Written Answers Nos 345-367
345. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the way in which children who need special needs assistant, SNA, support to enter into a second ECCE preschool year can do so when the budget allocation for the SNA programme in north Dublin for 2016 has been fully utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29700/16]
View answer457. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the way in which children who need special needs assistant, SNA, support to enter into a second ECCE preschool year can do so when the budget allocation for the SNA programme in north Dublin for 2016 has been fully utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29699/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 457 together.
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, is the responsibility of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has brought forward a new model of supports to facilitate the full participation of children with a disability in the ECCE Programme. The new model will provide supports including enhanced continuing professional development for early years practitioners; grants for equipment, appliances and minor alterations; and access to therapeutic intervention. Funding of €15m has been provided to phase these supports in during 2016. Full year costs for these supports are estimated to be €33m from 2017 onwards. This model of supports was launched on 18 November 2015 by the then Minister for Children and Youth Affairs with the full support of both the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Skills.
Improving access to therapy services for children in primary care and in disability services is a particular priority for the Government. Building on additional investment in recent years, funding of €8m is being provided to the HSE in 2016 to expand the provision of Speech and Language Therapy in primary care and the further development of early intervention therapy services under the Progressing Disabilities Programme to facilitate the inclusion of children with a disability in mainstream pre-school settings, as part of the roll-out of the new inclusive preschools model.
It should be noted that while the Health Service Executive has no statutory obligation to provide assistant supports for children with special needs wishing to avail of the ECCE scheme, it has, to date, worked at local level and in partnership with the relevant disability service providers to address individual needs as they arise. This has been done, for example, by funding special pre-schools that cater specifically for children with disabilities. In some limited and specific cases at local level, disability services have in the past also facilitated children with a disability to attend mainstream pre-schools by providing additional supports where possible and where resources are available. The provision of such additional pre-school supports should not be confused with Special Needs Assistants, who are funded by the Department of Education and Skills to support children with special educational needs in primary and post-primary school settings.
Within this context, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the specific issue he has raised.
346. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the names of the licensed importers, wholesalers, marketing company and the distributors of the drug Lariam-mefloquine here. [29825/16]
View answerThe marketing authorisation for Lariam (active substance, mefloquine) was withdrawn from the Irish market by Roche Products Ltd, the marketing authorisation holder, in July 2016. The reason Roche withdrew the authorisation was commercial. As the marketing authorisation for this product has been withdrawn in Ireland, the product information for Lariam is no longer available on the Health Products Regulatory Authority website.
Prior to withdrawing the authorisation, Roche Products Limited, 6 Falcon Way, Shire Park, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 1TW United Kingdom was responsible for placing Lariam on the Irish market. Roche was also responsible for the distribution of the product in Ireland and could contract any wholesaler, authorised by the HPRA, to distribute it in Ireland on their behalf.
Although Roche does not market Lariam in Ireland now, it is possible for it to be sourced from another EU member state by an authorised wholesaler, to be supplied to the order of a prescriber, to meet the special needs of their patients. Products supplied in this way are known as ‘exempt medicines’ and are used under the direct responsibility of the prescriber. Any Irish authorised wholesaler that sources exempt medicines is required to notify the HPRA. Over the past three years there has been no notification to the HPRA of the sourcing of unauthorised (exempt) Lariam or other mefloquine containing product.
It is also possible for a prescriber to source an exempt medicine direct from an authorised wholesaler in another EU member state. In that event, there is no legal obligation on the wholesaler or the prescriber to notify the HPRA.
In relation to the request for the names of licensed importers of Lariam, the active substance in Lariam, mefloquine, is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, so an import licence is not required for a medicine containing this substance.
347. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the number of research grants won by bidders to the Health Research Board in each of the years 2010 to date in 2016, in tabular form. [29714/16]
View answerMy Department has been advised by the Health Research Board that it has awarded 751 grants to Host Institutions in total since 2010. This includes 659 to Irish third level institutions which is set out in the following table:
HRB Awards by number to Host Institutions 2010-2016
|
Number of awards by year |
||||||||
|
Host Institution |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
Grand Total |
|
Trinity College Dublin |
19 |
23 |
29 |
47 |
24 |
38 |
13 |
193 |
|
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland |
18 |
12 |
19 |
26 |
13 |
20 |
2 |
110 |
|
University College Dublin |
17 |
18 |
17 |
18 |
14 |
17 |
7 |
108 |
|
NUI Galway |
12 |
17 |
10 |
24 |
12 |
17 |
5 |
97 |
|
University College Cork |
15 |
12 |
15 |
15 |
11 |
15 |
5 |
88 |
|
Dublin City University |
4 |
3 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
20 |
|
|
University of Limerick |
1 |
3 |
1 |
10 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
20 |
|
NUI Maynooth |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
10 |
||
|
Dublin Dental University Hospital |
2 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
||||
|
Queens University Belfast |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|||||
|
Athlone Institute of Technology |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
Dublin Institute of Technology |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
Mary Immaculate College Limerick |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
Molecular Medicine Ireland |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
St Angela's College, Sligo |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
University College Dublin & University of Limerick |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
University College Dublin/Galway |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
Grand Total |
89 |
90 |
96 |
150 |
83 |
116 |
35 |
659 |
348. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment and hip operation for a person (details supplied). [29224/16]
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
349. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting home help or a home care package in County Tipperary; the time they are waiting; if further funding will be approved for the home care package scheme to try to meet demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29229/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
350. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the funding for respite services in County Tipperary, both adult and children, services over the past five years; the number of persons awaiting services in the county; if he will ensure funding for respite services in south Tipperary is increased in budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29230/16]
View answer352. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that additional funding will be provided for residential placements for persons with disabilities in budget 2017, with a particular emphasis on placements for dual diagnosis patients as promised in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29235/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 350 and 352 together.
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.
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.
The level of funding available for my Department is being considered as part of the national estimates/budgetary process for 2017, which is currently underway. Pending completion of this process, it is not appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.
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.
351. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that additional funding will be provided for residential placements for persons with enduring mental health issues in budget 2017, with a particular emphasis on placements for dual diagnosis patients as promised in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29234/16]
View answerThe amount allocated to mental health services under the HSE’s National Service Plan will increase by €41 million, or just over 5%, to €826 million for 2016. This represents a net increase of €115 million to the mental health Budget since 2012.
The Department of Health has provided start-up funding for the HSE’s ‘Dual Diagnosis’ clinical programme in 2016 addressing those service users with Mental Health difficulties and Substance Misuse problems. A Clinical Lead is in the process of being appointed together with a Programme Manager for this Programme. The Primary Care Division has already appointed a National Clinical Lead for the Addiction Services to improve its response to drug and alcohol abuse at Primary Care level and this Clinical Lead will work with the soon to be appointed Mental Health Clinical Lead to develop a cohesive programme for those with a dual diagnosis.
The overarching aim of the national programme is to standardise quality evidence-based practice across the Mental Health Services. The Programme will bring together clinical disciplines and enable them to share innovative solutions to deliver greater benefits to every user of HSE services. The Programmes are based on three main objectives:
- To improve the quality of care we deliver to all users of HSE services;
- To improve access to all services; and
- To improve cost effectiveness.
In addition, intensive dual diagnosis addiction and mental health in-reach programmes for homeless people will be supported from an overall additional €2 million funding allocation for homeless mental health needs this year.
In relation to the forthcoming Budget, the Department of Health has liaised with the HSE to identify and agree the priority areas for funding for mental health going forward into 2017.
353. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the area of early intervention services will receive increased funding in budget 2017 to ensure that the Government's increased commitment to early intervention services for children with special needs will be fulfilled in an effort to reduce waiting times for assessment and follow up therapies; if he will ensure a genuine effort will be made to fill all vacancies for therapists in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29240/16]
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 level of funding available for my Department is being considered as part of the national estimates/budgetary process for 2017, which is currently underway. Pending completion of this process, it is not appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.
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.
354. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will make the funding available to St. John of God Kerry services in order that they can build the required additional houses on the existing site in Beaufort, County Kerry, according to HIQA requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29241/16]
View answer355. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will officially recognise St. Mary of the Angels, Beaufort, County Kerry, as a community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29242/16]
View answer356. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health when residents are moved out of a place such as St. Mary of the Angels, the body or person which has ownership of the site and houses left behind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29243/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 354 to 356, inclusive, together.
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.
The HSE’s report “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion”, (2011) proposes a new model of support in the community by moving people from institutional settings to the community. The plan is being rolled out at a regional and local level and involves full consultation with stakeholders.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to continue to move people with disabilities out of congregated settings, to enable them to live independently and to be included in the community.
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.
357. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite the marriage application of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29245/16]
View answerThe Civil Registration Service is operated by the Health Service Executive on behalf of the General Register Office under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection. I have referred your question to the Health Service Executive to address the specific issues raised and for direct reply to the Deputy.
358. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an operation for a person (details supplied). [29253/16]
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.
359. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of a respite care application for a person (details supplied). [29255/16]
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.
360. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the efforts that will be made in budget 2017 to ensure a reduction in the use of agency staff and to improve the working conditions of nurses to ensure that the HSE can attract and retain nurses in our health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29256/16]
View answerNursing and midwifery recruitment and retention is a priority for the health service. The HSE is focused on offering graduating nurses and midwives permanent posts and on replacing agency staff with permanent staff. Recruitment of additional nurses is the subject of considerable ongoing activity by the HSE and voluntary hospitals with campaigns in train in Ireland and abroad with a relocation package of up to €1,500 available to nurses who return from overseas. The campaigns encompass General, Mental Health, Intellectual Disability and Registered Children's Nurses, and also Midwives. My Department is in regular contact with the HSE on matters concerning the recruitment of nurses and midwives and other key staff.
The level of funding being made available for my Department in 2017 is being considered within Budget 2017 and the Estimates process. It will support the recruitment and retention of nurses and midwives.
361. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a third ENT consultant will be recruited to the department of paediatric otolaryngology at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29263/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
362. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate an application for full-time care for a person (details supplied). [29267/16]
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
363. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will cover the cost of pembrolizumab for a person (details supplied) who needs this drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29268/16]
View answerAs the particular issue raised relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
364. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the funding to Dublin Dental University Hospital to enable it to provide the urgent care needed for a person (details supplied). [29270/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
365. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure a person (details supplied) receives a wheelchair and the necessary assessments to receive a wheelchair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29281/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
366. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health his views on the regulation issued by the Health Products Regulatory Authority, HPRA, that medicine packs containing more than 720mg of pseudoephedrine will not be available without a prescription and that all pharmacy sales of all medicines containing pseudoephedrine will be limited to one pack per transaction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29292/16]
View answerPseudoephedrine is an active ingredient in non-prescription cough and cold medicines and acts as a decongestant. These medicines are intended for short-term use.
Pseudoephedrine is also a precursor material in the production of methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is a dangerous, highly addictive controlled drug which is associated with fatalities and a high risk of causing harm.
The diversion of pseudoephedrine containing medicines for use in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine is a significant problem in countries such as the USA and Australia and this has led to the implementation of measures to limit the access to non- prescription pseudoephedrine.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has implemented two risk minimisation measures in relation to the sale and supply of pseudoephedrine containing medicines in Ireland:
- A maximum quantity of 720mg pseudoephedrine per pack is now permitted to be included in packs intended for sale in pharmacies without a prescription. Packs containing more than 720mg would only available subject to a prescription; and
- Pharmacy sales of all pseudoephedrine containing medicines are limited to one pack per transaction.
These conditions have been added to the licences of all relevant pseudoephedrine containing medicinal products.
A number of other EU Member States have also taken action, with the UK and Germany implementing similar restrictions, whilst the Czech Republic has limited sales to one pack of pseudoephedrine containing medicine, per person, per week. In certain other Member States, including Sweden, Finland and Norway, pseudoephedrine is a prescription only medicine and not available over the counter.
367. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health if he will consider making more medications available over the counter rather than on a prescription basis in an effort to lower medical costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29293/16]
View answerThe Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the competent authority for the regulation of medicines in Ireland and is responsible for determining their method of sale and supply. EU and Irish law lays out the circumstances under which a medicine must be subject to a prescription, including consideration of the risk of side effects if a medicine is used without medical supervision or the risk of incorrect or misuse of a medicine.
Medicines may be classified on the basis of their availability i.e. subject to a prescription or available without a prescription (over-the-counter). In Ireland, over-the-counter medicines are further classified as being: available only from a pharmacy and are sold by, or under the personal supervision of, a pharmacist; or on general sale where the product is more widely available in general retail outlets such as supermarkets.
In 2014 the HPRA introduced a revised approach in the area of medicines reclassification. The HPRA proactively identified medicines which could be safely made available without prescription in pharmacies, or made more widely available in general retail outlets, and directly invited the industry to make applications to have these medicines reclassified.
A reclassification from prescription-only to pharmacy-only supply will always require an application to be made by the marketing authorisation holder of the medicine due to the legal requirement to provide product information that is suitable for non-prescription supply. A reclassification from pharmacy-only to general sale may be acceptable if the current product information is suitable for use without the supervision of a pharmacist.
Over the past two years, 19 reclassifications from prescription-only to pharmacy-only status have been approved. This has extended the range of medicines available without prescription through pharmacies. Furthermore, 34 medicines have been reclassified from pharmacy-only to general sales status.
In addition to the proactive approach outlined above, a marketing authorisation holder can at any stage directly make an application to the HPRA for reclassification of a medicine without an invitation to do so. Applications of this nature continue to be received by the HPRA as part of routine business.
The HPRA also continues to review other substances that may be considered suitable for reclassification in order to maintain its proactive approach and has actively encouraged the industry to consider the submission of applications for innovative reclassifications.
