Thomas P. Broughan
Question:77. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposed new primary care centre in Edenmore in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9293/16]
View answerPrimary Care Centres Provision
Questions (77)
Written answers
The HSE has responsibility for the provision and operation of Primary Care Centres. Therefore, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue. 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.
Health Insurance Prices
Questions (78)
Bernard Durkan
Question:78. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he continues to monitor the various issues affecting the cost of private health insurance; if he has identified any particular contributing factors, if he will take specific action arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9298/16]
View answerWritten answers
Insurance companies operate as commercial providers and, as Minister 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. Each of these are contributors to the cost of care, the cost of claims and therefore the cost of premia payable.
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, 'Young Adult’ rates of premium, which are based on a sliding scale of maximum chargeable rates up to age 26, also apply from May 2015. These discounts encourage younger members to remain in the insured market. 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 impact of these initiatives on the market can now be seen, as the number of people now holding private health insurance is 2.126 million, or 45.9% of the Irish population (end-March 2016). This represents an increase of over 95,000 members on the previous 12 months, which contributes positively to keeping health insurance affordable for those who wish to avail of it.
Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists
Questions (79)
Bernard Durkan
Question:79. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of children listed as waiting for orthodontic treatment; the extent to which the waiting list has fluctuated in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9299/16]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 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.
Waiting list figures at the end of the last three years are as follows:
|
Year |
No. of Patients awaiting orthodontic treatment |
|
2015 |
15,830 |
|
2014 |
17,601 |
|
2013 |
15,540 |
Comparable figures for 2012 and 2011 are not available as not all HSE areas reported in these years.
Following a national procurement process, a panel of independent practitioners is currently being contracted by the HSE 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 who are generally 16 years and over. 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 after the evaluation has been completed.
Health Services Funding
Questions (80)
Martin Heydon
Question:80. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding the Health Service Executive provided to organisations (details supplied), by adult, in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9308/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Hospital Equipment
Questions (81)
Hildegarde Naughton
Question:81. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide adequate resources and trained staff, on a full-time basis, to ensure that the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scanner in Merlin Park Hospital in County Galway is properly utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9309/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.