Written Answers Nos. 667-699
667. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if the extra nurses required at Naas General Hospital in County Kildare have taken up their appointment or if this is pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9580/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up on the matter with them.
668. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health to provide a date for an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9535/16]
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 HSE, 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.
669. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the ambulance service (details supplied) in Millstreet in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9556/16]
View answerAs 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.
670. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) has at any time benefited under the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9581/16]
View answerAs 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.
671. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive will provide treatment for a person (details supplied) who is undergoing treatment in Germany, having been informed that it is not available here following diagnosis of (details supplied). [9599/16]
View answerThe HSE operates a Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland under EU Regulation 883/04, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulation 987/09, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines. Patients apply to the HSE TAS seeking access to public healthcare outside the State through model form E112. The application requires the patient's Irish-based public referring hospital consultant, following clinical assessment, to certify, among other things, that the treatment is medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs. The treatment must not be available within the State or not available within a time normally necessary for obtaining it.
The HSE has been asked to further examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. 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.
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.
672. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9606/16]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
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.
673. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of packages provided under the home care scheme by county from 2010 to 2016, inclusive, to date. [9550/16]
View answer674. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of packages requested under the home care package scheme by county from 2010 to 2016, inclusive, to date. [9551/16]
View answer675. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of hours provided under the home care package scheme by county from 2010 to 2016, inclusive, to date. [9552/16]
View answer677. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided under the home care package scheme by county from 2010 to 2016, inclusive, to date. [9553/16]
View answer678. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for processing applications under the home care package scheme by county from 2010 to 2016, inclusive, to date; the number of persons awaiting approval; and the reason for the waiting time. [9554/16]
View answer679. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health his views on media reports that certain community health care organisations cannot accept applications for packages under the home care scheme; if new applications are being placed on a waiting list; the areas in which waiting lists exist and the length of same. [9555/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 673 to 675, inclusive, and Nos. 677 to 679, inclusive together.
As these are service matters they have 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.
676. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the future of unit five of St. Stephen's hospital in Glanmire in County Cork, given the reports that it is due to be closed in the near future and the huge concern this is causing for the families of patients residing there; to provide an assurance that unit five will not be closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9630/16]
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.
680. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health to review the care plan for a person (details supplied). [9621/16]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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.
681. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if there is a procedure in place whereby nursing home residents who are part of the fair deal scheme can be taken out of the nursing home setting and nursed at home for a time; if the family is unable to cope, it can make a new application for fair deal; if in such a case, he will outline the applicable date in terms of transfers of property made in previous years; if there is any barrier to a person being taken out and a new application being made, should it be necessary to return the person to a nursing home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9690/16]
View answerAs the administration of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme 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.
682. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9632/16]
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 HSE, 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.
683. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for a procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9633/16]
View answerAs 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.
684. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of discretionary medical cards issued in County Wexford for each of the years 2012 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9692/16]
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 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.
685. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for lottery funding by the Health Service Executive in the name of the Samaritans in counties Kilkenny and Carlow, and when he will make a decision on this. [9640/16]
View answerMy Department administers a National Lottery Discretionary Fund from which once-off grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations providing a range of health related services. Funding in 2016 amounts to €3.286m.
The closing date for receipt of applications was 6 May and my Department has received a large number of applications which are currently being processed. All applications will be acknowledged and all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application as soon as a decision has been made.
686. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health why there is a seeming delay in the release of approved funds for a person (details supplied) who is in need of a residential placement; the timeline for the approval of the funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9655/16]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
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.
687. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health to urgently reinstate a medical card for a person (details supplied) whose card has been withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9635/16]
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 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.
688. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when he will arrange an urgent appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9643/16]
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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, 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.
689. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the status of a treatment for multiple sclerosis called Lemtrada, including its availability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9658/16]
View answerAs 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.
690. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health to review and strike out the charges for inpatient rehabilitation care services applied by St. Columba's Hospital in Thomastown in County Kilkenny, to a person (details supplied). [9646/16]
View answerCharges for the maintenance element of long-stay in-patient services – which may include in-patient rehabilitation care services – are provided for under the Health (Amendment) Act 2005 and the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations 2005, as amended.
The Regulations provide for two different classes of income-based charges in respect of the maintenance element of the in-patient services provided:
- Class 1 relates to charges for those receiving in-patient services on premises where 24-hour nursing care is provided, subject to a current maximum of €175 per week for a person whose income is €208 or more, and
- Class 2 charges apply where 24-hour nursing care is not provided, subject to a current maximum of €130 per week for a person whose income is €194 or more.
Affordability and the avoidance of financial hardship are built-in features of the charging provisions under the 2005 Act and Regulations:
- Firstly, the Act caps the amount which may be charged – at 80% of the non-contributory State Pension weekly rate. At present, that means an upper limit of €177.60 per week.
- Secondly, the charges are structured to ensure that those paying them retain a reasonable income for personal use: at least €33 per week for those paying Class 1 rates and at least €64 per week for those paying Class 2 rates.
- Thirdly, the Act provides that the HSE may reduce or waive a charge imposed on a person if necessary to avoid undue financial hardship.
To assist in the fair application of the provisions of the 2005 Act and Regulations, the HSE has developed national guidelines for the determination of long-stay charges for in-patient services. These include the need to have regard to the individual circumstances of each service user and his or her dependants. The guidelines ensure that the applicable charge is determined taking account of each person’s income and necessary outgoings while receiving care, including reasonable regular financial commitments. This avoids any unfair burden on the service user or his or her dependants.
As the issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. I have asked the HSE to look into the particular matter raised and to reply directly 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.
691. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the moneys spent by University Hospital Limerick on agency staff in each of the years 2011 to 2015 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9650/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up on the matter with them.
692. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 447 of 6 April 2016, the status of the proposed provision of a fixed cardio catheterisation laboratory for Sligo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9651/16]
View answerThe Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) Programme produced a model of care in March, 2012. This described the treatment of ACS and the provision of Primary Percutaneous Intervention (PPCI) nationally, and set out proposals for an optimal reperfusion service, which have been implemented.
The Acute Coronary Syndrome Working Group has recently been asked to conduct a comprehensive review of PPCI and PCI services nationally; recommendations will be made regarding the future configuration of these services, including the number and location of centres required to serve the population needs. Any future redesignation or expansion of PPCI Centres will be informed by this comprehensive review. It is anticipated that it will be completed within 3 months.
The Saolta Cross Border Cardiology Service commenced on May 4th 2016. This new service will greatly enhance patient access to emergency Cardiology services in the North-west region. Patients residing in the Donegal catchment area who suffer a suspected ST-Elevation Myocardial infarction, and who previously would have been transported to University Hospital Galway by road or air, will now be transported the shorter distance to Altnagelvin Area Hospital Derry, for emergency pPCI treatment.
This service is provided by the Saolta University Healthcare Group in conjunction with the Western Health and Social Care Trust and will provide treatment for approximately 60 patients per annum, who, post treatment, will be repatriated to the agreed acute Saolta Group hospital, whether Letterkenny University Hospital or Sligo University Hospital.
693. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of new applications under the home help scheme that were approved but not allocated due to financial constraints in the Limerick local health office in each of the past six months in tabular form. [9698/16]
View answerAs 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.
694. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health when he will advertise the national lottery funding scheme for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9684/16]
View answerMy Department administers a National Lottery Discretionary Fund from which once-off grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations providing a range of health related services. Funding in 2016 amounts to €3.286m.
Detailed procedures indicating the closing date for completed applications have been available on my Department's website at www.health.gov.ie since early January.
The closing date for receipt of application forms was 6 May 2016.
695. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the investment he will make in the ambulance service in counties Sligo, Leitrim, south Donegal and west Cavan in 2016; if he will purchase new vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9685/16]
View answerAs 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.
696. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the average cost to the State of a visit to an accident and emergency department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9686/16]
View answerAs 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.
697. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health when he will publish the Lightfoot report into the national ambulance service of Ireland emergency service baseline and capacity review which the Health Service Executive commissioned; if time will be set aside in Dáil Éireann to debate the report’s findings and recommendations into the delivery of ambulance response cover performance; and if the Health Service Executive has considered or implemented any of the findings or proposals contained in the client draft that was published on 14 November 2014. [9736/16]
View answerThe National Ambulance Service (NAS) Capacity Review is one of three recent reports on pre-hospital emergency care services, along with HIQA's review of the National Ambulance Service and the HSE/Dublin City Council review of the Dublin Fire Brigade ambulance service. A draft Action Plan, which incorporates the recommendations of both the HIQA and the Capacity Review, is currently being implemented. The HSE/Dublin City Council review recommendations will be incorporated into the Action Plan once that report is completed.
I intend to bring the Capacity Review to Government this week, after which I hope to be in a position to advise the HSE to proceed with publication of the Review.
Development funding of €2m has been provided to the NAS in 2016 which is being used to drive service improvements. In addition, our new Programme for Government commits to an annual increase in the numbers of available ambulances, Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics.
698. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric respiratory consultants in each paediatric centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9737/16]
View answerAs 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.
