Written Answers Nos. 183 - 189
183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health to set out the extent to which the incidence of autism here compares with other countries in the European Union; whether particular research is ongoing to identify contributing factors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3026/15]
View answerAutism is a developmental disorder that appears in the early years of life and affects the brain's normal development in the areas of social interaction and communication. While the exact cause of these developmental abnormalities remain unclear, genetic and other non genetic factors such as brain development during pregnancy are thought to play a role. Autism is described as a spectrum disorder (Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD) that can have a varied presentation of characteristics ranging from mild to severe. Many individuals with autism, due to the complexity of their presentation, may have a primary diagnosis of intellectual disability or mental health co-morbidity.
Although there has been an increased demand in recent years for assessment for ASD it is not clear whether this is due to increased prevalence or to a greater awareness and recognition of the need for earlier intervention. The Health Service Executive does not currently collect information specifically on adults and children identified with Autism on a national basis on the basis of diagnosis. Information pertaining to diagnosis is specifically excluded from the National Intellectual Disability Database as the database is not designed as a medical epidemiological tool. Accordingly the database does not record the incidence of autism or any other disability. The 2011 National Council for Special Education (NCSE) study on prevalence of special educational needs in Ireland (A Study on the Prevalence of Special Educational Needs, Joanne Banks and Selina McCoy, Economic and Social Research Institute) includes autism and estimates that prevalence for ASD is 1 in 100. This is in line with the figure of .9% reported by the Centre for Disease Control in the US.
Research was initiated in 2004 into autism under the auspices of the HRB as part of the Autism Genome Project - a collaboration of autism researchers internationally aimed at understanding susceptibility to ASD. The research groups for this work were based in Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin. This research investigated the genetic risk factors in ASD by pooling DNA obtained from a large international sample of individuals and their families, including many Irish families. Genetic screening was then employed to identify (i) genetic variants that might increase the risk of autism and (ii) structural changes in the DNA of people with autism. In parallel, complete clinical information was gathered on participants and the clinical and genetic information was combined in the analysis. The main outcome showed that although ASDs have a substantial genetic basis, most of the known genetic risk has been traced to rare structural gene variants. These gene variants were both de novo (arising for the first time in individuals) or inherited, implicating many novel ASD genes and genes involved in neurodevelopment.
In relation to ongoing research, I understand that an Autism Research Group in Trinity College Dublin is focusing on understanding the genetic and neurobiological underpinnings of autism using genetic and neuroimaging methodologies. The Group is funded through a variety of funding agencies and collaborates widely nationally and internationally.
184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health to set down the countries throughout Europe most affected by fall-out from Chernobyl; the extent of the health issues arising in terms of the number of incidents of cancer; how this country compares with others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3027/15]
View answerDefinitive data on the consequences from Chernobyl on the incidence of cancer in Ireland is not available.
The National Cancer Registry (NCR) publishes data in cancer incidence, treatment and survival in Ireland. This data can be accessed on the NCR website (http://www.ncri.ie/client.choose-stats).
Responsibility for radiological protection in general rests with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health to outline his plans to make adequate provision for the potential life-saving availability of an EpiPen without prescription in emergency situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3028/15]
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 policy in this area and will shortly carry out a consultation process on wider availability of a number of prescription only medicines used in emergency situations including adrenaline auto-injectors. This review will explore, among other things the use of guidelines or protocols by means of which non-health professionals may supply and administer adrenaline auto-injectors without a prescription.
186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health to outline the extent to which dialogue has been entered into and settlement arrangements made with the victims of symphysiotomy in accordance with the Government's decision in this regard; the extent to which individual requirements of the women concerned in respect of redress have been met; whether access to the courts remains available to any victim receiving a redress payment; when all outstanding issues are likely to be met, with particular reference to keeping in mind the serious and long-standing suffering of the victims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3029/15]
View answerThe Surgical Symphysiotomy Payment Scheme commenced on 10 November 2014. Applications are being assessed by former High Court Judge Maureen Harding Clark. The Scheme has in the region of €34 million available and participants will receive awards at three levels - €50,000, €100,000 and €150,000. The Scheme was designed to be simple, straightforward and non-adversarial, and aims to minimise the stress for all women concerned. It was designed following meetings with all three support groups, two of which have welcomed its establishment. It was established to give women who do not wish to pursue their cases through the courts an alternative, simple, non-adversarial option.
Applications had to be made within 20 working days of the Commencement Date. The closing date for receipt of applications was therefore Friday 5 December 2014. In exceptional circumstances, Judge Clark had discretion to extend the time for receipt of applications by an additional 20 working days, that is, to Wednesday, 14 January 2015.
Judge Clark has informed my officials that a total of around 590 applications had been made to the Scheme by the final closing date. Fifty five awards totalling €3,850,000 have been made to 19 January 2015.
It is also important to note that where there was a delay arising in the compilation of a woman's supporting documentation due to difficulty in obtaining medical records, applications were accepted by the Scheme, provided the application was received within the time period set out in the Scheme, with a written explanation of the reasons for the absence of the documentation.
The Scheme is voluntary and women do 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.
The Government hopes the implementation of this Scheme will help to bring closure on this issue for the women concerned and their families.
187. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when he and his office was first informed by the Health Service Executive that its anti-flu vaccine is for a different strain of illness than the one which is currently circulating; if this development was discussed at the most recent meeting of the ED task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3030/15]
View answerThe influenza vaccine constitution for the 2014-15 for all countries in the Northern Hemisphere was advised by the World Health Organisation in February 2014 and the HSE tendered for and acquired vaccines to contain these three viruses:
- an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Texas/50/2012 (H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Massachusetts/2/2012-like virus.
In mid to late December, data emerged from North America that the influenza virus in circulation was a mismatch for this year's seasonal influenza vaccine. On the 14th January, the Centre for Disease Control in the US confirmed this mismatch to other countries. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre of the HSE circulated this information to medical professionals and relevant authorities, including my Department, the following day.
The potential impact of seasonal influenza was discussed at the most recent Emergency Department Taskforce meeting.
188. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health to outline his views on whether there will be no cut to Health Service Executive preschool special needs funding in County Meath, in view of indications to the contrary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3031/15]
View answerThe particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive 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.
189. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health to set out the arrangements made to provide nursing services on Inishturk island in County Mayo; the number of days that a nurse or doctor provided a service on the island since 1 December 2015; his views on the level of service being provided by the Health Service Executive to island communities; if he has issued any policy instruction in respect of these services to the HSE; whether health services to islands formed a specific and separate part of the service plan presented to his Department by the HSE for 2015 and agreed by him and the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3051/15]
View answerI have not issued a specific policy instruction in relation to nursing and GP services on the Islands and health services to Islands did not form a specific and separate part of the HSE's 2015 National Service Plan. However, the HSE Primary Care Division's 2015 Operational Plan commits the HSE to review Primary Care Island services.
The HSE has responsibility for the provision of health services to the Islands. Therefore, these matters have been referred to the HSE for attention and 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.
