Written Answers Nos. 458 - 476
458. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the total spend on maternity services, identifying the main component parts, in each year from 2008 to 2014 and the corresponding estimates for 2015. [24914/15]
View answerWith regard to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, 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.
459. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the total number of whole-time-equivalent staff employed in the delivery of maternity services, including the positions, for example, of nurse, midwife, consultant, non-consultant hospital doctor, technician, administrator and so on, in May of each year from 2008 to 2014 and to date in 2015. [24915/15]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this 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.
460. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the full year cost of hiring an additional 600 midwives, on the basis of average pay grades currently paid to midwives, and starting pay grades, in tabular form. [24916/15]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this 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.
461. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his views on the identification of routes to qualification as a midwife; the public spend on same; the numbers qualifying in each year since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24917/15]
View answerI wish to thank the deputy for the matter raised.
This question consists of three parts. In addressing part one of the question “Identification of routes to qualification as a midwife”, I wish to inform the Deputy that there are currently two routes available to become a midwife in Ireland. The first route is by way of a four-year undergraduate degree offered in six Higher Education Institutions across the country. The second route is for Registered General Nurses who may undertake an eighteen-month programme with six Higher Education Institutions.
I have arranged for the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to provide input in relation to the second part of the Deputy's question and I have arranged for the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) to provide input in relation to the third part of the Deputy's question.
As soon as I receive the responses from the HEA and the NMBI, I will provide you with the information supplied by these organisations. It is expected that you should receive a reply within 15 working days.
462. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of overseas recruitment drives undertaken by the Health Service Executive in each of the years 2012 to 2014 and in 2015 to date, including any planned; the location of each recruitment drive; the recruitment targets of each drive; the number of nurses, midwives, social workers and so on recruited in each recruitment drive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24918/15]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this 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.
463. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the current number of consultant posts lying vacant; when they will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24923/15]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this 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.
464. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the saving that would be made by placing a cap of €100,000 and €150,000 on consultant salaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24924/15]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this 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.
465. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the predicted spend on consultant salaries over the next three years as an average per consultant; the overall numbers of consultants to be employed in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24925/15]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this 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.
466. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if will expedite a medical appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24926/15]
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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, 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.
467. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the reason for the temporary shortage of supplies of the tuberculosis (BCG) vaccine in Letterkenny Hospital in County Donegal, and in the monthly clinics in Buncrana, Dungloe, and Donegal town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24932/15]
View answerThe BCG vaccine is currently part of the primary childhood immunisation schedule and is provided by the HSE. The vaccine is given to protect babies against Tuberculosis (TB). In Ireland the number of cases of TB has been falling and there were no cases in young children in 2014.
In Ireland BCG vaccine expired at the end of April 2015. The licensed supplier has informed the HSE that the BCG vaccine will be delivered into Ireland in late July. All European countries are experiencing delays with the supply of BCG vaccine. The HSE is liaising with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) about sourcing a possible alternative. Important to note that the shortage is not just confined to Letterkenny.
The HSE will arrange appointments for vaccination clinics when the BCG vaccine supply is restored.
468. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of incidents in the maternity services that are currently out for external review; and the cost of these reviews. [24933/15]
View answerIn relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, 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.
469. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will consider home care packages where women die in childbirth and their baby is returned home to their partner or family, who needs to cope with very difficult circumstances. [24934/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply 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.
470. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24944/15]
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.
471. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with the Saint Joseph Foundation, Charleville, County Cork as soon as possible, to discuss its financial situation, in view of the huge importance of this service and its ongoing discussions with the Health Service Executive regarding this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24946/15]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive (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.
472. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the supports available for adults with eating disorders who are undergoing eating distress therapies; the reasons such therapies are not covered by health insurance policies or under the tax credit relief system for medical expenses; the way a patient with a long-term eating disorder requiring such therapies is expected to pay for such therapies, which cost €70 per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24960/15]
View answerNationally, services for adults presenting with eating disorders are provided by the General Adult Mental Health Services across the country. Children and Adolescents with eating disorders are treated by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Teams.
If an individual's physical or medical needs are more acute, inpatient admission is offered as required following the recommendation of a Consultant Psychiatrist.
Under the Minimum Benefit Regulations, private health insurers are required to provide a minimum level of cover for every insured person. Health insurance providers operate in a competitive market and are free to impose certain terms and conditions in their policies, providing they comply with Minimum Benefit regulations. For services that are covered by private health insurance, each private health insurance provider in the Irish market has the right to determine which health care provider they will cover for the benefit of their customers. It is a matter for each insurer to determine how much capacity in any particular area is purchased by it to deliver the services required by its members, including services available for persons with eating disorders.
The criteria in relation to tax relief for medical expenses is a matter for the Minister for Finance. I would also point out that it is open to any individual who is experiencing financial hardship to apply, in certain circumstances, for medical card assistance.
473. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when this person can expect an appointment with the consultant urologist at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise in County Laois. [24965/15]
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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, 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.
474. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when the new scheme for the motorised transport grant and mobility allowance will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24966/15]
View answer485. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a replacement for the mobility grant will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25068/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 474 and 485 together.
Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance Scheme, in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes. The Government decided that the preparatory work required for a new transport support scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. The Department is seeking a solution which would best meet the aim of supporting people with severe disabilities who require additional income to contribute towards the cost of their mobility needs, while remaining within the available budget and satisfying all legal and equality concerns.
Work is ongoing on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme. Once policy proposals have been finalised and approved by Government, the time frame for the introduction of a new scheme will become clearer. The Health (Transport Supports) Bill is included in the Government's legislative programme for 2015. On foot of a Government decision, monthly payments have continued to be made by the Health Service Executive to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance at the time that the scheme closed, on the basis that this would prevent hardship and, on an interim basis, alleviate stress, anxiety and uncertainty among a vulnerable group in society.
475. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 648 of 24 March 2015, the exact breakdown between staff listed at the same level in the reply (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24972/15]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this 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.
476. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the costs incurred by his Department since April 2014 in commissioning external expertise and advice on the development of a universal health insurance model. [24983/15]
View answerMy Department has incurred costs of €249,175.50 from April 2014 to date in respect of the commissioning of external expertise and advice on the development of a universal health insurance model.
These costs are mainly associated with a 3 year Research Programme on Healthcare Reform, in partnership with the ESRI (€160,000) and, separately, the Department’s participation in the ESRI’s SWITCH (Simulating Welfare and Income Tax Changes) model programme (€50,000). Both programmes have contributed to the major costing project which is examining the cost implications of a change to a multi-payer universal health insurance model, as proposed in the White Paper on Universal Health Insurance.
In addition, following a public procurement process, the Department engaged the company, Crowe Horwath, to undertake an independent analysis of the main themes emerging from the public consultation on the White Paper on Universal Health Insurance (€39,175.50). The report outlining the findings of the thematic analysis is available on the Department's website at www.health.gov.ie.
