Written Answers Nos. 627-642
627. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health when the last mini competition was held by the HSE, in the context of the provision of taxi services in Cork city and county and when the last mini competition was held which led to the signing of a contract, whether new or otherwise. [37679/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
628. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health further to parliamentary question No. 613 of 15 November 2016, regarding the proposed new Letterkenny community nursing unit which has an indicative costing of €22.75 million, the percentage of this indicative cost that is estimated in the capital programme to be provided by private funds through the PPP process; the percentage of the projected cost that is estimated to be provided in upfront Exchequer funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37737/16]
View answerA contract has yet to be awarded in respect of this project. I have no further information at this time.
629. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if additional personal assistant hours will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37738/16]
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.
630. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (detail supplied) regarding a care home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37739/16]
View answerThe HSE’s report “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion”,(2011) proposes a new model of support in the community by moving people from institutional settings to the community. The plan is being rolled out at a regional and local level and involves full consultation with stakeholders.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to continue to move people with disabilities out of congregated settings, to enable them to live independently and to be included in the community. Currently, 2,725 people live in congregated settings and our objective is to reduce this figure by one-third by 2021 and ultimately, to eliminate all congregated settings.
The HSE has established a subgroup, under ‘Transforming Lives’, the Programme to implement the recommendations of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services, which is developing an implementation plan for moving people from institutions. I welcome the fact that the needs of people moving from congregated settings will be fully taken into account during this process as the model of care for individuals will be based on a person centred plan.
The HSE's 2016 National Service Plan has set a target of 165 people to move from institutions in 2016 into suitable accommodation. Earlier this year, I announced that we are providing €100 million in capital funding from now until 2021 in respect of acquiring and renovating properties in priority institutions identified by the HSE. This will ensure that people are able to move out of congregated settings, and into their own homes in the community. I want to emphasise that the appropriate supports and resources are being put in place to ensure that people are supported as they move out of residential centres.
In addition, I am pleased to note that the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government is providing €10 million under the Capital Assistance Scheme to provide suitable accommodation for people transitioning from institutions in 2016. The HSE estimate that a further 100 people could benefit from this initiative. €1 million in ring-fenced leasing funding is also being made available by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in 2016 to support people moving from institutions into suitable social housing in the community. This demonstrates the joined up commitment of both Departments to support the de-congregation programme.
The HSE has developed a three strand approach to accelerate transitions from institutions in the period 2016-2021, with a target of 900 people to move to more suitable accommodation in this period.
- Strand 1 is focussed on large institutional settings at high risk of not meeting HIQA Standards;
- Strand 2 is focussed on moving people into suitable social housing in the community through the Department of Housing schemes; and
- Strand 3 is focussed on remaining service users in congregated settings who could move to suitable accommodation.
This process of moving people to more suitable accommodation in the community will take place over a number of years, and will be done in full consultation with all residents and their families.
As the HSE is responsible for leading out on the recommendations on "Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion", I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy for any further information that they may be able to provide.
631. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health further to the OECD publication Health at a Glance 2016 published on 23 November 2016 and in view of the methodological notes and the discussion on comparability on page 120, if Ireland’s public expenditure per capita on pharmaceuticals is validly and definitively characterised as the second highest in the OECD; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37746/16]
View answerOECD statistics are useful for comparing expenditure in medicines and other areas. However, per capita figures are only one of a number of measures that can give a view of drugs spending in Ireland.
The OECD report cited by the Deputy uses data from 2014, the last year for which full figures are available. In 2014, expenditure on prescription and over the counter medicines accounted for just over 14 percent of overall health expenditure in Ireland. Although this was higher than several other EU countries, including Denmark, Finland, and Belgium, it was lower than Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, and significantly lower than Greece or Hungary.
OECD data on pharmaceutical expenditure includes expenditure on both prescription and over the counter medicines but excludes expenditure on Pharmaceuticals consumed in hospitals and other health care settings as part of an inpatient or day case treatment. As acknowledged by the OECD "comparability issues exist with regards to the administration and dispensing of pharmaceuticals for outpatients in hospitals."
Looking at expenditure in Ireland alone, the report noted the significant reversal in the growth of pharmaceutical spending in Ireland between 2009 and 2014. There has also been a number of significant developments since 2014 that will further reduce the cost of medicines in Ireland. The Framework Agreement on the Pricing and Supply of Medicines will reduce the price of medicines to the average of 14 other countries and provides for an annual downward only price realignment. This will ensure that Irish medicine prices continue to reduce in line with price reductions across reference countries. This Agreement is expected to deliver savings of up to €750 million over the next four years.
Other initiatives will continue to be pursued, to ensure that we achieve affordable prices for medicines for both patients and the State.
These include the HSE's Medicines Management Programme, which has a particular focus on cost-effective prescribing, and the continued implementation of generic substitution and reference pricing.
The implementation of generic substitution and reference pricing has also contributed to significant price reductions. The prices of referenced products are generally 70-80% lower than the prices paid when medicines were on patent. Generic substitution and reference pricing delivered savings of €47 million in 2014 and €94 million in 2015, and ensures that generic drug prices in Ireland will continue to fall towards European norms.
As a result of these measures, the average price of an item dispensed on the General Medical Services Scheme has reduced to below the price paid in 2001 and the average Drug Payment Scheme price is below the price paid in 2000.
632. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Health the measures that apply to specifically address the issue of recreational drug users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37749/16]
View answerThe overall objective of the National Drugs Strategy is to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research.
Prevention and Education programmes constitute a significant part of the Government's response to the drug problem, particularly among young persons. The current Strategy contains an action to develop a sustained range of awareness campaigns that target third level educational institutions, workplaces and recreational venues. The HSE has implemented a number of targeted awareness campaigns through the drugs.ie website, relating to the use of new psychoactive substances, ketamine and pills. These campaigns provide harm reduction information and advice, while emphasising that it's always safest not to take unknown or illicit drugs at all. In addition, the HSE Addiction service provides non-judgemental, evidence based treatment interventions to individuals presenting with problems associated with a range of licit and illicit substances.
Substance use education in schools is provided in the context of Social Personal and Health Education. The Department of Education and Skills' Inspectorate continues to monitor the effectiveness of the implementation of substance use policies in schools through the whole-school evaluation process and the inspectorate system. Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces operate a range of education and prevention programmes, which aim to promote healthier lifestyle choices among young people and other vulnerable groups at risk of problem drug use. In addition, young people at risk of drug misuse can access diversionary programmes, facilities and services and family support.
As the Deputy will be aware, a Steering Committee, with an independent chair, has been established to advise me on a new National Drugs Strategy, which will commence in 2017, when the current policy expires. I understand that the need for prevention and education programmes that raise awareness of the risks and harms associated with recreational drug use is one of the key issues emerging from the multi-stakeholder focus groups, which will advise the Steering Committee on measures to address gaps in the current response to the drug problem. It is expected that the focus groups will shortly conclude their work and report back to the Steering Committee. I am expecting the final report of the Steering Committee early in the New Year.
633. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he has considered the provision of prefilled naloxone injections as a means of making provision to save the lives of persons suffering from an opiate drug overdose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37750/16]
View answerIn May 2015, the HSE undertook a demonstration project to assess and evaluate the suitability and impact of using a pre-filled Naloxone injection, which is designed for non-medical administration in Ireland. Naloxone is an antidote used to reverse the effects of opioid drugs like heroin, morphine and methadone, if someone overdoses.
I launched an Evaluation Report on the HSE’s Naloxone Demonstration Project in August 2016. The Project involved 600 patients receiving take-home Naloxone and the provision of training to lay persons, such as the family and friends of a drug user, in the administration of a Naloxone injection to overdose victims. I was delighted to note that during the course of the demonstration project there were five potentially fatal overdoses prevented for the individuals involved. I am convinced that many more lives will be saved as a result of this initiative.
I understand that the HSE is working to implement the key recommendations of the Evaluation Report to inform the on-going development of the Naloxone programme.
634. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive a dental appointment at Kerry University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37755/16]
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.
635. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if transport arrangements will be put in place in respect of a person (details supplied); if he will expedite alternative travel arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37761/16]
View answerThe provision of transport to adults with a disability attending HSE-funded day services is not a core health service, and the HSE endeavours to ensure that all service users access public transport, including rural transport services, if possible. In recognition of the challenges which some service users experience in relation to accessible transport, some transport is provided by disability service providers on a case by case basis as resources allow. Service providers are continuously reviewing their transport arrangements to ensure that they are used as effectively and equitably as possible within available resources, and will continue to keep the matter under review.
In regard to the issue raised by the Deputy I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
636. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason an urgent operation on a person (details supplied) with chronic scoliosis was cancelled at the last minute; the reason the hospital showed no consideration for the person and their parent who had made extensive arrangements to be with their child; if the fact that the person has autism had anything to do with the decision; if he will ensure the hospital sets an early date for the operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37767/16]
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.
There is a National Waiting List Management Protocol in place which sets out a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment. Details of this are available on http://www.ntpf.ie/home/pdf/National%20Waiting%20List%20Management%20Protocol.pdf .
In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
637. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria being used by his Department to decide on a planner to carry out a commonage management plan for GLAS scheme applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36853/16]
View answerTo be considered for approval to draw up Commonage Management Plans an agricultural advisor must fulfil the following criteria:
- have a minimum educational agricultural qualification of level 8 Fetac.
- have attended Farm Advisory Service and GLAS training courses that were run by my Department in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
- have attended a commonage field walk which were held in 2015 and 2016.
A list of currently approved commonage advisors is published on my Department’s Website.
638. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36854/16]
View answerThe person named submitted an appeal for the attention of the Commonage Implementation Committee. A new chairperson has recently been appointed and the appeal will be dealt with in that forum.
639. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of commonage framework plans that have been prepared under the GLAS scheme to date broken down by county; the number that remain to be prepared; if payments have been and will be paid out under GLAS for commonages in view of the fact that these plans have not been prepared in some instances; the amount of money held back as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36895/16]
View answerAs result of the applications approved into the first two tranches of GLAS (GLAS 1 and GLAS 2) Commonage Advisors have been assigned to prepare Commonage Management Plans (CMPs) for over 2,700 commonages. No CMPs have been submitted to date as the deadline for completed plans to be submitted is 1 September 2017 which will facilitate the inclusion of commonage farmers approved into the third tranche of GLAS. This work is ongoing and final CMPs have therefore not been submitted yet.
In respect of 2016 payments for GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 applications with commonages, my Department has put in place a process to provide for the submission of interim Commonage Management Plans. The interim process requires the assigned GLAS commonage advisor to complete a 2016 interim CMP for each of the commonages assigned to them and requires signatures of each GLAS approved participant who is a shareholder on each of these commonages. The vast majority of interim CMP forms have been returned by advisors and in respect of these cases processing of 2016 payment will take place at the same time as all other applications.
The interim CMP clearly stated that failure by the farmer to sign the interim CMP would result in no GLAS payment issuing so it is only where a farmer has not signed up to an interim CMP that payment could not issue.
There are a number of commonages for which the assignment of an advisor is under review and my Department is currently putting in place a procedure which will facilitate the processing of 2016 GLAS payment for shareholders on these commonages to take place at the same time as all other GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 participants.
640. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers who joined GLAS in 2015 and 2016 will be paid their 85% payment under GLAS for commonages in December 2016, even if farmers have not signed up to the interim GLAS plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36896/16]
View answerAll commonage shareholders are required to sign an Interim Commonage Management Plan (CMP) for each of their commonages as a condition of payment for 2016. My Department put in place a process to provide for the submission of interim Commonage Management Plans and I am pleased that this has been well received and responded to by both advisors and commonage shareholders. The interim process requires the assigned GLAS commonage advisor to complete a 2016 interim CMP for each of the commonages assigned to them and required signatures of each GLAS approved participant who is a shareholder on each of the commonages.
The interim CMP clearly stated that failure by the farmer to sign would result in no GLAS payment issuing.
There are a number of commonages for which the assignment of an advisor is under review and my Department is currently putting in place a procedure which will facilitate the processing of 2016 GLAS payment for shareholders on these commonages to take place at the same time as all other GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 participants.
641. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of commonages to which planners have been assigned; the number to which there is currently no planner assigned; the number of participants in GLAS on the commonages assigned to planners and the number on commonages with no planner assigned to them; the total number of active farmers on these commonages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36897/16]
View answerCommonage Advisors have been assigned to prepare Commonage Management Plans (CMPs) for over 2,700 commonages which have been brought into the first two tranches of GLAS. A further 77 commonages are currently being reassessed where the commonage advisor initially assigned is no longer in a position to complete the work and 35 commonages have had no advisor assigned as there were no expressions of interest received.
Some 6,600 farmers have declared 13,000 commonages shares as part of their GLAS applications of which approximately 300 have declared shares on the 112 commonages for which the assignment of a commonage advisor is yet to be finalised.
My Department is currently finalising arrangements to assign an advisor to these 112 commonages and to put in place a procedure to ensure that GLAS participants on these commonages will have their 2016 GLAS payment processed at the same time as all other GLAS 1 and 2 participants.
642. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of commonages to which planners were assigned and subsequently resigned; the number of GLAS participants affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36898/16]
View answerThe number of commonages to which planners were assigned and subsequently reassigned is 255. A total of 571 GLAS participants are associated with these commonages. My Department has put in place arrangements to facilitate payments for these participants to ensure payments are processed as promptly as possible. A further 77 commonages in this category are currently being reassessed.
