Written Answers Nos. 584-99
584. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health to support a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied) who requires mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46694/15]
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, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
585. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times for initial assessments for all persons referred to child and adolescent mental health service units in Galway city and county between 2011 and 2015, inclusive, in tabular form; the number of staff attached to the units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46695/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
586. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who has applied for a primary care certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46696/15]
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, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
587. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health why a child (details supplied) in County Dublin is losing an entitlement to a special needs assistant, SNA; if he will reinstate the child's SNA hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46701/15]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, is the responsibility of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. While certain flexibilities had been built in to the Programme to facilitate the inclusion of children with a disability the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures children and young people's policy framework contained a commitment to develop a plan to facilitate the full participation of such children in the ECCE Programme. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has lead responsibility for the implementation of this commitment and has concluded an intensive process of deliberation and consultation on the matter in conjunction with the Departments of Health and Education and Skills and has brought forward a new model of supports to facilitate the full participation of children with a disability in the ECCE Programme.
As part of Budget 2016, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs announced the necessary funding to implement the new model of ECCE supports for children with a disability. The new model will provide supports including enhanced continuing professional development for early years practitioners; grants for equipment, appliances and minor alterations; and access to therapeutic intervention. Funding of €15 million has been provided to phase these supports in during 2016. Full year costs for these supports are estimated to be €33 million from 2017 onwards. This model of supports was launched on 18 November last by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs with my full support and the support of my Government colleague Jan O'Sullivan T.D., Minister for Education and Skills.
It should be noted that while the Health Service Executive has no statutory obligation to provide assistant supports for children with special needs wishing to avail of the ECCE scheme, it has, to date, worked at local level and in partnership with the relevant disability service providers to address individual needs as they arise. This has been done, for example, by funding special pre-schools that cater specifically for children with disabilities. In some limited cases at local level, disability services have also facilitated children with a disability to attend mainstream pre-schools by providing assistant supports where possible and where resources are available. The provision of such pre-school assistant supports should not be confused with Special Needs Assistants who are funded by the Department of Education and Skills to support children with special educational needs in primary and post-primary school settings.
Within this context, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the individual case she has raised. 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.
588. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health why a child (details supplied) in County Dublin is losing an entitlement to a special needs assistant, SNA; if he will reinstate the child's SNA hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46702/15]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, is the responsibility of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. While certain flexibilities had been built in to the Programme to facilitate the inclusion of children with a disability the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futureschildren and young people's policy framework contained a commitment to develop a plan to facilitate the full participation of such children in the ECCE Programme. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has lead responsibility for the implementation of this commitment and has concluded an intensive process of deliberation and consultation on the matter in conjunction with the Departments of Health and Education and Skills and has brought forward a new model of supports to facilitate the full participation of children with a disability in the ECCE Programme.
As part of Budget 2016, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs announced the necessary funding to implement the new model of ECCE supports for children with a disability. The new model will provide supports including enhanced continuing professional development for early years practitioners; grants for equipment, appliances and minor alterations; and access to therapeutic intervention. Funding of €15 million has been provided to phase these supports in during 2016. Full year costs for these supports are estimated to be €33 million from 2017 onwards. This model of supports was launched on 18 November last by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs with my full support and the support of my Government colleague Jan O'Sullivan T.D., Minister for Education and Skills.
It should be noted that while the Health Service Executive has no statutory obligation to provide assistant supports for children with special needs wishing to avail of the ECCE scheme, it has, to date, worked at local level and in partnership with the relevant disability service providers to address individual needs as they arise. This has been done, for example, by funding special pre-schools that cater specifically for children with disabilities. In some limited cases at local level, disability services have also facilitated children with a disability to attend mainstream pre-schools by providing assistant supports where possible and where resources are available. The provision of such pre-school assistant supports should not be confused with Special Needs Assistants who are funded by the Department of Education and Skills to support children with special educational needs in primary and post-primary school settings.
Within this context, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the individual case she has raised. 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.
589. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health to report on the treatment of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15. [46711/15]
View answerI have been informed by the HSE that the person referred to has received treatment on 16 December, 2015.
Under the Health Act 2004, the 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 providing treatment of a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
I have asked the HSE to respond further on this issue. 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.
590. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46712/15]
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 National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
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.
591. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of annual subscriptions to external membership bodies and groups his Department or the Health Service Executive has, including the cost and details. [46756/15]
View answerIn 2015, the Department paid €12,458 in respect of subscription fees to external membership bodies on behalf of 29 members of staff. The memberships were relevant to the work duties of the staff concerned.
I have requested the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in respect of such HSE expenditure. If you do not receive a reply within 15 working days please contact my private office who will follow up the matter.
592. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of annual subscriptions to newspapers or magazines of his Department or the Health Service Executive, including the cost and details. [46757/15]
View answerSince 1 September, 2015 the Department has had a digital subscription to a daily national newspaper for sixteen licences. The cost of this subscription in 2015 was €2,145. Up to the end of August 2015, daily national newspapers were purchased in local newsagents rather than by subscription. From 1 September, the Department has a monthly subscription to a daily national newspaper delivery service for 28 publications. The total cost of this subscription in 2015 was €12,658. The Department does not subscribe to any magazines.
I have also asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in this matter. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days please contact my private office who will follow up.
593. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the annual cost to his Department or the Health Service Executive of advertisements placed on its behalf in newspapers, magazines, television and radio, and social media. [46758/15]
View answerIn 2014, the Department spent €58,209 on advertisements in newspapers and other print media, mainly to promote awareness of new schemes or public consultations, in addition to posting updates to www.health.gov.ie and using social media (@roinnslainte). No advertisements were placed on radio, television or through social media. Figures for 2015 are being compiled and I will forward those on to the Deputy when they are available.
I have also 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 up the matter.
594. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health when an operation for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be performed; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46781/15]
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 National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
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.
595. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding general practitioners. [46786/15]
View answerUnder the General Medical Services (GMS) contract, GP's are remunerated for a range of services which they provide to medical card and GP card-holders. As a consequence of the severe difficulties arising from the economic and fiscal crisis of recent years, it was necessary between 2009 and 2013 to reduce certain payments to general practitioners under the GMS contract. These changes were given effect under the terms of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2009. These reductions applied to all fees and allowances, including payments for special items.
Having regard to the easing of the State's financial position, the Department of Health will shortly commence a formal consultation process under section 9 of the FEMPI Act 2009, as amended by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2015, in respect of the fees and allowances payable to contracted general practitioners.
597. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of a case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; when the person concerned will receive full-time residential service from the Health Service Executive. [46805/15]
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, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
598. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if electronic cigarettes play a role in assisting persons in stopping smoking; the supports he will put in place for smokers wishing to stop smoking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46807/15]
View answer599. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health his view on including electronic cigarettes in the tobacco products directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46808/15]
View answer631. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a licensing system for vaping products; if so, when; if he will implement tobacco products directive II, in as far as it relates to vaping products; what form this will take; if public consultation is envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1058/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 598, 599 and 631 together.
E-cigarettes and other non-medicinal nicotine delivery systems are not regulated under tobacco control legislation because they do not contain tobacco. They must however, comply with the European Communities (General Product Safety) Regulations which specify the duties of producers and distributors placing products on the market.
While e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco, they do contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance which is the driver for cigarette smoking. Hence, there are legitimate concerns about the public health benefits of allowing such products to exist without regulation. Because they are a relatively recent product, there is limited scientific information available to balance the potential harms and benefits that might arise from more widespread public use.
The EU Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU), inter alia, provides for the regulation of certain aspects of e-cigarettes across EU Member States.
The Directive will:
- set mandatory safety and quality requirements e.g. on nicotine content, ingredients and devices, as well as refill mechanisms etc., for e-cigarettes;
- make health warnings and information leaflets obligatory;
- introduce notification requirements for manufacturers and importers of e-cigarettes; and
- impose stricter rules on advertising and monitoring of market developments.
The Department recently undertook a public consultation seeking views on certain discretionary elements within the Directive. The submissions from the consultation are being analysed and will inform policy decisions. The Department is working to transpose the Directive into national legislation by the May 2016 deadline.
In addition to the regulations under the Directive, e-cigarettes will be further regulated in Ireland through the introduction of a retail licensing system. The legislation, approved by Government will also prohibit the sale of these products to, and by, persons under 18 years of age. A public consultation process to obtain views on those measures was conducted early in 2015. The drafting of the Regulatory Impact Assessment is underway.
Current evidence-based means of quitting include behavioural support and pharmacotherapies. The HSE provides and promotes these safe and evidence-based services, supports and aids to help people to quit. The HSE recommends that those wishing to give up smoking use its cessation services as the first port of call.
The Department will continue to monitor evidence on the potential harms and benefits of these products, so as to inform decisions around any future additional regulation in this area.
