Written Answers Nos. 465-486
465. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the date the new policies on men who have sex with men, MSM, blood donors will come into effect; if the media reports of an implementation date of 16 January 2017 are accurate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31906/16]
View answerIn June of this year, I accepted a recommendation from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service that (a) the deferral policy for men who have sex with men (MSM) from donating blood should be reduced to a period of one year following their last sexual encounter with a man and (b) all donors who have had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) should be deferred from donating blood for a period of at least five years from that infection (current deferral periods vary depending on the STI concerned).
The IBTS advise that these changes will be implemented by the end of January 2017.
466. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the delegated responsibilities he has given to Ministers of State in his Department; when the order of delegated responsibility was signed; if he included his Ministers of State in direct discussions or meetings with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform as part of pre-budget discussions; if so, the dates of such meetings and the attendance at each meeting; if a Minister of State was not included, the reason this was the position, in view of the designated responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31917/16]
View answerI have delegated responsibilities to Ministers of State assigned to my Department as follows:
Finian McGrath T.D., Minister of State for Disabilities at my Department, has been delegated responsibility for all legislation, policy and funding relating to the provision of specialist health and personal social services to persons with a disability. The Order S.I. No. 396 of 2016 Health (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2016 delegating these functions was signed by the Taoiseach on the 19 July 2016.
Helen McEntee T.D., Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, has been delegated responsibility for all legislation, policy and funding relating to the provision of mental health services for adults, children and adolescents, including the new strategy on suicide prevention. Minister McEntee is also responsible for all services for older people, including the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. The Order S.I. No. of 2016 Health (Delegation of Ministerial Functions)(No.2) Order 2016 delegating these functions was signed by the Taoiseach on the 19 July 2016.
Catherine Byrne T.D., Minister of State has been delegated responsibility at the Department of Health for the National Drugs Strategy. The Order S.I. No. 511 of 2016 Health (Delegation of Ministerial Functions)(No.3) Order 2016 delegating related functions was signed by the Taoiseach on the 4 October 2016. I have also assigned responsibility for Social Inclusion issues to Minister Byrne on a non-statutory basis.
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy T.D., Minister of State for Health Promotion has been delegated responsibility for driving the health and well-being agenda. The Order S.I. No. 512 of 2016 Health (Delegation of Ministerial Functions)(No.4) Order 2016 delegating these and related functions was signed by the Taoiseach on the 4 October 2016.
In respect of the responsibilities which have been delegated, I have responsibility for the Estimates and Budgetary processes. However, I meet with the Ministers of State on a weekly basis. The Estimates process formed part of the discussions during these meetings and informed the bi-lateral meetings I had with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform as part of the Budgetary process.
467. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the full annual cost of running the methadone treatment programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31926/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
468. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if he will commit to increase funding for the ambulance service provided by the Dublin fire brigade in 2017, in view of his recent comments committing to increase funding for the national ambulance service in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31928/16]
View answerDublin Fire Brigade is funded to provide emergency ambulance services in the Greater Dublin area under a service arrangement with the HSE. Increased funding will be made available to the National Ambulance Service for 2017, the detail of which will be set out in the HSE's 2017 National Service Plan. Over the coming weeks my officials will work closely with their counterparts in the HSE and the National Ambulance Service to agree priorities in relation to the 2017 allocation.
469. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when the person can expect an appointment for speech and language therapy in Tullamore, County Offaly. [31930/16]
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 particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
470. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a recruitment freeze remains in place in respect of a temporary clerical panel at a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31938/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
471. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to research published recently (details supplied) showing that at least three women here per day access at home medical terminations of pregnancy with abortion pills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31940/16]
View answerThere are significant public health concerns associated with the purchase of prescription medicines over the internet. There is no guarantee as to the safety, quality or efficacy of medicines purchased on-line. Medicines purchased in this manner are often found to be counterfeit and/or with inaccurate labelling or product information. In addition, any prescription medicine should be taken by a patient only when it has been prescribed for them by their medical practitioner or other appropriate health professional who has taken the person's medical history into account. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the competent authority for the regulation of medicines in Ireland. Under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations, 2003, as amended, the mail order supply of prescription medicines is prohibited.
The article the Deputy refers to examines the characteristics and experiences of women in Ireland and Northern Ireland seeking at home termination of pregnancy using online telemedicine. My Department notes the content of this article. It is illegal to procure an abortion in Ireland outside of the circumstances specified in the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act, 2013, which regulates access to lawful termination of pregnancy in accordance with the X case and the judgement in the European Court of Human Rights in the A, B and C v Ireland case.
472. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will assist in extending a HSE service to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [31944/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
473. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 384 of 18 October 2016, if the case in question is no longer before the courts; and if his Department will investigate the incident of missing blood samples. [31945/16]
View answerI am unaware of any outstanding court cases against me or my Department in relation to this issue.
My Department does not intend to investigate the incident of missing blood samples. As indicated in my reply to parliamentary question 384 of 18 October 2016, this issue was addressed in the High Court on 18 June 2015 when the Court was informed that a settlement had been reached whereby the Plaintiffs entered into an agreement to discontinue their claim against the State Defendants.
474. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the new vaccination schedule for the primary care immunisation programme which includes rotavirus and meningococcal B will commence on 1 December 2016; if agreement has been reached with all relevant parties for the implementation of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31950/16]
View answerThe HSE Service Plan included additional funding of €2.5 million for the expansion of the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme (PCIP) in 2016. There will be two changes made to the programme with the introduction of Meningitis B and Rotavirus. Negotiations with the IMO concerning the administration fee are ongoing and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on them at this stage. It is still planned to introduce immunisation against Meningitis B and Rotavirus for all children born on, or after, 1 October 2016. The HSE is currently working on the necessary preparations for the introduction of these new vaccines. The introduction of Meningitis B into the PCIP will make Ireland the second country in Europe to make the vaccine available free of charge as part of its national immunisation programme.
475. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the only general practitioners in Waterville, County Kerry, are shortly due to retire, leaving a vast area without cover; and the efforts being made to remedy this situation. [31967/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
476. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the level of compliance with the Disability Act regarding assessments of need commencing within three months and being completed within three months and assessment reports with service statements being issued; the level of complaints received regarding the process and the timeframe to achieve an outcome with these complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31973/16]
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 particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
477. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not received an appointment for an operation; if a timeframe will be arranged as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31975/16]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. 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.
478. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on the number of medical cards issued to date (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31984/16]
View answerThis information requested by the Deputy is provided in the following tables.
As at 1 October 2016
|
Card Type |
Total Cards (Nationally) |
Total Cards (Kerry) |
|
Medical cards |
1,705,791 |
57,926 |
|
of which granted involving discretion |
111,904 |
4,321 |
As at 1 October 2015
|
Card Type |
Total Cards (Nationally) |
Total Cards (Kerry) |
|
Medical cards |
1,729,559 |
58,119 |
|
of which granted involving discretion |
94,614 |
3,740 |
479. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the current wait time for a child's orthodontic appointment in County Carlow (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31985/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
480. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the regional maternal foetal medicine service for the RCSI hospital group will still see full maternity services being retained as they are at all hospitals, including Cavan General Hospital, within the RCSI hospital group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31986/16]
View answerWith regard to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
481. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to open all or part of the old St. Senan's Hospital in Enniscorthy for treatment of patients with mental health issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31987/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
482. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if his Department will financially support a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31991/16]
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 particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
483. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will approve a medical card for a person (details supplied). [31993/16]
View answerUnder the legislation, determination of eligibility for a medical card is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE) and, as I have no role in this process, it would be inappropriate for me to interfere.
I have asked the HSE to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The HSE operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.
484. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the alternative services he plans to provide for persons and service users in a unit (details supplied) to replace a much needed hydrotherapy pool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31998/16]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
485. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the policy on the reversal of the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, cuts imposed on the private sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32000/16]
View answerAs a consequence of the severe difficulties arising from the economic and fiscal crisis of recent years, it was necessary between 2009 and 2013 to reduce certain payments to primary care contractors, including GPs under the GMS contract and pharmacists. These changes were given effect under the terms of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2009.
The Government has provided for the gradual unwinding of FEMPI measures under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2015 and I recognise that action has been taken in relation to public service pay levels in this regard. I am examining the avenues that could be taken in relation to private contractors, including GPs and pharmacists, having regard for the need to ensure best value for public spending and the Government's commitment to continue to develop and strengthen primary care services.
486. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the estimated saving to the health budget and to the out-of-pocket expenses of the public, were drug prices here equivalent to each of the five EU countries with the lowest drug prices, in addition to Portugal and Denmark if they are not included in the lowest five; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32003/16]
View answerIt is not feasible to provide a robust estimate of savings from a reduction in the price of branded medicines to the lowest European Union level, as the price of each dosage form and strength would need to be assessed and compared with pricing data from all of the other member states. In addition, the HSE must consider continuity and security of supply in setting prices. Accordingly, the lowest EU price of an individual product may not always represent the best pricing point for Irish patients.
