Written Answers Nos. 128-135
128. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding heads 10 and 11 of the Children and Family Relationships Bill 2014, in view of certain concerns (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7398/15]
View answerThe Children and Family Relationships Bill, which is being published this week, contains a number of changes from the General Scheme that was published in September, including in relation to the particular Heads of Bill referred to in the Deputy's question. The intention is that couples who have children through donor assisted human reproduction under the conditions set out in the Bill will be able to jointly register as the child's parents. I look forward to discussing these issues at second stage next week
129. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will support the young persons who leave care of the State at 18 years of age; if he will ensure adequate follow-up services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7392/15]
View answerAftercare is a term used to describe the planning and support put in place to meet the needs of a young person who is leaving statutory care at 18 years of age, to assist him/her in making the transition to independent living. It is essential that all young people leaving care are provided with the type of transitional support that their individual situation requires.
The Child Care Act 1991 provides that the core eligible age range for aftercare is from 18 years up to 21 years. This can be extended until the completion of a course of education and training in which a young person who has left care, or is leaving care, is engaged, up to the age of 23 years.
Current aftercare provision incorporates advice, guidance and practical (including accommodation and financial) support. Advocating on behalf of young people to support their development as fulfilled adults in their community and, when necessary, to link them to targeted adult services, are also crucial elements of an aftercare service.
Between 450 and 500 young people leave care annually upon turning 18. According to the Child and Family Agency, at the end of September, 2014 there were 1,698 young people aged 18 to 23 years (inclusive) in receipt of an aftercare service. Of those, 946 (56 %) were in full time education.
A significant number of these young people are supported financially to remain living with their foster carers, in addition to having access to an aftercare worker. The most vulnerable group of children are those leaving residential care or short term foster care placements. Children, who come into care late, in their mid to late teens, may not have developed the relationships with staff or aftercare workers that help them achieve good outcomes.
Young people who do not have family support from a foster carer or family base are assisted in finding accommodation in supported lodgings, sheltered housing or independent accommodation and encouraged and supported financially in furthering their training and education.
The Child and Family Agency has advised that they are in the process of establishing interagency aftercare committees at local level bringing together local authorities, the HSE and other statutory and voluntary agencies. These committees will develop interagency wrap around aftercare plans for young people, particularly for those with complex needs, including housing requirements. The situation regarding the establishment of these committees varies nationally but, it is expected that all committees will be operational by mid-2015.
Furthermore, as the Deputy is aware, it has been decided to strengthen the legislative provisions regarding aftercare. This is in response to concerns that there was insufficient focus in this area and that such planning was not taking place on a properly structured and consistent basis. The approach adopted is to impose a statutory duty on the Child and Family Agency to prepare an aftercare plan for an eligible child or eligible young person. The aim is to create an explicit, as opposed to implicit, statement of the Agency's duty to satisfy itself as to the child's or young person's need for assistance by preparing a plan that identifies those needs for aftercare supports.
It is anticipated that the Aftercare Bill will be published in the early part of 2015.
130. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is implementing a plain English policy, as outlined by the National Adult Literacy Agency, in his Department's communications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7278/15]
View answerIt is the policy of my Department to ensure that the Department's publications are presented at a level of plain English commensurate with the specified audience which may include:
- Elected officials, Government Departments, policy makers, researchers and academics;
- Professionals working with and for children, for example, teachers, social workers, youth workers, child-care workers;
- Parents and general adult population;
- Children and young people.
A link to the website of the National Adult Literary Agency is on my Department's website www.dcya.gov.ie.
131. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health if the case of a child (details supplied) can be expedited for north Lee early intervention team assessment as their parent and health professionals involved are concerned that early detection of potential autistic spectrum disorder symptoms are critical to planning the best possible care plans. [7318/15]
View answerAs the issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. I have asked the HSE to look into the particular matter raised and to reply directly 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.
132. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a pension payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7358/15]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the matter. 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.
133. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health his plans to approve Fampyra as a drug that will be provided free under the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7163/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds by the on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics. They are not political or Ministerial decisions.
The HSE received an application for the inclusion of Fampridine in the GMS and community drugs schemes. The application was considered in line with the procedures and timescales agreed by the Department of Health and the HSE with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association for the assessment of new medicines.
In accordance with these procedures, the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics conducted a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of Fampridine and concluded that, as the manufacturer was unable to demonstrate sufficient effectiveness and a fair price for Fampridine in the Irish health-care setting, it was unable to recommend the reimbursement of the product.
On foot of this, the HSE decided that it was not in a position to add the drug to the List of Reimbursable Items supplied under the GMS and other community drug schemes.
It is open to the supplier, at any time, to submit a new application to the HSE for the inclusion of Fampridine on the community drugs schemes incorporating new evidence which demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of the drug, by offering a reduced price or both. A revised application was received by the HSE on 25 July 2014. The HSE has since been engaging with the company seeking an improved commercial offering. These engagements have been completed and the HSE is now considering the outcome of those commercial engagements. The HSE has also engaged with clinical experts and is considering the outcome of those engagements. Fampridine will be assessed along with a range of other applications for reimbursement of medicines for multiple sclerosis and other diseases.
135. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when persons (details supplied) in County Offaly will receive a decision on an application for a medical card. [7198/15]
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.
