Written Answers Nos. 153-161
153. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position regarding the provision of the tuberculosis (BCG) vaccine for infants, the current anticipated timelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35007/15]
View answerIreland is not the only country affected by the worldwide shortage of BCG. There is only one licensed supplier of BCG vaccine to Ireland and to other countries within the EU. The vaccine has not been available since the end of April 2015. The licensed supplier has informed the HSE that the BCG vaccine will be delivered into Ireland in late October.
Since this problem became apparent, the HSE National Immunisation Office has been in regular contact with the manufacturer of BCG and with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) who licenses vaccines in Ireland as well as with other relevant stakeholders. The HPRA has been seeking to find an alternative supply of BCG that meets safety, quality and effectiveness standards and that could be used in Ireland. To date no appropriate alternative manufacturer of BCG vaccine has been found.
In early 2015 the HSE asked the HPRA to look at extending the shelf life of BCG vaccine from 12 months to 18 months. The HPRA reviewed the necessary documentation and agreed to extend the shelf life of any new delivery of BCG vaccine to 18 months. Any new deliveries of BCG will have an 18 month shelf life.
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and the National TB Advisory Committee have recommended stopping routine BCG vaccination of newborn babies and instead provide a selective vaccination of babies in high-risk babies groups. The Department of Health have requested the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to conduct a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to review the implications of this change. HIQA commenced a public consultation on proposed changes to the BCG vaccination programme in Ireland on September 9th 2015.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a notifiable disease under the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 452 of 2011). In 2014, 328 cases of TB were notified to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, giving a national TB notification rate of 7.1 per 100,000, the lowest rate reported since surveillance commenced. According to the World Health Organization, the definition of a low incidence TB country is one with a national TB notification rate of less than 10 cases per 100,000, Ireland is in this category.
In Ireland the number of cases of TB has been falling and there were no cases of TB in young children in 2014. Most European countries, including the UK, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland do not give BCG vaccine to all babies. Babies are not at risk of TB because of the delay in getting BCG vaccine in Ireland.
Resolving the issue of the shortage of BCG remains a priority for the HSE.
156. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding a person (details supplied) in County Galway with whom he met during a visit to University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35020/15]
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.
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.
157. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the actions he will take as a result of the budgetary submissions made by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35023/15]
View answerThe Irish National Dementia Strategy was launched in December 2014. This delivers on a commitment in the Programme for Government to develop a national Alzheimer’s and other dementia's strategy to increase awareness, ensure early diagnosis and intervention and develop enhanced community based services.
The Department of Health and the HSE have agreed a joint initiative with the Atlantic Philanthropies to implement significant elements of the Strategy over the period 2014-2017. This National Dementia Strategy Implementation Programme will represent a combined investment of €27.5m, with Atlantic Philanthropies contributing €12million, and the HSE contributing €15.5million.
This programme will promote a greater focus on timely diagnosis of dementia and on the value of early intervention, along with the long-term objective of making people in Ireland generally more aware and understanding of the needs of people with dementia, and of the contribution that those with dementia continue to make to our society.
Key elements of the initiative include:
the rollout of a programme of Intensive Home Supports and Homecare Packages for people with dementia;
the provision of additional dementia-specific resources for GPs, who are the critical and initial point of contact with the health system for those with dementia. The resource material will include training materials and guidance on local services and contact points, etc.
Measures to raise public awareness, address stigma, and promote the inclusion and involvement in society of those with dementia.
A Monitoring Group, chaired by the Department of Health, has been established to assist with and advise on implementation of the National Dementia Strategy, including the National Dementia Strategy Implementation Programme. This Group includes health professionals, administrators, researchers, and advocates. The Group also includes a person living with dementia and a representative of those who care for people with dementia. The most recent meeting of this Monitoring Group was held on 24 September 2015.
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland's pre-budget submission relates to service matters and the Deputy's question has therefore been referred to the Health Service Executive for 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.
158. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if he will provide intensive dementia-specific care to all local health offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35024/15]
View answer159. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health his views on delivering a dementia adviser service. [35025/15]
View answer160. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a dementia case worker in each local health office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35026/15]
View answer161. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health his views on increasing funding to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. [35027/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 158 to 161, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for 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.
