Written Answers Nos. 111 - 130
111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which facilities of a corrective and rehabilitative nature continue to be made available to those involved in juvenile crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44504/14]
View answerI assume the Deputy is referring to facilities within the children detention school system operating on the Oberstown campus at Lusk, Co. Dublin.
As prescribed under Section 158 of the Children Act 2001, as amended, the principal object of the children detention schools is to provide appropriate education, training and other programmes and facilities for children referred to them by the courts. The delivery of children detention services is focused on education and rehabilitation of those young people detained in order to address offending behaviour and support their early re-integration into the community. The development project which is currently nearing completion on the Oberstown campus to increase capacity and enable the extension of the child care model of detention to all children under the age of 18 also includes the provision of new education and recreation facilities as well as dedicated visiting facilities and a medical facility. Along with the existing services already being provided these new facilities will ensure sufficient age and ability appropriate facilities to support the delivery, by the Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB), of the necessary and vital education services to young people in detention.
An individual management plan is put in place for each child on admission to the children detention schools which includes an assessment using a mental health screening tool to determine the need for more specialist assessment or intervention from specialists within the Assessment, Consultation and Therapy Service (ACTS). This is a national service provided by the Child and Family Agency that provides clinical services to children in detention and in special care, as well as short term interventions when the child returns to the community.
The Deputy should note that earlier community based interventions to divert young people from offending behaviour, such as the Garda Youth Diversion Projects and the Garda Diversion Programme, which aim to engage young people in a process of learning and development that enables them to make positive lifestyle choices are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.
112. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the ministerial transport costs for the years 2010 to 2013, inclusive, for each Minister and Minister of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44885/14]
View answerMy Department was established in 2011. The expenditure relating to Ministerial transport, encompassing overseas and domestic travel transport costs is set out below.
|
Year |
Ministerial Transport Costs |
|
2011 |
€19,599 |
|
2012 |
€14,600 |
|
2013 |
€20,832 |
113. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he has familiarised himself with the child support services provided by Teenline; the degree to which he has evaluated the importance of the services provided by the organisation; the extent to which he might expect to be in a position to provide ongoing support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44431/14]
View answerTeenline is a voluntary organisation established in 2005 to provide a dedicated helpline service for young people who may be going through difficult times and need someone to talk to. Teenline provides an evening phone line service 7 days a week. The organisation was funded by the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) between 2007 and 2013.
Following many months of engagement with Teenline Ireland, which included an independent evaluation, the NOSP notified the organisation on 3rd March, 2014, of its decision to withdraw funding for this service. This decision was based on two primary considerations, the enduring and prevalent concerns pertaining to multiple aspects of Teenline Ireland’s governance and service provision and the limited capacity of Teenline Ireland to provide a national, quality assured helpline and multimedia service to young people.
It should be noted, however, that the NOSP continues to support a range of services for teenagers and young people including Childline, SpunOut.ie and ReachOut.com/Inspire Ireland. The 24-hour call services provided by the Samaritans and Childline remain available to any young person in distress and continue to be funded by the NOSP.
The NOSP helps to support a wide array of work in communities, in partnership with the voluntary sector, across the country that focus on promoting positive mental health and reducing suicide and self-harm by providing significant grant funding each year - almost €5 million in 2013 – as well as by assisting in coordinating and giving strategic direction to the work undertaken.
114. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which he expects to be in a position to offer assistance to voluntary bodies or agencies providing counselling or other support services for children or teenagers with particular reference to those deemed to be at risk of or in danger of self-harm; if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of the quality and scale of back-up services available in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44496/14]
View answerThe National Office for Suicide Prevention supports a range of services for teenagers and young people including Childline, SpunOut.ie and ReachOut.com/Inspire Ireland. The 24 hour call services provided by the Samaritans and Childline are available to any young person in distress. These services are also funded by the NOSP.
The NOSP helps to support a wide array of work in communities, in partnership with the voluntary sector, across the country that focus on promoting positive mental health and reducing suicide and self-harm by providing significant grant funding each year - almost €5 million in 2013 – as well as by assisting in coordinating and giving strategic direction to the work undertaken.
The HSE Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are benefiting significantly from the funding provided by the Government for mental health services, which amounts to €766 million in 2014, including additional funding of €20 million this year, as part of total additional funding of €90 million over the period 2012 to 2014 inclusive. By the end of 2014, upwards of 1,100 new posts will be put in place, to strengthen Community Mental Health Teams for both adults and children, and develop other specialist mental health services.
A Vision for Change recommended the establishment of 99 multi-disciplinary Child and Adolescent Mental Health teams to provide acute secondary mental health care in the community. There are now 61 CAMHS teams in place, compared to 54 in 2008. The additional funding in 2012-14 is being used, in part to expand and enhance the skill mix of these teams. Around 230 new posts were allocated to CAMHS over 2012-13 and recruitment is well advanced. All Community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) teams screen referrals received and those deemed to be urgent are seen as a priority, while those deemed routine are placed on a waiting list.
115. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form based on local health office/area and indicating those aged 16 and under and those above 16, the numbers waiting for orthodontic treatment at the end of March 2014, the end of June 2014 and the end of September 2014. [44395/14]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. It should be noted that the nature of orthodontic care means that immediate treatment is not always desirable. It is estimated that in up to 5% of cases it is necessary to wait for further growth to take place before treatment commences. Patients are assessed by the HSE Orthodontic Service under the modified Index of Treatment Need. Patients with the greatest level of need, i.e. Grade 5 or Grade 4 are provided with treatment by the HSE.
Information on waiting times is collated by the HSE by region and for the intervals as shown below only. The information is not collated by age. In general, those waiting over 4 years would be expected to be 16 years or over since they are usually referred at 12-13 years of age approximately.
The information on waiting times for treatment for Quarter 1 of 2014 is as follows:
|
Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment |
1 - 6 months |
7 - 12 months |
13 - 24 months |
25-36 months |
37-48 months |
Over 48 months |
TOTAL |
|
HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster |
897 |
838 |
913 |
965 |
279 |
52 |
3,944 |
|
HSE Dublin North East |
305 |
571 |
930 |
654 |
515 |
520 |
3,495 |
|
HSE South |
567 |
410 |
835 |
935 |
566 |
24 |
3,337 |
|
HSE West |
1,312 |
1,170 |
1,647 |
664 |
77 |
51 |
4,921 |
|
TOTAL |
3,081 |
2,989 |
4,325 |
3,218 |
1,437 |
647 |
15,697 |
Information on waiting times for treatment for Quarter 2 of 2014 is as follows:
|
Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment |
1 - 6 months |
7 - 12 months |
13 - 24 months |
25-36 months |
37-48 months |
Over 48 months |
TOTAL |
|
HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster |
1,133 |
779 |
1,060 |
967 |
294 |
87 |
4,320 |
|
HSE Dublin North East |
163 |
626 |
997 |
757 |
495 |
748 |
3,786 |
|
HSE South |
650 |
439 |
946 |
1,047 |
286 |
9 |
3,377 |
|
HSE West |
1,257 |
1,220 |
1,496 |
895 |
115 |
52 |
5,035 |
|
TOTAL |
3,203 |
3,064 |
4,499 |
3,666 |
1,190 |
896 |
16,518 |
Information on waiting times for treatment for Quarter 3 of 2014 is as follows:
|
Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment |
1 - 6 months |
7 - 12 months |
13 - 24 months |
25-36 months |
37-48 months |
Over 48 months |
TOTAL |
|
HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster |
1,012 |
1,097 |
1,063 |
957 |
314 |
88 |
4,531 |
|
HSE Dublin North East |
153 |
401 |
969 |
810 |
752 |
730 |
3,815 |
|
HSE South |
704 |
506 |
832 |
958 |
435 |
33 |
3,468 |
|
HSE West |
1,206 |
1,218 |
1,443 |
1,153 |
124 |
48 |
5,192 |
|
TOTAL |
3075 |
3,222 |
4,307 |
3,878 |
1625 |
899 |
17,006 |
The HSE has recently established a pilot scheme in Dublin North East which will involve the use of orthodontic therapists in the treatment of a number of eligible children. In addition, over the next three years orthodontic treatment for certain categories of misalignment will be provided by a panel of independent practitioners under contract to the HSE. A national procurement process is currently underway and is due to be ready for commencement in January 2015. This initiative will especially focus on those waiting for 4 years or longer. It is expected that these changes will have a positive impact on waiting times.
116. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form for each public hospital the number of critical care beds in each at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and the latest figure for 2014 [44411/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
117. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the basis for the charges accruing to medical card holders and non-medical card holders under the Health (Amendment) Act 2005 since 1 July 2014 and which relate to costs incurred after the period of a 30 day inpatient stay in a hospital; the categories of those liable for such charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44413/14]
View answerCharges for long-stay in-patient services in specified settings, including hospitals, have been in place since 15 July 2005 and no changes were introduced with effect from 1 July 2014. Hospital in-patients with full eligibility are not subject to payment of any in-patient charges while in receipt of acute care. Long-stay charges only apply in a hospital context to in-patients, with full or limited liability, who are not in acute care.
The rates were last amended in July 2011 and apply to two different classes of charges, in respect of the maintenance element of the in-patient services provided:
- Class 1 - charges for those receiving in-patient services on premises where 24 hour nursing care is provided are based on income, subject to a current maximum of €175 per week for a person whose income is €208 or any greater amount; and
- Class 2 - charges for those receiving in-patient services on premises where 24 hour nursing care is not provided are based on income, subject to a current maximum of €130 per week for a person whose income is €194 or any greater amount.
A 30-day threshold of service provision within the immediately preceding 12-month period applies, prior to the imposition of charges. The charges are structured to ensure that those paying them retain a reasonable minimum income for personal use (at least €33 per week for those paying Class 1 rates and at least €64 per week for those paying Class 2 rates). In addition, the HSE may reduce or waive a charge imposed on a person in order to avoid undue financial hardship to that person (including having regard to whether or not the person has dependants).
118. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the basis on which drug treatment services continue to be almost exclusively methadone maintenance based; the reason there is such little emphasis on recovery for those who are addicted to heroin or methadone; the basis for this policy and his proposals; if he will review this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44425/14]
View answerA core objective of the National Drugs Strategy is to provide an appropriate and timely range of treatment and rehabilitation services, including drug-free and harm reduction approaches, tailored to meet the needs of the individual.
Methadone maintenance treatment is a critical stabilising treatment that enables people to counter their problem drug use. According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, methadone is the most commonly prescribed substitution treatment for problem opiate use in Europe. In conjunction with other services and supports such as counselling, after-care and training, methadone maintenance treatment provides a pathway to recovery for the individual affected by problem substance use.
An Expert Group, set up by my Department in 2006, examined the regulatory framework required to facilitate the prescribing, dispensing and supply of buprenorphine/naloxone and buprenorphine-only products as alternatives to methadone. In 2011, this Group concluded that methadone is the drug of first choice in the treatment of opioid dependency, but that buprenorphine/naloxone may be more appropriate for particular cohorts of clients.
The HSE has established an Opioid Substitution Implementation Group to develop a plan for facilitating the wider availability of buprenorphine/naloxone and buprenorphine-only products as alternatives to methadone. The Group comprises representations from the HSE and my Department, including medical professionals with specific interest in addiction. I understand that the HSE is currently in discussions with the supplier company in relation to the pricing structure relating to the product. The outcome of these discussions will inform the recommendations of the Group.
119. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 is being denied transport by the Health Service Executive to the Stewarts adult service in Rosse Court Clinic, Lucan, County Dublin. [43770/14]
View answer120. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health his views on the failure of the Health Service Executive to provide transport in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 to the Stewarts adult service in Rosse Court Clinic, Lucan, County Dublin, and in view of the person concerned not being able to avail of this service. [43771/14]
View answer121. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the Health Service Executive to provide transport in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 to enable the person to access Stewarts adult service in Rosse Court, Lucan, County Dublin. [43772/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 119 to 121, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, she can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
122. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the circumstances prompting the closure of a nursing home (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and the reasons the facility remains closed. [44095/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
123. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment date for an operation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44429/14]
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.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
124. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a recent case in which it took eight hours for a doctor on call to arrive to the home of an 82 year old person from Kilcoole, County Wicklow, on 18 July 2014; the average time for a doctor on call call-out to arrive, in north Wicklow; and if he is satisfied that suitable protocols are in place in order that doctors on call can respond to patients out of hours in the region. [44433/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
125. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo with medical conditions has had their medical card withdrawn; when this card will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44436/14]
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.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
126. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on an issue (details supplied) regarding symphysiotomy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44450/14]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Surgical Symphysiotomy Payment Scheme commenced on 10th November 2014. Government has agreed that the Scheme will also include payments for the small number of women who have had a pubiotomy. The Scheme is designed to be simple, straightforward and non-adversarial, and aims to minimise the stress for the women concerned. Many are elderly and may not want to experience the delay, publicity and financial risks that sometimes come with a court case. I met all three support groups representing the women last September and their views have helped to shape the Scheme. The Scheme is supported by two of the three groups representing the women.
Judge Maureen Harding Clark, retired High Court Judge, has been appointed as independent Assessor to the Scheme. Judge Clark, from her previous work on the Lourdes Hospital Redress Scheme, brings valuable experience to the role of determining the appropriate level of award for each individual.
The Symphysiotomy Scheme is open to women who are still living and who underwent a surgical symphysiotomy or pubiotomy in the State between the years 1940 and 1990. Awards of €50,000, €100,000 and €150,000 will be offered. Women who have had a surgical symphysiotomy may accept an award of €50,000. For women who have had a symphysiotomy and have suffered significant disability a higher award of €100,000 will be offered. Where a woman has had a symphysiotomy immediately following Caesarean section an award of €100,000 will be offered and where she has suffered significant disability following these procedures €150,000 will be offered. For a woman who underwent a pubiotomy an award of €100,000 will be offered and for women who have suffered significant disability following this procedure, €150,000 will be offered. Details of the Terms of the Scheme and how to access application forms have been widely advertised.
Awards will be exempt from tax and legislation is being put in place as a matter of urgency to ensure they are also exempt from being taken into consideration for means tested welfare schemes. The Judge expects to make payments to some women before Christmas.
It is not a requirement for a woman to retain a Solicitor to make an application. However, the Scheme makes provision for applicants to have legal and other advice available to them in preparing to submit an application if they wish. Judge Clark has assured me that if women have questions on any aspect of the Scheme, her staff will be available to assist in any way possible.
Applications must be made within 20 working days of the Commencement Date, which was 10 November, 2014. The Closing Date for receipt of applications is therefore Friday, 5 December 2014. In exceptional circumstances, Judge Clark has discretion to extend the time for receipt of applications by an additional 20 working days, that is, to Wednesday, 14 January 2015. It is important to note that in the event of a delay arising in the compilation of an applicant's supporting documentation due to difficulty in obtaining medical records, the application should be submitted within the time period set out in the Scheme with a written explanation of the reasons for the absence of the documentation. The details of this provision are set out in the terms and conditions of the Scheme.
The Scheme is voluntary and I would like to emphasise that women will not waive their rights to take their cases to court as a precondition to participating in the Scheme. Women may opt out of the Scheme at any stage in the process, up to the time of accepting their award. It is only on accepting the offer of an award that a woman must agree to discontinue her legal proceedings against any party arising out of a symphysiotomy or pubiotomy.
In agreeing to this Scheme, the Government has demonstrated its commitment to trying to bring a resolution for the women concerned. The Government has acknowledged the pain and suffering which the procedure caused to many of the women and is also aware of the uphill battle many of them will face in the courts with uncertainty about the outcome of that process. I hope the implementation of this Scheme will be of benefit to the women concerned and their families.
127. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when the independent review of orthodontic services commissioned by the Health Service Executive in 2012 was published. [44451/14]
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 will be implemented as part of the establishment by the HSE of the Community Healthcare Organisations.
The following information was provided under Standing Order 40A
The HSE has confirmed that the PA Consulting Orthodontic services review has not been published as yet because its recommendations have to be integrated into the new Community Healthcare Organisation reform agenda. It will be subject to discussion with the relevant primary care dental services, including orthodontists, in this regard.
128. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Sligo, who has been admitted in Sligo Regional Hospital for the past four weeks and who is awaiting surgery on a serious pelvic tumour in the UK, is entitled to access funding under the treatment abroad scheme; when this funding will be provided to enable them to travel to the Birmingham Royal Orthopaedic Hospital for this surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44453/14]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. I am advised by the HSE's Treatment Abroad Scheme Office that an application in respect of this patient has been received. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
The HSE operates a Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland under EU Regulation 1408/71, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulations 574/72, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines. Patients, in conjunction with their Irish based public referring hospital consultant, have the ability to apply to the HSE TAS seeking access to public healthcare outside the state through model form E112. The treatment must not be available within the State or not available within a time normally necessary for obtaining it. Applications to TAS are processed and a determination given in accordance with the statutory framework prior to a patient travelling to avail of treatment.
129. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he has health concerns regarding wind turbines being located close to homes or schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44467/14]
View answerPolicy responsibility with regard to planning and the legislative framework in relation to the siting of wind turbines rests with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. My Department provides advice from time to time when requested by the above mentioned Department.
At this time, my Department is not aware of any reliable or consistent evidence that wind turbines directly cause adverse health effects in humans. My Department will continue to monitor developments and evidence and provide advice accordingly.
130. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that the meningitis B vaccination is introduced into the national immunisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44475/14]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. To date, NIAC has not made any recommendation in relation to the use of Meningitis B vaccine in the primary childhood immunisation programme in Ireland. However, NIAC has issued guidance in relation to the use of the Meningitis B vaccine in the control of clusters or outbreaks of Meningococcal B disease.
Should NIAC recommend the inclusion of MenB vaccine into the primary childhood immunisation programme, the Department of Health, in association with the HSE National Immunisation Office will examine the issue.
Meningococcal disease is caused by the Meningococcal bacteria. It is a notifiable disease under the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 452 of 2011).
The Weekly Infectious Disease Report for week 45, published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre on 12 November 2014, indicates that there have been 37 cases of Meningococcal disease notified up to 8 November 2014. This is a decrease of 12 on the same period in 2013.
