Written Answers Nos. 198-217
198. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health when children in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance will be issued with a full medical card as announced in budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38969/16]
View answer229. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when medical cards will be provided to all children in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance as announced in budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39040/16]
View answer232. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when arrangements will be made to provide automatic medical cards to children that are in receipt of a domiciliary care allowance as he outlined in Dáil Éireann in July 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39098/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 198, 229 and 232 together.
I have recently received permission from Government for my Department to prepare the Heads and General Scheme of a Bill to give children in receipt of DCA automatic entitlement to a medical card. This new legislation will effectively mean that all children in respect of whom a DCA payment is made will automatically qualify for a medical card and, therefore, no longer be subject to the medical cards means test at any point in the future while in receipt of DCA. It is my objective to have this legislation prepared and brought before the Oireachtas as quickly as possible. In addition to the preparation of the legislation, I have asked the HSE, so that the proposal can be implemented in a smooth and efficient manner, to commence the process of planning for the requirements of the scheme and how the cards will issue.
199. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health his position on the impacts of usage of e-cigarettes and vaporisers in public places; his plans to legislate for such products; and the engagement he has had with officials on the matter. [38972/16]
View answerVaping is a relatively new occurrence. However, the market share for electronic cigarettes and refill containers is growing and as such, the long-term effects of vaping on public health are not yet known.
Currently the evidence base does not support prohibiting vaping in public places although individual organisations/companies are free to introduce an e-cigarette free policy.
The European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016 which transposed the European Tobacco Products Directive came into effect on 20 May 2016. These Regulations which are a first step in the regulation of electronic cigarettes and refill containers will give confidence to users as to the safety and efficacy of products used for vaping.
The Regulations include the following provisions:
- Obligatory health warnings advising consumers that electronic cigarettes contain nicotine;
- Obligatory information leaflets setting out instructions for use and information on adverse effects, risk groups, addictiveness and toxicity;
- Mandatory safety and quality requirements setting maximum nicotine concentration levels for electronic cigarettes and maximum volumes for cartridges, tanks and containers of nicotine liquids.
In addition to the regulations under the Directive, e-cigarettes will be further regulated in Ireland through the introduction of a retail licensing system. The legislation, approved by Government will also prohibit the sale of these products to, and by, persons under 18 years of age.
I engage regularly with my officials on this matter. The Department will continue to monitor evidence on the potential harms and benefits of these products, so as to inform decisions around any future additional regulation in this area.
200. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of a new health care facility (details supplied); the formal arrangements that have been entered into with general practitioners to work from that particular facility; if the funding promised some years ago is still available; when this project is likely to commence; the date for the facility to be in use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38973/16]
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.
201. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when a dental surgeon will be appointed (details supplied) in view of the fact that this particular position has been vacant for over a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38974/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
202. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if an application for funding for a counselling service (details supplied) in County Dublin has been approved; if he will review this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38987/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
203. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the details of all HSE funded alcohol addiction services by county in tabular form; the number of alcohol addiction counsellors by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38988/16]
View answer204. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the details of the waiting lists for all HSE funded alcohol addiction services by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38989/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together.
The provision of services to prevent and treat addiction to alcohol is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive and as such, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply.
205. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when Orkambi will be available to persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38990/16]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In reaching its decision, the HSE examines all the evidence which may be relevant in its view for the decision (including the information/dossier submitted by the Company) and will take into account such expert opinions and recommendations which may have been sought by the HSE at its sole discretion (for example, from the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics).
In considering an application, the HSE will also have regard to Part 1 and Part 3 of Schedule 3 of the 2013 Act. Part 3 requires the HSE to have regard to the following criteria:
1. the health needs of the public;
2. the cost-effectiveness of meeting health needs by supplying the item concerned rather than providing other health services;
3. the availability and suitability of items for supply or reimbursement;
4. the proposed costs, benefits and risks of the item or listed item relative to therapeutically similar items or listed items provided in other health service settings and the level of certainty in relation to the evidence of those costs, benefits and risks;
5. the potential or actual budget impact of the item or listed item;
6. the clinical need for the item or listed item;
7. the appropriate level of clinical supervision required in relation to the item to ensure patient safety;
8. the efficacy (performance in trial), effectiveness (performance in real situations) and added therapeutic benefit against existing standards of treatment (how much better it treats a condition than existing therapies); and
9. the resources available to the HSE.
I am informed that, following a request from the HSE, the NCPE carried out an assessment of the manufacturer's economic dossier submitted in March 2016 on the cost effectiveness of Orkambi. This dossier included details on all relevant costs and relevant cost offsets including those associated with hospitalisation, disease management costs, intravenous antibiotics, adverse events and any additional costs arising in patients not taking Orkambi.
The NCPE has completed its Health Technology Assessment and this is available on its website. It was submitted to the HSE in June 2016. The NCPE determined, following an evaluation of the economic dossier, that the manufacturer failed to demonstrate cost-effectiveness or value for money from using the drug. The NCPE have confirmed that all relevant costs were included in the analysis.
The HSE has recently completed its most recent round of negotiations with the manufacturer. On foot of this, the HSE’s Drugs Committee, having considered the NCPE recommendation and other expert advice, is in the process of sending its latest recommendation on the cost-effectiveness of Orkambi to the HSE Directorate. The HSE Directorate will then make a decision taking into consideration the manufacturer’s latest price offer. This decision will be made on objective, scientific and economic grounds in line with the 2013 Act.
I share the HSE's disappointment that the manufacturer in this case has maintained a very high price in the course of negotiations in relation to the potential reimbursement of Orkambi for Irish patients.
I appreciate that this is a very stressful time for Cystic Fibrosis patients and their families. However, I want to assure them that I do not consider this to be the end of the process. I would strongly urge Vertex, as the manufacturer in this case, to fundamentally reconsider its position and to table a pricing proposal which can facilitate the provision of Orkambi at a price that will represent value for money for the Irish health service, patients and the taxpayer.
206. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons outsourced at University Hospital Galway for each of the years 2013 to date in 2016 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38995/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
207. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency department attendances at University Hospital Galway for each of the years 2013 to date in 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38996/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
208. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the outpatient waiting times at University Hospital Galway for each of the years 2011 to date in 2016, by year and by speciality and in the wait time bands, up to three months, up to six months, up to 12 months, up to 15 months, up to 18 months, up to two years and more than two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38997/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
209. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on trollies at University Hospital Galway for each of the months of 2015 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38998/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
210. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on trollies at University Hospital Galway for each of the months of 2016 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38999/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
211. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the operating budget for University Hospital Galway for each of the years 2009 to 2016 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39000/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
212. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the capital budget or total capital spend at University Hospital Galway for each of the years 2009 to date in 2016 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39001/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
213. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total agency spend at University Hospital Galway for each of the years 2013 to date in 2016 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39002/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
214. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent nursing positions in place at University Hospital Galway for each of the years 2009 to date in 2016 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39003/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
215. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of beds operational at University Hospital Galway for each of the years 2009 to date in 2016 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39004/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
216. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of outpatient hospital cancellations at University Hospital Galway for each of the years 2013 to date in 2016 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39005/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
217. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient hospital cancellations at University Hospital Galway for each of the years 2013 to date in 2016 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39006/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
