Tuesday, 29 Nov 2016

Written Answers Nos. 507-522

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (507)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

507. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to set out the status of an MRI appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36914/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility

Questions (508, 515, 516, 544, 579, 580, 592, 612)

John Curran

Question:

508. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if he will review and consider adding new low-protein products to the long-term illness card for persons that have been diagnosed as having PKU, a rare metabolic disorder which requires a very low-protein diet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36915/16]

James Lawless

Question:

515. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will add new low-protein products to the long-term illness card list due to the discontinuation of products which had been on the list previously (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36946/16]

James Lawless

Question:

516. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health to indicate the last time low-protein products have been added to the long-term illness card list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36947/16]

Jackie Cahill

Question:

544. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the HSE to immediately engage with the PKU Association of Ireland in view of the fact that PKU is a rare metabolic disorder which requires a low-protein diet and prescribed low-protein foods are a key part of the diet due to its limited nature (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37169/16]

Andrew Doyle

Question:

579. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no products have been added to the long-term illness card for persons with PKU in approximately six years; if he will consider the introduction of new low-protein food products for patients of PKU; if so, when these products will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37467/16]

Robert Troy

Question:

580. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the genetic disease HCU. [37469/16]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

592. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concerns by many persons with PKU at the lack of suitable food products available on the market here while many are available in other EU countries; if the clinical nutritional expert group within the HSE has called for new applications for the addition of new food products to the reimbursement list; and if this will be completed by the end of 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37521/16]

Billy Kelleher

Question:

612. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that prescribed low-protein foods are required to prevent neurological damage and to supplement the diet of adults and children with phenylketonuria (PKU) and homocystenuria (HCU); if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that no new low-protein products have been added to the long-term illness card list in more than six years; if he will ensure a full and appropriate updated list of foods prescribed for PKU and HCU is added to the reimbursement list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37643/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 508, 515, 516, 544, 579, 580, 592 and 612 together.

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of products under the community drug schemes, including the LTI Scheme, 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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (509)

Pat Deering

Question:

509. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health to set out the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) who is waiting for a hip replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36916/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (510)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

510. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health to set out the status of an appointment at Cork University Hospital in respect of a person (details supplied). [36918/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Disability Services Provision

Questions (511)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

Question:

511. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health to set down in tabular form the number of early intervention teams for children in each local health area; the total number on each team; the number of children in each area waiting for an appointment with a team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36925/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Disability Support Services Provision

Questions (512)

Brendan Smith

Question:

512. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health to outline his proposals to reintroduce the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36930/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Scheme in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes in February 2013. The Government is aware of the continuing needs of people with a disability who rely on individual payments which support choice and independence. In that regard, monthly payments of €208.50 have continued to be made by the Health Service Executive to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance at the time the scheme closed.

The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Programme for Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme. I can confirm that work on the policy proposals in this regard is at an advanced stage and I anticipate that this will be brought to Government shortly.

The proposals seek to ensure that:

- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;

- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;

- Resources are targeted at those with greatest needs; and

- The Scheme is capable of being costed and is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.

Primary Care Services Provision

Questions (513)

Peter Fitzpatrick

Question:

513. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health if a clinic (details supplied) will remain in Louth Primary Care Centre, Dublin Road, Dundalk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36939/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

General Practitioner Services Provision

Questions (514)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

514. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if he will address the issue of securing general practitioners for provincial town practices in which a client bank of 800 medical cards is not deemed to be economically feasible or attractive enough, resulting in no applications being received for a position which has become vacant due to a general practitioner retirement in Thurles, County Tipperary (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36941/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government is committed to ensuring that patients throughout the country continue to have access to GP services, especially in remote rural areas and also in certain disadvantaged urban areas, and that general practice is sustainable in such areas into the future. The Programme for Partnership Government emphasises the need to focus on enhancing primary healthcare services, including building up GP capacity and increasing the number of therapists and other health professionals in primary care. The annual GP training intake has increased from 120 places prior to 2010 to 172 places as of July this year and I am anxious to achieve further increases in future years.

I am cognisant of the need for a new GP services contract which will help modernise our health service and develop a strengthened primary care sector, and health service management have already progressed a number of significant measures through engagement with GP representatives. The GP contracts review process will, inter alia, seek to introduce further measures aimed at making general practice a fulfilling and rewarding career option into the future. Progress to date includes changes to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to accommodate flexible/shared GMS/GP contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme, allowing GPs to hold GMS contracts until their 72nd birthday, as well as the introduction of an enhanced supports package for rural GP practices.

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.

Questions Nos. 515 and 516 answered with Question No. 508.

Disability Services Provision

Questions (517)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

517. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a private contractor has been appointed to deal with a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36949/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Disability Services Provision

Questions (518)

Michael McGrath

Question:

518. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive speech and language therapy. [36953/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Departmental Staff

Questions (519, 520, 521, 522)

Dara Calleary

Question:

519. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health to set down in tabular form the number of staff from his Department currently seconded to other Departments or agencies in the Civil Service per annum from 2010 to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36967/16]

Dara Calleary

Question:

520. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health to set down in tabular form the number of staff from his Department who have appealed against secondment per annum from 2010 to date in 2016; the appeals mechanism involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36983/16]

Dara Calleary

Question:

521. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health to set down in tabular form the number of staff from his Department currently seconded to a firm in the private sector per annum from 2010 to date in 2016; the details of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36999/16]

Dara Calleary

Question:

522. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health to set down in tabular form the number of staff from his Department currently seconded from a firm in the private sector per annum from 2010 to date in 2016; the details of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37015/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 to 522, inclusive, together.

The number of staff from my Department who are currently seconded to other Departments or agencies in the civil service and where the secondment was initiated in the years 2010 to date in 2016 is set out in the following table:

Year	Number of Staff Seconded
2010	None
2011	None
2012	None
2013	2
2014	None
2015	2
2016	2

For the period from 2010 to date in 2016, no staff member has appealed against secondment, no staff member has been seconded to a firm in the private sector and no-one has been seconded to the Department from a firm in the private sector.