Written Answers Nos. 401-413
401. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of chairpersons appointed to State boards under the aegis of his Department who have appeared before the relevant joint Oireachtas committee since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46264/15]
View answerSince the establishment of my Department in June 2011, four chairpersons appointed to State boards under the aegis of my Department have appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children in advance of their appointments in line with this Government's policies in this matter. Mr. Joe Horan, Chairperson of the Board of Management of the Children Detention Schools appeared before the Committee on 8th March, 2012. Ms. Sharon Foley, Chairperson of the Family Support Agency also appeared before the Committee on 8th March, 2012. Ms. Nuala Doherty, Chairperson of the National Educational Welfare Board appeared before the Committee on 26th July, 2012. Ms. Norah Gibbons, Chairperson of the Board of Management of the Child and Family Agency appeared before the Committee on 23rd July 2013. Mr Geoffrey Shannon, whom I recently re-appointed as Chairperson of the Adoption Authority of Ireland, has appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on a number of occasions.
402. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of the Acts currently in force for which he has lead responsibility and that have parts or sections yet to be formally commenced, including the purpose of same, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46279/15]
View answerThe Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011, the Children (Amendment) Act 2015 and the Children First Act 2015 are the only Acts for which I have lead responsibility that have parts yet to be formally commenced.
A substantial element of the uncommenced sections in the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011 relate to provisions for special care. Given the legislative framework utilised to manage the interaction between the Child Care Act 1991 and the Health Act 2007, in relation to special care provisions, Regulations to be made by the Minister for Health under the Health Act 2007 are required in advance of the commencement of these sections. These Regulations have now been finalised. I hope to sign a Commencement Order for the relevant sections of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011, and arrange for the Regulations to be signed by my colleague the Minister for Health, in the near future.
The Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015 was signed into law on 10th December 2015. The main body of provision relates to aftercare but it also includes provision in relation to early years services and technical amendments on foot of the commencement of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. I hope to commence this Act in the near future.
The Children (Amendment) Act 2015 was signed into law on 27 July 2015. This legislation amends certain provisions of the Children Act 2001 on the operation of the children detention schools. I signed the first commencement order under the 2015 Act on 27 November 2015 which brought a number of technical provisions of the Act relating to the children detention schools into force from 1 December 2015. These provisions are listed in the Children (Amendment) Act 2015 (Commencement) Order 2015, Statutory Instrument Number 539 of 2015. The remaining sections yet to be commenced relate to the ending of the practice of detaining children in adult prison facilities, the introduction of a new system of remission in the children detention schools and a technical issue relating to the operation of the Children Court on the issuing of detention orders under the Children Act 2001. In relation to the first of these issues, the relevant sections are to be commenced early in 2016 on foot of the completion of the current programme of recruitment for care staff to work in the children detention schools. The sections on remission and issuing of detention orders will also be commenced early in 2016 on foot of the completion of policy work for the required secondary legislation in this area.
The Children First Act 2015 was enacted on the 19 Nov 2015. The Act is for the purpose of making further and better provision for the care and protection of children including raising awareness of child abuse and neglect, providing for reporting and management of child protection concerns and improving child protection arrangements in organisations providing services to children. The Sections that have commenced are 1 to 5 and 28, effective from 11 Dec 2015. The Sections not commenced are: Section 6-7 (Part I General and Preliminary), Section 8-13 (Part 2 Child Safeguarding Statements), Section 14-19 (Part 3 Reporting), Sections 20-27 (Part 4 Children First Inter-Departmental Group and Sectoral Implementation Plans). A significant provision in the legislation is the underpinning on a statutory basis of the Children First Interdepartmental Implementation Group. This Group, which will include a representative of all Government Departments, will be required to keep under review, the implementation of this legislation and the Children First Guidance, and to report on an annual basis to the Minister.
403. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.50 for all employees directly employed by or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46401/15]
View answerMy Department has not undertaken a specific costing exercise to determine the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.50 for its employees and those employed in its agencies. However, on a purely indicative basis, it is not anticipated that the introduction of such a scheme in my own Department would incur significant cost as the majority of staff are on salary points above that mentioned by the Deputy.
404. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will liaise with Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Health Service Executive on establishing a feasibility study for future uses for the old hospital in Daingean Uí Chúis in County Kerry which has been unoccupied for about five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45861/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) operates a protocol for the disposal of surplus property assets. This protocol sets out three options.
1. Does a State Agency require the property?
2. Open market sale, subject to favourable market conditions.
3. Community/voluntary use will be considered only if points 1 and 2 above do not materialise.
Any proposals for the property in question must be considered in the context of the capital funding available to Health and the Government's Reform Plan relating to the State's property asset use and management. In this context, I must advise you that the Health Service Executive is required to obtain value for money when disposing of surplus property assets. These proceeds will be re-invested in delivering much needed health care infrastructure. As there will always be more projects than can be funded by the Exchequer facilities which support the delivery of core health services must be prioritised within the context of the overall capital envelope available to us. Given the limited funding available and our health infrastructure needs, priority for funding must be based on verified service needs and all capital funding must be directed to supporting these core services. The HSE is concentrating on applying the limited funding available for capital works in the most effective way possible to meet health care needs now and in the future.
In addition consideration must be given to the Government's Reform Plan which sets out commitments relating to property asset use and management. These commitments include ensuring that optimal value for money is achieved in the management of the State's property portfolio. The development and implementation of the Property Management Delivery Plan has been one of the outcomes of the reform process. This plan aims to improve the planning and management of the public service property portfolio by improving co-ordination of strategies and activities, processes for strategic planning, projects and property management, standards for accommodation fit-out and data capture, accountability for decision making and deployment of resources.
The HSE has engaged locally on the potential use of the property for historical, heritage and cultural purposes; the proposal sought was not submitted. It has also engaged with the private sector with the view to sale. Údarás na Gaeltachta has made contact with the local HSE Estates Office and a meeting is being arranged. HSE officials will meet their representatives early in the new year.
405. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he received a request from the Health Service Executive to increase the number of critical care beds in 2016, the number of additional beds sought and the full year cost of same. [45692/15]
View answerThe wide range of requests from the HSE for additional capacity in 2016 was considered as part of the annual estimates process in preparation for the 2016 Service Plan. This included a request for an increase in critical care capacity across a range of hospitals with an estimated full year cost of €15m.
The 2016 HSE Service Plan, published on 16th December, includes provision of €13m for priority service developments in acute hospitals services for maternity services, paediatric services, organ transplantation and opening of newly commissioned units.
406. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated for the implementation of the national asthma programme; the funding being provided in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45693/15]
View answerEach year, the HSE funds its various services and programmes, such as the National Asthma Programme, from its annual funding allocation. Therefore, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy 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 the Executive.
407. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his view on the budget 2016 submission by the Irish Pharmacy Union to introduce a minor ailment scheme, an extended vaccination service and a new medicines service; if such initiatives will result in savings or new costs for the health service; in either case the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45694/15]
View answerIt is important that proposals to expand the role of the community pharmacist bring benefits for patients and also generate real savings on existing public expenditure, since the health service continues to operate within very tight budgetary constraints. The Department of Health is examining the Irish Pharmacy Union's proposal for a Minor Ailments Scheme, having regard to the evidence base for such a service, the application of such schemes in other countries and any contractual or funding implications. The Department has engaged the services of the Health Research Board (HRB) to undertake an analysis of Minor Ailments Schemes in other jurisdictions. Work on this is progressing to schedule and a report by the HRB is expected in January 2016. The HRB's report will assist the Department in its consideration of this matter.
In October 2015, the Minister for Health signed new regulations to expand the range of vaccines which can be administered by pharmacists. These new regulations will allow pharmacists to supply and administer the shingles and pneumococcal vaccines, which are currently only available from a GP or hospital. It is expected that the new vaccines will be available from early in 2016. Proposals to further expand the range of vaccines available through community pharmacies will be considered by the Department. The Irish Pharmacy Union proposal to introduce a new medicines scheme will also be examined by the Department.
408. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the annual cost of recruiting an extra 100 consultants. [45696/15]
View answer473. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of senior house officer positions in each public and voluntary hospital; the number of such positions vacant and the number of these positions being filled by locums on 1 December 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46342/15]
View answer474. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of registrar positions in each public and voluntary hospital; the number of such positions vacant and the number of these positions being filled by locums on 1 December 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46343/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 408, 473 and 474 together.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on these matters. 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 matters with them.
409. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the full-year cost of restoring distance coding, and of restoring the coding and increasing the allowance to €25,000, under the rural practice allowance. [45697/15]
View answerSince 2009, a number of reductions have been applied under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 (FEMPI) to the fees and allowances paid to health professionals, including GPs who provide services under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. Over this period, the annual Rural Practice Allowance (RPA) under the GMS capitation agreement was reduced from €20,712.29 to the current rate of €16,216.07.
Currently, 168 GPs are in receipt of the RPA. The full year cost of increasing the existing RPA to €25,000 for these GPs would amount to nearly €1.476 million.
The “distance code” was removed as a factor in calculating GP fees and allowances in 2010 under FEMPI. The capitation rate payable varied according to a patient's age, gender and distance of their residence from the GP's surgery. It was calculated at that time that this measure saved in excess of €5 million. To cost accurately a reinstatement of the previous "distance code" arrangement would require a detailed exercise by the HSE. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a cost estimate in respect of this element of the Deputy's question.
410. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the costs incurred under the rural practice allowance in each year from 2009 to date. [45698/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue, 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 the Executive.
411. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of personal assistant hours provided in 2015 and the full-year cost of same. [45699/15]
View answer453. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health how many personal assistant hours will be funded from the health budget and the total funding that will be provided in 2016. [46090/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 453 together.
As 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, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
412. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when he received an application for a home care package from a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the status of the application, including how it has been assessed and when he will make a decision on it; if funding is available to sanction new home care packages in Cork city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45700/15]
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.
413. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the recommendations in the 2012 reviews of financial management systems in the Irish health service and the progress made in implementing these, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45706/15]
View answerIn 2012, my Department engaged with an expert from the UK NHS (Mark Ogden) to examine the financial management of the Health Service Executive and make recommendations regarding strengthening and improving the management of its finances. The report made a number of recommendations to improve the financial management process within the HSE. Particular reference was made to managing the transition phase that the health sector was undergoing. The recommendations were grouped into 3 distinct areas: Improving Financial Performance; Policy Considerations; and Effective Transitioning (Managing the Change). These are set out in the attached note A Review of Financial Management Systems in the Irish Health Service.
Subsequently, PA Consultancy was engaged to undertake a wide-ranging review of financial management and cost containment systems in the health service, including an assessment of the Ogden Report and the preparation of an action plan for the implementation of its recommendations.
Financial Reform is a key element of Future Health - A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012 – 2015. The HSE commenced the Finance Reform Programme in 2012. Central to the establishment of this programme was the recognition that successful implementation of Future Health and the wider reform agenda will require fundamental changes in the way financial management is delivered across the health service in Ireland. One of the early outputs of the programme was the development of a new operating model for finance in health. The HSE has submitted a business case for the new operating model which defines the case for change and scope as well as providing an estimate of the resources required to deliver the new operating model and supporting technology.
The change programme covers a number of different strands and involves business process re-engineering, with a recent focus on the technology aspect of the Reform Programme. An ICT business case for an Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) was the subject of peer review and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) recently confirmed that the peer review team recommended that the project as presented should proceed to the next stage.
Work is progressing on the Finance Reform Programme on a number of important work streams. Key activities being worked on across the reform programme include developing a stabilisation approach for legacy finance systems and a business intelligence (BI) solution for identifying and agreeing one national reporting finance system for the HSE. Permission has recently been received from the OGCIO to proceed with the first phase of the stabilisation project and the Finance Reform Board has recently given the go ahead for a Finance BI solution. Significant progress has also been made in developing and finalising the approach for the procurement of the key components of an IFMS. The Office of Government Procurement has requested that the procurement of Lot 1 IFMS (Enterprise Resource Planning Platform) should commence as soon as possible subject to the appropriate approvals. A procurement plan has been developed with two stages to the procurement approach. The HSE are working on the tender documents for stage 1.
The new financial operating model will greatly enhance the health sector's ability to effectively manage and monitor its budget at all levels.
A REVIEW OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN THE IRISH HEALTH SERVICE
Main Recommendations
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1. Improving Financial Performance |
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1.1 |
Review and clarify the National financial accountability arrangements. |
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1.2 |
Enhance the core financial management capability of the system, through - Building on the capacity and capability in the Department of Health; - Developing a clear organisational strategy to prepare the financial system for hospital groups; and - Designing a programme to upgrade financial capability. |
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1.3 |
Provide immediate clarity to the system for 2012 on what will be funded nationally and what is a local responsibility for resolution. |
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1.4 |
Agree financial control target ranges for each region for 2012 consistent with national agreements. |
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1.5 |
Develop a strategy as a priority to establish the technical ICT infrastructure and management capacity required to support a single financial information system. |
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1.6 |
Develop systems for measuring cost containment, avoidance, and reduction within the non-hospital sector. |
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1.7 |
Review the process and transparency of forecasting, with best practice methodologies researched and adopted. |
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1.8 |
Develop a supply chain excellence programme to underpin the full establishment of shared procurement services within the health system. |
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1.9 |
Accelerate plans to develop a system wide procurement ICT system and shared service. |
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2. Policy Considerations |
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2.1 |
Review the process of managing deficits and surpluses urgently and establish a new concordat between the centre, regions and organisations to enshrine the principle that deficits and surpluses will ‘lie where they fall’, with the appropriate consequences for local leaders in terms of autonomy and control. |
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2.2 |
Review the allocations process and policy for 2013–2015 |
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2.3 |
Develop a strategy of stabilisation for hospitals |
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2.4 |
Develop a suite of metrics to manage the financial and operational performance in community and primary care services. |
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3. Effective Transitioning (Managing the Change) |
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3.1 |
The present period of transition is a period of maximum risk and clarity is required urgently on the leadership arrangements that will obtain through the transition period. |
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3.2 |
Create a formal accountability framework based on the new incentives and governance arrangements at every level, and re-affirm accountability within the immediate system, through the transition phase into the future system. |
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3.3 |
Create a single quality assurance process to ensure savings both now and in future are delivered safely, with full involvement of the clinical community. |
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3.4 |
Model the impact of the clinical programmes in a more sophisticated way. This needs to be factored in to the service planning and budget allocation process for 2013–2015. |
