Written Answers Nos. 126-132
126. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the Health Service Executive's neuro-rehabilitation strategy 2011 to 2015; the aspects of the strategy that have been fully implemented to date; his plans to develop a new strategy going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33470/15]
View answerA Steering Group, led by the Health Service Executive (HSE) Social Care Division with representation from the HSE National Clinical Programmes for Rehabilitation Medicine and Neurology, Department of Health, Primary Care, Therapy Professions and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, has been assigned the task of developing an implementation framework for the National Policy & Strategy for Neuro-rehabilitation services. This Group is finalising an implementation framework which will be released for consultation by the end of 2015.
127. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if there is a sufficient number of speech and language therapists to carry out diagnostic assessments; his views on the assessment process and its success rate in diagnosis; his plans to ease the workload on speech and language therapists, by hiring additional staff, and thereby lessening the waiting time for assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33477/15]
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.
128. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if medication will be made available to assist a person's (details supplied) medical condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33480/15]
View answerThe Deputy’s question refers to the use of cannabis plants for medical treatment. Under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977 to 2015 and the Regulations made thereunder, the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis is currently unlawful except for the purposes of research.
My Department is aware that cannabis for medicinal use has been legalised in some countries and that there have been several studies internationally on the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids for a number of medical issues. Under European and Irish legislation, before a medicine can be placed on the Irish market the manufacturer has to seek an authorisation from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) or in the case of certain medicinal products, the European Medicines Agency (EMA). A determination on an application for authorisation of a medicine is based on a rigorous scientific assessment of the application against legal and regulatory requirements.
In July 2014, the Misuse of Drugs Regulations were amended to allow for certain cannabis based medicinal products to be used in Ireland. Subsequently the HPRA granted a marketing authorisation for a cannabis based medicinal product which is indicated for the relief of certain symptoms for people with multiple sclerosis.
My Department will continue to keep developments in relation to cannabis based medical products under review.
129. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a replacement scheme for the motorised transport grant and the mobility allowance which were abolished by the Government in February 2013, to the detriment of many thousands of recipients; if he will provide a concrete timeframe for the introduction of a replacement scheme; for policy proposals which the Government is developing for some time; the reason for the prolonged delay in creating a replacement scheme; his plans to include such a replacement scheme in the next budget; if he is aware of the distress being caused to those persons with a physical disability who, almost three years later, are still waiting for a replacement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33491/15]
View answerThe Government decided that the detailed 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. These proposals seek to ensure that:
- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;
- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;
- Resources are targeted at those with the greatest needs;
- The Scheme is capable of being costed and it is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.
Payments of up to €208.50 per month are continuing to be made by the Health Service Executive to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance at the time the scheme closed, in February 2013. Any proposals put to Government will seek to take account of this group.
Heads of Bill have now been developed in draft form and are currently subject to detailed legal examination. The approval of a General Scheme and Heads of Bill by the Government will be followed by publication and pre-legislative scrutiny by the Oireachtas Health and Children Committee. The Health (Transport Support) Bill is included in the Government Legislation Programme.
130. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health when the orthodontic bed at University College Hospital Galway will be reinstated for carrying out dental extractions under anaesthetic, as no procedures have taken place since May 2015 due to the bed being appropriated by the accident and emergency department to deal with the overflow of patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33503/15]
View answerIn 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.
131. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter regarding medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33505/15]
View answer133. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health his views on a medical matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33517/15]
View answer140. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the drug Fampyra is going to be funded by the Health Service Executive from October 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33579/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 133 and 140 together.
The HSE has confirmed that Fampridine (brand name Fampyra®) will be reimbursed on the Long Term Illness Scheme from 1 October 2015. Reimbursement will be extended where a demonstration of clinical response (based on objective criteria agreed with clinical experts) is recorded and where that clinical response is shown to persist, based on objective measurement at six-month intervals.
132. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Westmeath will receive an appointment for dental work [33516/15]
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.
