Friday, 16 Sep 2016

National Children's Hospital Expenditure

Questions (1058)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

1058. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the most recent cost estimate for the new national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24543/16]

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Written answers

The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is the statutory body charged with delivery of the capital project. The Project Brief developed by the Board in 2014 was approved by the HSE, with the prior consent of the Minister, in accordance with the statutory approval process. Design development was undertaken by the Board in accordance with the approved Project Brief, culminating in the submission of a planning application to An Bord Pleanála last August. I am delighted at the unanimous decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for the hospital, satellite centres and related buildings as designed, clearing the way for enabling works which began this summer on the campus of St. James's Hospital. It is expected that the satellite centres at Connolly Hospital and Tallaght Hospital can open in 2018, significantly enhancing access to urgent care and outpatient services for children from the Greater Dublin Area. Building work on the main site will be completed in 2020.

The previous Government committed to making €200m available from the sale of the National Lottery for the new children's hospital, adding to the existing €450m Exchequer funding and underlining the Government's commitment to the project. The 2014 estimate, as set out in the approved Project Brief, affirmed delivery of the core hospital, including both satellite centres, within this envelope. For reasons of commercial sensitivity, I do not intend to provide a detailed breakdown of cost estimates at this stage but I can confirm that they include provision for inflation, VAT and contingencies; they do not include equipment or ICT which can be purchased, licensed or leased separately. Philanthropic and commercial funding streams are to be targeted as appropriate for supporting elements of the project to include car parking, academic and research facilities. As with any capital project, it is essential that cost estimates be reviewed and refined as appropriate, including making prudent provision for construction inflation.

Ultimately, costs will be determined during the tendering process, currently underway, and is expected to be very competitive, with significant interest from contractors.

Departmental Agencies Funding

Questions (1059)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

1059. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 296 of 20 July 2016, if he will provide a breakdown of the funding provided to agencies for the provision of services under section 38 of the Health Act 2004; the names of these agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24546/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to funding by the HSE of agencies under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004 is set out in the following table. Figures are provided for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Health Service Executive

Section 38 Agencies

Total Grants (Revenue Grants and Capital Grants)

Analysis of Grants to S38 Agencies for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015.

		2013	2014	2015
		Total Grants	Total Grants	Total Grants
No #	Name of Agency	€000	€000	€000
1	Beaumont Hospital	269,116	270,175	290,285
2	Brothers of Charity	162,614	163,383	174,092
3	Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital	28,899	26,715	31,341
4	Carriglea Cáirde Services Ltd	8,647	8,639	9,682
5	Central Remedial Clinic	16,149	15,695	15,408
6	Cheeverstown House Ltd	22,101	22,736	24,183
7	Children's Sunshine Home (Laura Lynn Children's Hospice)	3,875	3,907	3,884
8	Coombe Women's Hospital	53,250	51,609	56,863
9	COPE Foundation	44,116	45,059	46,786
10	Cork University Dental School and Hospital	1,948	1,867	1,715
11	Daughters of Charity	108,461	100,898	106,828
12	Dublin Dental Hospital	6,071	6,538	6,230
13	Incorporated Orthopaedic Hospital of Ireland, Clontarf	8,171	9,195	10,016
14	KARE, Newbridge	14,759	15,986	17,260
15	Leopardstown Park Hospital	13,202	13,117	13,409
16	Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Ltd	244,578	240,971	254,910
17	Mercy University Hospital, Cork	68,917	70,226	71,618
18	Muiríosa Foundation	38,934	41,938	45,171
19	National Maternity Hospital	48,376	53,308	49,350
20	National Rehabilitation Hospital	27,861	28,256	29,388
21	Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin	126,874	123,452	138,328
22	Our Lady's Hospice & Care Services (Sisters of Charity)	27,373	27,734	27,553
23	Peamount Hospital	23,832	24,261	24,645
24	Rotunda Hospital	48,894	48,929	51,678
25	Royal Hospital Donnybrook	18,305	17,666	18,080
26	Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital	21,269	24,326	25,297
27	South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital	50,987	53,814	54,347
28	St James' Hospital	335,888	346,027	361,432
29	St John of God Services	128,370	130,300	133,069
30	St John's Hospital, Limerick	18,740	20,940	21,267
31	St Michael’s Hospital, Dun Laoghaire	27,762	25,518	25,477
32	St Michael’s House Group	72,016	73,082	75,199
33	St Patrick's Centre, Kilkenny (Sisters of Charity)	11,974	11,989	13,171
34	St Vincent's Hospital, Fairview	14,156	14,130	13,910
35	St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park	221,607	217,435	225,815
36	Stewart's Care Ltd	43,502	44,122	44,072
37	Sunbeam House Services	19,461	19,803	21,440
38	Tallaght (Adelaide and Meath) Hospital	203,227	196,150	206,366
39	Temple Street Children's University Hospital	87,286	94,421	97,437
	Total Grants to S38 Agencies	2,691,568	2,704,317	2,837,002

Treatment Abroad Scheme

Questions (1060)

Mary Butler

Question:

1060. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be reimbursed under the treatment abroad scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24548/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply directly to the Deputy.

General Practitioner Services Provision

Questions (1061)

John Brassil

Question:

1061. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of a full-time general practitioner service in Rathmore, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24555/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (1062)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

1062. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if he will review the funding allocation for new wheelchairs in the Dublin North West area (details supplied). [24562/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (1063)

John Brassil

Question:

1063. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an operation in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24570/16]

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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.

Hospital Services

Questions (1064)

Joan Collins

Question:

1064. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the children's outpatient trauma service in Tallaght hospital, Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24573/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Children’s Hospital Group, comprising Tallaght, OLCHC and Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street, is working to provide a sustainable, safe paediatric orthopaedic trauma service. Significant additional orthopaedic service funding has been provided in the HSE Service Plans for both 2015 and 2016. €1.042m in new funding (full year costs) was provided in 2015, to provide for 9.5 additional WTEs including two new orthopaedic consultants, anaesthetist and support staff. The two new orthopaedic consultant posts mark the first step in establishment of a new integrated paediatric orthopaedic service with a trauma clinic service at Tallaght, provided as an outreach from OLCHC. In time this outreach clinic will be transferred to the newly developed children’s hospital satellite centre to open on the Tallaght campus.

In relation to current arrangements for the paediatric fracture clinic at Tallaght, as this is a service matter it has been referred to HSE for direct reply.

Tobacco Control Measures

Questions (1065)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

1065. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when the mechanics, cost and detail required by manufacturers of vaping products that do not contain tobacco and are not cigarettes to comply with the law, SI 271 of 2016, will be made available; the estimated cost of the notification system to the State per annum; the manner in which the cost has been calculated; the manner in which the scheme will be funded; if and when the notification scheme will be published; the products that will need to be notified, and by whom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24580/16]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016 transposed the European Tobacco Products Directive and came into effect on 20 May 2016.

The Regulations include the following provisions in relation to electronic cigarettes and refill containers:

- Obligatory health warnings advising consumers that electronic cigarettes contain nicotine and should not be used by non-smokers;

- Obligatory information leaflets setting out instructions for use and information on adverse effects, risk groups, addictiveness and toxicity;

- Notification requirements for manufacturers and importers of e-cigarettes and refill containers; and

- Mandatory safety and quality requirements setting maximum nicotine concentration levels for electronic cigarettes and maximum volumes for cartridges, tanks and containers of nicotine liquids.

A notice to industry was issued to manufactures and importers of electronic cigarettes and refill containers in March in relation to the notification requirements. This Notice set out that the EU Commission was developing an EU common entry gate (EU-CEG), to enable manufacturers and importers to comply with their reporting and notification obligations, and advised them to register under the EU-CEG to enable them to comply with the notifications requirements. Furthermore, my Department recently issued guidance to provide assistance to manufacturers and importers of e-cigarettes and refill containers on the notification requirements which can be found on my Department's website at http://health.gov.ie/healthy-ireland/tobacco/guidance-on-the-notification-of-e-cigarettes-and-refill-containers/.

Under the 2016 Regulations, there is no fee for notifying e-cigarettes or refill containers. This reflects the current legislative position and is subject to any future legislative amendment.

Dental Services

Questions (1066)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1066. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if titanium chrome dentures are included in the dental treatment service scheme; if not, his plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24583/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Health Services Funding

Questions (1067)

Noel Grealish

Question:

1067. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if funding will be restored for the provision of prescribed compression garments for persons with primary lymphoedema in the HSE west area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24584/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (1068)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1068. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [24589/16]

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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.

Home Help Service

Questions (1069, 1070, 1071, 1072, 1073)

Michael Ring

Question:

1069. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the budget for the provision of home help services in County Mayo for each of the years 2014 to 2015 and in 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24590/16]

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Michael Ring

Question:

1070. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the number of persons receiving home help assistance in County Mayo for each of the past three years in tabular form; the total hours being provided; the costs of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24591/16]

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Michael Ring

Question:

1071. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently on a waiting list for the provision of home help services in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24592/16]

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Michael Ring

Question:

1072. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the budget for the provision of home help services in County Mayo for persons wishing to be discharged from acute or respite hospital care who cannot go home as there is no care plan in place for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24593/16]

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Michael Ring

Question:

1073. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if the provision of home help services in County Mayo has been curtailed in 2016 or if the services being provided are not meeting the demands due to insufficient funding; if so, his plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24594/16]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1069 to 1073, inclusive, together.

As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Appointments Administration

Questions (1074)

John Brassil

Question:

1074. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he will examine a referral for an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24595/16]

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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.

Medical Card Reviews

Questions (1075)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1075. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason medical card review forms are issued to medical card holders who have been granted medical cards under EU entitlement and who are in receipt of a British state pension only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24596/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (1076)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1076. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a date for transfer to the National Rehabilitation Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24597/16]

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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.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (1077)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1077. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will consider providing assisted transportation to a person (details supplied) to enable the person to have a short-term stay with family members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24598/16]

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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.

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.

HSE Data

Questions (1078)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

1078. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of workplace inspections carried out by the environmental health officers since 2015 to date; the total number of hours worked by the environmental health officers when carrying out the inspections; the cost involved in carrying out the inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24605/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

This is a matter for the HSE; therefore, I have referred the question to the HSE for attention and direct reply.

Ambulance Service Provision

Questions (1079)

John Brady

Question:

1079. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if he will increase the number of ambulances in County Wicklow for patients who have to travel to St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, for accident and emergency services; his plans to improve the ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24608/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Dental Services

Questions (1080)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1080. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for a dental appointment by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24610/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Medical Records

Questions (1081)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1081. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason a person's medical records (details supplied) have not been transferred from Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12, to Tallaght hospital, Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24612/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (1082)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1082. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [24615/16]

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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.

Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage

Questions (1083)

Seán Haughey

Question:

1083. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will include MoviPrep laxative solution in the drugs payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24619/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Drugs Payment Scheme Threshold

Questions (1084)

Seán Haughey

Question:

1084. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will reduce the drugs payment scheme threshold from €144 per month to €100 per month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24620/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Drugs Payment Scheme threshold is a matter which I intend to consider in the context of the implementation of the health commitments in the Programme for Government, and having regard to the funding available to facilitate such measures.

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Questions (1085)

Gerry Adams

Question:

1085. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 530 of 14 April 2016, the outcome of the recruitment process for a rehabilitation consultant post for the Louth-Meath health service and the remit of the rehabilitation team. [24621/16]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 10 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.