Tuesday, 28 Jun 2016

Written Answers Nos. 370-389

Respite Care Services

Questions (370)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

370. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health why he has reduced the respite service provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17972/16]

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 commits to more 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.

Primary Care Centres Provision

Questions (371)

Brendan Ryan

Question:

371. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health his plans and timescale for construction of the new primary care centre in Summerhill, Dublin 1; why a centre (details supplied) was not included in those plans as originally intended. [17975/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Currently the timescale for the construction of the Summerhill primary care centre is two years. On this basis the delivery of health services is scheduled to commence from May 2018. The facility in question, which is not a HSE run service, was neither identified nor considered for inclusion within the new primary care centre at Summerhill. Generally such facilities are not included in primary care centres.

The HSE purchased the site for the Summerhill PCC, currently underway, from Dublin City Council. There may be some misunderstanding over a Dublin City Council project many years ago which proposed developments on this site and where at that time the HSE was interested in providing a health centre.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (372)

Martin Ferris

Question:

372. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied). [17977/16]

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.

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.

Suicide Prevention

Questions (373)

Josepha Madigan

Question:

373. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Health to consider setting up a suicide prevention authority; to consider the draft Bill to establish a suicide prevention authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17978/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I have no plans to set up a separate suicide prevention authority. This function is currently being carried out by the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) which was established in 2005 to oversee the implementation of the then national suicide prevention strategy and to coordinate suicide prevention initiatives around the country.

In June last year, the Government launched ‘Connecting for Life’, our new strategy to reduce suicide and self harm rates over the period 2015-2020. The new Strategy, which has an implementation focus on youth mental health, sets out a vision where fewer lives are lost through suicide, and where communities and individuals are empowered to improve their mental health and well-being. This includes a greater focus on the important area of support for families and communities in suicide prevention, and providing community-based organisations with guidelines, protocols and training on effective suicide prevention. In addition to this, in line with the Programme for Government, a Youth Mental Health Taskforce is currently being formed. This taskforce aims to assist our young people in developing resilience and coping skills to support their emotional well-being at an early stage, and build awareness of how to access high-quality effective services when they need them. It marks a focused approach to youth mental well-being, creating a link between community supports and service supports to assist our young people in reaching their potential.

Connecting for Life provides a detailed and clear plan to achieve each of the goals it proposes, with defined actions and a lead agency and key partners in place for each individual objective. This plan will be supported by robust implementation and governance structures, as well as resourcing and communications frameworks. The Strategy assigns specific responsibility to the NOSP as a statutory agency to fulfil a number of tasks, including the development and implementation of surveillance systems, the implementation and evaluation of the Strategy, the development and provision of suicide prevention training and education programmes, increasing national awareness about suicide prevention and setting out a national suicide research and prevention programme. NOSP, together with the Department of Health, other Government Departments, NGO and community partners are proceeding with the implementation of Connecting for Life.

Neuro-Rehabilitation Services Provision

Questions (374)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

374. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in the acute hospital system waiting for brain rehabilitation; the length of time they are waiting and the hospitals concerned, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17979/16]

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.

Neuro-Rehabilitation Services

Questions (375, 376)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

375. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will examine reinstating home-based brain rehabilitation services; the cost of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17980/16]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

376. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the brain rehabilitation services available for persons currently waiting for admission to rehabilitation services or home-based rehabilitation services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17981/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 375 and 376 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.

With regard to Neuro-rehabilitation services, the Programme for Partnership Government places a particular focus on publishing a plan for advancing Neuro-rehabilitation services in the community. Currently a steering group led by the Health Service Executive Social Care Division with representation from the National Clinical Programmes for Rehabilitation Medicine and Neurology, Department of Health, Primary Care, Therapy Professions and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, has drafted an implementation framework for the National Policy & Strategy for Neuro-rehabilitation services, which has been circulated to members of the steering group and stakeholder agencies.

As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions 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, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Appeals

Questions (377)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

377. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for assistance under the fair deal scheme in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17982/16]

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.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Questions (378)

Tom Neville

Question:

378. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health the proposed opening time for the new accident and emergency unit at Mid West Regional Hospital, Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17983/16]

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.

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Questions (379)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

379. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently awaiting orthodontic treatment with the Health Service Executive in south and north Tipperary; the waiting times for such persons to receive this treatment; the funding allocated for orthodontic treatment and the number of patients per orthodontist in south and north Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17998/16]

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.

Hospital Services

Questions (380)

Jack Chambers

Question:

380. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time and part-time consultants specialising in children's arthritis currently practising in Crumlin Children's Hospital; his views on whether this is an adequate number and if there is provision to increase this service at Crumlin children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18006/16]

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.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (381)

Martin Ferris

Question:

381. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to have an assessment for a medical device. [18010/16]

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.

Primary Care Centres

Questions (382)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

382. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the design challenges for the new primary care centre in Monaghan have been overcome; if the €9 million ring-fenced for this project in 2013 will be spent in Monaghan if it cannot be built in front of Monaghan General Hospital, as originally planned; if this money can be invested in Monaghan General Hospital if plans for primary centre cannot go ahead at this site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18019/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As 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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (383)

Peter Fitzpatrick

Question:

383. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18020/16]

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.

Professional Qualifications

Questions (384)

James Browne

Question:

384. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to regulate counselling qualifications in the area of mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18025/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Psychotherapists and counsellors are not currently regulated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. However, the Act provides that the Minister for Health may, by regulation, designate a health and social care profession not already designated if he or she considers that it is appropriate and in the public interest to do so and if specified criteria have been met.

Regulation of a profession under the Act involves the registration of practitioners who hold qualifications approved by the relevant registration board established under the Act.

In accordance with the Act, the Health and Social Care Professionals Council has been consulted on the question of regulating counsellors and psychotherapists. Its detailed report on the matter is being examined carefully in the Department of Health with a view to deciding the next steps shortly. These steps will, I envisage, include a wider round of consultation involving the various professional bodies and other interested parties.

The regulation of a new profession under the Act involves a consultation process and the making of a number of statutory instruments by the Minister for Health and by the relevant registration board. I envisage that, subject to the outcome of consultations, the statutory phase to regulate counsellors and psychotherapists under the Act will begin later this year or early next year with the submission of draft designation regulations to the Houses of the Oireachtas for their approval.

While the profession or professions of counsellor and psychotherapist are not yet specifically designated under the 2005 Act, counsellors and psychotherapists are subject to legislation similar to other practitioners including consumer legislation, competition, contract and criminal law. There are also various regulatory controls on many counsellors and psychotherapists operating in Ireland.

The profession of psychologist, for example, is a designated profession under the 2005 Act which means that those psychologists who are counsellors and/or psychotherapists will begin to be regulated when the Psychologists Registration Board, which is due to be established later this year, opens its register.

Psychiatrists, some of whom practice psychotherapy, are regulated under the Medical Practitioners Act 2007. Also, counsellors/therapists working in the publicly funded health sector are required to have minimum qualifications set by the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004.

Professional Qualifications

Questions (385)

James Browne

Question:

385. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the counselling qualification the Health Service Executive recognises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18026/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I 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 the matter with them.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (386)

James Lawless

Question:

386. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the hours and assistance available to parents with multiple births, the relevant application procedure and the criteria for assistance under the home help scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18037/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As 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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (387)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

387. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health when he will allocate a date for a procedure for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18046/16]

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 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.

Question No. 388 answered with Question No. 362.

Pharmacy Services

Questions (389)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

389. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has recently notified pharmacies that certain products, including blisterpacks, cannot be dispensed monthly but must be collected weekly; if he is aware of the implications of this for persons living in rural areas and for carers of persons in need of everyday items; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18061/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

My officials are currently sourcing and collating the information required, and as soon as it is available they will contact the Deputy directly in this matter.