Anne Rabbitte
Question:284. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the status regarding staffing (details supplied) at the orthodontic unit at University College Hospital Galway. [8100/16]
View answerHospital Staff
Questions (284)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, 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 them.
Medical Card Eligibility
Questions (285)
Bernard Durkan
Question:285. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the eligibility for a full medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8101/16]
View answerWritten answers
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 recently 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.
Primary Care Centres Provision
Questions (286)
Pat Deering
Question:286. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the proposed primary care centre in Tullow, County Carlow. [8105/16]
View answerWritten answers
While the Government's objective is to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost-effective health care system, the mechanism and timescale for delivery of primary care infrastructure is dependent on a number of factors. Regardless of the delivery mechanism, all potential primary care infrastructure is subject to suitable locations being offered/provided/available, to successful planning processes and GP commitment to sharing accommodation and delivering health care services with HSE staff. Delivery of primary care infrastructure is a dynamic process, constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances including the feasibility of implementation.
The HSE proposes to deliver the primary care centre for the Tullow, Rathvilly and Hacketstown area using the direct/own-build mechanism.
The Health Service Executive has been requested to reply directly to you regarding the current status of this project. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office who will follow up.
Hospital Staff
Questions (287)
John Brassil
Question:287. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the plans the Health Service Executive has to meet the staff shortage at Dingle Community Hospital which is resulting in eight beds not being occupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8113/16]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Home Help Service Provision
Questions (288)
James Lawless
Question:288. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours allocated nationally and for County Kildare in 2014 and 2015 and to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8182/16]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
General Practitioner Services Provision
Questions (289)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:289. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a general practitioner service in Rathmore, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8184/16]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Home Help Service Provision
Questions (290)
John Brassil
Question:290. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health to request the Health Service Executive to provide additional home help hours to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8185/16]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Legislative Programme
Questions (291)
Seán Fleming
Question:291. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill will be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8157/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Government approved the publication of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill and the introduction of the Bill in the Houses of the Oireachtas on 8 December 2015. The Bill completed Second Stage in the Seanad on 17 December 2015. As you are aware, the last Dáil was dissolved on 3 February 2016. Bills that were before the Oireachtas lapsed on the dissolution of the Dáil. It is open to a new Government to have a lapsed Bill restored to the Order Paper and progressed through the Oireachtas.
Mental Health Services Funding
Questions (292)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:292. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the status of reported reductions to the mental health budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8169/16]
View answerWritten answers
Mental health funding for 2016 was set out in the 2016 HSE Service Plan. The plan was subsequently published and made available to all interested parties.
Funding for mental health services will increase this year, no matter what developments take place during the year. Funding for mental health in 2016 will increase from the 2015 outturn of €785m, to a projected budget of €826m in the 2016 NSP, an increase of €41m or 5.2%, which includes the €35m ring fenced for mental health.
The last Government increased the ring-fenced mental health funding by a total of €160 million over 2012 - 16 inclusive. The €12 million in 2016 is being transferred temporarily to social care, including home care packages for older people and step-down beds.
€35m additional funding has been ring fenced for mental health as part of an additional €97m that has been earmarked for new developments in the HSE's 2016 Service Plan. €58.5m of that is held by the Department of Health, comprising the €35m for mental health services, €13.5m for primary care, €8m for therapy services for young people and €2m for the nursing taskforce pilot implementation.
Some of these proposals for the €35m allocation for mental health involve the recruitment of extra staff for new service developments. As staff recruitment takes time, the Service Plan provides that time related savings of approximately €12m from this, as well as other funding from primary care, therapy services for young people and nursing task force pilot implementation would be used, on a once-off basis, to maintain services in home care and transitional care beds, and for vaccine procurement. As the initiatives planned for mental health and these other areas identified in the Service Plan are approved, arrangements will be made for the release of funding, having regard to the overall Service Plan.
In line with the provisions of the Service Plan which was agreed and published last December, additional funding for specific initiatives in mental health will be allocated as specific implementation plans are agreed. The Department of Health is examining detailed proposals from the HSE for the redevelopment monies.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (293)
Finian McGrath
Question:293. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 392 of 14 April 2016 to support a matter regarding the Gardasil vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8194/16]
View answerWritten answers
In Ireland, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the regulatory authority for medicines in Ireland. While no medicine (including vaccines) is entirely without risk, the safety profile of Gardasil has been continuously monitored since it was first authorised both nationally and at EU level. As part of its monitoring of the safety of medicines, the HPRA operates an adverse reaction reporting system, where healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse reactions they consider may be associated with their treatment.
I am aware of claims of an association between HPV vaccination and a number of conditions experienced by a group of young women. It appears that some girls first suffered symptoms around the time they received the HPV vaccine, and understandably some parents have connected the vaccine to their daughter’s condition. I want to make it quite clear that anyone who is suffering ill health is eligible to seek medical attention, and to access appropriate health and social care services, irrespective of the cause of their symptoms. These girls and their families should seek medical advice from their family doctor in the normal manner and be guided by this advice in accessing appropriate services including specialist opinion where necessary.
As this question relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for a direct reply. If you do not receive a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
Ambulance Service
Questions (294)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:294. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the decisions he or the Health Service Executive have taken on foot of a meeting he held in 2015 in relation to improving the ambulance services in west Connemara, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8202/16]
View answerWritten answers
While no specific decisions have been made as a result of the meeting referred to by the Deputy, I have been assured, by the Director of the National Ambulance Service (NAS), that ambulance services in west Connemara are kept under review by the Chief Ambulance Officer for the western region.
Achieving response times in rural settings is difficult for any ambulance service and requires investment in additional resources and extensive community first responder schemes. In that context, new ambulance bases in Tuam, Mulranny and Loughglynn are improving regional coverage and deployment across Connemara and an active Community First Responder (CFR) scheme is supporting the ambulance service in the area. Additional funding provided in the National Service Plan 2016 includes funding to expand the CFR Scheme. The NAS will continue to work with CFR Ireland to develop CFR schemes, particularly in rural communities, to enhance the delivery of patient care.
The Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) Service continues to ensure that seriously ill or injured people, in more remote areas, have timely access to appropriate, high quality clinical care. The EAS is targeted mainly at western counties, where the road network may not allow for rapid transport to the nearest appropriate hospital.
The Deputy may also wish to note that three separate major reviews of pre-hospital emergency care have been initiated and a single cohesive action plan for ambulance services is currently being developed. This Plan will set out the actions necessary to implement the various recommendations and to address the range of other demands and challenges facing the ambulance service.
HSE Properties
Questions (295)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:295. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a day care centre (details supplied) in County Kerry where the Health Service Executive is occupying space; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8203/16]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Health Services Funding
Questions (296)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:296. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the way in which the Health Service will cope with the already showing significant under-provision for 2016; if he accepts that it is impracticable and unworkable to have so-called overspends carried forward by specific entities and sectors within the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8228/16]
View answerWritten answers
The gross current estimate for the Health Sector for 2016 is €13.195 billion, an increase of €900 million (7%) on the revised estimate for 2015. In addition, potential savings of €125m will be available to reinvest in maintaining and improving health services.
The HSE's Accountability Framework makes explicit the responsibilities of all managers to achieve performance targets set out in each year's Service Plan. The 2016 National Service Plan sets out the quantum of services to be provided within the €12,928.4m maximum net non-capital determination notified to the HSE for 2016. The NSP also sets out how the Executive intends to develop and build on the Framework in 2016 to further enhance and strengthen accountability arrangements next year.
The Service Plan identified savings measures totalling €125m, including procurement, probity, proscribing and drug prices. Of these, €110m relate to the PCRS, and are profiled for the second half of the year. Additional measures will be required in other areas to meet the financial risk identified by the HSE as being managed within the Service Plan. Currently, the HSE is undertaking an exercise to identify actions necessary with the acute hospital sector and I understand this exercise is scheduled to be competed by end April.
In submitting the 2016 Service Plan for my consideration and approval, the HSE Director General identified a financial risk being managed within the Plan which is in the order of €500m of which €200m relates to service delivery performance areas including acute and community services.
It is in this context, that when formally approving the HSE Service Plan 2016, I advised that it was important that management focus and the activities of all units are, from the outset of 2016, fully aligned with the Government's budgetary strategy and the delivery of the levels of services set out in the Service Plan.
I do not think it would be appropriate or proper for an acting or caretaker Government to make any material changes to the Service Plan or to make financial commitments that will bind the incoming Government once it is elected.
Of course the new Government can amend the Service Plan as it sees fit.
Dental Services Waiting Lists
Questions (297)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:297. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to a person (details supplied) who is awaiting an appointment for dental treatment. [8234/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, 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 them.
Dental Services Waiting Lists
Questions (298)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:298. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the current position in relation to a person (details supplied) who is awaiting a dental appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8236/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, 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 them.