Written Answers Nos. 300-317
300. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the total amount of money spent on cyber and IT security by each hospital across all seven hospital groups for each of the years 2013 to 2015, inclusive and to date in 2016 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38382/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
301. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the amount of money ring-fenced under budget 2017 for the progression of the new ambulance station in Edenderry, County Offaly, as was committed to by the Minister for State with responsibility for health promotion in a recent local meeting with the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38384/16]
View answerI can confirm that considerable progress has been made on the Edenderry ambulance base project to date. A design team has been appointed, the design is being progressed and planning permission has been received. At the request of my colleague, the Minister for State for Health Promotion, Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, I am due to meet a deputation, together with senior HSE officials, to discuss the project later this month. I understand that the Minister for State for Health Promotion's recent commitment was that she would seek to arrange this meeting and I am very happy to facilitate her and her colleagues in this regard.
The HSE has recently submitted its Capital Plan for 2017. This Plan is currently being reviewed by my Department and requires my approval with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
302. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the action plan that has been put in place as a result of local meetings with HSE management in order to address the ongoing issues affecting children in counties Laois and Offaly with disabilities; the timeframe for resolution of these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38388/16]
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.
303. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances that will operate out of the new station in Edenderry, County Offaly, when it is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38389/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
304. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances that will be accommodated at the temporary accommodation for the ambulance service in north Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38390/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
305. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of private or agency psychologists who are currently employed to advance the progressing disability services initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38391/16]
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.
306. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when funding will be made available to fund those persons who find themselves in a situation with the home care packages which are being sanctioned at present whereby hours are being allocated, and the HSE is then advising persons that funding to fund those hours is not available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38398/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
307. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the reason there is a waiting list of between 13 and 20 months in County Kildare to get on a methadone programme despite the fact that there is no local drugs task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38405/16]
View answerThe South Western Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force is responsible for working with communities in County Kildare in order to co-ordinate the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy in the area.
As the specific issue raised by Deputy is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
308. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to cut funding for addiction services in counties Kildare and west Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38406/16]
View answerReflecting the Government's commitment to a health-led response to drug use, an additional €3m in funding has been provided in the 2017 budget to increase support for interventions aimed at improving the health outcomes of those affected by addiction.
In relation to Kildare and West Wicklow, the Department of Health has provided Drugs Initiative funding of €102,820 to the South West Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force this year. A further €696,497 has been provided to the Task Force by the HSE in 2016, giving a total of €799,317 for the year. This is the same level of funding provided from both sources in 2014 and 2015 and will be maintained at this level in 2017.
I have asked the HSE to investigate the position in relation to the provision of funding for addiction services more generally in Kildare and west Wicklow and to reply to the Deputy directly.
309. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of waiting lists for children for occupational therapy assessments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38415/16]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
310. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when funding for nursing care to enable two persons (details supplied) attend school will be provided in view of the commitment given by him in early October 2016 that this funding was available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38421/16]
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.
With regard to this particular matter, the Minister has met and been in contact with a number of parents concerned about this issue and has asked the HSE to work to resolve it. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
311. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of each of the recommendations of 15.1.1 to 15.1.9, inclusive, of a Vision for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38425/16]
View answerSignificant progress has been made on implementation of A Vision for Change, underpinned by the substantial additional funding provided by Government since 2012. Including funding agreed in the recent Budget, the HSE budget for mental health services will be in the region of €850m next year for mental health. All aspects of adult and child and adolescent services are being developed, including acute and community based services, along with forensic mental health services. Detailed service improvements are reflected each year in the HSE National Service Plans and the HSE Mental Health Division Operational Plans, available on the HSE website.
The HSE National Forensic Mental Health Service provides specialist forensic services to those referred from the Irish Prison Service, and the Youth Justice Service. It also provides consultation and advice to An Garda Síochána, and the Courts Service of Ireland. Every effort is made to ensure that forensics mental health care provision is in accordance with the recommendations of A Vision for Change, including legal considerations and person-centred and recovery-based approaches on an inter-agency basis.
In relation to Recommendation 15.1.1, all prisoners are medically assessed on committal to prison. This includes a mental health assessment which can be employed to develop an individual care plan. Where clinically indicated, the prisoner is referred to a forensic clinician who, subject to his/her findings, may make certain recommendations to the Governor for the care of the prisoner. Prisoners on release, are entitled to be referred to the HSE mental health services in the normal way.
In regard to 15.1.2, the National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS) at the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) at Dundrum provides a Mental Health Prison In-Reach and Court Diversion Service (PICLS) programme to the Irish Prison Service. The diversion system ensures as far as possible that those people presenting before the courts, or indeed at an earlier stage of the criminal justice system, where the infraction is a reflection of an underlying mental illness, are referred and treated appropriately. This approach has reduced the number of mentally ill people committed to prison, under sentence. An Interdepartmental Group is looking at what further improvements can be made on the issue of persons with mental illness and their interaction with the Criminal Justice System.
The recommendation reflected in 15.1.3 refers to increasing community based forensic mental health teams. Full multi-disciplinary teams will be established in 2017 connected to Castlerea, Limerick and Cork prisons.
Planning permission for a new modern Forensic mental health facility in Portrane to replace the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum, was granted in June 2015. Phase 1 of the project comprises a new 120-bed hospital, as reflected in Recommendation 15.1.4, along with a new 10-bed Child and Adolescent Mental Health unit (Recommendation 15. 1.6) and a new 10-bed Mental Health Intellectual Disability unit (Recommendation 15.1.7). I was pleased to secure the significant additional capital funding in Budget 2017, to allow construction to commence on Phase 1 early next year, with a view to the new facilities coming on-stream in 2019. Phase 2 of the project envisages the provision of regional Intensive Care Rehabilitation Units, as resources allow over the longer term.
In relation to 15.1.5, there are a number of prison based multi-disciplinary groups that provide information and support in the area of mental health to prisoners. There are consultant-led forensic mental health in-reach teams in all the prisons in Ireland at present except for Castlerea where it is hoped to provide an appropriate service in early 2017. The Irish Prison Service (IPS) is seeking to advance a robust system that would see integration and further development of services with statutory and voluntary partners. Mental health service provision in prisons must form part of the overall community response to this cohort of prisoners. Current arrangements with the Central Mental Hospital are a good example of collaborative working. In addition to healthcare input, the IPS Psychology Service provides ongoing evidence informed therapeutic approaches to those referred to the service who are suffering from mental health difficulties.
The implementation of Recommendations 15.1.8 and 15.1.9 are being progressed on a joint basis by the health and judicial systems. This involves, for example, the HSE National Forensic Mental Health service, An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Service. The NFMHS provides regular training to An Garda Síochána and the Garda training college at Templemore also delivers training as part of the training of all new Garda trainees. The Forensic service provides an advisory service to the Garda negotiation team, and has established links to local gardaí. In 2017 it is planned to develop structured links to Divisional gardaí. Good progress has been made in recent years, arising from the significant additional funding given to mental health, including the modernisation of the NFMHS and by progressing the work of the Interdepartmental Group on those with mental health issues coming into contact with the criminal justice system.
I recently commenced a review of all aspects of A Vision for Change, to help inform policy and service development in the future. In this regard, I will bear in mind the issues raised by the Deputy.
312. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of counties which have a seven-day support team for mental health; the details of same in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38427/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
313. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of counties which have a home care team for supporting persons with mental health; the detail of same in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38428/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
314. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of hospitals which have a psychiatric nurse employed in emergency departments; the detail of same in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38429/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
315. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the list of agencies funded by NOSP, National Office for Suicide Prevention, in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38430/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
316. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if wages, holiday pay and all other entitlements due to a person (details supplied) will be paid to the person immediately; if a reference will be provided for the person; if the pension entitlements can be transferred to the person's private pension provider; if so, if the HSE will make arrangements with the person; and if he will expedite the matter in view of the fact they resigned in September 2016. [38431/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
317. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the channels available to members of the public to raise concerns or make complaints regarding beliefs concerning widespread malpractice and policy failure in the health service, in the area of medical research and the trial use of certain drugs, or similar medical or drug-related research undertaken by other areas in the public service such as the education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38433/16]
View answerThe Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the agency responsible for the authorisation of clinical trials with medicinal products (medicines) conducted in Ireland. In addition to an authorisation from the HPRA, clinical trials also require a positive opinion from an ethics committee that is recognised by the Department of Health, prior to being commenced. The types of trials authorised range from first-in-man trials for new medicines to studies with medicines which already have marketing authorisations.
Clinical trials in Ireland are governed by the European Communities (Clinical Trials on Medicinal Products for Human Use) Regulations 2004, S.I. No. 190 of 2004. These Regulations transposed into Irish law the provisions of Council Directive 2001/20/EC and superseded the Control of Clinical Trials Acts 1987–1990 for clinical trials using medicinal products.
The Regulations require that all clinical trials covered by the provisions of the Regulations are designed, conducted and reported in accordance with the principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), a set of internationally recognised ethical and scientific quality requirements that must be observed for clinical trials involving human subjects. Compliance with GCP provides assurance that the rights, safety and well-being of trial subjects are protected, and that the results of the clinical trials are accurate and credible.
As the competent authority for the Regulations, the HPRA may carry out GCP inspections of trial sites in order to establish compliance with relevant legislation and guidelines. A trial site can be defined as any location where trial-related activities are conducted. Therefore, an inspection can occur at an investigator site, sponsor company site, laboratory site, manufacturing site or at other establishments deemed appropriate by the regulatory authority. The HPRA also requires that an annual safety report is submitted for any trial which is ongoing in Ireland.
Any member of the public who has concerns over the conduct of a specific clinical trial for a medicinal product should contact the HPRA in the first instance. Members of the public may raise concerns relating to the areas which the HPRA regulates directly with the HPRA by letter, e-mail or phone, or alternatively, by contacting the Office of the Ombudsman.
