Written Answers Nos. 861 - 886
861. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the funding for the Health Service Executive orthodontic service in each of the years 2006 to 2016 to date in tabular form; the cost of extending the direct provision of orthodontic treatment to children with less severe needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10359/16]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. 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. Annual spending on the Orthodontic Services has been approximately €16 million in recent years. There is a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to provide timely access to orthodontic care. The cost of providing orthodontic treatment to other patients would depend on the extent to which such a service would be provided and the cost of contracting such services. I have asked the HSE to write directly to the Deputy with the specific information requested. 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.
862. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the cost of extending an annual oral examination to ensure universal cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10360/16]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Service Scheme (DTSS) provides access to dental treatment for medical card holders over the age of 16. All medical card holders are entitled to specific dental treatments, including an annual dental examination. The Minister for Social Protection is responsible for the Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme (DTBS), which provides an annual dental examination to insured workers and retired people who have the required number of PRSI contributions. The full cost to the State of providing free dental examinations for all adults would depend on the cost of contracting such services on behalf of the State and the take-up of the service. The current fee for an oral examination paid to contracted dentists in both Schemes is €33.
Dental services for children up to 16 years of age and persons of all ages with special needs are provided by the Public Dental Service of the HSE through its dental clinics. All HSE dental clinics prioritise emergency care for children up to 16 years of age, treatment for special needs patients and screening of children aged from 11 to 13 years, including referral for orthodontic services where necessary. Other services, including screening of children 6 to 8 years, are provided but may be deferred in clinics where there is pressure on resources. Future service provision will be informed by the National Oral Health Policy, which the Department of Health is currently developing. This three-year project commenced in 2014 and is being led by the Chief Dental Officer. The project includes a needs assessment, a review of resources and involves consultation with stakeholders, including dental professionals and the public.
863. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the time it takes the Nursing and Midwifery Board to process applications for registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10363/16]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for the matter raised.
Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the NMBI. I have referred the Deputy's question to the NMBI for attention and direct reply.
If you have not received a reply from the NMBI within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
864. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the nurse to patient ratios in the acute hospital sector in each of the years 2006 to 2016 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10364/16]
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.
865. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the doctor to patient ratios in the acute hospital sector in each of the years 2006 to 2016 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10365/16]
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.
866. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours provided in each of the years 2006 to 2016 to date in tabular form; the cost of increasing these hours by 10% in one year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10366/16]
View answer867. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of home care packages being provided in each of the years 2006 to 2016 to date in tabular form; the cost of increasing these hours by 10% in one year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10367/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 866 and 867 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.
868. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the cost of increasing the number of inpatient child and adolescent beds in the mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10368/16]
View answer'A Vision for Change' recommends the provision of 80 additional child and adolescent psychiatric in-patient beds nationally. Currently, there are 66 operational Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) beds in the HSE, i.e. beds available to take a child/adolescent as an in-patient if the need arises. In line with the agreed HSE Service Plan 2016 for Mental Health, further bed capacity for CAMHS is planned. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply, in respect of the detailed information sought. 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.
869. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the cost of increasing the number of child and adolescent mental health teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10369/16]
View answerAll aspects of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) development has been prioritised in recent times, including timely access to appropriate services, early intervention and an integrated service approach. Additional resources and facilities means that we now have 67 CAMHS Teams, and 3 Paediatric Liaison Teams, supported by 66 operational CAMHS beds across the country. In line with the agreed HSE Service Plan 2016 for Mental Health, further capacity for CAMHS Teams is planned. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply, in respect of the detailed information sought. 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.
870. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the cost of recruiting the mental health intellectual disability nursing posts as recommended in A Vision for Change; his progress on this; the posts that are outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10370/16]
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.
871. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the funding for counselling in primary care for each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10371/16]
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.
872. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the funding needed to progress with decongregation in the national disability strategy implementation plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10372/16]
View answerThe HSE’s report “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion”,(2011) proposes a new model of support in the community by moving people from institutional settings to the community. The plan is being rolled out at a regional and local level and involves full consultation with stakeholders.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to continue to move people with disabilities out of congregated settings, to enable them to live independently and to be included in the community. Currently, 2725 people live in congregated settings and our objective is to reduce this figure by one-third by 2021 and ultimately, to eliminate all congregated settings.
The HSE has established a subgroup, under ‘Transforming Lives’, the Programme to implement the recommendations of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services, which is developing an implementation plan for moving people from institutions. I welcome the fact that the needs of people moving from congregated settings will be fully taken into account during this process as the model of care for individuals will be based on a person centred plan.
In terms of housing, the Department of Health and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government are working in collaboration to support the transition of people with a disability from institutions to social housing in the community under the Government's National Housing Strategy for People with Disability 2011 to 2016.
The HSE's 2016 National Service Plan has set a target of 165 people to move from institutions in 2016 into suitable accommodation. This is being supported by €20 million in capital funding from the Department of Health in respect of acquiring and renovating properties in priority institutions identified by the HSE.
In addition, I am pleased to note that the Department of the Environment will provide €10 million under the Capital Assistance Scheme to provide suitable accommodation for people transitioning from institutions in 2016. The HSE estimate that a further 100 people could benefit from this initiative. €1 million in ring-fenced leasing funding is also being made available by the Department of the Environment in 2016 to support people moving from institutions into suitable social housing in the community. This demonstrates the joined up commitment of both Departments to support the de-congregation programme.
The HSE has developed a three strand approach to accelerate transitions from institutions in the period 2016-2021, with a target of 900 people to move to more suitable accommodation in this period.
- Strand 1- is focused on large institutional settings at high risk of not meeting HIQA Standards;
- Strand 2- is focused on moving people into suitable social housing in the community through the Department of Environment schemes; and
- Strand 3- is focused on remaining service users in congregated settings who could move to suitable accommodation.
873. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of personal assistant hours being provided in each of the years 2006 to 2016 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10373/16]
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.
In the 2016 National Service Plan, the Health Service Executive's (HSE's) priority is to protect the level of services provided in 2015 and to provide 1.3 million hours of Personal Assistant services and 2.6 million hours of Home Support to over 2,000 adults with a disability.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, she can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
874. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the respite care services provided in each of the years 2006 to 2016 to date in tabular form; the cost of increasing these by 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10374/16]
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, she can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
875. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the funding provided to disability service providers in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10375/16]
View answerAs 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, she can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
876. 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. [10380/16]
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.
877. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when an operation will be provided for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10383/16]
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.
878. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the funding spent on mental health resources in counties Sligo and Leitrim, in south County Donegal and in west County Cavan since 2006, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10385/16]
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.
879. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when he will provide an organisation (details supplied) with sufficient funds to maintain a bus service which is going to be withdrawn on 20 May 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10394/16]
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.
880. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health to establish and advise if due to an agreement between the National Rehabilitation Hospital and a provider (details supplied) patients presenting who are already users of prosthesis from other providers, with which they are most satisfied and accustomed, are being refused access to see a consultant at any of the hospital's facilities or joint facilities unless they agree to move from their prosthetic provider to the hospital's preferred provider; his views on the appropriateness of this closed shop arrangement; if there are competition law issues involved; his plans to open up the hospital service to all prosthesis users without discrimination based on their previous and preferred supplier choice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10397/16]
View answerAs 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.
881. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 311 of 20 April 2016, when he will provide the information promised on appointments to State boards, agencies and bodies; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10410/16]
View answerIn Parliamentary Question number 311 of 20 April 2016 the Deputy had requested the regional breakdown of all members appointed by the Government to State Boards, agencies and bodies in 2015 and to date in 2016 broken down by agency and by regions. The specific geographic information is not held in my Department and had to be collated from information supplied by the 18 agencies under the aegis of the Department to which appointments had been made in this period. I apologise for the delay in obtaining this information.
The following table sets out the information requested by the Deputy.
|
Board |
Dublin |
Rest of Leinster |
Munster |
Connacht |
Ulster |
Outside Ireland |
|
Dental Council |
2 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
National Cancer Registry |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Food Safety Promotion Board - Safefood |
0 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
0 |
|
Health Products Regulatory Authority |
3 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Health Information Quality Authority |
7 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
CORU (plus 8 Registration Boards) |
26 |
10 |
10 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
|
National Treatment Purchase Fund |
8 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Voluntary Health Insurance Board |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council |
14 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Irish Blood Transfusion Service |
3 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Health Insurance Authority |
6 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
National Paediatric Hospital Development Board |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Food Safety Authority of Ireland |
0 |
12 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Medical Council |
3 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Health Research Board |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland |
3 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Mental Health Commission |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Totals |
86 |
50 |
33 |
11 |
12 |
5 |
882. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive the appropriate assessment and intervention services. [10413/16]
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 an individual case, 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.
883. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his plans to roll out intensive home care packages in south County Dublin under the national dementia strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10416/16]
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.
884. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the amount of the health budget he is ring-fencing for the dementia strategy and if he should give an automatic entitlement to a medical card to all dementia sufferers [10417/16]
View answerIn December 2014 the Irish National Dementia Strategy was launched. The objectives of the Strategy are to increase awareness, ensure early diagnosis and intervention and develop enhanced community based services.
The Strategy distinguishes between those Actions that can be progressed within existing resources and others to be addressed as more resources become available. Those identified for first implementation include:
- Clear responsibility for dementia to be assigned within the HSE. A dedicated Office has been established within the HSE to support implementation of the Strategy;
- Clear descriptions of care pathways, and better information and guidance on services to be made available to GPs and to people with dementia and their families and carers;
- A better understanding of dementia, including modifiable risk factors, to be promoted;
- The use of existing resources to be reviewed to ensure that they are used in the best way possible;
- Research to inform the design and delivery of dementia services in Ireland to be supported and given appropriate priority.
The Department of Health and the HSE also agreed a joint initiative with the Atlantic Philanthropies to implement significant elements of the Strategy over the period 2014-2017. This National Dementia Strategy Implementation Programme represents combined investment of €27.5m, with Atlantic Philanthropies contributing €12m, and the HSE contributing €15.5m.
This programme is promoting a greater focus on timely diagnosis of dementia and on the value of early intervention, along with the long-term objective of making people in Ireland generally more aware and understanding of the needs of people with dementia, and of the contribution that those with dementia continue to make to our society.
Key elements of the initiative include:
- the rollout of a programme of Intensive Home Supports and Homecare Packages for people with dementia;
- the provision of additional dementia-specific resources for GPs, who are the critical and initial point of contact with the health system for those with dementia. The resource material will include training materials and guidance on local services and contact points, etc.
- measures to raise public awareness, address stigma, and promote the inclusion and involvement in society of those with dementia.
Progress has already been made on a number of fronts. The HSE has established a central Dementia Office to drive and oversee implementation of the Strategy. Work has commenced on the development of a Dementia Friendly Ireland programme to raise awareness and increase understanding of the condition. Research into the educational needs of GPs and Primary Care Team members is underway, and a body of training will follow when this is complete. Roll-out has commenced of intensive home care packages for people with dementia, and people with dementia have benefited to date.
Under the Health Act 1970, as amended, the assessment of full eligibility for health services (and the issuing of a medical card) is determined primarily by reference to the means, including the income and expenditure, of the applicant and his or her partner and dependants. If an applicant’s means are above the financial thresholds as set out in the national guidelines, the HSE routinely examines for indications of medical or social circumstances which might result in undue financial hardship in arranging medical services and, exercising discretion, may grant eligibility for a medical card on this basis. There is no automatic entitlement to a medical card for a person with a particular illness or medical condition and this is in accordance with the Health Act 1970.
An Expert Panel was established by the Health Service Executive in 2014 to examine and recommend a range of medical conditions that should be considered as a basis of eligibility for a medical card. A key recommendation of the Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility was that a person’s means should remain the main qualifier for a medical card. It is important to note that the Panel concluded that it would not be feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order as a means of determining medical card eligibility.
Nonetheless, the Government approved a range of actions to improve the performance of the medical card system as it is clear that there are people with medical needs and it is important that they should be able to access necessary assistance in a straight forward manner. Greater discretion is being exercised by the HSE as evidenced by the number of discretionary medical cards in circulation, which has increased from about 52,000 in mid-2014 to over 104,000 at the beginning of May 2016.
Following the Expert Panel report, a Clinical Advisory Group (CAG) was established by the Director General of the HSE to provide clinical oversight and guidance to the operation of a more compassionate and trusted medical card system which can strive to ensure that the relatively small percentage of cases requiring the recognition of the burden of a medical condition(s), over and above financial hardship, can be accommodated. The Group is continuing its work on the development of guidance on assessing medical card applications involving significant medical conditions.
885. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that psychology services for school-age children with disabilities in County Laois have been suspended; the action he will take to remedy this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10420/16]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people and 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.
886. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there are almost 1,000 school-age children on a waiting list of approximately 47 months for occupational therapy in counties Laois and Offaly; the action he will take to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10421/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, the question 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.
