Written Answers No. 632-652
632. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on the drugs strategy in the Louth-east Meath constituency for each year since 2012 and the progress made to date; the funding sought and the funding approved; the programmes planned for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13205/16]
View answer707. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on the drugs strategy in the Louth-east Meath constituency for each year since 2012 and the progress made to date; the funding sought and the funding approved; the programmes planned for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13206/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 632 and 707 together.
The National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 is a cross cutting area of public policy and service delivery which requires a coordinated response to tackling the drugs problem. The North East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Strategy in the counties of Louth, Meath, Cavan, and Monaghan. The following table shows the Task Force project expenditure for this Task Force from 2012 to 2013.
|
North East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force |
2012 |
2013 |
|
North East Region Family Support Network |
€5,000 |
€3,508 |
|
Operational Budget |
€168,090 |
€160,000 |
|
Meath Community Drug & Alcohol Response |
€126,500 |
€126,500 |
|
Turas Counselling Services Ltd |
€200,000 |
€200,000 |
|
Cavan Monaghan Drug Awareness |
€185,000 |
€185,000 |
|
ISPCC Prevention Projects |
€40,000 |
€40,000 |
|
Louth Community Drug & Alcohol Team |
€126,500 |
€126,500 |
|
Turas Counselling Services Ltd |
€15,358 |
€15,358 |
|
Needle & Syringe Programme |
€55,000 |
€55,000 |
|
Cocaine Initiative |
€20,000 |
€44,642 |
|
Tabor Lodge |
€44,643 |
€0.00 |
|
Total |
986,061 |
956,508 |
With effect from 1st January 2014, operational and financial responsibility for all projects supported by the Task Force transferred from the Department of Health to the Health Service Executive. The HSE has been requested to provide the Deputy with details of projects funded through the Task Force from 2014 to date, as well as expenditure on addiction services in the Louth East Meath constituency from 2012 onwards. Information is not directly available on expenditure under the Strategy by other departments, agencies or sectors at local level.
634. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the legal position of drug testing kits that would allow MDMA-ecstasy users to test drugs for their safety; if a person may be arrested for possession of these kits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13512/16]
View answer749. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if there have been developments regarding the proposal to allow users of drugs in venues such as clubs to have them tested for potentially lethal ingredients. [13539/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 634 and 749 together.
The current National Drugs Strategy will come to an end in 2016. A Steering Committee, chaired by John Carr, former secretary general of the INTO, has been established to oversee the process of developing a new Strategy to cover the period from 2017 onwards.
The development of the new Strategy will involve an examination of the approach to drug policy in other jurisdictions. It will also include a review of international evidence on interventions to tackle the drug problem, including harm reduction options such as medically supervised injecting rooms, drug testing kits and opioid substitution treatment. This review will provide us with evidence on the effectiveness of such interventions.
In addition, a comprehensive and wide ranging consultation process is planned, which will give key stakeholders and the public an opportunity to give their views on the current national drugs policy and future priorities. I am expecting the final report of the Steering Committee by the end of December 2016.
636. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the details of drug-related public expenditure for each year from 2012. [13556/16]
View answer759. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the details of drug-related public expenditure for each year from 2012. [13549/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 636 and 759 together.
The National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 is a cross cutting area of public policy and service delivery which requires a coordinated response to tackling the drugs problem. The Oversight Forum on Drugs, which I chair, is responsible for the high-level monitoring of the implementation of the Strategy across Government departments and agencies.
In line with the National Drugs Strategy, departments and agencies report on their annual expenditure attributable to drugs programmes to the Oversight Forum on Drugs. Details of the expenditure from 2012 to 2014, as well as the allocation for 2015, is outlined in the following table.
|
Department/Agency |
2012 Expenditure (€m) |
2013 Expenditure (€m) |
2014 Expenditure (€m) |
2015 Allocation (€m) |
|
HSE Addiction Services |
89.368 |
90.392 |
86.122 |
86.279 |
|
HSE Community Based Drugs Initiatives |
0 |
0 |
21.570 |
22.593 |
|
An Garda Síochána |
45.850 |
44.000 |
43.000 |
43.000 |
|
D/Children & Youth Affairs |
22.730 |
20.310 |
19.548 |
19.548 |
|
D/Justice & Equality |
18.580 |
18.553 |
18.762 |
18.928 |
|
Revenue Customs Service |
14.241 |
14.624 |
16.235 |
16.235 |
|
D/Social Protection (former FÁS area) |
11.859 |
13.434 |
14.063 |
13.702 |
|
D/Health |
32.376 |
30.524 |
8.280 |
7.350 |
|
Irish Prison Service |
5.000 |
4.500 |
4.200 |
4.285 |
|
D/Education & Skills |
0.815 |
0.810 |
0.748 |
0.746 |
|
D/Environment, Community & Local Government |
0.200 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
241.019 |
237.147 |
232.528 |
232.666 |
The Deputy is advised that the increase in HSE Community Based Drugs Initiatives and the corresponding reduction in the Department of Health allocations in the years 2014 and 2015, reflect the fact that the Department transferred €21.57m in funding to the HSE on 1st January 2014, with a further €1.02m transferring on 1st January 2015.
637. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health the procedure required to obtain a letter of freedom in County Louth for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13644/16]
View answerThe Civil Registration Service is operated by the Health Service Executive on behalf of the General Register Office under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection. I have referred your question to the Health Service Executive to address the specific issues raised and for direct reply to the Deputy.
638. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the drug treatment services available for members of the Traveller community. [13664/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
639. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have left the public service in his Department in each of the past five years to date, either by way of natural retirement or redundancy; the extent to which the national pay bill has been affected as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13622/16]
View answerThe number of civil servants who left my Department by way of natural retirement in the past five years to date is detailed in the following table:
|
YEAR |
NUMBER OF STAFF (Headcount Basis) |
|
2011 |
4 |
|
2012 |
18 |
|
2013 |
2 |
|
2014 |
8 |
|
2015 |
8 |
|
2016 (to date) |
1 |
There was only a small impact on the national pay bill because of the relatively low numbers involved and most of these were in posts that were subsequently filled.
640. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when he will provide the drug, Orkambi, for sufferers of cystic fibrosis. [12500/16]
View answer705. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the current position relating to drug treatment for cystic fibrosis and what is currently in place to treat this; if any new drugs on the market are being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13199/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 640 and 705 together.
Orkambi (lumacaftor/ivacaftor) was licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration in July 2015 and by the European Medicines Agency in November 2015. To date, no public health service in Europe has approved it for reimbursement.
Each country has its own reimbursement approval process. The Irish process is laid down in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Under this Act, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products through the community drug schemes. It is appropriate that these should not be political decisions and that a scientific and evidence-based approach is taken to determine the extent to which patients would benefit from treatment with expensive new drugs.
Prior to reimbursing a medicine, the HSE considers a range of statutory criteria, including clinical need, cost-effectiveness, and the resources available. The process for reimbursement approval of new high tech drugs in Ireland involves three steps. The first step involves a rapid review, which has been completed by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) for Orkambi. The second involves a full health technology assessment by the NCPE. This process iscurrently being undertaken in respect of Orkambi. This expert assessment evaluates whether the claims made about the benefits of a new drug are valid, and to what extent, in terms of its impact on issues including life expectancy, quality of life, reducing hospital admissions and a reduced need for transplants. The NCPE will also consider which patient groups might benefit, how the drug compares with existing treatments and if it is cost-effective at the price sought by the manufacturer.
On completion of the assessment process, the NCPE will make a report to the HSE for consideration.
641. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health to expedite a medical appointment for a person (details supplied). [12530/16]
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.
642. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to expedite an appointment for treatment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12542/16]
View answer644. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to expedite an appointment for treatment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12579/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 642 and 644 together.
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.
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.
643. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the annual funding that was previously provided for the Barnardos and One Family pilot child contact centre which has since been withdrawn; and the cost of re-instating this at appropriate levels. [12577/16]
View answerI have no responsibility in this area.
I suggest that the Deputy contacts my colleague, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
645. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when he will provide an operation for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12590/16]
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.
646. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when he will provide an operation for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12596/16]
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.
648. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the lack of respite services for adults with special needs in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12606/16]
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.
649. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health to re-instate the motorised transport grant scheme in some capacity; the status of the ongoing work on policy proposals for the drafting of legislation for a new scheme; when he will finalise and approve the proposals; when he will introduce the new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12611/16]
View answer706. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to reintroduce the motorised transportation grant and if so when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13202/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 649 and 706 together.
Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes. Both schemes remain closed.
However the Government also decided that monthly payments will continue to be made by the Health Service Executive to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance at the time the scheme closed, on the basis that this would prevent hardship and, on an interim basis, alleviate stress, anxiety and uncertainty among a vulnerable group in society.
The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. The Department is seeking a solution which would best meet the aim of supporting people with severe disabilities who require additional income to contribute towards the cost of their mobility needs, while remaining within the available budget and satisfying all legal and equality concerns.
Work is ongoing on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme. The proposals seek to ensure that:
- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;
- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;
- Resources are targeted at those with the greatest needs; and
- The Scheme is capable of being costed and it is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.
I am pleased to inform the Deputies that the Programme for Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme.
650. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of staff vacancies in all autism spectrum disorder services in Dublin 24; his plans to fill them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12620/16]
View answer652. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on the number of autism spectrum disorder therapists in Dublin 24 being adequate for the needs in the area; his plans to increase the number of autism spectrum disorder therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12622/16]
View answer654. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health to consider implementing an easily accessible information resource or one-stop-shop where persons can access information on autism spectrum disorder services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12624/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 650, 652 and 654 together.
The 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.
651. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health to report on the staff turnover at Chamber House over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12621/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this 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 them.
