Written Answers Nos. 113-118
113. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of current CEOs of State bodies who have served more than the seven year term stipulated in the guidelines on contracts, remuneration and other conditions of chief executives and senior management of commercial state bodies; and the State bodies involved. [32345/16]
View answerBased on information available to my Department, seven Chief Executives of Commercial State Bodies have served longer than seven years. Of these: five CEOs have, through operation of law, acquired Contracts of Indefinite Duration under the terms of the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act 2003; one CEO holds a permanent contract; and one CEO has recently been reappointed for an additional 5 year term.
114. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if there are funds available from his Department to assist a person who had surgery carried out privately, within the State, but was previously on the public waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32152/16]
View answerThe Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all persons ordinarily resident in the country are entitled, subject to certain charges, to public in-patient hospital services and to public out-patient hospital services. Section 55 provides that the HSE may provide private in-patient services to persons who are not entitled to, or who do not have or have waived eligibility to public in-patient services. An essential element of the eligibility arrangements is that the public or private status of a patient must be specified on admission to hospital.
Where a patient elects to be treated privately by a consultant the hospital must treat that patient as a private patient. Persons who opt to be private on admission to hospital are liable for the fees of all consultants involved in his or her care and for hospital charges under Section 55 for that episode of care. The application of a charge by a hospital for private in-patient services is obligatory under the legislation, as it relates to the private service provided. Where private in-patient services are provided the daily private patient charges that apply will depend on the category of hospital (Schedule 5 or 6 of the Health Act) and whether the overnight accommodation was in a single or multi-occupancy room.
115. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide the necessary funds to open a facility (details supplied); the length of time the facility has been sitting idle; when funding will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32153/16]
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.
116. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for access to the fair deal scheme by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32154/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
117. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the status of a surgery appointment for a person (details supplied). [32155/16]
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.
118. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason a drug (details supplied) is not available to multiple sclerosis sufferers here, despite clinical trials showing its effectiveness in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life for persons with MS. [32157/16]
View answerOn 11 July 2014, the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1988 were amended to allow for certain cannabis-based medicinal products to be used in Ireland. The Health Products Regulatory Authority subsequently granted a marketing authorisation for the cannabis-based medicinal product Sativex to be marketed in this State. It was then open to the holder of that authorisation to make the product available for prescribing in Ireland.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the GMS and community drug schemes, under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds by the HSE, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).
The HSE has received an application for the inclusion of Sativex on the High Tech Scheme. However, an NCPE health technology assessment report on Sativex did not recommend reimbursement at the submitted price. The NCPE report is an important input to assist the HSE in its decision-making process and informs engagement between the HSE and the supplier.
Sativex is not currently reimbursed; the HSE is awaiting further engagement from the supplier.
