Written Answers Nos. 474-489
474. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to the Topical Issue debate of 1 April 2015 in which the issue of amending the Health Services (Amendment) Regulations 1971 to facilitate the rewording of an offensive term was raised, his views on amending the legislation by way of ministerial order; if this is the case, if he will provide a commitment to amend the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18448/15]
View answerAs I indicated during the Topical Issue debate on 1 April 2015, the term "Mental handicap" is used in the Health Services (Amendment) Regulations 1971, which specified the conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme. While this was the accepted terminology at that time, the term "Intellectual Disability" would be considered appropriate nowadays. I have asked officials in the Department of Health to examine the feasibility of updating this aspect of the terminology in these Regulations.
476. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of back-to-nursing courses that are available for those wishing to return to nursing after a prolonged absence; if there are any free courses in view of the fact that there are particular challenges recruiting adequate numbers of nurses at present; if he will confirm that the only courses currently available would require a payment or a contractual obligation to work in a specific hospital (details supplied) in Dublin 24; his plans to add any other courses at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18454/15]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for the matter raised.
Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the HSE. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for attention and 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.
477. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health the State boards, bodies or committees on which vacancies currently exist, or on which vacancies are anticipated to arise up to and including 1 January 2016; the number of vacancies in each case; when the vacancy arose or will arise; if the vacancy relates to a chair or a member; if he will provide details of the appointment process in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18482/15]
View answerThe nomination and appointment process for boards of bodies under the aegis of the Department of Health is set out in legislation. In line with the most recent Government Decision S180/20/10/1617 of 2014, relating to the advertising for expressions of interest in vacancies on State Boards, my Department in conjunction with the new Public Appointments Service website portal, Stateboards.ie, currently advertises for board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister for Health, have nominating rights under relevant legislation. I also appoint members on the nomination of various bodies, again in accordance with the relevant legislation.
The table below sets out current and upcoming vacancies for boards under the remit of my Department.
|
Name of Board |
Existing Vacancies |
Status |
Upcoming Vacancies to 1st January 2016 |
Status |
|
Consultative Council on Hepatitis C |
2 (Ordinary Members) 07/05/2014 |
There are currently no plans to fill these vacancies as one organisation which nominated members to the board is no longer in existence. |
N\A |
|
|
Dietitians Registration Board |
1 (Ordinary Member) 30/06/2014 |
There are currently no plans to fill this vacancy |
N\A |
|
|
Food Safety Authority of Ireland |
2 (Ordinary Members) 28/02/2014,30/01/2015 |
My officials are currently liaising with PAS in relation to the required competencies and skillsets and expect to advertise in due course |
N\A |
|
|
Food Safety Consultative Council |
8 (Ordinary Members) 31/12/2010 |
My officials are currently liaising with PAS in relation to the required competencies and skillsets and expect to advertise in due course |
N\A |
|
|
National Paediatric Hospital Development Board |
2 (Ordinary Members) 13/01/2015 |
These are vacancies to be filled on the nomination of other bodies and the appointments are in process. |
N\A |
|
|
Occupational Therapists Registration Board |
1 (Ordinary Member) 29/04/2014 |
There are currently no plans to fill this vacancy |
N\A |
|
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council |
1 (Ordinary Member) 30/05/2014 |
Advertising process with Public Appointments Service is currently under way |
N\A |
|
|
Radiographers Registration Board |
4 (Ordinary Members) 23/01/2014 |
These vacancies are to be filled by election |
N\A |
|
|
Social Workers Registration Board |
3 (Ordinary Members) 04/08/2014, 07/10/2013, 16/07/2014 |
There are currently no plans to fill these vacancies |
N\A |
|
|
St James's Hospital Board |
2 (Ordinary Members) 30/10/2014, 31/12/2014 |
There are currently no plans to fill these vacancies |
1 (17/10/2015) Ordinary Member |
This vacancy is on the nomination of an external body |
|
Voluntary Health Insurance Board |
1 (Ordinary Member) 21/02/2015 |
Advertising process with Public Appointments Service is currently under way |
1 (18/07/2015) Ordinary Member |
Advertising process with Public Appointments Service is currently under way |
|
Irish Blood Transfusion Service |
2 (Ordinary Members) 31/05/2014, 10/12/2014 |
Advertising process with Public Appointments Service is currently under way |
2 (31/05/2015, 10/12/2015) Ordinary Members |
Advertising process with Public Appointments Service is currently under way |
|
Advisory Committee for Human Medicines (HPRA) |
N\A |
12 (31/12/2015) Full Board |
Advertising process with Public Appointments Service will begin 6 months prior to vacancies arising |
|
|
Advisory Committee for Veterinary Medicines (HPRA) |
N\A |
12 (31/12/2015) Full Board |
Advertising process with Public Appointments Service will begin 6 months prior to vacancies arising |
|
|
Advisory Committee for Medical Devices (HPRA) |
N\A |
12 (31/12/2015) Full Board |
Advertising process with Public Appointments Service will begin 6 months prior to vacancies arising |
|
|
Opticians Board |
N\A |
11 (31/12/2015) 10 Ordinary Members 1 Chairperson |
Advertising process with Public Appointments Service will begin 6 months prior to vacancies arising |
|
|
Dental Council |
N\A |
15 (21/11/2015) 14 Ordinary Members 1 Chairperson |
Advertising process with Public Appointments Service will begin 6 months prior to vacancies arising |
|
|
Health and Social Care Professionals Council |
N\A |
1 (23/11/2015) Ordinary Member |
Advertising process with Public Appointments Service will begin 6 months prior to vacancies arising |
|
|
Health Information and Quality Authority |
N\A |
4 (14/05/2015) Ordinary Members |
Campaign currently under way with Public Appointments Service |
|
|
Health Products Regulatory Authority |
N\A |
5 (31/12/2015) 1 Chair 4 Ordinary Members |
Advertising process with Public Appointments Service will begin 6 months prior to vacancies arising |
|
|
Health Research Board |
N\A |
5 (11/06/2015) 5 Ordinary Members |
Campaign currently under way with Public Appointments Service |
|
|
Leopardstown Park Hospital Board |
N\A |
7 (04/09/2015) 1 Chair 6 Ordinary Members |
My officials are currently liaising with the Chairperson of the board in relation to the required competencies and skillsets |
|
|
Scientific Committee of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland |
N\A |
15 (31/12/2015) Full Board |
Advertising process with Public Appointments Service will begin 6 months prior to vacancies arising |
478. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the rights of persons with visual impairment to have access to pedestrian pavements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18489/15]
View answerAccess to pavements and improving access for people with disabilities through promoting an accessible barrier-free pedestrian environment is a matter for the local authority which comes under the remit of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.
479. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on the correspondence (details supplied) regarding claims of mismanagement and a lack of investigation into allegations of abuse and neglect of children in residential care managed by the Health Service Executive. [18502/15]
View answerThe Health Service 'Procedures on Protected Disclosures of Information in the Workplace' were devised to give effect to the legislation on protected disclosures of information as provided for in the Health Act 2004 (as amended by the Health Act 2007). The purpose is to facilitate employees to make protected disclosures in good faith where they have reasonable grounds for believing that the health or welfare of patients, service users or the public may be put at risk, or where there is waste of public funds or legal obligations are not being met, so that the matter can be investigated.
The legislation also provides statutory protection for health service employees from penalisation as a result of making a protected disclosure in good faith in accordance with this procedure.
In this context, I understand that a protected disclosure was raised by two health sector employees in March 2013, with regard to concerns about an organisation that provides services to people with a disability.
As a result of that disclosure, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has been carrying out an investigation into the issues.
As the majority of issues raised relate to the investigation of issues raised in a protected disclosure, which is not yet complete, it is not appropriate for me to comment further at this point.
480. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the numbers on waiting lists in respect of assessment and treatment for speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, with breakdowns by therapy, duration on the waiting list, area and age. [18511/15]
View answerAs the information requested by the Deputy relates to service issues and is not routinely provided to my Department, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy on these matters. 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.
481. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the procedures in place to ensure that where concerns regarding the quality of care provided by a locum consultant are relayed to other hospitals, where that person may be employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18516/15]
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.
482. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure that appropriate transport is provided to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who has to attend a hospital on a daily basis in order to obtain required treatment, or alternatively, if he will ensure adequate finance is made available, by way of an exceptional needs payment, as this person is in receipt of a widow's pension valued at €195.50 per week; in particular, if he will address the issues specified in correspondence furnished to his Department on 27 April 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18522/15]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
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.
483. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the rates of caesarean sections carried out at Saint Luke's Hospital, County Kilkenny; and the way these rates compare to those in comparable hospitals. [18523/15]
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.
484. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent figures from the World Health Organisation that predict an obesity crisis here by 2030, with female obesity alone expected to rise from 23% to 57%; if he is satisfied that his Department is taking adequate steps to address this issue; if he will provide a progress update on the consultation process regarding the forthcoming action plan on obesity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18525/15]
View answerThe World Health Organization presented the results of its WHO Modelling Obesity Project at the European Congress on Obesity meeting on 6 May 2015.
This looks at data from 53 European countries comparing recorded data from 2010 and projected figures for 2013. It is reported that the proportion of overweight and obesity will increase in Irish men from 74 and 26 percent to 89 and 48 percent. For women the increase in obesity will be from 23 to 57 percent. The WHO states that by 2030 Europe will face an obesity crisis of “enormous proportions”. The WHO cautions that the data need to be interpreted with extreme caution as it is a forecasting exercise.
In Ireland the level of obesity has doubled over the past 20 years. Currently two thirds of adults are overweight or obese and one in four children is overweight or obese. One in five adults is physically inactive and only 25 percent of children meet the guidelines on physical activity.
The Special Action Group on Obesity was established by the Minister for Health in 2011 and is working on a range of measures including:
- The development of revised Healthy Eating Guidelines
- Media campaigns to promote awareness on healthy eating
- Treatment Guidelines for overweight and obesity
- Calorie Posting in restaurants
- Developing a code of practice for marketing in the non-broadcast media
In addition, Ireland proposed the development of an EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity and is now leading part of this work.
The Department of Health and the Department of Education and Skills have also been working together on embedding and integrating health and wellbeing into the education system. Specifically, the two Departments have been working to ensure a more co-ordinated approach and infrastructure, involving the HSE, to support schools and teachers to address health and wellbeing issues arising in schools.
New Obesity Policy and Action Plan
In recognition of the obesity challenge, the Department has commenced work on an Obesity policy and Action Plan under the Healthy Ireland Framework. The plan will run from 2015 to 2025. Significant progress has already been made in implementing Healthy Ireland. It is only through taking this “whole of Government” and “whole of society” approach to improving health and wellbeing, that we can collectively address the environmental conditions leading to many health problems.
A national consultation day was held in Farmleigh on April 27 involving approximately 150 key stakeholders with representation from Government Departments, County Councils, Industry, university departments and the education sector. Further consultation days are planned for children and healthcare professionals.
It is intended to develop an action plan not only for the health system but also to propose options for other sectors which play a key role in preventing overweight and obesity. This action plan will be finalised this year and brought to government for approval.
In addition, due to concerns about low levels of physical activity in Ireland, the Department of Health and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and a number of other key stakeholders, are currently developing a National Physical Activity Plan which is expected be launched later in the year.
485. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18532/15]
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.
486. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18534/15]
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.
487. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 221 of 12 March 2015, if he will clarify the meaning of the reply; and if the community rating will apply under universal health insurance. [18537/15]
View answerFor clarification purposes, it is important to note that there is a distinction between 'Lifetime Community Rating’ and ‘Community Rating’. Lifetime Community Rating applies only to the current private health insurance market. In a community-rated health insurance market, everyone pays the same premium for the same product regardless of age or risk status. Under Lifetime Community Rating (LCR), community rating is modified to reflect the age at which a person takes out private health insurance. Lifetime community rating applies only to the current voluntary private health insurance market. It was introduced on the 1st May 2015 as a means of encouraging more people to join the market at a younger age and provides for 'loading' based on the age of a person when they first purchase private health insurance. Any loading that applies when a person purchases private health insurance will continue to apply until such time as UHI is in place. Lifetime Community Rating will not apply when we move to UHI. Instead, under UHI everyone will be obliged to purchase community rated universal health insurance, ie. everyone will be charged the same premium for the same policy regardless of age or risk profile. In addition, a system of financial support will ensure affordability by paying or subsidising UHI premiums for all those who qualify.
I hope that this provides the clarity the Deputy was looking for.
488. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 313 of 25 November 2014, when physiotherapy services will be available in the Kildare and west-Wicklow area for children with referrals from rheumatoid paediatricians; and in view of the long delays experienced by children in accessing treatment as a result of the withdrawal of these services by Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12, the steps he is taking to ensure that, in the future, services will not be withdrawn by hospitals before appropriate alternatives are available at community level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18539/15]
View answerAs the information requested by the Deputy relates to service issues, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy on these matters. 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.
489. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the current policy on food intolerance testing. [18540/15]
View answerFood intolerance/allergy testing services are available in the primary care setting from GPs and pharmacies. Such tests are also available in many public hospitals which provide further services for the identification and management of allergies. If an individual has symptoms of food intolerance, they should seek advice from their GP in the first instance.
