Tuesday, 14 Jun 2016

Written Answers Nos. 393-414

Disability Activation Projects

Questions (393, 394)

Joan Collins

Question:

393. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 301 and 330 of 24 May 2016, the number of school leavers from special education to whom the Health Service Executive offered a funded service in 2016 but who said they did not wish a specialist centre-based service but would prefer a community-based service which connected them to mainstream supports, as per the national disability strategy, and the new directions and comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities. [15325/16]

Joan Collins

Question:

394. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 301 and 330 of 24 May 2016, the number of school leavers from special education who will be without a service in September 2016. [15326/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 393 and 394 together.

This Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide them with 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 is particularly important at key transition points, including the transition from school to adult life, and for this reason the Programme for Government contains a commitment to ensuring that all 18 year old school leavers with disabilities have continued education or training opportunities.

Many school-leavers with disabilities will progress to mainstream education, training and employment. Some however will require continuing health-funded supports, and to ensure that the needs of this cohort are met, funding of €7.25m has been allocated by the HSE in 2016 to provide appropriate services and supports. Once off funding of €2 million is also being provided for the refurbishment and fit-out of buildings to provide suitable service locations by September, based on an assessment of the physical capacity within existing services to accommodate the additional numbers. In addition, I am pleased to confirm that a proportion of the additional €3m secured for disability services last week will also fund new initiatives to meet the needs of this year’s school-leavers.

As the Deputy's specific questions 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 a reply has not been received from the HSE within 15 working days, the Deputy can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (395)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

395. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of child and adolescent mental health service's beds required to end the practice of children being treated in adult mental health facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15359/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, I am referring this question 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.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (396)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

396. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of age appropriate beds, wards and units available for young adolescents experiencing mental health difficulties in hospitals; if, where and how often young adolescents experiencing mental health crises are placed on wards with very young children and babies; the actions he will take to end this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15360/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, I am referring this question 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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (397)

Seán Fleming

Question:

397. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the status of funding for a project (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15663/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

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.

Health Services

Questions (398)

Seán Fleming

Question:

398. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the status of a project (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15664/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Defined Benefit Pension Schemes

Questions (399)

Clare Daly

Question:

399. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he consulted with the Central Remedial Clinic or had any notification prior to it winding up its pension and death benefit plan. [15959/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I had no notification from the Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) prior to it winding up its pension and death benefit plan.

It is regrettable that the CRC took a decision to cease contributions to the scheme without first consulting with the HSE in relation to scheme solvency and seeking a viable alternative for the employees concerned.

Following receipt of information from the CRC in relation to the wind up of the scheme, the CRC was requested as a matter of urgency, to prepare viable alternative proposals in conjunction with the HSE. A detailed business case in relation to alternative options has not yet been submitted by the HSE in relation to this matter, however I understand that on 1st June the CRC made an initial submission to the HSE which the HSE is currently considering.

When a detailed business case is received from the HSE, my Department will, as a matter of urgency, consider the proposals in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The latter is responsible for Government policy in relation to public service pensions. Pension schemes and pension terms for public servants generally require the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Nursing Home Subventions

Questions (400)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

400. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the average delay between approval under the nursing home subvention scheme and payment commencing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15323/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As 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.

Hospital Beds Data

Questions (401)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

401. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of designated inpatient beds and the overall occupancy rates at Killybegs Community Hospital, County Donegal, by month, in 2016 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15328/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As 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.

Ambulance Service Data

Questions (402)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

402. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances which operate out of County Mayo, by ambulance station, by hour, by day; and the level of service in County Mayo. [15363/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

HSE National Service Plan

Questions (403)

Pat Deering

Question:

403. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 959 of 17 May 2016, the timeframe for the process; and when the new centre will be operational. [15366/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy's question of 17 May related to service matters, I had arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. I understand that the reply issued from the HSE to the Deputy on 31 May outlining the current situation regarding this matter.

However, I have arranged for this follow up question to be referred again to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (404)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

404. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15372/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

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.

HSE Properties

Questions (405)

John Lahart

Question:

405. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the status of a facility (details supplied) leased by the Health Service Executive. [15373/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the HSE is responsible for the delivery and management of health care infrastructure the Executive has been requested to reply directly to you on the matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office who will follow up.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (406)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

406. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the funding he has allocated to disability services for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15378/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Estimates for 2016 made provision for expenditure of €1.56 billion for the Disability Services Programme.The quantum of service to be provided for this funding, together with key deliverables and priorities, is outlined in the Health Service Executive's National Service Plan for 2016.

Additional funding of €31 million is also being provided, over and above the funding provided in the National Service Plan, for the following:

- €28 million to address existing financial pressures arising from on-going service improvement, including costs incurred from compliance with national residential standards, services provided to meet the changing needs of people with disabilities, and the provision of emergency residential places.

- €3 million in 2016 for new initiatives, including an additional provision for services to meet the need of school leavers with disabilities and the anticipated cost of a number of emergency residential placements arising this year.

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Questions (407)

Bobby Aylward

Question:

407. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for Health Service Executive orthodontic treatment for children in County Carlow; his plans to alleviate this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15397/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As 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.

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Questions (408)

Bobby Aylward

Question:

408. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for Health Service Executive orthodontic treatment for children in County Kilkenny; his plans to reduce this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15398/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As 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.

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Questions (409)

Bobby Aylward

Question:

409. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for Health Service Executive orthodontic treatment for children nationally; his plans to reduce this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15399/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As 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.

Care of the Elderly

Questions (410)

Mary Butler

Question:

410. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health his views on a recently published study entitled Meeting Older People's Preference for Care (details supplied). [15400/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I welcome this report, a collaborative research project undertaken by the Irish Association of Social Workers, Age Action the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice, University College Dublin. The report examined how the health and social care system is responding to the care needs, required supports and preferences of older people, as perceived by Social Workers working with older people.

The findings show that the preferences of older people are to remain in their homes for as long as possible, receiving care in this setting when needed. The report suggests that the present social care approach has not been resourced adequately to meet the actual needs of older people.

I recognise that most older people want to stay at home and in their communities for as long as possible and this Government is committed to facilitating this. Demand for home care services is rising as more people are supported in their own homes rather than in hospitals or nursing homes and I am delighted that the Government has been able to respond to this demand by providing additional resources for home care services. Details will be announced shortly.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (411)

Clare Daly

Question:

411. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department spent on purchasing copies of the Public Sector Times magazine in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15418/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

There was no cost to my Department for the purchase of the Public Sector Times Magazine in 2015.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (412)

Clare Daly

Question:

412. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on daily newspapers in 2015; if this is an appropriate expenditure given the available and far cheaper online alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15434/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In 2015, the Department spent €12,658 on daily newspapers. This expenditure, as with all expenditure, is kept under review.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (413)

Clare Daly

Question:

413. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of staff working in his human resources section. [15450/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

There are eight staff, including the Personnel Officer, working in the Human Resources Unit in my Department.

Ministerial Staff

Questions (414)

Clare Daly

Question:

414. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of staff who work exclusively on constituency matters for him. [15466/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

There is one official from my Department working exclusively on constituency matters for me. In addition, two other staff employed by the Oireachtas work on Constituency matters also.