Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:515. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange for a person (details supplied) to be taken on urgently as a medical card patient. [20762/16]
View answerMedical Card Applications
Questions (515)
Written answers
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently issued to Oireachtas members.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
Home Care Packages Data
Questions (516)
John Curran
Question:516. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in Tallaght hospital who have been deemed medically fit for discharge and have had to wait more than one week for their discharges, due to their inability to access home care packages for May and June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20773/16]
View answerWritten answers
Delayed discharges arise when a patient has been judged clinically to no longer have a requirement for acute hospital care but remains in an acute hospital bed, thus rendering that bed unavailable for patients who need admission.
According to a HSE report on delayed discharges, as of end May 2016, there were 595 delayed discharges nationally. Of these, 51 were waiting either for their application to be processed or for home care to be made available. Two of these 51 were in located Tallaght hospital.
As of end June 2016, there were 630 delayed discharges nationally. Of these, 85 were waiting either for their application to be processed or for home care to be made available. Three of these 85 were located in Tallaght hospital.
Information on the length of time these patients were awaiting discharge from hospital is not included in the HSE report.
The HSE’s National Service Plan for 2016 provides for a target of 10.4 million Home Help Hours to support about 47,800 people. It also provides for 15,450 Home Care Packages and 130 Intensive Home Care Packages for clients with complex needs. A further 60 clients with dementia will be supported with co-funding from Atlantic Philanthropies under the Irish National Dementia Strategy.
Home support services are being stretched by demands from more people, and for more hours at times outside of core hours, in the evenings and at weekends, all of which cost more.
I am delighted that the Government has been able to respond to this demand by providing an extra €40m for home care in 2016. Not only will this ensure that the home support services provided in 2015 are maintained but also increased. The targets for 2016 will be reviewed in light of these additional resources.
Hospital Staff
Questions (517)
Michael Ring
Question:517. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive payment for a post similar to others within the same hospital group for the same period to ensure remuneration equality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20774/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (518)
Robert Troy
Question:518. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will schedule an appointment for surgery for a person (details supplied). [20776/16]
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.
Occupational Therapy
Questions (519)
Róisín Shortall
Question:519. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene to ensure that children who require access to this essential service will not be left waiting beyond the current waiting times in respect to an early intervention team (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20781/16]
View answerWritten answers
As the issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. I have asked the HSE to look into the particular matter raised and to reply directly 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.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (520)
Alan Kelly
Question:520. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he will give consideration to the extension of the human papillomavirus immunisation programme in secondary schools to boys in recognition of the threat HPV-related cancers and diseases pose to males as well as females; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20784/16]
View answerWritten answers
In Ireland the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) makes recommendations on vaccination policy. Their recommendations are based on the epidemiology of the disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation.
The HPV vaccine protects girls from developing cervical cancer when they are adults. It is available free of charge from the HSE for all girls in 1st year of secondary school. The uptake of HPV vaccine in girls of over 80% is providing an element of, what is known as, herd immunity for boys. There is also evidence that the current vaccines do not provide the level of protection against head and neck cancers that had been originally forecast. This indicates that a universal HPV programme for boys would not be cost effective at this time.
However, My Department has requested the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to carry out a Health Technology Assessment on this proposal, and any new recommendations will be considered.
Question No. 521 answered with Question No. 33.
Infectious Disease Incidence
Questions (522)
Alan Kelly
Question:522. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of persons that his Department believes to be HIV positive; the measures being taken to combat new HIV infections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20786/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Weekly HIV & STI Report, published by the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre, indicated that in week 26 - 2016 (26 June - 2 July) that 4 Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections were notified. The total number of notifications is 274 for the year to date. The Weekly HIV & STI Report for week 52 - 2015, published on 6 January 2016, indicates that a total of 498 infections were notified in 2015, an increase on the total of 372 for 2014. HIV has been a notifiable disease since 1 January 2012.
The National Sexual Health Strategy 2015 – 2020 and Action Plan 2015 – 2016 were launched in October 2015. The National Sexual Health Strategy aims to improve sexual health and wellbeing and reduce negative sexual health outcomes by ensuring that everyone living in Ireland has access to high quality sexual health information, education and services throughout their lives. The Strategy contains 71 recommendations that address a wide spectrum of sexual health services, from surveillance and prevention, to treatment, counselling and supports, to education and professional development.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has reported that the greatest burden of STIs falls among those aged under 25 years and among men who have sex with men (MSM). Accordingly, the Strategy aims to target ‘at risk’ groups for specific interventions. These interventions include ensuring that all campaigns and interventions targeting those most at risk of negative sexual health outcomes will be inclusive with regard to the diversity of sexual experiences and identities; developing and maintaining positive prevention, access to condoms, testing, targeted education and outreach; and identifying and establishing links with other relevant strategies, particularly those relating to vulnerable and at-risk groups, to ensure their sexual health needs are addressed.
The Sexual Health Action Plan for 2015 - 2016 identified 18 priority actions across clinical services, education, communications and governance / structures. These actions aim to enhance sexual health prevention and treatment services at both population level and also address issues specific to men who have sex with men. The Action Plan commits to the development of a further Action Plan for 2017 - 2020 to complete the implementation of the Strategy.
Psychological Services
Questions (523)
Alan Kelly
Question:523. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding available to recruit new psychologists and counsellors in 2016 in order to develop psychological services for persons under 18 years of age; and the timeframe for the delivery of these services. [20787/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred 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.
Health Insurance Data
Questions (524)
Alan Kelly
Question:524. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons here currently covered by private health insurance; if this has increased or decreased since July 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20788/16]
View answerWritten answers
The latest available data from the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) shows that the total number of people with health insurance is 2.126 million, or 46% of the population (end March 2016). This figure includes those serving waiting periods and members of the Restricted Membership Undertakings (which provide insurance to people who are members of a particular group, normally a vocational group or employees of a particular organisation).
The HIA gather data on a quarterly basis and information in respect of June 2016 is not yet available. There was an increase of over 95,000 in the number of insured persons from March 2015 to March 2016, which contributes positively to controlling premium inflation and thereby helps to keep health insurance affordable for those who wish to avail of it.
Dental Services Provision
Questions (525)
Alan Kelly
Question:525. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons eligible for dental care under the dental treatment services scheme in the years 2011 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20789/16]
View answerWritten answers
The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly 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.
Health Services Staff Data
Questions (526)
Alan Kelly
Question:526. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of public health nurses currently employed by the Health Service Executive; his plans to recruit further public health nurses over the next five years and if so, the number; and if he will provide a timeline for the recruitment of new staff. [20790/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Primary Medical Certificates Applications
Questions (527)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:527. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for a primary medical certificate by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20806/16]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 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 Offices.
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, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
Health Services Staff Remuneration
Questions (528)
David Cullinane
Question:528. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the cost of returning to a single tier pay structure in the health service which ensures that all those recruited into the system on 1 January 2011 are placed on pay scales based on the pre-2010 rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20808/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Question No. 529 answered with Question No. 99.
Nursing Home Services
Questions (530)
Dara Calleary
Question:530. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the factors that influenced him to order a value for money review of nursing home costs; if he will publish the information made available to his Department by the Health Service Executive on the cost per bed in public nursing homes since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20818/16]
View answerWritten answers
When the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) commenced in 2009, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. The report of the Review was published in July 2015. The Review included a general examination of the operation of the Scheme, and also looked at the price of long term residential care in public, voluntary and private nursing homes.
The legislation underpinning the Nursing Homes Support Scheme requires each private nursing home to negotiate and agree a price for long-term residential care services with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) should they wish to be an approved nursing home for the purposes of the Scheme, and the NHSS Review provided that the NTPF would review its approach to pricing with a view to:
- Ensuring value for money and economy, with the lowest possible administrative cost for clients and the State and administrative burden for providers;
- Increasing the transparency of the pricing mechanism so that existing and potential investors can make as informed decisions as possible; and
- Ensuring that there is adequate residential capacity for those residents with more complex needs.
However, the NTPF has no role in setting or negotiating prices for public facilities, and it was considered important that this system also be examined to ensure that value for money is being achieved to the maximum extent possible.
While the HSE is already engaged in a comprehensive exercise to review and streamline the operation and cost structures of public facilities, the Department of Health will also work with the HSE in conducting a Value for Money Review of public nursing home costs to identify more fully the factors that may be increasing costs and any areas that require correction.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act, 2009 provides that the components that make up the cost of care in public residential facilities must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, and the HSE have complied with this requirement. There is no legal obligation under the Act for the HSE to publish the public cost of care.
Over the past number of years the cost of care for public nursing homes under the Scheme as published on the HSE website was not updated by the HSE as the costs of public long stay and short stay care services were being reviewed. This work was acknowledged in the Review of the NHSS. The HSE will, however, publish the cost of care for public residential care centres in September 2016 as part of a process to provide additional information on its services to the public.
Home Help Service
Questions (531)
Darragh O'Brien
Question:531. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health when the gratuity payment due to certain home help workers will be made in lieu of pensions payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20819/16]
View answerWritten answers
I understand the Deputy is referring to Home Help workers who are employed by voluntary providers of home help services which are funded under section 39 of the Health Act 2004. I advised the Deputy previously that as these home help workers are not employed by the HSE, the HSE and the Department has no role in determining the salaries or other terms and conditions applying to these staff including any pension arrangements.
As the Deputy is aware a joint working group has been established, as agreed as part of the Lansdowne Road talks, to consider a number of issues in relation to section 39 organisations. The work of this group is still ongoing and is expected to conclude in the near future.
Question No. 532 answered with Question No. 475.