Written Answers Nos. 651-669
651. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine and expedite an application for a medical card by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, as all the relevant information has been submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37307/15]
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.
652. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the estimated expenditure of his Department in 2015, in tabular form; the budget for expenditure agreed at the start of the year for 2015; the extra expenditure or savings in this budget during the year to date; when and under what process this expenditure and these savings were approved; and his Department's budget for expenditure in 2016. [37264/15]
View answer655. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the allocation for his Department in 2016 which covers the Lansdowne Road agreement; and the demographic or other inflationary pressures. [37280/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 652 and 655 together.
The total estimated expenditure for my Department in 2015 as published in the 2015 Revised Estimates for Public Services 2015 is set out in the Table.
|
- |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
|
|
Gross Total |
12,294,521 |
382,409 |
12,676,930 |
|
Deduct Appropriations-in-Aid |
455,471 |
250 |
455,721 |
|
Net Total |
11,839,050 |
382,159 |
12,221,209 |
The Health Service Executive (Financial Matters) Act 2014 provided for the disestablishment of the Health Service Executive's Vote with effect from 31 December 2014, and the funding of the Executive by grants made payable through the Vote of the Office of the Minister for Health (Vote 38). Under these new arrangements, the approved level of net non-capital determination for the HSE in 2015 was set at €12.135 billion. This approved level of non-capital expenditure was to be supported by the collection of an expected €131 million of outstanding private patient fee income.
Negotiations are ongoing with private health insurers in relation to reaching agreement on a Memorandum of Understanding which will address this outstanding debt issue by introducing better payment terms and improved cash collection for the HSE.
The additional measures provided during the course of 2015, not covered by the 2015 Revised Estimate for Health, are as follows:
|
- |
€m |
|
Waiting List Initiative |
51 |
|
Emergency Department Overcrowding and Delayed Discharges |
74 |
|
Winter Initiative |
18 |
Earlier this year, agreement was reached with the IMO on a package of measures, including terms for the delivery of GP care without fees for all children under 6 years and the provision of GP care without fees to all persons aged 70 years and over. These represent the first phase in the delivery of a universal GP service. The new under-6 arrangements are effective from 1 July 2015 while the service for all persons aged 70 years and over commenced on 5 August 2015. The additional full year cost for the under-6 arrangements is €67m. There is no additional cost for persons aged 70 and over.
Whilst it is too early to be definitive on the requirement for Vote 38 in 2015, it is clear that the health sector will require a Supplementary Estimate. The HSE is pro-actively engaged in internal efforts to maximise savings and to ensure that additional measures are identified and safely implemented to mitigate any projected deficits which are within HSE direct control. My Department continues to work closely with the HSE to ensure that the greatest degree of budgetary control is exercised.
The amount of supplementary funding required is currently under discussion between my Department, the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
The total estimated expenditure for my Department in 2016 and the allocation contained therein to cover the Lansdowne Road Agreements and demographic and other inflationary pressures is set out in the 2016 Expenditure Report published on Budget Day 2016.
653. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when a children's outreach nurse will be appointed to Letterkenny General Hospital in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37310/15]
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.
654. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the specific reasons an application for a medical card by a person (details supplied) in County Galway was refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37312/15]
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.
656. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if funding will be restored to a body (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37346/15]
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, please contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
657. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will address the concerns of a nursing home provider (details supplied) regarding significant delays it is facing in the processing of nurse registration applications with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. [37320/15]
View answerThe NMBI has advised that between 1 January and 13 October 2015, 1,841 applications for registration have been received. This compares with 770 applications for the same time period in 2014, an increase in 139%. Both the growth in volume of applications and significant staff departures within the NMBI have added to the delays.
The number of applicants who received registration decisions between 01/07/2015 and 13/10/2015 is 1,022. In addition, the latest figures indicate that registration decisions as a percentage of applications received rose to 81%.
The following actions are being taken to improve the current situation:
- the Department has approved the filling of 16 posts and the NMBI has assigned 9 staff to work in the Registration Department;
- a call centre facility commenced on the 8 October 2015 to handle calls/deal with registration queries (648 calls were taken by 16 October);
- new forms to simplify the process of applying have been introduced including a revised information booklet;
- further adaptation courses are being provided for nurses who are required to complete a course prior to registration. The NMBI have approved on a pilot basis, a new aptitude test with RCSI as an alternative method to assess candidates for registration. Nurses are currently being advised of the availability of this test. The first theory test will take place on 5 December provided a minimum cohort of 20 applicants are secured to undertake the test;
- an upgraded website will go live in November (the website will allow applicants to track the status of their applications, pay fees online, and the adaptation placements and appeals process will be mediated via electronic forms);
- proposals for significant upgrading of the overall IT systems, particularly the registration system, are being developed by the NMBI;
- additional staff have been sanctioned on a short-term fixed purpose basis, to close the dormant files that have been awaiting documentation for over a year;
- meetings to review registration and other governance issues are held between the DoH and the NMBI monthly with the accompanying reports; and
- to address the issues of delays in registration the NMBI has informed the DoH that it continues to collaborate closely with key stakeholders including representatives from the HSE, Nursing Homes Ireland, Directors of Nursing/Midwifery and agencies to ensure complete applications received are expedited, particularly for those applicants who have confirmed job offers.
The DoH had discussions with the Department of Justice with a view to resolving certain visa difficulties and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation regarding work permits on the 16 October. The meeting confirmed that the current provision of an atypical working visa will be extended to those choosing to undertake the aptitude test.
658. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate, in respect of State boards under his Department's remit, the name of each appointee appointed from 7 March 2011 to date in 2015; the date of each appointment; whether or not each appointee came through an advertised public application process; the number of vacancies that presently exist on State boards under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37364/15]
View answerThe nomination and appointment process for boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in legislation. In line with Government Decision S180/20/10/1617 of 2014 and Guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform relating to the advertising for expressions of interest in vacancies on State Boards, my Department in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service currently advertises for board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister for Health, have nominating rights under relevant legislation. I also appoint members on the nomination of various bodies, again in accordance with the relevant legislation.
There have been over 600 appointments made under the aegis of my Department since 2011, and my officials are compiling a list of all appointments with the date of appointment and details of whether the person came through the appointment process. This information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The table sets out the current number of vacancies on State Boards under the remit of my Department:
|
Board |
Number of Vacancies |
Positions |
|
Food Safety Authority of Ireland |
2 |
Ordinary member (Ministerial Nominees) |
|
Health Research Board |
3 |
Ordinary member(Ministerial Nominees) |
|
Radiographers Registration Board |
3 |
Ordinary member (Election) |
|
St James's Hospital |
3 |
Ordinary member (Medical Board and Union Nominees) |
|
VHI |
1 |
Ordinary member (Ministerial Nominee) |
The expressions of interest notice for membership of the Food Safety Authority is being developed in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service (PAS). I am about to sign the Appointment Orders for the 3 members of the Health Research Board, who have been selected as a result of a PAS campaign. The 3 vacancies on the Radiographers Registration Board must be nominated by an election process among registrants and this process is underway. The Department awaits the names of nominees from the Medical Board of the Hospital and a Union representative to provide to me for appointment. The person I have selected as a result of the PAS process to sit on the VHI Board is being cleared by the Central Bank of Ireland and should be appointed shortly.
659. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Laois will receive an appointment with the pain management clinic in St. James's Hospital in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37336/15]
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.
660. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if she will meet a group (details supplied) in County Dublin to discuss mental health issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37326/15]
View answerA Vision for Change acknowledges the importance of service user involvement and participation in planning, delivering, evaluating and monitoring of mental health services, and I am committed to ensuring that we deliver on this.
I am open to meeting with this and other groups, which have a view on issues which relate to mental health service users, their families and carers. My office has no record of having received a request for a meeting from this particular group. If the group submits a meeting request to my office detailing issues to be discussed, it will be considered favourably.
661. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health when the building of a new laboratory in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Navan in County Meath will take place, as it has been on the estates management construction list for the past seven years. [37407/15]
View answerAny proposals for a new laboratory at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan must be considered within the overall acute hospital sector infrastructure programme, the overall capital envelope available to the health service, the future direction of laboratory services nationally and in the context of the establishment of hospital groups.
As the Deputy will be aware, Our Lady’s Hospital Navan is now a constituent hospital within the Ireland East Hospital Group. The initial focus is on getting the Hospital Group up and running as a single cohesive entity. The Hospital Group will be required to develop a strategic plan to describe how they will provide more efficient and effective patient services and reorganise these services to provide optimal care to the population to ensure that acute services are delivered across a number of sites in a networked way. I am confident that there will be a structured integration of acute services in Navan into the Ireland East Group which will provide further support for the hospital in delivering high-quality safe patient care.
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.
662. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Health the reason treatment of eye conditions for elderly persons is taking up to 18 months (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37447/15]
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.
663. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a shortage of typists which is causing a delay of up to four months in completing referral letters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37449/15]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the 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.
664. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the current number of whole-time-equivalent consultant geneticists and whole-time-equivalent genetic counsellors employed in the public health system; and the estimated cost of increasing their number to reflect the standards recommended by the Royal College of Physicians in the United Kingdom and the Association of Genetic Nurses and Counsellors in the United Kingdom, which is one full-time genetic counsellor per 100,000 of the population, and a minimum of three consultant geneticists per 1 million of the population. [37450/15]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the 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.
665. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health for an update on the all-Ireland network of rare disease registries. [37451/15]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive 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.
666. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Health the average length of time it takes for the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland to process nurse registration applications; if he is satisfied that applications are being processed in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37454/15]
View answer826. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and implement measures to free up and expedite the ongoing backlog in the registration of nurses, currently at six to nine months, given that this situation is exacerbating the hospital bed crisis and affecting patient care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38166/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 666 and 826 together.
The NMBI has advised that between 1 January and 13 October 2015, 1,841 applications for registration have been received. This compares with 770 applications for the same time period in 2014, an increase in 139%. Both the growth in volume of applications and significant staff departures within the NMBI have added to the delays.
The number of applicants who received registration decisions between 01/07/2015 and 13/10/2015 is 1,022. In addition, the latest figures indicate that registration decisions as a percentage of applications received rose to 81%.
The following actions are being taken to improve the current situation:
- the Department has approved the filling of 16 posts and the NMBI has assigned 9 staff to work in the Registration Department;
- a call centre facility commenced on the 8 October 2015 to handle calls/deal with registration queries (648 calls were taken by 16 October);
- new forms to simplify the process of applying have been introduced including a revised information booklet;
- further adaptation courses are being provided for nurses who are required to complete a course prior to registration. The NMBI have approved on a pilot basis, a new aptitude test with RCSI as an alternative method to assess candidates for registration. Nurses are currently being advised of the availability of this test. The first theory test will take place on 5 December provided a minimum cohort of 20 applicants are secured to undertake the test;
- an upgraded website will go live in November (the website will allow applicants to track the status of their applications, pay fees online, and the adaptation placements and appeals process will be mediated via electronic forms);
- proposals for significant upgrading of the overall IT systems, particularly the registration system, are being developed by the NMBI;
- additional staff have been sanctioned on a short-term fixed purpose basis, to close the dormant files that have been awaiting documentation for over a year;
- meetings to review registration and other governance issues are held between the DoH and the NMBI monthly with the accompanying reports; and
- to address the issues of delays in registration the NMBI has informed the DoH that it continues to collaborate closely with key stakeholders including representatives from the HSE, Nursing Homes Ireland, Directors of Nursing/Midwifery and agencies to ensure complete applications received are expedited, particularly for those applicants who have confirmed job offers.
The DoH had discussions with the Department of Justice with a view to resolving certain visa difficulties and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation regarding work permits on the 16 October. The meeting confirmed that the current provision of an atypical working visa will be extended to those choosing to undertake the aptitude test.
667. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if home help, or some form of assistance, will be put in place for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow to help the person cope with issues associated with Alzheimer's disease. [37457/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has 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.
668. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early appointment will be made for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as the person's general practitioner deems the case to be urgent. [37459/15]
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.
669. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be provided with necessary treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37377/15]
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.
