Written Answers Nos. 681-700
681. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his Department's estimate of the additional resources required to provide the funding necessary for the staffing requirements under A Vision for Change, taking into account demographic changes. [24136/16]
View answerA Vision For Change, the national Mental Health Policy, was introduced in 2006. Among its recommendations were that approximately 10,650 Mental Health Whole Time Equivalents were required to fully implement the policy.
This figure was based on Ireland’s then population of 3.917 million, as indicated in the 2002 census. The population of Ireland today, based on the most recent confirmed Census figures in 2011, is 4.499 million. Taking into account this demographic change, the required number of Mental Health Whole Time Equivalents is now 12,240.
As of April 2016, there are 9,553 Mental Health Whole Time Equivalents employed, a gap of 2,687.
Using an average figure of €66,000 per Whole Time Equivalent, the additional resources required to fill the gap is €177.3 million per annum.
Since 2012, €160 million in additional ring-fenced funding has been allocated to the mental health services up to the end of 2016. Taking into account various factors, the additional amount provided in the HSE National Service Plan from 2012 to 2016 inclusive totalled €115 million.
682. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the arrangements that have or are being made to ensure children are not admitted to adult mental health centres; the current number of child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, beds available; if it is intended to increase the number of such beds; if so, in what locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24137/16]
View answerThe reduction in the numbers of children admitted to adult psychiatric units has been a priority for the HSE Mental Health Services over recent years. This important objective is again reflected in the agreed HSE Service Plan for this year.
Significant progress has been made since 2008 when there were 247 such admissions to adult units, and this subsequently declined to 89 in 2014. Last year, there was a slight increase to 95 such admissions, against a background of increasing demands overall on the HSE Child and Adolescent Mental Health service. It should be noted that the number of admissions for 2015 does not necessarily equate to the actual number of children admitted, as an individual child may be admitted on more than one occasion over any given year. In 2015, there were a total of 356 Child and Adolescent Mental Health admissions, of which 261 (73%) were to age-appropriate units and 95 (27%) were to Adult Units. In May 2016, 97.2% of bed days used were in Child and Adolescent Inpatient Units, which is an improvement on 95.4% for April. Performance generally continues to be above the HSE Service Plan target figure of 95%, and indications also are that where a child has been admitted to an adult acute in-patient unit, the length of stay has been kept to a minimum.
The current HSE Service Plan allows for a degree of operational flexibility regarding emergency placements in adult units. This is particularly the case where very short-term placements take place, and where full account is taken of all other relevant factors such as the preferences of all those involved, or geographical considerations relating to access or visiting. In such situations, the HSE closely monitors on a weekly basis all child admissions to adult units, with a view to minimising admissions as much as possible.
The Government remains strongly committed to reducing, insofar as possible, the numbers involved in this issue, especially in light of the operational factors I have outlined. I hold regular meeting with the HSE Mental Health Division to specifically review progress on this matter, and to see what further improvements can be realised. I will be progressing this with the Executive over coming months, particularly in the context of opening additional Child and Adolescent Mental Health beds in Cork, thus increasing operational beds from the 66 at present to hopefully around 74 by year end. Other key related issues that need to be progressed include enhancing community based care for young people as additional mental health staffing comes on-stream, together with ensuring that existing best practice at local level is standardised nationally. I concur with the Deputy's concerns on this important issue, but I am satisfied that the HSE is working to absolutely minimise the number of children being placed short-term in adult mental health units, and that the Executive makes any special arrangements necessary in individual cases to protect and monitor these vulnerable young people.
The Government will also shortly launch the Task Force on Youth Mental Health, which will focus on promoting positive mental health and resilience among young people.
683. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24139/16]
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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. 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.
684. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.50 for all employees directly employed or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24163/16]
View answerI have asked that the HSE respond to you directly on the aspect of the question that relates to HSE staff and staff of Section 38 agencies under their aegis. In relation to Non-Commercial State Agencies under the remit of the Department, this information is being sought and will be forwarded to the Deputy when collated.
685. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the discussions his Department has had with suppliers or service contractors to his Department or to agencies of his Department to ensure that employees of such suppliers and contractors are paid the living wage of €11.50 per hour; the cost of implementing this wage for these employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24178/16]
View answerMy Department has no direct responsibility in this matter. However, I can inform you that the Living Wage is a voluntary societal initiative centred on the social, business and economic case to ensure that, wherever it can be afforded, employers will pay a rate of pay that provides an income that is sufficient to meet an individual’s basic needs, such as housing, food, clothing, transport and healthcare. The Living Wage is voluntary and has no legislative basis and is therefore not a statutory entitlement and cannot be imposed on suppliers or contractors. It is different to the National Minimum Wage which is a statutory entitlement and has a legislative basis.
686. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health in what timeframe will Parliamentary Question No. 507, replied to on 24 May 2016, stating that the information is not readily available but will be collated and forwarded, be replied to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24184/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to the amount spent on legal fees connected to medical negligence since the introduction of the Open Disclosure Programme was forwarded to the Deputy on 26 May 2016, but her office has no record of having received it. The information was therefore re-issued by my officials to the Deputy on 19 July.
687. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to safeguard the funds spent on mental health services in respect of service provision for the suicide helpline; the planning he will be conducting in respect of the ongoing security of the provision of these services into 2017 and 2018 following recent changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24202/16]
View answerAs 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.
688. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the hugely positive impact of the MOJO programme for men in respect of their well-being and mental health management; if his attention has further been drawn to the situation that demand exceeds provision by over 300%; that this programme has saved lives and the cost is minimal in respect of positive gains and outcomes; his plans to support and increase capacity on the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24203/16]
View answerAs 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.
689. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the arrangements that have been or are being made to review the provision of psychology services for children in the Kildare region; the other regions which are without child psychology services; the arrangements he has made for these children in respect of their mental welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24221/16]
View answerAs 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.
690. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health to grant a primary medical certificate and disabled driver status to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24236/16]
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.
It is not possible for me to get involved in individual cases. In fact under Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013, I am legally barred from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions 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.
691. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health to urgently address the waiting list crisis for the 217 children with scoliosis awaiting urgent spinal surgery (details supplied); the reason for the practice of referring children to the Blackrock Clinic and the UK and the subsequent lack of utilisation of facilities at Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital, Finglas, Dublin 11, to combat the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24237/16]
View answerScoliosis affects approximately 1% of children and adolescents in Ireland. The management of scoliosis is complex and is determined by the severity of the curvature and skeletal maturity.
Long waiting times for scoliosis surgery are not acceptable, and my Department has been working closely with the HSE to address services pressures, particularly in Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin (OLCHC), which is the largest provider of scoliosis surgery for children and young people. Additional funding of €1.042m was allocated under the 2015 Service Plan to increase capacity at OLCHC, and an additional orthopaedic surgeon, anaesthetist, and support staff, are now in place with recruitment of a further additional orthopaedic surgeon underway. Capital funding was also provided for a new theatre on site to expand theatre capacity further, and this is currently being commissioned. The Children's Hospital Group is proactively working on nurse recruitment to support the opening of the new theatre.
In order to address waiting times in the interim, 66 patients from Crumlin have been treated at other hospitals where capacity was available and where that was clinically appropriate. These included Temple Street, Cappagh, Tallaght and the Blackrock Clinic. External capacity was also been identified at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital at Stanmore in the UK. Further potential for additional external capacity to address waiting times is being examined.
My Department will continue to work with the HSE and the relevant hospitals to ensure improvements in access to spinal surgery.
692. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of FOI requests received by his Department to date in 2016; the number of requests fully refused; and the number of requests partially refused. [24284/16]
View answer169 FOI requests have been received by the Department of Health, to date, in 2016, of which 122 have been completed.
Please see details of the outcome of completed requests in the following table.
|
2016 |
|
|
TOTAL FOI REQUESTS RECEIVED |
169 |
|
TOTAL COMPLETED |
122 |
|
Fully Released |
30 |
|
Partially Refused |
41 |
|
Refused |
36 |
|
Referred |
5 |
|
Withdrawn |
9 |
|
Administrative Access |
1 |
693. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of miles claimed for and the amount of travel expenses paid to him and each Minister of State in his Department in respect of their functions as a Minister in his Department between 1 January 2016 and 10 March 2016; between 11 March 2016 and 6 May 2016; and since 7 May 2016. [24299/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of travel expenses paid to me is set out in the following tables.
|
Period covered |
Number of Miles |
Amount paid for mileage |
|
6 May 2016 to 30 June 2016 |
3,269 |
€2,331.83 |
The amount paid to the former Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, is set out below.
|
Period covered |
Number of Miles |
Amount paid for mileage |
|
1 January 2016 to 29 February 2016 |
4,235 |
€3,909.65 |
|
1 March 2016 to 6 May 2016 |
3,213 |
€1,471.23 |
|
Total |
7,448 |
€5,380.88 |
The amount paid to Minister of State Helen McEntee is set out below.
|
Period covered |
Number of Miles |
Amount paid for mileage |
Subsistence expenses paid |
|
30 May 2016 to 26 June 2016 |
2,061 |
€1,958.98 |
€95.40 |
The amount paid to Minister of State Marcella Corcoran Kennedy is set out below.
|
Period covered |
Subsistence expenses paid |
|
16 June 2016 to 17 June 2016 |
€403.00 |
The amount paid to former Minister of State Kathleen Lynch is set out in the table below.
|
Period covered |
Number of Miles |
Amount paid for mileage |
|
1 January 2016 to 29 February 2016 |
3,125 |
€2,970.31 |
|
1 March 2016 to 6 May 2016 |
1,773 |
€1,242.88 |
|
Total |
4,898 |
€4,213.19 |
694. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health to provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to their special advisers; to provide details for requests, if any, for an increase above the special advisers' pay cap as set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24316/16]
View answerThere have been two special advisers appointed to me as Minister for Health (Joanne Lonergan and Majella Fitzpatrick) and one appointed to the Minister of State Finian McGrath (Damian O'Farrell). The salaries applicable to all three advisers is the standard scale for the grade of Principal Officer in the Civil Service (€79,401 - €91,624) in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform instructions to Personnel Officers on Ministerial Appointments for the 32nd Dáil. There have been no requests for an increase above that level.
695. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23402/16]
View answerThe person concerned is an applicant under the TAMS II Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme. The application is currently being processed. Once it has been determined that all the terms and conditions of the Scheme have been complied with a letter of approval to carry out the works will issue.
696. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme 2 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23457/16]
View answerThe person concerned is an applicant under the TAMS II Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme. The application is currently being processed. Once it has been determined that all the terms and conditions of the Scheme have been complied with a letter of approval to carry out the works will issue.
697. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that when his Department consented to award an extended five-year contract to a chief executive officer of a commercial State body, who has served for 14 years with that body, the chairman of the board concerned had reportedly not sought the views of the board when he consulted the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; that it is also reported that the board of Horse Racing Ireland was not consulted prior to the submission of the business case to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24190/16]
View answer745. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that the board of Horse Racing Ireland, HRI, has reported that it was not aware of a business case which was supplied to his Department by the chairman of HRI or that the approval of the board was not sought by the chairman on advice that he received from officials in the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24189/16]
View answer746. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the involvement of his Department and its officials in the business case of Horse Racing Ireland, recently presented to the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform; the reason for its presentation at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24230/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 697, 745 and 746 together.
Horse Racing Ireland is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The appointment of the Chief Executive Officer is required to be made by the board of HRI, subject to the consent of the relevant Ministers. The preparation of a business case is a matter for HRI, and not for my Department. There is no question of a CEO being appointed without the consent of the board. Proceedings at the board are a matter for HRI.
698. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current processing time of applications under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, from date of submission to final approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23399/16]
View answerThere is no set time for processing applications under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme. Full approvals for the first two tranches of the scheme are issuing on an ongoing basis. Urgent part approvals also issued in over 1,100 cases earlier this year. Over 2,800 full approvals have issued to date.
699. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the figures for his Department on the percentage of working days lost to sickness absence through certified leave and uncertified leave in each year from 2011 to 2015, inclusive. [23405/16]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question, I have detailed below the information requested, in tabular form, in relation to the percentage of working days lost to sickness in each year from 2011 to 2015, inclusive.
|
Year |
% of working time lost to sick leave (both certified and self-certified) |
|
2011 |
3.76% (3.50% certified, 0.26% self certified) |
|
2012 |
3.50% (3.28% certified, 0.22% self certified) |
|
2013 |
3.84% (3.65% certified, 0.19% self certified) |
|
2014 |
3.58% (3.40% certified, 0.18% self certified) |
|
2015 |
3.45% (3.25% certified, 0.20% self certified) |
700. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme 2 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23458/16]
View answerThe person concerned is an applicant under the TAMS II Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme. An application was submitted in the tranche that closed on 24 June 2016. Processing of applications submitted during this tranche has recently commenced.
