Written Answers Nos. 462-485
462. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Health if adequate funding will be provided to support personal assistant services in the west whereby a person (details supplied) on a prioritised waiting list will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19200/16]
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.
463. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Health the number of occasions the Saolta hospital group availed of the services of a private ambulance company in the years 2014 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19201/16]
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.
464. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Health the cost of the provision of a Health Service Executive intermediate care ambulance vehicle and crew on a 12-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19202/16]
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.
465. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health to publish, without further delay, the Health Service Executive standards for bereavement care following pregnancy loss and perinatal death, including reference to fatal foetal abnormalities so that consistent compassionate standards can be applied across the health service. [19205/16]
View answer468. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health to ensure that suitable post-loss counselling services are available to affected family members within a short timeframe in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities. [19208/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 465 and 468 together.
I addressed the issue of fatal foetal abnormalities in Dail Eireann last Thursday during the debate on Deputy Wallace's Private Members Bill.
Aside from the constitutional issues raised by the United Nations Human Rights Committee's findings in the case of Amanda Mellet v Ireland, I was distressed by Ms Mellet's experience of services that should have worked for her but clearly did not.
Consequently I have asked the HSE to report to me this week on the clinical and counselling services in place to support women and their families who have to deal with a pre-natal diagnosis of a fatal foetal abnormality. I am also considering within the law what other services and responses can be put in place to help women in these terrible circumstances.
The development of appropriate bereavement care services is an important step in the overall development of quality services within the maternity services, and this is recognised in the National Maternity Strategy - Creating a Better Future Together 2016-2026. The HSE has been working to develop an extensive set of standards focusing on the area of pregnancy and perinatal loss. I have therefore asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to the timing of the publication of those Standards. 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.
466. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health to establish a dedicated unit within the Health Service Executive with suitably qualified staff adequately supported and resourced to deal with the implementation of the protection of life during pregnancy and abortion issues. [19206/16]
View answerPrior to the commencement of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act on 1st of January 2014 the Director General of the Health Service Executive (HSE) issued a letter to his Divisional Directors to instruct them to put in place operational protocols both at clinical and managerial level, to adhere to the certification and notification requirements enshrined in the Act.
In addition, the HSE was invested with a new statutory function of establishing and convening a Review Panel for the purpose of formal clinical reviews of decisions under the Act. The Quality Improvement Division lead on this process within the HSE.
The HSE is also required under section 15 of the Act to submit a report to the Minister for Health on Reviews carried out in the preceding year. The most recent HSE’s report covers the period from 1 January 2015 until 31 December 2105. The report shows that 1 application for review was made to the Executive during this period and 1 review was carried out under section 9 of the Act. The Review Committee found that this application did meet the criteria for a termination of pregnancy under the Act. This report has been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and is published on the HSE’s website.
467. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health to organise for the Health Service Executive to cover the cost of repatriation of remains to parents in a suitable manner in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities where the woman has to leave the country for a termination. [19207/16]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for public health services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means.
The HSE operates the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland under EU Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulations (EC) No. 987/2009, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines. The treatment in question must be provided for under Irish legislation, otherwise there is no entitlement to authorisation under the Scheme.
In general, the Health Service Executive do not pay for the cost of repatriation of remains from overseas to Ireland.
I addressed the issue of fatal foetal abnormalities in Dáil Éireann last Thursday during the debate on Deputy Wallace's Private Members Bill. Aside from the constitutional issues raised by the United Nations Human Rights Committee's findings in the case of Amanda Mellet v Ireland, I was distressed by Ms Mellet's experience of services that should have worked for her but clearly did not.
Consequently, I have asked the HSE to report to me this week on the clinical and counselling services in place to support women and their families who have to deal with a pre-natal diagnosis of a fatal foetal abnormality. I am also considering within the law what other services and responses can be put in place to help women in these terrible circumstances.
469. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19213/16]
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.
470. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health to expedite surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19215/16]
View answerThe HSE has advised my Department that the individual concerned was clinically reviewed by the Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon on 30 June and the hospital confirmed he is scheduled for surgery on the 25 July.
It should be noted that whilst the hospital does all in its power to ensure scheduled operations go ahead there can never be a complete guarantee of this as occasionally pressures such as emergency cases provide challenges and re-scheduling of procedures.
471. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of the annual budget allocated from the drugs programmes and policy unit within his Department for each of the ten regional drug and alcohol task forces and each of the 14 local drug and alcohol task forces here in each of the years 2010 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19217/16]
View answerIn line with the National Drugs Strategy, my Department administers a Drugs Initiative which primarily funds community based drugs initiatives supported by Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. The budget allocation for the ten Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces and the fourteen Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces for each of the years referred to by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
The reduction in the budget allocated from the Drugs Initiative Fund in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 reflects the fact that my Department transferred funding relating to Drug and Alcohol Task Force projects to the HSE in the amounts of €21.04m on 1st January 2014, a further €1.02m on 1 January 2015 and €331,829 in 2016.
Local Area
|
LDATF |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 DOH |
|
Ballyfermot |
1,533,826 |
1,492,413 |
1,569,489 |
1,522,404 |
461,150 |
|
Ballymun |
1,243,552 |
1,209,976 |
1,180,695 |
1,145,274 |
632,817 |
|
Blanchardstown |
1,184,200 |
1,152,227 |
1,124,343 |
1,090,613 |
179,305 |
|
Bray |
1,656,849 |
1,612,114 |
1,573,101 |
1,525,908 |
573,860 |
|
Canal Communities |
1,645,413 |
1,600,987 |
1,562,243 |
1,515,376 |
338,605 |
|
Clondalkin |
1,495,408 |
1,455,032 |
1,421,577 |
1,428,930 |
388,114 |
|
Cork |
1,662,621 |
1,617,730 |
1,578,581 |
1,531,224 |
411,988 |
|
Dublin 12 |
1,180,005 |
1,148,145 |
1,120,360 |
1,086,749 |
74,013 |
|
Dublin NE |
1,294,199 |
1,259,256 |
1,228,782 |
988,234 |
422,251 |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
975,475 |
949,137 |
926,167 |
898,382 |
94,676 |
|
Finglas Cabra |
986,452 |
959,818 |
936,590 |
908,492 |
263,277 |
|
NIC |
2,495,777 |
2,428,391 |
2,369,624 |
2,298,535 |
576,956 |
|
SIC |
2,276,911 |
2,215,434 |
2,161,821 |
2,096,966 |
255,720 |
|
Tallaght |
1,316,913 |
1,281,356 |
1,250,347 |
1,262,837 |
452,712 |
|
LDATF |
2014 HSE |
2015 DOH |
2015 HSE |
2016 DOH |
2016 HSE |
|
Ballyfermot |
1,025,582 |
255,446 |
1,231,286 |
255,446 |
1,231,286 |
|
Ballymun |
488,098 |
422,958 |
697,957 |
422,958 |
697,957 |
|
Blanchardstown |
913,589 |
179,305 |
913,589 |
179,305 |
913,589 |
|
Bray |
916,271 |
573,860 |
916,271 |
573,860 |
916,271 |
|
Canal Communities |
1,141,309 |
338,605 |
1,141,309 |
338,605 |
1,141,309 |
|
Clondalkin |
1,007,948 |
388,114 |
1,007,948 |
388,114 |
1,007,948 |
|
Cork |
1,108,299 |
411,988 |
1,108,299 |
411,988 |
1,108,299 |
|
Dublin 12 |
990,134 |
70,997 |
993,150 |
70,397 |
993,750 |
|
Dublin NE |
594,836 |
422,251 |
594,836 |
239,971 |
777,116 |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
786,755 |
94,676 |
786,755 |
94,676 |
786,755 |
|
Finglas Cabra |
627,960 |
263,277 |
627,960 |
263,277 |
627,960 |
|
NIC |
1,652,623 |
494,856 |
1,734,723 |
394,856 |
1,834,723 |
|
SIC |
1,788,337 |
176,043 |
1,868,014 |
176,043 |
1,868,014 |
|
Tallaght |
782,240 |
341,438 |
893,514 |
336,022 |
898,930 |
Regional Area
|
RDATF |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 DOH |
|
East Coast Area |
896,933 |
872,716 |
851,596 |
584,227 |
58,200 |
|
Midland |
894,739 |
870,581 |
849,513 |
824,028 |
307,810 |
|
Mid-West |
1,576,095 |
1,533,540 |
1,496,428 |
1,451,535 |
147,982 |
|
North East |
1,038,588 |
1,010,546 |
986,091 |
956,508 |
0 |
|
North West |
806,369 |
784,597 |
765,610 |
742,642 |
272,485 |
|
North Dublin City & Co. |
870,066 |
846,574 |
826,087 |
801,304 |
456,080 |
|
South East |
1,193,005 |
1,160,794 |
1,132,703 |
1,098,722 |
0 |
|
South West |
894,750 |
870,592 |
849,524 |
824,038 |
102,820 |
|
Southern |
1,089,369 |
1,059,956 |
1,034,305 |
1,003,276 |
0 |
|
Western |
740,085 |
720,104 |
702,677 |
681,597 |
136,994 |
|
Overall total |
30,947,600 |
30,112,016 |
29,498,254 |
28,267,801 |
6,607,815 |
|
RDATF |
2014 HSE |
2015 DOH |
2015 HSE |
2016 DOH |
2016 HSE |
|
East Coast Area |
508,500 |
58,200 |
508,500 |
58,200 |
508,500 |
|
Midland |
491,497 |
136,816 |
662,491 |
136,816 |
662,491 |
|
Mid-West |
1,260,007 |
147,982 |
1,260,007 |
147,982 |
1,260,007 |
|
North East |
927,813 |
0 |
927,813 |
0 |
927,813 |
|
North West |
447,878 |
258,633 |
461,730 |
258,633 |
461,730 |
|
North Dublin City & Co. |
321,184 |
309,778 |
467,486 |
266,245 |
511,019 |
|
South East |
1,065,760 |
0 |
1,065,760 |
0 |
1,065,760 |
|
South West |
696,497 |
102,820 |
696,497 |
102,820 |
696,497 |
|
Southern |
973,178 |
0 |
973,178 |
0 |
973,178 |
|
Western |
524,155 |
136,994 |
524,155 |
136,994 |
524,155 |
|
Overall total |
21,040,450 |
5,585,037 |
22,063,228 |
5,253,208 |
22,395,057 |
472. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of the total of section 38 and section 39 funding for each of the ten regional drug and alcohol task forces and each of the 14 local drug and alcohol task forces in each of the years 2010 to 2015 and 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19218/16]
View answer473. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of the total Health Service Executive allocation to each of the ten regional drug and alcohol task forces, DATF, and each of the 14 local drug and alcohol task forces in 2014, 2015 and to date in 2016, and include both DATF and Health Service Executive mainstream funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19219/16]
View answer474. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of the number of Health Service Executive whole-time equivalent addiction services front-line staff based in each of the ten regional drug and alcohol task forces and each of the 14 local drug and alcohol task force areas in each of the years 2013 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19220/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 472 to 474, inclusive, together.
As 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.
475. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health to provide a status update on the recently evaluated cross task force community alcohol treatment programme CARE project including resources allocated by the Health Service Executive, HSE, in 2016 and an estimated date for reinstatement in the Ballymun local, Finglas local and north Dublin regional drug and alcohol task force areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19221/16]
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.
476. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health to confirm that the new national drugs strategy which is currently under development will be one integrated national substance misuse strategy inclusive of all drugs including alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19222/16]
View answerGovernment policy on tackling the drug problem is set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. A Steering Committee, chaired by an independent chair and with representatives from the Statutory, Community and Voluntary Sectors, has been established to advise on the development of a new National Drugs Strategy, which will cover the period from 2017 onwards.
The terms of reference of the Steering Committee includes the development of an integrated public health approach to substance misuse, which is defined as the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances including alcohol and illicit drugs, incorporating the relevant recommendations of other related policies including the National Substance Misuse Strategy.
The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill remains a priority for this Government. The Government approved the publication of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill and the introduction of the Bill in the Houses of the Oireachtas on the 8 December 2015. The Bill completed Second Stage in the Seanad on the 17 December 2015. The Department of Health is currently awaiting dates to progress the Bill in the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The Bill is part of a suite of measures agreed on foot of the recommendations in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy. Work is continuing on the implementation of the recommendations in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy. It is intended to publish the First Annual Report on the National Substance Misuse Strategy later this year.
477. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide additional home help for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19227/16]
View answerAs 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.
478. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide additional home help for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19231/16]
View answerAs 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.
479. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health why a person (details supplied) who has been approved for a 72-hours home care package has not yet received same. [19249/16]
View answerAs 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.
480. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if he will review a hospital (details supplied) and upgrade it from a part-time service to a full-time service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19256/16]
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.
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.
481. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if the assessment of young persons in special needs schools in County Tipperary can take place a minimum of 24 months before they move on into the adult system at 18 years of age (details supplied); when this will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19257/16]
View answerIn November 2015 the National Project Group commenced an agreed process for addressing the needs of school leavers and those exiting rehabilitative training in 2016 that require HSE funded services and supports. This mechanism was developed following a review of the new streamlined application process put in place in 2015.
One of the most significant changes agreed by the Group was that a longer term plan to scope the needs of school leavers for the period 2017-2019 would be undertaken to identify the resources required over the next three year timeframe to address this annual need, this process commenced last April.
The Programme for Partnership Government commits the Government to ensuring that all 18 year old school leavers with intellectual and physical disabilities have continued education or training opportunities. To ensure these needs are met in 2016, €7.25 million was allocated by the HSE, at the beginning of the year, to provide appropriate services and supports to approximately 1,500 young people with disabilities and autism who will require continuing health-funded supports on leaving school or rehabilitative (life skills) training this year. In addition, a proportion of the additional €3 million secured for disability services in June will also fund new initiatives to meet the needs of this year's school leavers.
482. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health to ensure a person (details supplied) receives necessary respite care. [19266/16]
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.
483. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health to make funding available through the Health Service Executive to assist persons (details supplied). [19267/16]
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.
With regard to the Deputy's query, the Minister for Health has no role in relation to the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with Disability, which is a matter for the Department of Environment.
However, in the context of the provision of health and personal social services to people with disabilities, I have arranged for the Deputy's 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.
484. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when an operation will be provided for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19269/16]
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.
485. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when an operation will be provided for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19270/16]
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.
