Wednesday, 1 Apr 2015

Written Answers Nos. 105 - 128

Ambulance Service Provision

Questions (105, 106, 107)

James Bannon

Question:

105. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will re-assess the ambulance allocation for County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13454/15]

James Bannon

Question:

106. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances in service in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13455/15]

James Bannon

Question:

107. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the age of each individual ambulance in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13456/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 to 107, inclusive, together.

As these are service matters, 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.

Medicinal Products Availability

Questions (108)

Jerry Buttimer

Question:

108. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the assessment process concerning Sativex; when it is anticipated that the process will be complete and a decision made on the availability of the medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13475/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

On the 18 of July 2014 the Health Products Regulatory Authority granted a marketing authorisation for cannabis based medicinal product Sativex® to be marketed in Ireland. The remaining timeframe for making the product available for prescribing in Ireland is the responsibility of the holder of the product authorisation, GW Pharmaceuticals PLC and their European partner Almirall.

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the GMS and community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds by the HSE on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics. They are not political or ministerial decisions.

The HSE received an application for inclusion of Sativex® under the Community Drugs Schemes High Tech Arrangements in early September 2014. Sativex® is indicated for the relief of symptoms of spasticity for people with multiple sclerosis where other conservative treatments have failed to provide adequate benefits.

A Health Technology Assessment on Sativex® has been completed by the National Centre for Pharmaceoeconomics which did not recommend reimbursement of Sativex® at the submitted price.

The Report by the National Centre for Pharmaceoeconomics is an important input to assist the HSE in its decision making process and informs further discussions between the HSE and the supplier. No further comment can be provided at this time as the assessment process is on-going.

Health Insurance Prices

Questions (109)

Catherine Byrne

Question:

109. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health the reason for the 24 April 2015 deadline for those over 34 years of age to take out private health insurance before a higher premium is applied; the way this will work in the context of universal health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13510/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Community rating, reflecting the principle of intergenerational solidarity, is a fundamental cornerstone of the Irish health insurance market. Under community rating, the level of risk that a particular consumer poses to an insurer does not directly affect the premium paid. Premiums for younger or healthier lives are typically higher than their expected claims would require, whereas for older or less healthy lives, premiums are typically lower than the expected claims would require.

Community-rated markets depend on a continuing entry of younger people, to help keep premium prices down for everybody. Lifetime Community Rating is being introduced to encourage people to take out private health insurance at a younger age, thereby helping to spread the costs of older and less healthy people across the market, helping to support affordable premiums for all. There is a nine month grace period, which expires on 30 April 2015, during which time as many people as want to can take out health insurance without incurring loadings. From 1 May 2015, late entry loadings will be applied to those who join the private health insurance market at age 35 or over, set at 2% per year for each year over the age of 34, up to a a maximum loading of 70% at age 69 and over. There are exemptions available for people who previously had health insurance but cancelled it. A credited period can apply for any periods of inpatient cover when a full adult premium is paid in respect of anyone, including spouses and dependent students. In addition, a credited period (in total not exceeding 3 years) is also available for individuals who previously had health insurance but relinquished cover since 1 January 2008 due to unemployment. In such cases, the level of loading will then be reduced by the relevant credited period(s).

LCR relates solely to the current voluntary health insurance market and any loadings that apply after the 1 May 2015 will apply in subsequent years, until Universal Health Insurance is in place.

Disability Support Services

Questions (110)

Clare Daly

Question:

110. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the relationship between the Health Service Executive and St. Michael's House in Dublin 9, from the point of view that if somebody has a complaint in relation to the manner in which the House is run, to whom do they submit this complaint. [13522/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services, including disability services. The HSE either directly provides or contracts disability service providers such as St Michael's House to provide a range of disability services through a service level arrangement (SLA).

Where an individual makes a complaint in relation to the manner in which an agency contracted to the HSE under an SLA is being run, the matter is dealt with in the following manner.

In the first instance, a complainant may write to the Head of Consumer Affairs, Health Service Executive, Oak House, Millennium Park, Naas, Co Kildare; by email to [e-mail]; via the HSE's website at www.hse.ie or by phone to LoCall 1890 424 555.

When the HSE is informed of a complaint about an agency, the Chief Officer in the relevant Community Healthcare Organisation will bring the matter to the attention of the relevant service provider. All service providers are expected to have a suitable complaints process in place. If the complainant remains unsatisfied the matter can then be reviewed by the HSE.

As you may be aware, on 16 December 2014, Mr Tony O'Brien, Director General, HSE announced the appointment of Ms Leigh Gath as "Confidential Recipient" for the Health Service on foot of events at Áras Attracta, Swinford, Co. Mayo. The Confidential Recipient is independent in her functions with the authority to examine complaints or disclosures of abuse of vulnerable persons in receipt of HSE funded services and has the authority to:

- Independently advise and assist individuals on the best course of action to take to raise matters of concern.

- Assist with the referral and examination of concerns.

- Ensure these matters are appropriately addressed by the HSE and its funded agencies.

Ms Gath's contact details are: Ms Leigh Gath, Confidential Recipient for the Health Service, Vocational Training Centre, Dooradoyle, Limerick. Work Email: [e-mail]; Phone Lo-call: 0890-100014.

Patient Safety Agency Establishment

Questions (111)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

111. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce an independent patient safety authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13534/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Plans for the establishment of a Patient Safety Agency are under review in the context of the strategic reform of the health services and the measures that are being taken to strengthen patient safety, including advocacy and related services, within the HSE. This review will allow me to decide on the most appropriate way forward in the best interest of patients.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Maternity Services Provision

Questions (112)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

112. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 724 of 24 March 2015, if either the Rotunda Hospital or the Coombe Hospital in Dublin will be relocating to the Mater or Tallaght Hospital in Dublin, as recommended in the 2009 KPMG report; if either hospital has indicated a desire to move to those proposed locations or to move to a different co-location with another acute hospital; and his views that any relocation or co-location would only be with an acute hospital in the same hospital group. [13542/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

My Department is currently reviewing the recommendations made by KPMG (2008) in relation to the locations for the redevelopment of the Coombe and the Rotunda Hospitals. This review was necessitated by the decision to locate the new National Children’s Hospital at St James’s Hospital, and the consequent need to provide a maternity hospital on that campus in order to have a trilocated adult acute/paediatric/maternity facility. The review is expected to be completed within the next month.

The Masters of both the Coombe and the Rotunda were invited to submit their views to the Department to inform the review. The Deputy can be assured that the submissions received will be fully considered before I make any decision in this matter.

Health Services

Questions (113)

Jack Wall

Question:

113. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Kildare will be assessed for that child's needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13559/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As 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.

Medical Qualifications

Questions (114)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

114. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if there is a system of recognition of Cuban medical qualifications in Ireland; his plans for such recognition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13574/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Recognition of medical qualifications for the purposes of registration as a medical practitioner entitled to work in Ireland is a matter for the Medical Council. I have forwarded your request to the Medical Council for direct reply to the Deputy.

Drug Treatment Programmes

Questions (115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 125, 126)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

115. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of addiction counsellors who were employed by the Health Service Executive drug treatment services for each year from 2006 to 2015. [13575/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

116. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the allocation by geographical area for each addiction counsellor employed by the Health Service Executive drug treatment services from 2006 to 2015. [13576/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

117. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the case load allocated, per year, for each addiction counsellor employed by the Health Service Executive drug treatment services for each year from 2006 to 2015. [13577/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

118. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that caseloads now being allocated to individual addiction counsellors working in the Dublin area have risen significantly, and in some cases individual Health Service Executive addiction counsellors are being allocated in excess of 200 cases per individual addiction counsellor. [13578/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

119. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if there is a crisis in the Health Service Executive addiction counsellor service, due to the inadequate number of addiction counsellors employed by the executive's drug treatment services. [13579/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

120. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the crisis in the lack of availability of adequate numbers of Health Service Executive addiction services counsellors is due to a Government embargo on new recruitment, and the non-replacement of departing counsellors. [13580/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

125. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the date the addiction counsellor services were extended to include a service provision to cannabis abusers. [13585/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

126. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number, by geographical area, of addiction counsellors employed by the Health Service Executive to provide a service to cannabis abusers. [13586/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 to 120, inclusive, and 125 and 126 together.

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Questions (121)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

121. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the status on the current embargo on new recruitment and the replacement of exiting addiction counsellors employed by the Health Service Executive addiction counsellors. [13581/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced in budget 2014 that he intends to delegate greater autonomy to Departments and Agencies to manage their own staffing levels. The change from the application of a rigid employment control framework, with its particular focus on a moratorium on recruitment and compliance with employment ceilings and targets, to one operating strictly within allocated pay frameworks will allow for recruitment where it is determined that this can achieve more economical service delivery.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has advised that the HSE and Department of Health will be required to submit a 2015 Pay and Numbers Strategy. Following approval of the strategy by DPER, a letter of delegated sanction for staffing will be issued. Pending this sanction, the existing moratorium and ECF arrangements will continue to apply.

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the aspect of the question that relates specifically to addiction counsellors. 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.

Health Services Staff Data

Questions (122, 123, 124)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

122. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of addiction counsellors allocated to deal with alcohol. [13582/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

123. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the date that addiction counsellor services were extended to include a service provision to persons experiencing problems with alcohol. [13583/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

124. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number, by geographical area, of addiction counsellors employed by the Health Service Executive to provide a service to alcohol misusers. [13584/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 to 124, inclusive, together.

The provision of services to prevent and treat addiction to alcohol is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive and as such, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply. 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.

As the Deputy may recall, on 3 February 2015, the Government approved the General Scheme of a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. The aim is to reduce alcohol consumption to the OECD average by 2020 (i.e. 9.1 litres of pure alcohol per capita) and the harms caused by alcohol. The Bill is part of a suite of measures agreed by the Government in 2013 on foot of the recommendations in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy. The other measures (eg for the HSE, professional bodies etc) set out in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, were endorsed by Government and are to be progressed by the relevant departments and organisations. The HSE has responsibility for implementing a number of recommendations and some of these measures are reflected in the HSE Service Plan for 2015.

Questions Nos. 125 and 126 answered with Question No. 115.

Medicinal Products Availability

Questions (127)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

127. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied) regarding the drug Fampyra; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13588/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I apologise for the delay in providing a response to the query you raised. A response has now issued directly to you.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (128)

Robert Troy

Question:

128. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding income thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13604/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The gross income limit for an over 70s medical card was set in law at €500 per week for a single person and at €900 per week for a couple from 1 January 2014. Prior to that date, the limits were €600 per week for a single person and €1,200 per week for a couple.

On the single/couple differential from 1 January 2014, the Government recognises that the living costs of an individual living alone are more than half the living costs of a couple living together and that expenditure does not necessarily diminish relative to the number of people in the household. This is recognised, inter alia, through the provision of the Living Alone Increase and differential income limits for medical cards for persons aged under 70 years between individuals and couples.

In that context, the over-70s income limit for a single person was reduced proportionately less than the income limit for a couple.