Michael Healy-Rae
Question:159. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [18598/16]
View answerHospital Waiting Lists
Questions (159)
Written answers
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (160)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Question:160. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to be called for an assessment. [18619/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Hospital Accommodation Provision
Questions (161)
John Curran
Question:161. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health to examine the delay being experienced by a person (details supplied) who has been awaiting discharge from Tallaght hospital for the past ten weeks and admission to the dementia unit in Cherry Orchard Hospital. [18634/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Tobacco Control Measures
Questions (162)
Billy Kelleher
Question:162. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will not permit the introduction of any novel tobacco product such as heated tobacco products here unless it can be independently proven that it cannot be smoked like a traditional cigarette and the product does not release second hand-smoke emissions as the World Health Organization warns that there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18640/16]
View answerWritten answers
Novel tobacco products are regulated under the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016 which transposed the European Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU. The Regulations do not provide for an authorisation system for novel products but manufacturers or importers of these products are required to notify the Health Service Executive (the Executive) of any such product they intend to place on the market in Ireland. The notification must be submitted 6 months prior to placing the novel product on the market and be accompanied by a detailed description of the product concerned as well as instructions for its use and information on its ingredients and emissions.
A manufacturer or importer of a novel tobacco product must also submit available scientific studies on toxicity, addictiveness and attractiveness of the product and studies and market research on the preferences of various consumer groups, including young people and current smokers. They must also provide a risk-benefit analysis of the product, its expected effects on cessation of tobacco consumption, initiation of tobacco consumption and predicted consumer perception.
Furthermore, a novel tobacco product must comply with all other relevant provisions of the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016 and other existing Irish tobacco control legislation.
Question Nos. 163 answered with Question no. 153.
Motorised Transport Grant Closure
Questions (164)
Michael Harty
Question:164. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to replace or restore the motorised transport grant which was abolished in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18653/16]
View answerWritten answers
Conscious of 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 Deputy that the Programme for Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (165)
Billy Kelleher
Question:165. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will secure a residential placement for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18657/16]
View answerWritten answers
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, the Deputy can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
Legislative Measures
Questions (166)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:166. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the Autism Bill (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18663/16]
View answerWritten answers
In March 2013, a Private Members Bill entitled the Autism Bill 2012 was debated and passed, unopposed by Government, to Second Stage in the Dáil. As a Private Members Bill, however, it did not form part of the Government's legislative programme. The Oireachtas has advised that all Private Members legislation has fallen following the dissolution of the Dáil.
Notwithstanding this, it is important to note that the Government is already committed under the National Disability Strategy (NDS) to ensuring that people with autism are empowered by policy and programmes to participate meaningfully as citizens in Irish society. The NDS is driven by this basic but fundamentally important objective and is the most effective combination of legislation, policies, institutional arrangements and services to support and reinforce equal participation for all people with disabilities.
The Cabinet Committee on Social Policy has been examining issues around autism across Government Departments in association with the National Disability Authority (NDA). This work by the NDA, which has included consultation with families, has been of significant assistance in informing how best to address the needs of people with ASD, so that we can be sure that they are appropriately reflected and included in policies and actions. The proposed approach was also discussed with the National Disability Strategy Steering Group.
A programme of specific measures has now been agreed for delivery by the relevant Government Departments and agencies, including actions to be delivered by the NDA.