Written Answers Nos. 132 - 160
132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which assistance remains available for children deemed to be at risk of self-harm; the support available to their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21031/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of incidents of self-harm in respect of children brought to the attention of his Department in the past two years; the degree to which adequate support services have been put in place to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21032/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which it is deemed that the child psychology services remain adequate to meet demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21033/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which counselling, support and psychological services continue to be made available to children who have attempted self-harm; the extent to which such services are satisfactorily intervened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21041/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
136. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the status of the posts required to set up an eating disorder inpatient service as part of the child and adolescent mental health services; the cost involved in such a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20879/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
137. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his plans to work with the management of Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, to plan, construct and staff a new fit-for-purpose emergency department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20880/15]
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.
138. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of children receiving treatment for diabetes in 2014 and to date in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20881/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
139. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the Medtronic’s i-port advance injection device; the cost of this device; his plans to make it available under the long-term illness scheme in view of its reported effectiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20882/15]
View answer146. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the assessment of the i-port advance injection device for approval to be included in the long-term illness scheme. [20933/15]
View answer152. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding funding of a medical device (details supplied); his plans to include it on the long-term illness scheme or primary care reimbursement scheme; the additional cost which would be incurred from funding this product; his plans to consider co-payment for the product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20970/15]
View answer158. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made to make Medtronic’s i-port advance injection device available on the long-term illness scheme; the reason for the delay in making this product available to children with type 1 diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20988/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 139, 146, 152 and 158 together.
The 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 HSE 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 the product, i-port Advance™, to be added to the List of Reimbursable Items 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.
An Expert Group, chaired by the Clinical Lead of the HSE Diabetes Programme, was convened by the HSE to (i) assess the clinical evidence to support the use of the product, (ii) consider whether the product is appropriate for reimbursement status under Schemes and (iii) assist in the determination of the ‘value’ that the innovation presents. The Expert Group did not find that the product was either clinically effective or cost effective, and therefore did not recommend that the product should be reimbursed. The Director of Primary Care accepted the recommendation of the Expert Group and the company was informed of the HSE's decision on the 20 April 2015.
140. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Longford will be called for an urgent medical procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20897/15]
View answerUnder 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. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The 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.
In relation to the particular query raised, 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.
141. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath can have a medical operation brought forward, in order to reduce the considerable pain the person is currently in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20900/15]
View answerUnder 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. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The 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.
In relation to the particular query raised, 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.
142. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding patient treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20909/15]
View answerUnder 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. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The NTPF previously arranged for the provision of hospital treatment to classes of persons determined by the Minister. The key focus of the NTPF between 2002 and end 2011 was to treat patients longest on waiting lists for in-patient treatment and to report on a pilot initiative to manage waiting lists for outpatients. Since 2011 this function has been suspended.
The 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. Taking into account current pressures on acute hospital services, a target has been put in place, that by mid-year nobody will wait more than 18 months for in-patient and day case treatment or an out-patient appointment, with a further reduction thereafter to no greater than 15 months by year end.
In relation to the particular query raised, 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.
143. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the reason almost two thirds of adult surgical patients at University Hospital Waterford were not seen within the target waiting time of eight months in February 2015; the specific specialties these patients are waiting for treatment in; if the re-opening of a surgical theatre in January 2015 has made an impact on these waiting lists; the way the new national action plan will tackle waiting lists at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20914/15]
View answer144. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the reason the average length of stay at Waterford Regional Hospital is 10.3 days, despite the national average being 5.8 days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20915/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 144 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.
145. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a funding application for a wheelchair accessible bus in respect of a group (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20930/15]
View answerAs 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, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
147. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 436 of 4 March 2014, if he is aware of the delays in the Cork area for children needing to access Health Service Executive early intervention-autism spectrum disorder services; the number currently awaiting such services in Cork north Lee and Cork south Lee, respectively; the average waiting times in both of these Health Service Executive areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20934/15]
View answer148. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 437 of 4 March 2014, the position regarding current waiting times for early intervention-autism spectrum disorder services in the Cork north Lee Health Service Executive area; the average waiting times for referrals; the average waiting times for assessments and subsequent average waiting times for services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20935/15]
View answer149. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 438 of 4 March 2014, with regard to waiting times for early intervention-autism spectrum disorder services in the Cork north Lee Health Service Executive area, if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers currently waiting for referral, assessment and various services, respectively, by zero to three months, three to six months, six to 12 months, 12 to 24 months, 24 to 36 months and more than 36 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20936/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 147 to 149, inclusive, together.
All Health Service Executive areas have significant early intervention services in place for children with disabilities aged zero to eighteen years. These are provided directly by the HSE or by voluntary service providers funded by the HSE. At the same time, the HSE has recognised the need to improve the way in which both early intervention services and services for school-aged children are delivered. It is currently engaged in a major reconfiguration of its existing therapy resources for children with disabilities into multi-disciplinary geographically based teams, as part of its National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years). The key objective of this Programme is to bring about equity of access to disability services and consistency of service delivery, with a clear pathway for children with disabilities and their families to services, regardless of where they live, where these children go to school or the nature of the individual child’s difficulties.
The Programme is a key priority for the HSE’s Social Care Directorate. An additional €4m was allocated in 2014 to assist in implementing the Programme, equating to approximately 80 additional therapy posts, and further investment in the Programme will take place in 2015. Further investment of €4m will be made in 2015 (equating to €6m in a full year).
Within this context, I have asked the Executive to provide the Deputy with the detailed information that he has requested. 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.
150. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his Department co-ordinates with the fire service to ensure that all ambulances are being used efficiently (details supplied). [20948/15]
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.
151. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in Dublin 5 will receive a date for an initial assessment with the child and adolescent mental health services. [20959/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
153. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the funding available to St. Michael’s House; the options for multi-annual, guaranteed funding; the rationale behind the timeframes of funding allocations and announcements; the steps being taken to liaise with the services for their service delivery planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20977/15]
View answerAs 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, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
154. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the services that are available to young adults with intellectual disabilities; the amount of funding each service received in the years 2012 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20978/15]
View answer155. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the funding that is being made available for organisations providing services to young adult school leavers with intellectual disabilities; when this funding will be made available; the reason service providers are not informed of funding allocations until three months in advance of term starting; the measures that are being taken to collaborate and enable forward planning for these service providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20979/15]
View answer156. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the capital funding that is being made available for organisations providing services to young adult school leavers with intellectual disabilities, to provide suitable buildings, premises and accommodation for day services and residential services; the capital funding that was made available in 2013 and in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20980/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 154 to 156, inclusive, together.
Preparations are at an advanced stage in respect of all school-leavers and rehabilitative training graduates to ensure that needs are identified and appropriate services are provided to young people with disabilities. Additional funding of €6 million (at a full year cost of €12 million) has been allocated in the Social Care Operational Plan 2015 to meet the needs of around 1,500 young people who will require continuing health-funded supports. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has assured me that all service providers will be informed of their funding allocation by the end of May. The HSE has also confirmed that all young people and their families will be notified by the end of June of the placement that will be available to them from September.
As aspects of the Deputy's questions relates to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
157. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the reason copies of the two most recent health and safety reports into the psychiatric unit in University Hospital Galway have not been provided to all those legally entitled to receive them; if disciplinary action has been initiated against the Health Service Executive managers for any failure that may have arisen with respect to their statutory responsibility to provide said copies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20984/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
159. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if he will take all necessary steps to ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon, and persons in similar circumstances, will have access to an audiology test within a reasonable timeframe in order that they may be fitted with a hearing aid; his views that it is entirely unsatisfactory that a person of 98 years of age would be required to wait up to two years for an audiology appointment and the provision of a hearing aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20997/15]
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.
160. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the application for a Headstrong Jigsaw site to be established in north inner city Dublin; if he will provide an update on the potential plans for designating funding to establish this centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20999/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
