Peter Fitzpatrick
Question:1086. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health the reason an appointment has been postponed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24626/16]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (1086)
Written answers
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient’s general practitioner consider the patient’s condition warrants and 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.
Local Drugs Task Forces
Questions (1087)
Clare Daly
Question:1087. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE has not recruited a person for the role of task force co-ordinator with the Canal Communities local drugs task force following the retirement of the person who had filled that role. [24627/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services
Questions (1088)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1088. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE is not approving continuous monitors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24629/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Question No. 1089 answered with Question No. 1040.
Alcohol Advertising
Questions (1090, 1091)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:1090. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of times the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body has reported to him or his Department with respect to compliance on a voluntary code of practice for the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24636/16]
View answerLouise O'Reilly
Question:1091. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a revised statutory code in respect of alcohol marketing and communications; the work which has been done to date on this; the stakeholders he has met and when; the timeline for the introduction of the revised code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24637/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1090 and 1091 together.
The Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body (AMCMB) was established in 2005 to monitor the level of adherence to Alcohol Marketing, Communications and Sponsorship Codes of Practice. The AMCMB has submitted nine annual reports to the Minister for Health. There are no plans to introduce a revised statutory code in respect of alcohol marketing and communications. Regulation of the advertising of alcohol products and sponsorship by alcohol companies is provided for in the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill remains a priority for this Government. The Bill has been restored to the Seanad Order Paper and I expect that it will commence Committee Stage in October.
Care of the Elderly
Questions (1092)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1092. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on concerns regarding the old and vulnerable (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24649/16]
View answerWritten answers
Homecare services are provided either directly by the HSE or through service agreements with private and voluntary sector providers are intended to assist older people to live independently in their own homes.
Services are provided on the basis of assessed need and there is no means-testing. The provision of these services is regularly reviewed at national and local levels, in the context of assessed client need against resource availability and deployment. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to increasing provision for home supports so that we can better respond to the preferences of older people to stay at home for as long as they can.
When it is no longer viable for a person to remain at home, financial support is available for those assessed as needing long-term nursing home care, regardless of their age, through the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
The details of assessment processes are a service matter and accordingly this issue has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospitals Data
Questions (1093)
Billy Kelleher
Question:1093. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of operations and procedures that have been cancelled or postponed in each public hospital to date in 2016 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24650/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospitals Data
Questions (1094)
Billy Kelleher
Question:1094. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of operations and procedures that have been cancelled or postponed in each voluntary hospital to date in 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24651/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (1095)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:1095. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be seen for a medical procedure to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24652/16]
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 scheduling of appointments is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient’s general practitioner consider 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (1096)
Gerry Adams
Question:1096. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health when appointments will be provided for a person (details supplied). [24654/16]
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 scheduling of appointments is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient’s general practitioner consider 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (1097)
Gerry Adams
Question:1097. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be provided for a person (details supplied). [24655/16]
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 scheduling of appointments is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient’s general practitioner consider 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.
Nursing Staff Recruitment
Questions (1098)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1098. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when an advanced nurse practitioner will be appointed at Kerry University Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24657/16]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Clinical Indemnity Scheme
Questions (1099)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1099. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24666/16]
View answerWritten answers
I have met with the parents of the patient concerned and my officials remain in contact with the family. Decisions on the most appropriate treatment for any patient or client of the health service must be made by the patient, or the patient’s representatives, in consultation with their treating clinician(s). I do not have the authority to direct an individual practitioner as to how they should treat a patient under their care.
On the general issue of indemnity in relation to treating a patient, the Clinical Indemnity Scheme (CIS) is the main scheme under which the State Claims Agency manages all clinical negligence claims taken against healthcare enterprises, hospitals and clinical, nursing and allied healthcare practitioners covered by the scheme.
The CIS provides indemnity to hospitals/ enterprises and, vicariously, practitioners in respect of a suit for personal injuries brought by a person alleging negligence, statutory or at common law, in respect of the provision of, or failure to provide, professional medical services. State indemnity does not extend to individual preparations or products.
CIS cover applies equally to the prescription/use of licensed and unlicensed medicinal products (including the off-licence use of licensed medicinal products) providing the latter is used with the express consent of the enterprise’s management. It is a policy issue for the hospital/enterprise, and any regulatory body whether or not to sanction the use of unlicensed medicines.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme
Questions (1100)
Mattie McGrath
Question:1100. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the commitment contained in the programme for Government to remove discrimination against small businesses and family farms under the fair deal nursing home scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24687/16]
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. Arising out of the Review, a number of key issues have been identified for more detailed consideration across Departments and Agencies, including the treatment of business and farm assets for the purposes of the financial assessment element of the Scheme. In advance of the Review, submissions were sought from groups or bodies who wished to make a contribution, and the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) made a submission in this context on which they expanded at a subsequent meeting with officials of the Department of Health.
An Interdepartmental/Agency Working Group has been established to progress the recommendations contained in the Review. This group is chaired by the Department of Health and includes representatives from the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, the Revenue Commissioners and, when required, the National Treatment Purchase Fund. I have met with the IFA and invited them to present their submission at the next meeting of the Working Group, due to take place in October 2016.
A specific date has not been set for the Working Group to conclude its work, but it is in the process of reporting on its progress to date to the Cabinet Committee on Health. This will be done shortly, in line with the Committee's own scheduling requirements.
The Programme for a Partnership Government has indeed committed to reviewing the NHSS to remove any discrimination against small business and family farms. Any significant changes ultimately deemed necessary to the Scheme will require legislation and will accordingly be addressed together at the conclusion of the Review implementation process.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Data
Questions (1101)
Mattie McGrath
Question:1101. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for each HSE region for access to the fair deal nursing home scheme in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24688/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Charges
Questions (1102)
Alan Farrell
Question:1102. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the average cost of hospital accommodation per patient per night; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24712/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, the HSE has been asked to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Home Care Packages Expenditure
Questions (1103)
Alan Farrell
Question:1103. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the average cost of care provided under the home care package per patient per hour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24713/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Home Care Packages Provision
Questions (1104)
Alan Farrell
Question:1104. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the action he will take to increase the amount of care provided under the home care package to allow patients, in cases where it is appropriate, to receive treatment in their own homes and to assist in the reduction of the strain on hospital beds; his views on whether such an initiative would increase the efficiency of the health system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24714/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (1105)
Alan Farrell
Question:1105. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health his plans to further support community-based organisations (details supplied) that provide important services for persons with learning disabilities; his plans to increase supports for people with learning difficulties following the completion of their time in education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24727/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. 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 has also funded new initiatives to meet the needs of this year's school leavers. Once off funding of €2 million is also being provided for the refurbishment and fit-out of buildings to provide suitable service locations, based on an assessment of the physical capacity within existing services to accommodate the additional numbers.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (1106, 1107, 1108)
Dara Calleary
Question:1106. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of credit cards issued to Ministers and officials working in his Department; the amount spent on credit cards by his Department in 2014 and in 2015; the amount of bank interest paid on credit cards in 2014 and 2015; the controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on these cards; the controls in place in each agency to monitor expenditure on personally held credit card bills that are subsequently used to recoup work-related expenses; if these controls are being reviewed in view of recent events in agencies funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24744/16]
View answerDara Calleary
Question:1107. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of credit cards issued to staff working in each State agency funded by his Department, in tabular form; the number of cards per funded agency; the amount spent by credit card in 2014 and 2015 by each agency; the amount of bank interest paid on credit cards in 2014 and 2015; the controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on these cards; the controls in place in each agency to monitor expenditure on personally held credit card bills that are subsequently used to recoup work-related expenses; if these controls are being reviewed in view of recent events in agencies funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24759/16]
View answerDara Calleary
Question:1108. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of credit cards issued to staff working in any third party agency funded by his Department, in tabular form; the number of cards per funded agency; the amount spent by credit card in 2014 and 2015 by each agency; the controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on these cards; the controls in place in each agency to monitor expenditure on credit card bills that are subsequently used to recoup work-related expenses; if these controls are being reviewed in view of recent events in agencies funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24774/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1106 to 1108, inclusive, together.
There are two corporate credit cards for official business purposes currently in use in my Department. The cards are held by my Private Secretary and a nominated officer in my Department's Finance Unit. These cards are used for the purchase of a variety of goods and services where payment by credit card is required. The use of credit cards in making payments is subject to the same authorisation and control procedures as other forms of payment. The amounts paid by the Department in respect of credit card charges for 2014 and 2015 were €16,182 and €16,248 respectively and included €97 paid in 2015 for interest on purchases.
State agencies are established under statute, are subject to stringent fiscal controls, and are subject to inspection by the Comptroller and Auditor General. In the letter of determination issued to agencies advising them of their annual allocation, my Department advises each agency of the requirements of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies, Public Spending Code(Circular 13/2013), and Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds (Circular 13/2014). All State agencies under the aegis of my Department must comply with these requirements and with financial circulars issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform from time to time.
The detailed credit card information requested by the Deputy regarding State agencies is not routinely collected by my Department. However, each agency reports to my Department on compliance with the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies every year and this includes confirming that the agency has a properly constituted internal audit function or has engaged appropriate external expertise for this purpose, in order to monitor overall activities within the agency. It also confirms that it has complied with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's remuneration policy and with circulars regarding travel and subsistence policy.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has issued a revised Code of Practice which came into effect on 1 September, 2016 and which strengthens current oversight requirements by Government Departments. My Department is reviewing its role in light of the revised Code and will take appropriate action as required to strengthen and enhance oversight arrangements for its agencies.
Question No. 1109 answered with Question No. 989.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (1110)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1110. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment in Kerry University Hospital in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24819/16]
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 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.
Dental Services
Questions (1111)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1111. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for dental treatment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24821/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.