Written Answers Nos. 450-471
450. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Ireland has reportedly the second lowest number of respiratory consultants in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36158/16]
View answerThere are currently 38.71 whole time equivalent respiratory and general physician consultants employed in the public health services.
The National Doctors Training and Planning (NDTP) section within the HSE's National HR Directorate has three key functions relating to consultant numbers, Medical Education and Training, Medical Workforce Planning and the consultant post approval process. The NDTP has carried out research that infers there is a short fall of respiratory consultants in Ireland. Work is ongoing in NDTP to develop evidence informed workforce plans across all medical specialties, including respiratory. When completed, the plans will be used to inform workforce related decision making including the most appropriate number of postgraduate training places and consultant appointments. A key objective is to ensure that the correct number of doctors are training or trained in each specialty to meet both the current and future needs of the population with the correct balance between generalist and specialist doctors.
In line with the Department's Statement of Strategy 2015– 2017 the Department is working with the Health Service Executive to implement an approach to workforce planning and development with the objectives of recruiting and retaining the right mix of staff. This National Integrated Strategic Framework for Health Workforce Planning is intended to reshape Ireland’s future health workforce planning to support and enable the productivity of the existing workforce, the recruitment and retention of a highly valued workforce, and the expansion of the size, skills, competences and behaviours of the future workforce to meet current and emerging demands. In June 2016, the Department of Health convened a cross-sectoral Steering Group, including NDTP, to begin the work on developing recommendations for the establishment of governance systems and a framework for integrated health workforce planning in Ireland. It is expected that a report and a high level implementation plan will be submitted to the Minister in early 2017.
451. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the status of the progress of the new 50-bed older persons' residential unit (details supplied); the steps that have been taken in the existing facility to ensure HIQA compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36167/16]
View answer452. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the location and number of publicly funded nursing home beds that exist across County Louth; the number and proposed location of additional nursing home beds planned across the county. [36168/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 451 and 452 together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
453. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health the status of a home support appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36181/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
454. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of the 2016 applications from community organisations under the national lottery funding scheme in terms of approval for applications and disbursement of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36191/16]
View answerMy Department administers a National Lottery Discretionary Fund from which once-off grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations providing a range of health related services. Funding in 2016 amounts to €3.286m of which €605,000 has already been allocated.
I have recently decided on the allocation of the remaining funds and the list of all successful organisations will soon be published on my Department's website.
All organisations who applied for funding will be notified of the outcome of their application.
455. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will make speech therapy and occupational therapy services available to a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36193/16]
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.
456. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the funding streams available for a new building (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36195/16]
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.
457. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the provision of replacement facilities at St. John of God, St. Raphael's, Celbridge, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36196/16]
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.
458. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if a Brexit sub-committee has been established in his Department; if so, when the sub-committee was convened; the number of times the sub-committee has met; the number of members on the sub-committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36206/16]
View answerA sub-committee of the Department of Health Management Board was set up in advance of the UK referendum to examine the potential consequences of a UK decision to leave the EU on healthcare in Ireland and for Irish citizens. This sub-committee is chaired at senior level within the Department and has met four times since it was established. It is made up of representatives from across the Department of Health and also includes representation from the HSE at National Director level. In this way, work on Brexit-related issues is mainstreamed throughout the Department and well coordinated with the HSE. Representatives of the Management Board sub-committee participate fully in the Senior Officials Group on EU Affairs and the groups coordinated centrally by the Department of the Taoiseach which support the Cabinet Committee on Brexit, including the Interdepartmental Group on EU/UK Affairs, and as appropriate the IDG's workgroups.
In addition to the Management Board sub-committee, an Interdepartmental/Interagency Group has been established to prepare a bid for the relocation of the European Medicines Agency on foot of a Government Decision at the end of October. The Government believes that Ireland would be a very suitable location and that a move to Dublin would minimise the disruption to the business of the EMA, thus ensuring continued protection of EU citizens and providing reassurance to the industries which it regulates. The Group is chaired by the Department of Health and includes representatives from the Departments of the Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Agriculture, Food and Marine, and Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, as well as the Health Products Regulatory Authority, Health Research Board, IDA Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland. The first meeting of the Group took place on 8 November.
The implications of the UK referendum throughout the island of Ireland were discussed at the North South Ministerial Council health sectoral meeting held on 9 November and the plenary meeting held on 18 November. Ongoing contact at political and official level will be maintained over the period ahead.
459. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the details of vacant sites, properties and land owned by his Department or by bodies and agencies under the aegis of his Department in the Dublin City Council area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36223/16]
View answerThe Department holds no property it its own right. It is housed in Hawkins House which forms part of the estate portfolio for the Office of Public Works. I have requested the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy regarding any properties it holds.
Details for other bodies under the aegis of the Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
460. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated, with the subsequent outturn, for the implementation of Traveller health policy for each of the years 2013 to date in 2016; the allocation for 2017; if he will provide a calculation of any level of underspend for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36234/16]
View answer461. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the reason the national Traveller health advisory committee has not been convened since October 2012; the way Traveller health is being addressed directly within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36235/16]
View answer462. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the reason the independent review of Traveller health policy undertaken in 2012 has never been put into the public domain; his plans to publish it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36236/16]
View answer463. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the Traveller-specific actions that are being taken to address Traveller health inequalities in the HSE service plan in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36237/16]
View answer464. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the new funding that is being allocated to Traveller health developments in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36238/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 460 to 464, inclusive, together.
Addressing traveller health inequalities continues to be an important policy priority for the Department of Health. The health needs of Travellers cannot be remedied or improved in isolation from addressing the societal, cultural, educational and environmental factors that combine to influence health as well as more obvious health related factors such as lifestyle issues and access and usage of health services. The Deputy will be aware that the Department of Justice and Equality is leading on the development of a new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy. The Department of Health is represented on the Steering Group developing the Strategy. The Strategy, which is expected to run from 2016 to 2020, aims to provide a set of specific actions that need to be taken to improve the situation for Traveller and Roma communities in Ireland. It is envisaged that the Strategy will include agreed actions in relation to improving the health of travellers.
The Department commissioned an internal review of the role and functionality of the Traveller Health Advisory Committee (THAC) in 2013 in order to inform the Department's consideration of the appropriate national structures required to address traveller health. The review was presented to the Department in June 2013. This internal review was not published at the time as it formed part of the Department's deliberative process in considering the future role of the THAC. The review found that the transfer of the health budget to the HSE in 2006 resulted in significant changes to the functioning of the THAC and that the original purpose and focus of the Committee had changed. The THAC has not been convened since the review. The Traveller Health Advisory Forum, chaired by the HSE, continues to act as a national forum for discussion on issues around traveller health. In the circumstances, the Department intends to await the completion of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy to inform consideration of the necessity for any additional national structures to address traveller health.
In the Department traveller health issues are firstly addressed in the context of Healthy Ireland which is the national framework for action to improve the health and well-being of the people of Ireland. Healthy Ireland takes a whole-of-Government and whole-of-society approach to improving health and well-being and the quality of people’s lives and provides an overarching approach to addressing health inequalities among Travellers. The Healthy Ireland Council was established as a multi-stakeholder forum to support the implementation of Healthy Ireland across sectors. The Council includes a representative from Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre. The Department's Social Inclusion Unit also works closely with the HSE and oversees the delivery of traveller specific health measures by the HSE.
The Deputy's questions regarding traveller health funding and the HSE Service Plan for 2017 have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
465. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if a claim under the cross-border directive will be reviewed in respect of a person (details supplied) considering the significant cost of their treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36239/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
466. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adolescents waiting for an appointment for the child and adolescent mental health service in counties Donegal and Cavan; the current waiting times from initial referral in counties Donegal and Cavan; the total number of children and adolescents waiting for an appointment for the child and adolescent mental health service in the State; the efforts being taken to reduce the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36242/16]
View answerThe HSE Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service has been prioritised in new funding made available by Government since 2012, designed to support timely access to appropriate services to address the mental health needs of all children. The emphasis has been on improving integrated and multi-disciplinary care, ranging from early intervention to specialist provision. Additional resources and facilities means that we now have 67 Child and Adolescent Teams, and 3 Paediatric Liaison Teams, supported by 66 operational beds across the country. Details in respect of Waiting Lists for this service are published on the HSE website monthly Performance Reports and the latest available, relating to September last, indicates an overall figure of 2,080 children in this regard.
Further improvements to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service are planned in the context of agreeing and implementing the HSE Service Plan for 2017, arising from the new funding I secured for mental health in Budget 2017. In particular, the Executive will continue to address acknowledged difficulties in recruiting and retaining specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health staff, particularly Consultant Psychiatrists. The detailed information requested by the Deputy, in relation to counties Donegal and Cavan, has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
467. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the new technology, the recently launched FreeStyle Libre system, to monitor persons with diabetes will be made available on the long-term illness card; if his Department or the HSE is currently examining the technology; if it is likely to be approved in the short term on the long-term illness card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36245/16]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
468. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the status of the recruitment process relative to the appointment of a specialist oncologist for sarcoma patients; if the post was advertised publicly; the reason the wording of the advertisement did not include that experience in treating and researching this rare cancer was essential; and his views on the matter. [36247/16]
View answerA new permanent post of consultant medical oncologist with a special interest in sarcoma is currently being recruited for St. Vincent's University Hospital. This is an open recruitment campaign and the post has been advertised online and in the media. The job description for this position makes it clear that the post will provide a specialist service for sarcoma patients and this will be a focus during the recruitment process. The closing date for applications is 27 November 2016.
469. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health his plans for Ramelton community hospital, County Donegal; the number of persons resident in the hospital; the number of persons employed by the HSE in this community hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36252/16]
View answer470. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health his plans for Lifford community hospital, County Donegal; the number of persons resident in the hospital, the number of persons employed by the HSE in this community hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36253/16]
View answer471. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health his plans for St Joseph's community hospital, Ballybofey, County Donegal; the number of persons resident in the hospital; the number of persons employed by the HSE in this community hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36254/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 469 to 471, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
