
1,455,032 |
1,421,577 |
1,428,930 |
388,114 |
|
Cork |
1,617,730 |
1,578,581 |
1,531,224 |
411,988 |
|
Dublin 12 |
1,148,145 |
1,120,360 |
1,086,749 |
74,013 |
|
Dublin NE |
1,259,256 |
1,228,782 |
988,234 |
422,251 |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
949,137 |
926,167 |
898,382 |
94,676 |
|
Finglas Cabra |
959,818 |
936,590 |
908,492 |
263,277 |
|
NIC |
2,428,391 |
2,369,624 |
2,298,535 |
576,956 |
|
SIC |
2,215,434 |
2,161,821 |
2,096,966 |
255,720 |
|
Tallaght |
1,281,356 |
1,250,347 |
1,262,837 |
452,712 |
|
Total |
20,382,016 |
20,003,720 |
19,299,924 |
5,125,444 |
In the region of €5.1m has been allocated to Local Drugs Task Force projects this year from the Drugs Initiative. The reduced allocation in 2014 reflects the fact that some €13.8m in funding related to Local Drugs Task Force projects was transferred to the HSE by my Department on 1st January 2014.
I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to details of any other funding allocated by the HSE to Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces between 2011 and 2014.
113. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health the names of all of the task force co-ordinators for local drugs task forces in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37292/14]
View answerThere are fourteen Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces - twelve in Dublin, one in Bray and another in Cork. 10 Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces cover the remainder of the country. The coordinator plays a pro-active role in driving the work of the Drug and Alcohol Task Force and managing its day-to-day operation.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the coordinators of the Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces is being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
114. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a person suffering from Huntington's disease who wishes to access the service at Blooomfield, Rathfarnham, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37308/14]
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.
115. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health his plans to make publicly available treatments for life-threatening reactions to treat anaphylactic shock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37309/14]
View answerAdrenaline pens, as injectable medicines, may only be supplied on foot of a valid prescription. However, there is provision in the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 (as amended) which permits pharmacists, advanced paramedics, paramedics and emergency medical technicians, in emergency circumstances, to supply certain prescription only medicines including adrenaline injections without a prescription.
My Department is currently reviewing the regulatory framework in the context of the supply and administration arrangements for a number of prescription only medicinal products, such as adrenaline, which are used in emergency situations. As part of this review, it is proposed to carry out a consultation process with stakeholders on supply and administration provisions relating to these products.
116. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the funding available in his Department to assist families in assisting children with dyslexia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37310/14]
View answerDyslexia is a common type of learning difficulty that mainly affects the skills involved in reading and spelling words. I have been informed by the Department of Education and Skills that dyslexia is classified as a Specific Learning Disability and that additional teaching resources and funding are allocated by that Department in order to meet the needs of children with such Special Learning Disabilities, including those with dyslexia. From a health perspective, the provision of health-related services is an operational matter for the HSE. Accordingly, I have asked the Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with information regarding health services which may be available to assist these children.
117. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form, figures on the life expectancy for both men and women in the electoral divisions of Clondalkin-Moorfield, Clondalkin-Rowlagh, Palmerstown West, Clondalkin-Dunawley, Clondalkin-Monastery, Clondalkin-Village, Dalkey Hill, Killiney North, Dalkey Upper, Dún Laoghaire-Sandycove, and Dún Laoghaire-Glasthule. [37315/14]
View answerLife expectancy for men and women at the level of geography requested by the Deputy is not available. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) produce official statistics on life expectancy but not at the level of electoral division. Further published information on life expectancy is available on the CSO's website, www.cso.ie.
118. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a day, residential and respite service (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37329/14]
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.
119. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a Bill (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37330/14]
View answerThe 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.
120. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding medical card applications in respect of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37331/14]
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.
121. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when funding will be released for a nursing home scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37333/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
122. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the specific legislative basis on which a medical card may be withdrawn by the Health Service Executive in advance of the expiry date shown on the card when the person's income and medical circumstances have not changed, but where changes have been made in eligibility criteria. [37343/14]
View answerUnder the Health Act, 1970, as amended, eligibility for a medical card is based on whether a person is unable, without undue hardship, to arrange GP services for themselves and their family, having regard to their overall financial situation and reasonable expenditure. The HSE can only award medical cards in accordance with the legislation and, therefore, it must assess applicants on the overall financial situation of the applicant and his or her dependants.
All medical cards are subject to a periodic review of eligibility to determine continuing eligibility. The Deputy will be aware that each person who has eligibility to a medical or GP visit card receives a plastic card on which a “valid to” date is printed. This is the latest date that a review may be conducted in respect of that person. Notwithstanding the “valid to” date printed on the card, the HSE reserves the right to review eligibility, at any time, and take appropriate action in circumstances where the cardholder does not establish that he/she continues to fulfil the criteria for eligibility under the Medical Card / GP Visit Card National Assessment Guidelines.
The Deputy will also be aware that the gross income limits for an over-70s medical card were revised with effect from 1st January 2014 under the Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Act 2013. The HSE is required to identify those persons who no longer have full eligibility as a result of this change in eligibility criteria, and, in place of the medical card, issue a GP visit card to those with gross income up to €700 (single person)/€1,400 (couple) per week. While a person's income and medical circumstances may not have changed, he/she would lose eligibility for the over -70s medical card if gross income is in excess of €500 (single person)/€900 (couple) per week.
It is HSE policy to extend the eligibility for a reasonable period of time until the review is carried out and a final decision made on the person's continuing eligibility, once there is appropriate communication from the individual. Medical card holders who genuinely engage with the review of their medical card eligibility will not have their eligibility withdrawn before that review is complete.
123. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card was granted for only one year in respect of a person over 70 years (details supplied) in Dublin 11. [37344/14]
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.
124. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will have their application approved under the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37345/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
125. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland's decision to increase the annual retention fee; if he will intervene in view of the significant financial pressure many in the nursing profession are under; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37347/14]
View answerA new Nurses and Midwives Act was passed into legislation in 2011. The Act provides, inter alia, for the protection of the public in its dealings with nurses and midwives and the enhancement of their high standards of professional education and competencies. The Department of Health is responsible for oversight of the governance of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). The Department has no role in setting or approving registration fees.
The Board is an independent body, answerable to the Oireachtas, with the responsibility to ensure that it has the financial capacity to undertake all its legal obligations. The cost of enacting the additional requirements under the Nurses and Midwives Act 20141 was set out in the Regulatory Impact Analysis that was carried out prior to the enactment of the legislation. These costs include an enhanced regulatory process with supporting systems for continued professional development and certain education and training requirements for the professions.
It was also made clear at the time of the legislation that the Board would continue to be self-funding and needed to plan and cost how it would fulfil its legal obligations. Following detailed negotiations with the Executive and Board members in 2013 it was agreed in October 2013 that an initial once-off sum of €1.6m would be granted by the Department to the Board to cover 2013/2014 costs, but that the Board would have to increase its income in 2015 to undertake its commitments in the legislation. The Board of the NMBI made the decision to increase the annual registration fee at its meeting on 17th September, 2014. A helpline, email address and website information page have been made available by the NMBI to provide clarification for registrants who may have queries on this matter.
126. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if funding will be made available in respect of a person (details supplied). [37364/14]
View answerIn relation to the particular patient query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
127. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the tendering process for enhanced home services for older people in the community; the way it is envisaged that the new tender price that requires a reduction of 20% in the hourly rate payable to those providing the services will provide an acceptable level of service when it is clear that well established home care companies were unable to provide acceptable levels of service at this hourly rate in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37366/14]
View answerOn 17 April, 2014 the HSE invited tenders to provide high quality enhanced home support and personal care services for older people. I am aware that legal proceedings have been instigated in relation to the tender and these are ongoing. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for a more detailed reply.
128. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will review the rate of pay for graduate mental health nurses; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these graduate nurses are being offered employment at 85% pay while their counterparts in general nursing are being offered contracts on 100% pay; if he will examine this matter; his views that this distinction is fair and equitable in view of the fact that general nurses and mental health nurses hold the same qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37387/14]
View answerAs provided for in the Haddington Road Agreement the rate of pay for participants in the Graduate Nurse Programme is 85% of the first point of the January 2011 staff nurse scale in the first year progressing to 90% in year two of participation. These rates apply to graduate mental health nurses and general nurses. As the pay of mental health staff nurses is slightly higher than general staff nurses the pay of graduate mental health nurses participating in the Programme is correspondingly higher than graduate general nurses. The graduate mental health nurse's basic pay is €23,667 in the first year and €25,059 in the second year while the graduate general staff nurse's basic pay is €23,129 in the first year and €24,490 in the second year. Participants also receive allowances and other premium payments that generally apply to nursing grades.
Health service managers may appoint graduates to fill suitable posts under the Graduate Nurse Programme in general nursing, mental health nursing, intellectual disability nursing or midwifery. Currently 45% of appointments are in mental health nursing, 42% in general nursing and the balance split between intellectual disability nursing and midwifery. Separate to the Graduate Nurse Programme, it is also open to management to make staff nurse appointments for any of the nursing specialties in the normal course where it is established that this is required to meet service needs.
129. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the procedures in place to regulate and monitor the quality of home care services delivered by both public and private sector bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37401/14]
View answerGovernment 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, and this will be progressed in the context of overall legislative and resource priorities.
I would like to emphasise, however, that statutory regulation or licensing is only one way of improving quality and safety. The HSE is already progressing a range of measures to improve Home Care provision overall, to standardise services nationally and to promote quality and safety. These include a Procurement Framework for Home Care Services with quality and screening requirements which came into effect in 2012 and applies to services procured by the HSE from external providers. The HSE is currently undertaking a review of home care services with a view to improving services generally.
130. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health his views on implementing a scheme to register dental technicians practising in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37402/14]
View answerThe Dental Council is currently at an early stage of consideration of the development of a registration scheme for dental technicians.
