Written Answers Nos. 414-428
414. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the original estimate for each year's expenditure and the final outturn for each of the years 2011 to date, in tabular form, based on the new Estimates procedures that commenced in 2015 and excluding any expenditure that no longer falls under his Department's remit, such as child and family services. [45707/15]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Original Estimate As Published in REV |
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
|
Dept of Health and HSE (Vote 38 + Vote 39) |
13,748,306 |
13,644,751 |
13,624,281 |
12,773,535 |
12,294,512 |
|
Adjust for Child and Family Agency |
-557,470 |
-566,710 |
-563,610 |
||
|
A-in-A's |
1,043,000 |
||||
|
Adjusted Original Estimate Figure |
13,190,836 |
13,078,041 |
13,060,671 |
12,773,535 |
13,337,512 |
|
Final Outturn As Per Appropriation Account |
13,846,658 |
13,883,508 |
13,745,751 |
13,354,591 |
N/A |
|
Adjust for Child and Family Agency |
-557,470 |
-566,710 |
-563,610 |
||
|
Adjusted Gross Current Vote |
13,289,188 |
13,316,798 |
13,182,141 |
13,354,591 |
N/A |
Notes
1. These figures relate to the combined Gross Current Expenditure for the Department of Health and the HSE.
2. The Children and Family Service was transferred to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs from the 1 January 2014.
3. The disestablishment of the HSE's Vote resulted in €1.043 billion of receipts - previously reported as Appropriations-in-Aid (A-in-A) in the HSE Vote - being offset against the Gross Vote requirement for the Executive for 2015.
415. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the hospitals which have acute medical assessment units and the number of days per week and the number of hours per day each of these is open, in tabular form. [45711/15]
View answerIn relation 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.
416. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the 25 health priorities for 2015 he announced on 27 January 2015, indicating which of these have been fully achieved as of 15 December 2015, in tabular form. [45712/15]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table. The information reflects the current position with delivery of commitments continuing and further planned review of achievements scheduled for early January.
|
No |
Priority |
Current Status |
|
Priority Area: Healthy Ireland |
||
|
1 |
Introduce major Public Health Bills (Alcohol, Standardised Packaging of Tobacco, Licensing of Sale of Tobacco) |
Achieved |
|
2 |
Publish the findings from the first Healthy Ireland survey, giving an overview of the health of the nation for the first time since 2007. |
Achieved |
|
Priority Area: Patient Outcomes and Safety |
||
|
3 |
Reduce number of patients with delayed discharges by one third to less than 500 and number of patients on trolleys in EDs waiting for admission for over 9 hours by one third to less than 70 |
The numbers of delayed discharges have fallen from 830 in December 2014 to 582 on 15 December. The average number of patients waiting greater than 9 hours in Quarter 4 in December to date (1 Oct - 4 Dec) is 109, down from 173 in February. Currently the numbers in EDs on trolleys are approximately 25% less than the same day last year. |
|
4 |
Develop and implement a plan to address waiting lists, with a focus on long waiters such that nobody will wait longer than 18 months for inpatient and day case treatment or an outpatient appointment with further reduction thereafter at no greater than 15 months by year end. |
End of December figures are not yet available. Significant reduction has been achieved in recent months in the number of patients waiting over 15 months for in-patient/daycase surgery or outpatient consultations. |
|
5 |
Continue to reduce the cost of medicines to patients and the taxpayer |
Interim reductions under the current agreement were not conceded by the industry and the focus has moved to the negotiation of a successor agreement. Preparations are advanced between the HSE, DPER and the Office of Government Procurement in advance of the formal commencement of negotiations with the industry. Preliminary discussions have taken place with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association regarding a possible successor pricing and supply agreement to the current agreement. Formal engagement is expected to commence in Quarter 1 2016. |
|
6 |
Publish the Review of the Mental Health Act |
Achieved |
|
7 |
Extend and implement the National Clinical Effectiveness Guidelines |
Achieved |
|
8 |
Agree a plan for extending HIQA regulation to other health and social care sectors, commencing in 2015 with private healthcare providers. |
Plan developed and agreed. |
|
9 |
Progress the reconfiguration of residential services as recommended in Time to Move on from congregated settings |
As of 30 September 2015, 84 people had moved out of congregated settings to homes in the community with further progress planned by the end of 2015. |
|
Priority Area: Universal Health Care |
||
|
10 |
Take the first concrete steps to provide a Universal Health service by extending GP services without fees to all under sixes and GP services without fees to the over 70s |
Achieved. At the start of December over 200,000 children and 93% of GPs had signed up to the enhanced under 6 GP service and about 49,000 people over 70 had sighed up for GP care without fees. |
|
11 |
Put in place models of care that improve the way people can access services, by supporting new models of chronic disease management increasing GP access to diagnostic services and progressing the provision of minor surgery in primary care |
Achieved |
|
12 |
Commence development of a revised contract for publicly funded GP services as part of an integrated health service |
Achieved |
|
13 |
Implement a package of measures to increase the number of people with Health Insurance |
Achieved. Lifetime Community Rating introduced as well as young adult discounts. Over 100,000 more people now have health insurance compared with the same time in 2014. |
|
14 |
Universal Health Insurance – complete the costing analysis and revert to Government with a roadmap on next steps |
Achieved |
|
Priority Area: Modernise Health Infrastructure |
||
|
15 |
Secure planning permission for the new children’s hospital (St James’s campus) and satellite centres (Blanchardstown and Tallaght) and publish heads of Bill to merge the three existing children’s hospitals into one |
Oral hearings in relation to planning completed, Decision expected in Quarter 1 2016. Work on Heads of Bill is underway. |
|
16 |
Commence works on the new National Forensic Mental Health Services Campus (Portrane) |
Achieved |
|
17 |
Submit planning application for the new National Maternity Hospital (St. Vincent's) |
Work to finalise the planning application is ongoing. |
|
18 |
Build nine new primary care centres and more through lease arrangements |
Full achievement expected. |
|
Priority Area: Reform |
||
|
19 |
Get the hospital groups and community healthcare organisations up and running |
Achieved |
|
20 |
Publish draft legislation on Assisted Human Reproduction and associated research |
Policy proposals have been agreed by Government and it is expected that the General Scheme will be completed in 2016. |
|
21 |
Issue the first Individual Health Identifiers and increase investment in ICT and eHealth |
Capital Investment in 2015 increased by 37.5 %. The technical capability to assign identifiers is now in place. |
|
22 |
Develop a new mechanism to ensure implementation of HIQA recommendations made to the HSE |
Full achievement expected. |
|
Priority Area: Innovative Funding Models |
||
|
23 |
Embed ‘activity based funding’ in the health service |
Achieved. Activity-Based Funding budgets for inpatient and day care services are being introduced for the 38 largest public hospitals. Developing ABF budgeting for other areas like outpatients will continue in 2015. |
|
24 |
Pursue alternative public/private options to construct new community nursing units |
Achieved. The Department completed a major cost benefit analysis project on capital tax incentives to support targeted development of Nursing Home Facilities. In his budget speech, Minister Noonan announced changes to the Employment and Investment Incentive Scheme (EIIS) to allow for investment in the extension, management and operation of nursing homes. |
|
25 |
Explore the possibility of using social impact bonds to provide more resources for drug treatment and rehabilitation |
Achieved. Draft of policy document has been completed following consultation with other Departments and an expert from the UK. |
417. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the funds allocated to the Travel2Care scheme in each year from 2008 to date, in tabular form. [45713/15]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow up the matter with them.
418. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of elective surgical procedures which have been cancelled and-or postponed in each of the individual hospitals across the Saolta University Health Care Group in each month in 2014 and 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45721/15]
View answerIn relation 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.
419. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of assessments of children with possible special needs which are outstanding beyond the time periods permitted by the Disability Act 2005 in Cork city and county. [45732/15]
View answer420. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of the 603 applications received by the Health Service Executive in respect of children with possible special needs in the Cork South Lee area in the 18-month period beginning January 2014 which have now been completed. [45733/15]
View answer421. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of applications received by the Health Service Executive in respect of children with possible special needs in the Cork South Lee area in the 12 months beginning January 2014; and the number of these which were completed within the statutory time limits set down by the Disability Act 2005. [45734/15]
View answer464. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting an assessment of need, the number of these assessments that are overdue; the capacity available to deal with the number of children waiting; when a child joining the waiting list today will have an assessment under the Disability Act 2005 in Cork city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46213/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 419 to 421, inclusive, and 464 together.
Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 was commenced on 1 June 2007 in respect of children aged under 5 years. In 2008, the then Government decided, in light of financial circumstances, to defer further implementation of the Disability Act 2005 and the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. However, in light of legal advice following a ruling of the High Court, children born after 1 June 2002 are being treated by the Health Service Executive as eligible to apply for an assessment under the Act. Part 2 of the 2005 Act provides for an assessment of the needs of eligible applicants, occasioned by their disability, to be commenced within three months of receipt of an application and completed within a further three months.
The HSE recognises that it faces significant challenges in respect of meeting the statutory time-frames which apply to the assessment of need process, given the number and complexity of cases, and has taken a number of measures to address the issue. While any delay in assessment or intervention for any child is not desirable, it should be noted that the assessment process under the Disability Act can take place in parallel with any intervention which is identified as necessary.
Following the publication of a National Disability Authority report commissioned by the Department of Health and the HSE, a major emphasis is being placed on reconfiguring children’s disability services into integrated multi-disciplinary geographically-based early-intervention and school-aged teams under the HSE’s Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People Programme. The key objective of this programme is to bring about equity of access to disability services and consistency of service delivery, with a clear pathway for children with disabilities, including autism, and their families to services, regardless of where they live, what school they go to, or the nature of the individual child’s difficulties. In 2014, an additional €4 million was specifically allocated to drive implementation of the programme, equating to approximately 80 additional therapy posts. A further additional €4m (equating to €6m in a full year) has been allocated to the programme this year to support its ongoing implementation.
Improving access to therapy services for children in primary care and in disability services is a particular priority for the Government. Funding is being provided in 2016 to expand the provision of speech and language therapy in primary care and to support the reorganisation and expansion of speech and language and other therapies under the Progressing Disability Services Programme. Full implementation of the programme is expected before the end of 2016.
Within this context, I have asked the HSE to provide the Deputy with the detailed operational information he has requested. 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.
422. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of midwifery training places in place in the main teaching hospitals and the full-year cost of increasing this by 10%. [45735/15]
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.
423. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he has received correspondence from the National Vision Coalition calling for the inclusion of a commitment to publish and implement A National Vision Strategy; if he is aware of the report from the coalition entitled Economic Cost and Burden of Eye Diseases and Preventable Blindness in Ireland which indicated that 75% to 80% of blindness is preventable and that blindness and vision impairment cost the State €205 million in 2010, but investment in cost-effective interventions could save up to €76 million per year; and his Department’s estimate of the full-year cost of implementing A National Vision Strategy along the lines recommended by the National Vision Coalition. [45736/15]
View answerI am aware of the correspondence and the report referred to by the Deputy. Implementation of a vision strategy along the lines recommended by the National Vision Coalition has not been costed by the Department of Health.
There are a range of health services in place aimed at protecting people's eye health and where necessary providing supports to people with visual impairment. These services are based on the goals and principles of Healthy Ireland which aims to improve the health and well-being of the population through a greater emphasis on prevention, early intervention and keeping individuals and communities well. A number of services are provided in primary care and supported by secondary and specialist services for those who need them.
The Primary Care Eye Services Review Group, which was established by the HSE, is due to report in early 2016. It will set out a clear blueprint with recommendations for the delivery of primary care eye services which will ensure a high quality, safe and consistent service for patients. The National Vision Coalition was among the stakeholders consulted by the Review Group. It should be noted that any cost implications of the Review Group recommendations will need to be considered in the context of the financial resources available to the HSE in 2016 and future years.
424. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department has received in fees from freedom of information requests in 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45761/15]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table.
|
2014 |
2015 |
|
|
UP-FRONT FEE |
€2,280.00 |
N/A |
|
SEARCH AND RETRIEVAL |
€4,132.32 |
€885.16 |
|
INTERNAL REVIEW |
€255.00 |
€190.00 |
|
REFUNDS |
€569.75 |
€390.00 |
|
TOTAL FUNDS RECEIVED |
€6,097.57 |
€685.16 |
425. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the full-year cost of providing an extra 500, 1,000, 1,500 and 2,000 acute hospital beds. [45771/15]
View answerIn relation 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.
426. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of political staff working in his Department, including the role and salary of each staff member. [45788/15]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Name |
Role |
To Minister/Minister of State |
Annual Salary |
|
Brian Murphy |
Special Adviser |
Minister |
€99,370 |
|
Nick Miller |
Press Adviser |
€87,258 |
|
|
Philip O'Callaghan |
Personal Assistant (Policy and Parliamentary Adviser) |
€43,715 |
|
|
Mary Donohoe |
Personal Secretary |
€46,934 |
|
|
Patricia Ryan |
Special Adviser |
Minister of State |
€65,000 |
|
Bernard Lynch |
Personal Assistant |
€54,490 |
|
|
Sara Mongan |
Personal Secretary |
€42,891 |
427. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the number of Bills his Department has published since 9 March 2011; the number and Title of those Bills that included a regulatory impact assessment in advance of publication; the regulatory impact assessments published; the number of promised Bills for publication; the Bills that will include a regulatory impact assessment; the regulatory impact assessments that will be published before publication of the relevant Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45810/15]
View answerThe following table shows the Bills published by my Department since 9 March 2011 and the Bills currently on the Government's legislative programme for my Department.
|
Bills published since 9 March 2011 |
Bills currently on the legislative programme |
|
Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2011 |
Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No.1) Bill |
|
Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2011 |
Health Information and Patient Safety Bill |
|
Health (Provision of General Practitioner Services) Bill 2011 |
Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) (No.2) Bill |
|
Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 |
Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No.2) Bill |
|
Clotting Factor Concentrates and Other Biological Products Bill 2012 |
Health (Transport Support) Bill |
|
Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012 |
Assisted Human Reproduction Bill |
|
Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 |
Human Tissue Bill |
|
Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2012 |
Health and Wellbeing (Calorie Posting and Workplace Wellbeing) Bill |
|
Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2012 |
Patient Safety Licensing Bill |
|
Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013 |
Public Health (Retail Licensing of Tobacco Products) Bill |
|
Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013 |
Health Act 2007 (Amendment) Bill |
|
Health (Amendment) Bill 2013 |
Health Reform Bill |
|
Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013 |
New Children's Hospital Establishment Bill |
|
Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Bill 2013 |
|
|
Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2013 |
|
|
Health Identifiers Bill 2013 |
|
|
Health Service Executive (Financial Matters) Bill 2013 |
|
|
Public Health (Sunbeds) Bill 2013 |
|
|
Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2014 |
|
|
Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 |
|
|
Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 |
|
|
Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2014 |
|
|
Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2014 |
|
|
Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2015 |
|
|
Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2015 |
|
|
Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 |
|
|
Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2015 |
Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) were carried out in advance of publication of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012, the Health (Amendment) Bill 2013 in part, the Public Health (Sunbeds) Bill 2013, the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 and the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015. RIAs were published in advance with the exception of the RIA on the Public Health (Sunbeds) Bill 2013 which was published after the Bill.
Regarding the Bills currently on the Government's legislative programme, it is intended at this stage to include an RIA on the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, the Health (Transport Support) Bill, the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill, the Patient Safety Licensing Bill, the Human Tissue Bill, the Health and Wellbeing (Calorie Posting and Workplace Wellbeing) Bill, the Health Act 2007 (Amendment) Bill and the Public Health (Retail Licensing of Tobacco Products) Bill. In most cases it is intended to publish the RIA in advance of the publication of the Bills. The RIA for the Health Information and Patient Safety Bill was published on my Department's website in November 2015.
428. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting approval, the number approved but awaiting funding, and the expected waiting time for a person from the date of application to the approval date for funding under the nursing home support scheme in Cork city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45827/15]
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.
