Written Answers Nos. 372-389
372. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for cataract patients in County Galway from time of referral to treatment; the reason for the delays; his plans to address the waiting list and related issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38758/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
373. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); if a timeframe will be arranged as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38759/16]
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.
374. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health when the child and adolescent mental health service for Dublin 15, currently located in Cherry Orchard in Ballyfermot, will be transferred to the local health centre in Corduff, Dublin 15, as the service was successfully previously located in Dublin 15 for a number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38760/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
375. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure awareness in the community with regard to the causes and symptoms of Lyme disease and to ensure that the medical profession and health service are equipped to deal with the illness and its presentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38769/16]
View answerLyme disease (also known as Lyme borreliosis or LB) is an infection caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi that is transmitted to humans by bites from ticks infected with the bacteria. The infection is generally mild affecting only the skin, but can occasionally be more severe. Lyme disease is the commonest cause of tick-borne infection in Europe.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) of the HSE collects and collates surveillance data on notifiable infectious diseases. Lyme borreliosis is notifiable in Ireland since 2012; the notifiable entity being the more severe neurological form of LB: Lyme neuroborreliosis.
The number of annual neuroborreliosis notifications over the last few years is as follows:
- 2012 – 8 cases;
- 2013 – 13 cases;
- 2014 – 18 cases;
- 2015 – 12 cases.
This gives an average annual incidence rate of neuroborreliosis in Ireland of about 2.7 neuroborreliosis cases per million population.
Since 2013, the HPSC has held an annual ‘Lyme Awareness Week’ at the beginning of the tick biting season, the purpose of which is to draw attention - particularly in the media - to Lyme disease and the ticks that can spread this disease. The week beginning May 2nd was designated as Lyme Awareness Week this year.
The literature on the HPSC website points out that campers, walkers and certain occupational groups such as forestry workers, conservation workers, deer cullers and farmers are at particular risk of exposure to ticks (and therefore LB). That said, anyone walking or hiking in the countryside is at risk of biting ticks. The ticks responsible for LB are generally hard-bodied ticks (Ixodidae). Ixodes ticks are hosted by a wide range of mammals including deer, sheep and cows, and occasionally birds; their tiny size (less than 2mm unfed) means they can remain undetected for long periods.
Ixodes ticks are most likely to be found in:
- Shady and humid woodland clearings with grass;
- Open grassland, walking paths (especially those bordered by long grasses);
- Wooded and forested areas;
- Vegetation close to lakes and seaside beaches;
- Parkland areas; and
- Open fields and bushes.
They are present in both urban and rural environments and are active from spring to autumn. Lyme cases tend to appear in Ireland with greater frequency after April, hence the choice of this time of year for Lyme Awareness Week.
Both the Health Protection Surveillance Centre and Tick Talk Ireland provide guidance on protection against contracting Lyme borelliosis. The best protection is to prevent tick bites, when walking in grassy, bushy or woodland areas, particularly between May and October:
- Arms and leg should be covered; wearing long trousers tucked into socks or boots, and long-sleeved shirts with cuffs fastened is advised. Shoes or boots should be worn rather than open-toed sandals.
- The use of insect repellent on clothes is recommended, or on limbs if it is not practicable to cover up. DEET or permethrin (insect repellents) can be used – advice can be obtained from pharmacies.
- Skin and clothing should be inspected for ticks every three to four hours and children's skin and clothes checked frequently.
- Ticks should be removed as soon as they are seen attached to the skin. Further advice on tick removal can be obtained from the HPSC website.
- It is not recommended that antibiotics are given to prevent the transmission of Lyme disease following a tick bite. Only if the area becomes inflamed may treatment be required; and advice should be sought from a doctor.
- People should see their doctor if they develop a rash or become unwell with other symptoms, letting the doctor know of exposure to ticks.
Further advice can be obtained from the HPSC website (www.hpsc.ie) and the HPSC produced a leaflet on “Protecting Yourself Against Tick Bites and Lyme Disease” which is available for the public to download.
In addition, a Lyme Borreliosis Subcommittee has been established to look at methods of raising awareness especially in those areas (including recreation areas) where Lyme carrying ticks can be most expected to be found.
376. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a procedure for a person (details supplied). [38770/16]
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.
377. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health when it is proposed to add new PKU-suitable foods to the various reimbursement schemes in view of the acute difficulties being experienced currently by those in need of them. [38784/16]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply.
378. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he will waive the costs for women pursuing legal challenges through the courts, including, where appropriate, in appeals to the Supreme Court regarding survivors of symphysiotomy. [38788/16]
View answerJudge Maureen Harding Clark submitted her report on the Surgical Symphysiotomy Scheme on the 19 October last. Minister Harris examined the report and submitted it to Government last week prior to its publication on the Department's website on 22 November last. Awards of between €50,000 and €150,000 were made to 399 women and the Scheme cost approximately €34 million.
The Scheme was set up to give women who had undergone symphysiotomy an alternative non-adversarial option rather than having to bring their cases through the courts, with an uncertain outcome in each case. The Scheme was voluntary and women did not waive their rights to take their cases to court as a precondition to participating in the Scheme. Women could opt out of the Scheme at any stage in the process, up to the time of accepting their award. It was only on accepting the offer of an award that a woman had to agree to discontinue legal proceedings.
For women who chose to continue their cases through the courts rather than applying for a payment under the Scheme the issue of legal costs arising will be dealt with on a case by case basis by the courts.
379. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the status of the progress report on the new building works announced following the allocation of funds for a home (details supplied); when building works will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38789/16]
View answerThe Capital Programme announced earlier this year provides for the replacement and refurbishment of 90 public nursing homes across the country over the next five years. Significant work was undertaken by the HSE in determining the most appropriate scheduling of projects over the 5 year period from 2016 to 2021, within the phased provision of funding, to achieve compliance and registration with HIQA.
Under this Capital Programme it is proposed to deliver a replacement CNU at the Sacred Heart Hospital Roscommon by 2021. Currently the project is at appraisal stage.
380. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38790/16]
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.
381. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment date for Tallaght general hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38792/16]
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.
382. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment with an otolaryngology specialist in the ENT consultant group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38797/16]
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.
383. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1,219 of 16 September 2016, subsequently referred to the HSE for direct reply, if the post referred to has now been successfully filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38808/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
384. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health his views on the status of a person (details supplied) who is a HSE employee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38819/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
385. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 574 of 29 November 2016, his views on whether it is satisfactory that a child in County Tipperary should be told that the waiting time for an ENT appointment is over four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38821/16]
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.
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. As this query relates to service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
387. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health how long it takes for persons in counties Limerick and Clare to be fitted with a hearing aid after having audiology examinations and having ascertained the need for the hearing aid. [38887/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply.
388. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason County Limerick was recently without an audiologist for almost a year. [38881/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply.
389. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he can generate an increase in forestry development through the use of marginal lands with the objective of increased carbon sequestration and good environmental practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38861/16]
View answerThe current Forestry Programme, covering the period 2015-2020, ensures continued state support for the two key objectives of increasing forest cover and wood mobilisation. Almost €500 million of investment over the six year programme period will facilitate an increase in forest cover by almost 44,000 hectares over the period of the Programme. The level of afforestation grant and premiums, allied to the tax treatment of income from forests provide good incentives for landowners to plant a proportion of their holding. Forests established in the period since 1990 are forecast to remove up to 4.5m tonnes per annum of carbon dioxide over the period 2021–2030.
All applications are considered under the afforestation scheme where approvals are subject to minimum productivity thresholds, a public consultation process and adherence to environmental guidelines. However, marginal land is best suited for forestry as it is generally less productive for agriculture. Where farmers are under utilising their land the Department encourages planting on the more marginal fields while maintaining the herd size which is left to graze on the remaining fields. In this way agricultural output is maintained and a valuable asset with environmental benefits is established.
The development of marginal land for forestry has been positively impacted by two recent initiatives. The first of these is the introduction of a new approach to land classification system from a forest productivity perspective and the second is a full review and consolidation of environmental requirements for afforestation. Both of these developments should help increase planting on marginal sites in line with good environmental practices.
