Written Answers Nos 653-675
653. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health to report on the success of implementing an early intervention policy for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12623/16]
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 will improve services and increase supports for people with disabilities, particularly for early assessment and intervention for children with special needs. In that context, the HSE is in the process of reconfiguring services for children with a disability under their National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years).
The aim of the Progressing Disability Services Programme is to achieve a national, unified approach to delivering disability health services so that there is a clear pathway to services for all children, regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of their disability. The Programme is organised at national, regional and local level and includes representatives from the health and education sectors, non-statutory service providers and parents. It is envisaged that the Programme, when implemented, will have a positive impact on the provision of clinical services for all children who require access to health related supports. An additional €4m has been specifically allocated in 2016 to drive implementation of the Programme. This equates to approximately 75 therapy posts. Following detailed consideration by the Executive, these additional therapy posts have now been allocated and the recruitment process to fill same is currently underway.
As implementation of the Programme is a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be 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.
655. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated and spent on facilities management of Health Service Executive properties for each of the years 2008 to 2015, respectively; and to provide a breakdown of this allocation detailing the properties for which the funds were spent. [12633/16]
View answerYour question 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 who will follow up on the matter.
656. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the forensic mental health services available. [12665/16]
View answerThe HSE National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS) provides specialist forensic services to those who are referred from the Irish Prison Service, and the Youth Justice Service. It also provides consultation and advice to An Garda Síochána, and the Courts Service of Ireland.
A wide range of services are provided by the NFMHS, primarily through the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) in Dundrum. The current provision of these services, and plans to develop this specialty into the future, are outlined in the HSE Service Plan, 2016 and in greater detail in the Mental Health Division Operational Plan 2016 (pages 41-46), both of which are available on the HSE website. The Operational Plan outlines the service priorities for this year in detail. The NFMHS provides high and medium levels of therapeutic security, within a model of forensic recovery. This includes, for example, in-patient services at the CMH, along with supports for individuals in community settings or independent living, day centres, and specialised clinics. Improved service linkages have also been developed, including the Prison In-Reach and Courts Liaison service, and links to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).
The HSE is improving all aspects of the NFMHS, including the construction of a modern forensic facility at Portrane, for both adults and children, to replace the Central Mental Hospital, and the planned development of regional centres, and enhancement of out-reach services.
657. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health why a person (details supplied) is unable to get sufficient personal assistant support. [12685/16]
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.
658. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be allocated a date for a procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12687/16]
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.
659. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the procedure in place at primary care centres for the carrying out of X-rays when a person presents with a referral letter from a general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12692/16]
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.
660. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health to address the discrepancy in the numbers of persons in County Kerry accessing cataract operations at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, County Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12704/16]
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.
661. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the status of surgery waiting time for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12712/16]
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.
662. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the operating budget allocated to University Hospital Waterford in each of the years 2007 to 2016 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12716/16]
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.
663. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on outpatient waiting lists at University Hospital Waterford who were referred to other public and private hospitals in each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date by speciality in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12717/16]
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.
664. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if outline architectural designs to construct a second catheterisation laboratory at University Hospital Waterford were completed; when the plans were requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12718/16]
View answerThe Programme for Government, commits to the development of a second catheterisation laboratory in University Hospital Waterford subject to a favourable recommendation from an independent clinical review of the needs of the region. This review has now commenced and will be completed within six weeks.
665. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to move the orthodontic department at University Hospital Waterford, including how long it will take to complete a move. [12719/16]
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.
666. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health his views on the proposed industrial action by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth to express its concern on staff shortages; and his plans to resolve the situation. [12720/16]
View answerI believe that the interests of patients are always best served through negotiation and by avoiding industrial action. I am pleased therefore that the INMO and the HSE engaged on the staffing issues of concern to the INMO at the Workplace Relations Commission last Wednesday, though agreement between the parties will require the development of proposals by management and further engagement. I am satisfied that the issues raised by the INMO can be best addressed through engagement at the WRC.
I do wish to confirm that there is no recruitment embargo at present. While there has to be compliance with national pay structures and management of employment numbers within budget in the HSE; there is scope for hospitals to continue to recruit, particularly across key departments, such as ICU, theatre and Emergency Departments. During the 15 month period from January 2015, the numbers employed in acute hospitals increased by 3,500 (WTEs) with nursing numbers up by over 1,700 (WTEs) during the same timeframe.
I recognise the difficulties and challenges that are currently faced by hospital staff, including nurses and midwives, in delivering care. It is my intention to continue to grow the health budget as the economy improves and to obtain the resources necessary to improve working conditions for front line staff and to enable us deliver the level of service that we all want to provide to our patients.
667. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for primary medical certificates in 2015; the number granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12727/16]
View answerThe Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities Tax Relief Scheme is operated by the Revenue Commissioners and provides tax relief for vehicles purchased for use by people with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities. In order to qualify for tax relief under the scheme, the person with a disability must have a valid Primary Medical Certificate, applications for which are processed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) Local Health Offices.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for a 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.
668. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when he will cancel a standard inpatient charge for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12732/16]
View answerThe issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working day, please contact my Private Office and they 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.
669. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the withdrawal of funding for sequential and bilateral cochlear implants at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; the funding he has allocated to the cochlear implant programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12742/16]
View answerBeaumont Hospital is the national centre for the delivery of Ireland's national cochlear implant, with surgical provision also provided for children at Temple Street. €3.22m was provided in the 2014 National Service Plan to undertake a service to provide bilateral implants, and the 2015 and 2016 National Service Plans provided for the continuation of development of the service. The HSE has advised that funding for sequential and bilateral cochlear implants has not been withdrawn. Beaumont Hospital is working with the HSE to address any capacity issues arising.
670. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a dental appointment will be provided to a person (details supplied). [12746/16]
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.
671. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if an application (details supplied) has been received; when an amended birth certificate will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12749/16]
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.
672. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health why discretionary medical cards are now only being renewed for a period of six months; his plans for such card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12758/16]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is based primarily on the undue financial hardship test. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without undue hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure, and every application must be assessed on that basis.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. In certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds his or her income threshold, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.
The Programme for Partnership Government 2016 commits to maintaining a humane approach for discretionary medical card provision. Under this approach numbers of discretionary cards have risen from 52,232 in June 2104 to 104,671 in May 2016. The Deputy may be aware of the "Keane" Report of the Expert Panel on Medical Need for Medical Card Eligibility with a key recommendation that a person’s means should remain the main qualifier for a medical card. It also recommended that it is neither feasible nor desirable to list conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility.
The Clinical Advisory Group was established by the Director General of the HSE in January 2015 to provide clinical oversight and guidance to the operation of a more compassionate and trusted medical card system. Its establishment followed the completion of the work of the Expert Panel on Medical Need for Medical Card Eligibility. The Group is continuing its work on the development of guidance on assessing medical card applications involving significant medical conditions. The Clinical Advisory Group continues to meet on regular basis and it is expected that the Group will make a report to the Director General of the HSE when it has completed its work in the near future.
In mid-2014, approximately 11,000 discretionary medical cards were re-issued for a year to enable more sensitive arrangements to be put in place by the HSE. In order to see further implementation of the administrative arrangements, these cards have been previously extended in 2015. It is expected that the Clinical Advisory Group will report to the Director General of the HSE in the near future on improvements to take account of the burden of a disease on an individual. In light of the expected report of the Clinical Advisory Group to the Director General of the HSE, it was decided to extend these cards by a further 6 months in order to allow time for the Minister and the HSE to consider the Clinical Advisory Group's report.
673. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting longer than expected for a procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12760/16]
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.
674. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will consider making a drug (details supplied) available for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome sufferers. [12761/16]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Prior to reimbursing any item, the HSE considers a range of statutory criteria, including clinical need, cost-effectiveness and the resources available.
The holder of a market authorisation for a product may apply to the HSE to have the product reimbursed in Ireland. The HSE has advised that it does not currently have an application for reimbursement of the drug in question.
675. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health to review the recent cuts to the hospital patient transport scheme and reverse these cuts to assist patients on social protection payments who are suffering from different illnesses and cannot afford to pay the taxi cost as a result of being unable to access public transport due to their condition to attend hospital appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12788/16]
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.
