Timmy Dooley
Question:460. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when the Government will provide a GP visit card to all children under 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30530/16]
View answerGeneral Practitioner Services Provision
Questions (460, 465)
Brendan Griffin
Question:465. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when free GP care will be extended to all children under 12 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30545/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 460 and 465 together.
The Government is strongly committed to the development of Primary Care Services in Ireland. There have been significant developments in the general practice service recently, with more services being made available to our citizens and additional support provided by the Health Service Executive.
The HSE, Department of Health and the Irish Medical Organisation are currently engaged in a comprehensive review of the GMS and other publicly funded health sector contracts involving GPs. To date, agreements have been reached in relation to universal GP care without fees for all children under the age of 6 years, universal GP care without fees for all people aged 70 years and over, a specific Diabetes Cycle of Care for adult patients with Type 2 diabetes who hold a medical card or GP visit card, a new Rural Practice Support Framework and a revised list of special items of service that can be provided by GPs. Preparations for the next phase of the discussions on other aspects of a new contract are under way and I expect that further engagement with GP representative bodies will take place this year.
The Programme for Government commits to extend in phases, and subject to negotiation with GPs, free GP care to under-18s. This is one of the matters to be discussed in the forthcoming contractual discussions with GP representatives. The extension of GP care without fees to children aged 6-11 years is a priority for me. While my wish is that this would happen as soon as possible, the timetable is subject to the outcome of discussions with GP representatives on this and other contractual matters.
Nursing Home Services
Questions (461)
Michael Collins
Question:461. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health if those in private nursing homes are entitled to free incontinence wear from the HSE (details supplied). [30532/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Occupational Therapy
Questions (462)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:462. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the occupational therapy waiting list for counties Louth and Meath for each of the past three years; the way in which the data is collected; if it is available by local health are within each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30535/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this 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.
Health Services
Questions (463)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:463. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the physiotherapy waiting list for counties Louth and Meath for each of the past three years; the way in which the data is collected; if it is available by local health area within each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30536/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this 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.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (464)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:464. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of persons over 18 years of age with intellectual disabilities on the speech and language therapy waiting list for counties Louth and Meath for each of the past three years; the way in which the data is collected; if it is available by local health area within each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30537/16]
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. 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.
Question No. 465 answered with Question No. 460.
Occupational Therapy
Questions (466)
James Lawless
Question:466. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for a public occupational therapist appointment in County Kildare; and the efforts his department is taking to shorten this waiting time. [30547/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this 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.
National Treatment Purchase Fund Eligibility
Questions (467)
John McGuinness
Question:467. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) is eligible for treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30552/16]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (468)
Bobby Aylward
Question:468. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify his Department's policy to address the exorbitant waiting list times for full-time residential placement through HSE disability services in Waterford community services in view of the fact that a person (details supplied) has been on the waiting list for approximately nine years having applied for full-time residential placement in 2007 and was subsequently placed on the residential care waiting list for full-time residential placement in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30557/16]
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. 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 matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Cochlear Implants Provision
Questions (469)
Billy Kelleher
Question:469. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the actions his Department and the HSE are undertaking to help support the cochlear implant programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30558/16]
View answerWritten answers
Beaumont Hospital is the national centre for delivering Ireland’s national cochlear implant programme, with surgical provision for patients under six years being carried out in the Children’s University Hospital Temple Street. A simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation scheme for patients under six commenced in Temple Street in July 2014. The hospital had a two-year agreement (July 2014 – June 2016) in place with Beaumont Hospital for theatre access to facilitate an initiative on sequential cochlear implants treatments for previously unilateral implanted children under 6 years of age. In June 2016, Temple Street completed its commitment to accommodate the treatment of all the under 6s children requiring sequential treatment – 210 in total.
In relation to the over 6s, this service is provided by Beaumont Hospital. While Temple Street is willing to have all paediatric cochlear implant services transferred from Beaumont, this needs to be done in a planned manner, and requires the development of the necessary infrastructure, including theatre capacity, to support the service transfer to Temple Street. Until such time as additional capacity is provided at Temple Street, the position is that service for older children continues to be under the remit of Beaumont Hospital, which has also experienced theatre capacity issues.
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy in relation to action underway to address the theatre capacity issues.
Question No. 470 answered with Question No. 383.
Community First Responders Network
Questions (471)
Gino Kenny
Question:471. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will remedy the 20% car insurance hike faced by volunteer cardiac first responders who work as part of the HSE national ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30574/16]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked my officials to look into this matter in conjunction with the National Ambulance Service.
Hospital Transfers
Questions (472)
Micheál Martin
Question:472. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital transfer for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30578/16]
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 the Deputy directly.
Nursing Staff Recruitment
Questions (473)
Róisín Shortall
Question:473. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent public health nurse posts in the Finglas-Ballymun area for each of the past five years in tabular form; the number of these posts which are currently vacant; the number where staff are on maternity or other leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30581/16]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
Nursing Staff Recruitment
Questions (474)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:474. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time permanent nursing posts vacant in acute hospitals by location and by nursing speciality required; the cost of agency nursing staff by each such acute hospital since 1 January 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30593/16]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
Budget 2017
Questions (475)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:475. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the exact funding increase provided by budget 2017 for his Department in 2017, minus provision required for demographics and the Lansdowne Road agreement, compared to the Estimate provided in budget 2016, the summer economic statement and the expected outturn for 2016, in tabular form. [30600/16]
View answerWritten answers
A comparison of the 2017 new level of revenue funding against Budget Day 2016, the 2016 revised REV (which is also expected to the 2016 outturn) and the 2016 Mid-Year Expenditure Review together with a breakdown of the additional funding provided in 2017 is set out in the following table. The additional funding provided in 2017 encompasses, inter alia, demographic cost pressures.
|
2017 New Level of Funding |
Comparison against |
||
|
2016 Budget Day |
2016 Revised Estimate |
2016 MYER - 2017 figures |
|
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
|
Starting position |
13,175 |
13,695 |
13,768 |
|
Include LRA Funding |
0 |
0 |
90 |
|
Adjusted Starting Position |
13,175 |
13,695 |
13,858 |
|
Add Mental Health Funding |
20 |
||
|
Additional REV funding |
500 |
||
|
Revised Estimate/Expected Outturn 2016 |
13,695 |
13,695 |
13,858 |
|
Additional Funding 2017 |
|||
|
LRA Funding |
118 |
118 |
28 |
|
2017 Services Funding |
234 |
234 |
161 |
|
State Claims Agency & Pensions |
105 |
105 |
105 |
|
Total Additions |
457 |
457 |
294 |
|
2017 Funding Position |
14,152 |
14,152 |
14,152 |
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (476)
Anne Rabbitte
Question:476. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the supports in place for young women leaving State care, particular those with mild intellectual disabilities who are pregnant or with young children (details supplied); and the steps being taken to address this. [30605/16]
View answerWritten answers
The matters raised by the Deputy appear to refer to supports for young women leaving State care, in particular those who are pregnant or with young children who are reportedly being housed in hotels, with their children.
It would appear that the issues raised in the question are beyond the remit of my own Department. However, I understand that organisation of the provision of Aftercare for young people leaving State care is the responsibility of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, which is under the aegis of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. All young people who have had a care history with the Agency are entitled to an Aftercare service. I am advised that services are provided on the basis of assessment of need, age and the length of time the young person was in care. They are provided in partnership with a wide range of statutory and non-statutory agencies. In that regard, queries in relation to Aftercare in general would be the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
The specific issue of the provision of accommodation should be more appropriately addressed to my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (477)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:477. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he will prioritise an operation for a person (details supplied) in County Galway as a matter of urgency in view of the fact that there are serious medical conditions in this case; if he will issue a date for the operation as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30610/16]
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.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme
Questions (478)
Robert Troy
Question:478. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some nursing homes are charging residents, or in some cases a resident's family, for taxis to their hospital appointments while also charging them for the associated care assistance cost, having a care assistant travel with them, where in some cases transport is already available and free. [30627/16]
View answerWritten answers
The legislation underpinning the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) requires each private nursing home to negotiate and agree a price for long-term residential care services with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) should they wish to be an approved nursing home for the purposes of the Scheme. The NTPF has statutory independence in the performance of its function, and negotiates with each nursing home on an individual basis.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care which are:
- Nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person;
- Bed and board;
- Basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of everyday living; and
- Laundry service.
Additional charges may not be levied in respect of the standard components of care. A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the medical card scheme or the drugs payment scheme, is unaffected by participation in the NHSS or residence in a nursing home. A nursing home operator should not seek payment from residents for items which are provided under the NHSS, the medical card or any other existing scheme.
Part 7 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 stipulates that the registered provider of the nursing home must agree a contract in writing with each resident on their admission to the nursing home. This contract must include details of the services to be provided to that resident and the fees to be charged. Residents should never be charged fees which are not set out in this contract. The Department of Health are not a party to such contracts which are concluded between each resident and their nursing home.
Registered providers of nursing home care are obliged to provide an accessible and effective complaints procedure. Concerns about additional charges should in the first instance be taken up with the nursing home provider. The Office of the Ombudsman can examine complaints about the actions of a range of public bodies and, from 24 August 2015, complaints relating to the administrative actions of private nursing homes. The Office of the Ombudsman normally only deals with a complaint once the individual has already gone through the complaints procedure of the private nursing home concerned.
Hospital Appointments Delays
Questions (479)
Michael Harty
Question:479. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare cannot proceed with lung surgery following an initial conclusive biopsy performed in early August; the reason this person has to wait a further four weeks for another biopsy in Dublin and then a further ten days for the results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30628/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
Ambulance Service
Questions (480)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:480. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the way the €3.6 million allocated in the budget to the national ambulance service for technology upgrades will be spent in terms of the technology that is being upgraded; if he will provide a breakdown of the funding being provided to the national ambulance service as part of the €5 million being allocated to the acute services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30630/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.
Ambulance Service
Questions (481)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:481. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the funding that is being allocated to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the capacity review of the national ambulance service in 2017; if he will provide a breakdown of the number of additional staff recruited and trained and vehicles that will be procured as a result of the budget allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30631/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.
Primary Care Centres
Questions (482)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:482. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of staff who will be recruited from the additional funding of €18.5 million being allocated to support the development of primary care services; when staffing decisions will be made in respect of additional staff for primary care centres; the person or body that will make staffing decisions in respect of additional staff for primary care centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30632/16]
View answerWritten answers
The details of the 2017 Budget will be finalised with the HSE in the context of approval of its 2017 National Service Plan, which will also outline the total amount of funding for all services in 2017.
HSE Planning
Questions (483)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:483. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when the HSE service plan for 2017 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30633/16]
View answerWritten answers
As provided for under legislation (Health Act 2004 as amended), my Department must write to the Health Service Executive to notify it of its allocation for 2017 not later than 21 days after the publication by the Government of the Estimates for Public Services. The legislation further provides that, on receipt of the letter of determination, the Executive has 21 days to prepare and submit its Service Plan for 2017 for my approval. The Health Act allows me to extend the period provided to the HSE to prepare, adopt and submit its Service Plan, if required. I understand that preparatory work is already underway within the HSE on the 2017 National Service Plan. I expect that the letter of determination will issue from my Department within the next week and that the HSE will submit its draft Plan for my consideration and approval within the time-frame set down in the legislation.
Following the submission of the draft National Service Plan, the legislation provides 21 days for me to examine the proposed Plan and where necessary to seek amendment to, or approve, the Plan. The National Service Plan must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas within 21 days of its approval. Once the Service Plan is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas the HSE will ensure it is published at the earliest possible time.
Primary Care Centres
Questions (484)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:484. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the leasing costs that will be met from the additional funding of €18.5 million being allocated to support the development of primary care services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30634/16]
View answerWritten answers
The details of the 2017 Budget will be finalised with the HSE in the context of approval of its 2017 National Service Plan, which will also outline the total amount of funding for all services, including leasing costs, in 2017.