Tuesday, 26 Jan 2016

Written Answers Nos. 352 - 368

Respite Care Services Availability

Questions (352)

Brendan Smith

Question:

352. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his proposals to provide much-needed additional respite beds in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3000/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If the Deputy has 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.

Hospitals Building Programme

Questions (353)

Dan Neville

Question:

353. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the status of the construction of the proposed new central mental hospital. [3001/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

On 13 January last I was honoured to attend the ceremony to turn the sod for the new National Forensic Mental Health Hospital at Portrane which is one of the Government’s priority projects. An Bord Pleanala awarded planning permission in June 2015. Enabling works commenced late last year. These works are extensive and will include demolition of existing buildings, diversion of utility services, construction of a dedicated access road for the duration of the build and the re-routing of existing pedestrian paths. The construction of the hospital is subject to a separate contract and commencement date. All works will be carried out in accordance with the terms of the planning permission.

The HSE has submitted its draft Capital Plan for the multi-annual period 2016-2021. This is being reviewed. It requires the approval of the Minister for Health together with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. When approved the HSE will publish the schedule of projects on its website.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (354)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

354. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for the provision of a home help service to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; if he will provide the necessary hours; the reason for the delay in processing the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3012/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If the Deputy has 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.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Questions (355)

Finian McGrath

Question:

355. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence in relation to a family (details supplied) in County Dublin regarding the nursing home fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3035/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If the Deputy has 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.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (356)

Finian McGrath

Question:

356. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence concerning the tuberculosis BCG vaccination in relation to a family (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3036/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

There is currently a worldwide shortage of BCG and Ireland is not the only country affected by this. The BCG vaccine has not been available in Ireland since the end of April 2015. BCG vaccination clinics in HSE Clinics and Maternity hospitals have been postponed until new stock arrives.

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 have 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 Ireland the number of cases of Tuberculosis (TB) has been falling and there were no cases of TB in young children in 2014. Young children are not at risk of TB because of the delay in getting BCG vaccine in Ireland.

There has been a number of issues that have delayed the production, release and delivery of BCG vaccine in recent months. Consequently, supplies of the vaccine are not expected to be received in Ireland until February at the earliest. When the vaccine is delivered there will be sufficient quantity to vaccinate all babies who have not received the vaccine.  The HSE will arrange appointments for vaccination clinics when the BCG vaccine supply is received.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (357)

Martin Ferris

Question:

357. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive much needed surgery. [3059/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under 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 the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow up the matter.

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Questions (358)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

358. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if a consultant (details supplied) at Sligo General Hospital will be replaced immediately; if not, the impact that this will have on waiting lists; if the HSE national recruitment service has advertised the post; the average number of surgeries carried out each week by the consultant in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3062/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow up the matter.

Ambulance Service Provision

Questions (359)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

359. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will purchase new ambulances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3069/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The NAS fleet has approximately 500 vehicles, travelling a combined 20 million km a year, including over 350 emergency ambulances, rapid response vehicles and intermediate care vehicles. In recent years, the NAS has made significant fleet investments, both in vehicles and in clinical and other technology. In 2015, 64 ambulances were refurbished or replaced under the vehicle replacement programme, at a cost of €9.4 m.

Further investment in vehicles and technology will be made in 2016 and I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy with the detailed information sought. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow up the matter.

Medical Card Data

Questions (360)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

360. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards and the number of general practitioner cards as at 1 January 2016; the number of each type issued on a discretionary basis; the number of each type assigned to those over 70 years of age; and the number of persons under six years of age with general practitioner cards on 1 January 2016. [3096/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (361)

Denis Naughten

Question:

361. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the reason why a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon cannot be assigned to a permanent general practitioner medical card panel; the steps being taken to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3097/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If he has 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.

Hospital Services

Questions (362)

Regina Doherty

Question:

362. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of women who received a second trimester ultrasound, by hospital, in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3098/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If she has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow up the matter.

Maternity Services Provision

Questions (363)

Regina Doherty

Question:

363. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of women who gave birth, by hospital, in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3099/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly. If she has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage

Questions (364)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

364. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to consider restoring assistance to persons with coeliac disease to purchase gluten free food; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3107/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

The HSE faces a continuing challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, as a result it has become necessary for the HSE to suspend certain products from its list of items reimbursable under the GMS and other community drug schemes. This includes gluten-free products.

Gluten-free products have become more widely available in supermarkets in recent years and tend to be significantly cheaper than products sold through community pharmacies. Coeliac patients can also claim medical expenses tax relief on expenditure incurred on gluten-free products manufactured specifically for coeliacs. There are no plans to reinstate these products on the list of reimbursable items under the GMS and other community drug schemes.

Home Care Packages Provision

Questions (365)

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

365. Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of home care hours for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3112/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Health Insurance

Questions (366)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

366. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3126/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Insurance companies operate as commercial providers and, as Mniister for Health, I have no legal power to intervene in relation to any insurer’s prices. The cost of private health insurance is influenced by a number of factors such as the number of persons in the market, the age profile of those holding private health insurance and ongoing medical innovations which can have an impact on the cost of care and the cost of claims.

Since my appointment as Minister, keeping the health insurance market stable and increasing the numbers taking out health insurance has been one of my key priorities. An increase in the numbers taking out health insurance helps to control premium inflation, thereby keeping health insurance more affordable for everyone. Lifetime Community Rating Regulations came into effect from 1 May 2015 and late entry loadings now apply for people aged 35 and over when taking out health insurance for the first time. This encourages people to take out health insurance at a younger age, thereby avoiding loadings and helping to spread the health costs of older and less healthy people across all insured persons. In addition, new legislation effective from May 2015 provides for the introduction of ‘Young Adult’ rates of premium, which are based on a sliding scale of maximum chargeable rates up to age 26. Without these measures, there would be a continued deterioration in the age profile of the insured population, which in turn would contribute to claims inflation and result in higher insurance premiums.

The number of people now holding private health insurance is 2.118 million, or 46% of the Irish population (end-September 2015). This is an increase of over 93,000 since the start of 2015, which is extremely welcome as it helps to control premium inflation and thus keep health insurance affordable for all who wish to avail of it.

We have a highly competitive insurance market and I urge customers to shop around for the best value for their desired level of cover. Many consumers can make savings on their health insurance premiums by reviewing the level of cover to ensure that their needs are being met, without being over-insured. The Health Insurance Authority website is a good place to start as it offers a clear price comparison and can be accessed at www.hia.ie.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (367)

Ciara Conway

Question:

367. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health to address the issue of waiting lists and cancelled surgeries for scoliosis patients; to provide a breakdown of the number of persons and the length of time they are on waiting lists by three month period and by hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3129/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin is the largest provider of scoliosis surgery for children and young people. Funding was allocated in 2015 for additional consultant posts including two consultant orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetist and support staff at Crumlin while capital funding was also provided for a new theatre on site to expand theatre capacity further. The 2016 Service Plan specifically provides for support for the new theatre capacity and the continued development of paediatric scoliosis services to address ongoing capacity deficits.

In order to address waiting times in the interim, patients from Crumlin have been transferred to other hospitals where capacity is available and where that is clinically appropriate. These include Temple Street, Cappagh, Tallaght and the Blackrock Clinic. External capacity has also been identified at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital at Stanmore in the UK. The HSE is continuing to work with the Children’s Hospital Group and the individual hospitals to identify all options to increase capacity further to improve access times for surgery.

As the specific issues raised are a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If she has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow up the matter.

Medicinal Products Availability

Questions (368)

Gerry Adams

Question:

368. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health why a person (details supplied) in County Louth is unable to access the drug Fampyra, in spite of its approval by the Health Service Executive in October 2015 to be included in the medical card scheme and the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3133/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the particular issue raised relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply. If he has 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.