Written Answers Nos. 643-652
643. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the concerns of parents over the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil; the level of his Department's engagement in an information campaign for parents, schools and children undergoing HPV vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23781/15]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice and international best practice.
Immunisation is regarded as one of the safest and most cost-effective of health care interventions. International studies and scientific assessments suggest that the best way to prevent most disease due to human papillomavirus (HPV) is to vaccinate as many girls and women as possible. The HPV vaccine protects girls from developing cervical cancer when they are adults. It is available free of charge from the HSE for all girls in 1st year of secondary school. This is in accordance with the recommendation received from NIAC which indicated that the HPV vaccine should be offered on an annual basis to all girls aged 12. The advice, based on public health considerations and supported by the cost-effectiveness analysis, is that HPV vaccines confer maximum benefit both individually and on a population basis if administered prior to HPV exposure.
Gardasil vaccine has been authorised for use across the European Union since September 2006. It was first introduced into the national immunisation programme in Ireland in 2010 and it is estimated that over 55 million girls and women have been vaccinated worldwide since it was first authorised.
While no medicine (including vaccines) is entirely without risk, the safety profile of Gardasil has been continuously monitored since it was first authorised both nationally and at EU level. This is done by both monitoring of individual adverse reaction reports received by competent authorities across Europe (including the HPRA) and Periodic Safety Update Reports (PSURs) submitted by the Marketing Authorisation Holder (i.e. licenceholder) for the vaccine on a regular basis. The most recent EU review of cumulative global safety update data completed in December 2014 concluded that the benefit/risk profile for Gardasil remains positive and concluded that no updates to the product information (Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and Package Leaflet (PL)) were considered necessary.
Up to the 31/05/2015, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has received 861 reports of suspected adverse drug reactions in association with Gardasil. National monitoring experience has been consistent with the expected pattern of adverse effects known to occur with the vaccine, as outlined in the approved product information (Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and Package Leaflet (PL)) for Gardasil. The majority of the reports received to date involved events/reactions related to injection site reactions, malaise, headache, myalgia, fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms and skin reactions. Vaccination related events such as dizziness and syncope (fainting) was also reported and would not be unexpected in this patient population.
The HPRA published updates relating to national monitoring experience on its website during the first year of the HPV schools immunisation programme, with additional updates on national monitoring experience included in several editions of its Drug Safety Newsletter.
644. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to conduct a review of services for transgender people, with a view to increasing provision to meet demand, increase locations, and reduce costs for persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23786/15]
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.
645. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his view on the existence of a religious ethos in hospitals and other health services; his views that this has a negative impact on employment equality in healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23787/15]
View answerSince the 1st April 2005, recruitment for appointments to positions in the HSE has been subject to the provisions of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act, 2004 (the Act) and has been regulated by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). Appointments to positions in the Health Service Executive, apart from those positions which are subject to the Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Act 1926, are subject to the Code of Practice published by the CPSA. The Code of Practice sets out the regulatory framework for appointment to positions in the civil and public service, and details how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principle basis.
Principal 4 of the Code of Practice relates specifically to the fairness of the appointment process. It states that any form of unacceptable or unlawful direct or indirect discrimination, whether active or passive is wholly opposed. It also states that the selection process adopted and the manner in which it is applied must be undertaken with real commitment to equality of opportunity. Office holders have an obligation to treat candidates fairly, to a consistent standard and in a consistent manner.
The HSE operate an equal opportunity/diversity policy which aims to create a workplace which provides for equal opportunities for all staff and all potential staff and protects their dignity at all times. It covers all aspects of employment including recruitment and selection, dignity at work and conditions of employment.
These rigorous provisions are in place to ensure that discrimination on any grounds does not arise in any recruitment process and has no place in Ireland's public health sector.
I hope that this clarifies and answers the question adequately for the Deputy.
646. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists practising; and graduating each year; and if he has plans to increase this number. [23797/15]
View answerThere are 2,281 dentists currently registered with the Dental Council but not all of these are practising. At present there are approximately 272 WTE dentists employed by the HSE. In addition, 1,846 dentists have contracts to provide services to medical card holders under the Dental Treatment Scheme. This includes 184 dentists employed by the HSE. This year it is expected that approximately 81 dental science students will graduate in Ireland. As part of the new national oral health policy, which is currently being developed, a review of the required workforce for oral health services is being undertaken.
647. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of respite beds available in Dublin in each of the years 2012 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; if there are waiting lists for current respite beds, and if so, the number of persons on each list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23799/15]
View answerThe vision for the Health Service Executive's (HSE) Disability Services Programme is to contribute to the realisation of a society where people with disabilities are supported, as far as possible, to participate to their full potential in economic and social life, and have access to a range of quality personal social supports and services including respite care to enhance their quality of life.
Respite care for children and adults with disabilities is provided by the HSE directly in some instances, or by agencies funded by the HSE to provide services on its behalf. In many instances respite services are part of the overall suite of services provided by voluntary service providers to people with disabilities under their service level agreements with the HSE. The HSE remains committed to working with all voluntary disability service providers to ensure that all of the resources available for specialist disability services, including respite services, are used in the most efficient and effective manner possible.
The HSE's Social Care Operational Plan for 2015 aims to provide 190,000 overnight stays in centre-based respite services to almost 5,300 people. The HSE is also committed to continuing to explore methods of community respite care as an alternative to centre-based respite care, including advancing the Host Family Support Model.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply. 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 up the matter with the HSE.
648. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his plans to restore funding cuts to Saint Michael's House in Dublin 9, to enable them to expand current respite bed availability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23800/15]
View answerIn relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. 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 up the matter with the HSE.
649. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of clients accessing services for adults with intellectual disabilities in 2015; if there are waiting lists for these services and, if so, the number of persons on these waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23801/15]
View answerIn relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply. 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 up the matter with the HSE.
650. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will review, with a view to awarding on discretionary grounds, an application for a Medical Card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare whose income is approximately €400 per week, with particular reference to the considerable hardship being caused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23826/15]
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.
651. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the current full range of services available in Kerry General Hospital for children with diabetes; the way the level of services in the hospital compares with Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23849/15]
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.
652. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if iports will be added as approved products on the Long Term Illness Scheme for children with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23850/15]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes, including the Long Term Illness Scheme, 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. 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.
