Written Answers Nos. 273-288
273. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide additional funding in 2016 to reduce orthodontic waiting lists on the north side of Dublin given that the waiting times are several years long as against a matter of months in other parts of County Dublin; and if he will contract out this work in order to tackle the unacceptably long waiting times. [3722/16]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. It should be noted that the nature of orthodontic care means that immediate treatment is not always desirable. It is estimated that in up to 5% of cases it is necessary to wait for further growth to take place, until after 16-18 years of age, before treatment commences. Patients are assessed by the HSE Orthodontic Service under the modified Index of Treatment Need. Patients with the greatest level of need are provided with treatment by the HSE.
Following a national procurement process, a panel of independent practitioners will be contracted by the HSE in the coming weeks to provide treatment for certain categories of misalignment. The practitioners will be under contract over the next three years, with consideration of an extension to four years. This initiative will especially focus on those waiting for four years or longer. The majority of patients to be treated will come from the Dublin area. It is expected that this initiative will have a positive impact on waiting times.
In addition, a pilot scheme in the Dublin North East area (DNE), which involves up-skilling staff to work as orthodontic therapists is currently underway. A dental hygienist and a dental nurse qualified as orthodontic therapists in September 2015 and are now working in the HSE under the supervision of specialist orthodontists. The scheme is currently undergoing an evaluation, which includes consideration of how the scheme is affecting waiting lists. Figures are currently being collated and early indications are positive. It is planned to extend the scheme nationally after the evaluation has been completed.
274. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason for the failure to establish a patient safety authority as promised in the programme for Government. [3723/16]
View answerInformed by the published HIQA investigation reports on various hospital services and based on analysis and discussions on patient safety priorities, I came to the conclusion that providing a national focus for patient safety is best achieved by strengthening the priority attached to patient safety and complaints handling within the delivery system, concentrating HIQA’s regulatory efforts on key patient safety challenges and developing independent patient advocacy supports. In order to lead and direct these efforts, Government has approved a programme of patient safety measures. These include the strengthening of my Department's patient safety role and functions through the establishment of a National Patient Safety Office (NPSO) within the Department. This would mean that the NPSO would have a broader mandate than envisaged for the Patient Safety Authority in the Programme for Government and would be firmly linked to the existing systems of accountability and performance oversight. My Department is continuing to work towards finalising the design, structure and work plan for the NPSO in 2016.
275. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on medicines, by public hospital, in each of the years 2010 to 2015 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3725/16]
View answerThe Deputy's question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office who will follow up on the matter.
276. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number and list of general practitioners, GPs, who have signed up to the proposed scheme of free GP care for children under six years of age, by county, in tabular form. [3726/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, 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 them.
277. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a new medical device for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3733/16]
View answerAs 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.
278. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health the name, costs, date of commission, date or expected date of publication and name of the external consultant of all external reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011. [3769/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is presented in the following table. Data refers to reports commissioned from March 2011 to December 2015.
|
Year |
Organisation/ Consultants |
Name of Report |
Current status |
Cost December 2015 |
|
2015 |
Amarach Research |
Alcohol Labelling Research |
Report being drafted. |
€86,138 |
|
2015 |
NUIG |
Suite of Literature Reviews to support National Clinical Guidelines |
Work commenced |
€159,645 |
|
2015 |
UCC |
Systematic literature review National Early Warning Score update |
Ongoing |
€22,743 |
|
2015 |
ICF Consulting Services/DKM Economic Consultants |
An assessment of the economic costs of smoking in Ireland |
Ongoing |
€12,449 |
|
2015 |
Prospectus |
Code of Conduct for Health and Social Service Providers |
Extracts will be published within clinical guidelines |
€86,138 |
|
2015 |
UCD |
Clinical Handover Guideline |
Work ongoing |
€86,292 |
|
2015 |
DCU |
Management of the Acute Adult Asthma Patient – provision of research |
Extracts to be published within clinical guideline |
€9,973 |
|
2015 |
DCU |
Paediatric Early Warning Score – Pre-implementation research |
Extracts to be published within clinical guideline |
€24,000 |
|
2015 |
INDECON Economic Consultants |
Analysis of potential measures to encourage the provision of Primary Care facilities |
Work ongoing |
€0 |
|
2015 |
DKM Economic Consultants |
Analysis of potential measures to encourage the provision of Nursing Homes and Community Nursing Unit facilities |
Work ongoing |
€40,221 |
|
2014 |
DCU School of Nursing |
Report to support the Taskforce on Staffing and Skill mix for nursing |
Will be used to inform the final Report on the Taskforce on Staffing and Skill Mix |
€7,418 |
|
2014 |
DCU School of Nursing |
Literature Review and Nursing Workforce Evaluation to Support the Taskforce on Staffing and Skill Mix |
Will be used to inform the Report of the Taskforce on Staffing and Skill Mix |
€19,845 |
|
2014 |
Crowe Horwath |
Thematic Analysis of Submissions in response to a Public Consultation on the White Paper for Universal Health Insurance |
Published on Department’s website |
€39,176 |
|
2014 |
NUI Galway |
Systematic literature review Maternity Early Warning Score |
Extracts published within clinical guideline |
€23,935 |
|
2014 |
DCU |
Systematic literature review Paediatric Early Warning Score |
Extracts will be published within clinical guideline |
€20,095 |
|
2014 |
UCC |
Systematic literature review Clinical Practice Guidance |
Published on Department’s website |
€20,712 |
|
2014 |
Sinéad Shannon |
Review of the international evidence and literature on selection criteria for the Outcomes Framework (Whilst this piece of research which was commissioned in December and approved in January, no payments have been made to date) |
Ongoing |
€5,000 |
|
2013 |
Prospectus Strategy Consultants |
Review of Staffing Resources and Organisational Structure of the Department of Health |
Report completed but not published, for Department's use only |
€72,940 |
|
2013 |
Deloitte and Touche Consultants Ltd |
Review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme |
Ongoing |
€36,900 |
|
2013 |
Matheson Ormsby Prentice |
Legal Research and advisory services on the design and implementation of an insurance based health system providing universal coverage in Ireland |
Not Published |
€123,000 |
|
2013 |
Prof Oonagh Walsh |
Report on symphysiotomy in Ireland, 1944-1984 |
Not published |
€49,500 |
|
2013 |
Ernst & Young |
Reports relating to the development of the Programme Management Office (cost includes a range of consultancy services) |
Ongoing – internal reports |
€79,212 |
|
2013 |
Dr Sinead Hanafin & Associates |
Review of the Traveller Health Advisory Committee |
Finalised |
€6,150 |
|
2013 |
Prospectus |
Overview of the development of the Health & Wellbeing Programme |
Finalised |
€15,156 |
|
2013 |
Research Matters |
Provision of Research Management Services |
Ongoing |
€74,490 |
|
2013 |
Institute of Public Health |
Analysis re Consultation (Tobacco Products Directive) |
Completed - not yet published |
€5,000 |
|
2013 |
Professor Hammond |
Research on Standardised Packaging- Irish Context |
Ongoing |
€5,000 |
|
2013 |
CJP Consultants |
Preparation of report on the efficacy of minimum pricing and other public policies for alcohol. |
Published on website |
€31,488 |
|
2013 |
Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland |
Annual Report of the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body (AMCMB) |
Published |
€21,115 |
|
2012 |
McGee Pharma International |
Labelling of Medicinal Products in both Irish and English |
Completed |
€13,644 |
|
2012 |
Goodbody Stockbrokers and Matheson Ormsby Prentice Solicitors |
Further Analysis of Options in relation to the restructuring of the Irish Private Health Insurance Market |
Report completed |
€62,349 |
|
2012 |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with the assistance of PwC |
Review of the Department of Health's Parliamentary and Legislative Processes |
Report completed but not published - for Department's use only |
€18,020 |
|
2012 |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform |
A survey of experience and qualifications in the Department of Health |
Report completed but not published - for Department's use only |
None |
|
2012 |
Michael Collins Associates |
Supplementary Report and Addendum on Cost Comparison for the Dolphin Review Group |
Completed not published, commercially sensitive |
€12,423 |
|
2012 |
John Martin |
Further assessment of planning issues in relation to proposed sites for the Dolphin Review Group |
Published |
€6,000 |
|
2012 |
Simon Clear |
Further assessment of planning issues in relation to proposed sites for the Dolphin Review Group |
Published |
€9,475 |
|
2012 |
The Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, UCC, in conjunction with the Centre for Health Policy and Management, TCD. |
The Efficiency Review of the BreastCheck Screening Programme |
Published |
€71,270 |
|
2012 |
Mr Gerard Mullaly |
Reforming Chronic Care: Financing and Delivering Integrated Chronic Care |
Not published |
€5,227 |
|
2012 |
Mr Gerard Mullaly |
The Integrated Continuing Care System (ICCS): Reforming Elderly Care in Ireland |
Not published |
€7,558 |
|
2012 |
Matheson Ormsby Prentice |
Options Appraisal of multi-payer universal health insurance models: Preliminary advice |
Not Published |
€6,150 |
|
2012 |
Department of Health / SIRA Consulting |
Report on the baseline measurement of the administrative burden from the Department of Health (as part of a cross Departmental project coordinated by Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation) |
Published 2013 |
€14,000 |
|
2011 |
Goodbody Stockbrokers and Matteson Ormsby Prentice Solicitors |
Commissioned to undertake are review of the Irish Private Health Insurance Market in Relation to the options which may exist for re-balancing |
Report completed |
€300,000 |
279. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health the number of tribunals of inquiry, commissions of inquiry or investigations for which he or his Department have been responsible by name; by terms of reference; by cost including the cost to date where an inquiry has not been concluded; by date including the projected date of conclusion where an inquiry has not been concluded from 1991 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3784/16]
View answerThe detailed information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available. Data will be collated and forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
280. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by the Health Service Executive on media clipping and media monitoring services in each calendar year from 2011 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3798/16]
View answerI have referred this matter to the HSE for attention and 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 them.
281. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by the Health Service Executive on public relations services in each calendar year from 2011 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3799/16]
View answerI have referred this matter to the HSE for attention and 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 them.
282. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the expenses claimed, including the amount of mileage and the amount claimed, by him and Ministers of State of his Department, by calendar year, during the current Dáil Éireann, in tabular form. [3812/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of expenses paid to me is set out in the following table. All payments in respect of travel and subsistence are based on rates approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
|
Paid in Year |
Mileage Paid |
Other Expenses |
Total |
|
2014 |
€6,328 |
€558 |
€6,886 |
|
2015 |
€14,065 |
€835 |
€14,900 |
|
2016 |
€1,095 |
€0 |
€1,095 |
|
Total |
€21,488 |
€1,393 |
€22,881 |
The information requested in respect of Minister of State Kathleen Lynch is set out in the following table.
|
Paid in Year |
Mileage Paid |
Other Expenses |
Total |
|
2011 |
€11,430 |
€951 |
€12,381 |
|
2012 |
€15,973 |
€3,349 |
€19,322 |
|
2013 |
€15,068 |
€4,011 |
€19,079 |
|
2014 |
€14,354 |
€2,438 |
€16,792 |
|
2015 |
€16,376 |
€2,708 |
€19,084 |
|
Total |
€73,201 |
€13,457 |
€86,658 |
The information requested in respect of former Minister of State Alex White is set out in the following table.
|
Paid in Year |
Mileage Paid |
Other Expenses |
Total |
|
2013 |
€13,248 |
€3,096 |
€16,344 |
|
2014 |
€8,334 |
€1,914 |
€10,248 |
|
2015 |
€0 |
€371 |
€371 |
|
Total |
€21,582 |
€5,381 |
€26,963 |
The information requested in respect of former Minister of State Róisín Shortall is set out in the following table.
|
Paid in Year |
Mileage Paid |
Other Expenses |
Total |
|
2011 |
€0 |
€547 |
€547 |
|
2012 |
€7,286 |
€315 |
€7,601 |
|
Total |
€7,286 |
€862 |
€8,148 |
283. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the amount he spent on media clipping and media monitoring services in each calendar year from 2011 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3827/16]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is set out as follows:
2015 - €28,179
2014 - €20,135
2013 - €17,993
2012 - €19,807
2011 - €18,709
284. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he has provided key additional funding and resources for disability services in 2016; if he has estimated the cost of the additional essential resources requested by disability advocacy groups in the run up to budget 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3845/16]
View answerIn the run up to Budget 2016, the Department of Health received a number of submissions from various organisations representing people with disabilities for additional funding.
Arising from the budgetary process, funding of €1.56 billion was allocated to the Disability Services Programme in 2016. The quantum of service to be provided with that funding, and the key service deliverables and priorities for the Disability Services Programme, are outlined in the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2016.
The HSE is committed to protecting frontline services for people with disabilities to the greatest possible extent, and to maintaining a consistent level of service to that provided in 2015.
285. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health when detailed planning and construction for the proposed new accident and emergency department at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3846/16]
View answerFuture investment at Beaumont Hospital must be considered within the overall acute hospital sector infrastructure programme, and also within the overall capital envelope available to the health service. Future development at the Beaumont site must also be considered in the context of the establishment of hospital groups. Each hospital group will be required to develop a strategic plan to describe how it will provide more efficient and effective patient services and reorganise its services to provide optimal care to the populations it serves. The HSE is concentrating on applying the funding available for infrastructure development in the most effective way possible to meet current and future needs.
As part of its 2015 - 2016 winter capacity planning, Beaumont is extending the Day Hospital at St. Joseph's, Raheny from a 2 day to a 5 day service. The Day Hospital provides a multi-disciplinary team for frail older people, thus providing an alternative care pathway for these patients, helping them to avoid ED admission. Rehabilitation and transitional care services are also provided in St. Joseph's, which facilitates earlier discharge from Beaumont and assists in avoiding re-admissions.
As the specific question raised by the Deputy are matters for the Health Service Executive, I have therefore 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.
286. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a licensing system for all health and care facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3847/16]
View answerI am adopting a phased approach to the regulation of healthcare. My Department continues to progress the Patient Safety Licensing Bill and has established a Working Group to engage with the Health Service Executive, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and the independent healthcare sector to inform the finalisation of the General Scheme of the Bill prior to its consideration by Government. As an interim step and in advance of a formal licensing regime for public and private hospitals, I propose to bring the private/independent healthcare sector within the remit of the Health Act 2007. In November 2015, Government gave approval to the drafting of the Health Information and Patient Safety Bill which will include the necessary provisions to extend HIQA’s powers to set and monitor standards, and undertake investigations, where necessary, in the private healthcare sector. Work on drafting the Health Information and Patient Safety Bill will continue throughout 2016.
287. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3859/16]
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.
