Written Answers Nos. 794-814
794. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views in relation to the fact that the legal framework provided for under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 allowing custodial drugs treatment placements as an alternative to standard custodial sentences for suitable candidates has not been implemented; his plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41597/16]
View answerThe Department of Health is primarily responsible for the health related aspects of drug policy. Under the Misuse of Drugs (Custodial Treatment Centre) Order, 1980 (S.I. No. 30 of 1980) the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum, Dublin is designated as a place where persons convicted of certain specified offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977 may receive custodial medical treatment or care.
There are no plans under consideration in the Department for introducing additional custodial drug treatment centres.
Government policy in relation to drugs underlines the importance of providing opportunities for people to move on from illicit drug use to a drug-free life, where that is achievable. In line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Health Service Executive has reoriented the addiction services in recent years so that they are capable of dealing with all substances. The HSE is continuing to develop the spread and range of addiction services to achieve better coverage across the country, especially in areas most affected by the drug problem. Treatment is provided through a network of statutory and non-statutory agencies, using a four tier model of service delivery. The four tier model is based on the principle that drug treatment is best provided at the lowest level of complexity, matching the patient's needs and as close to the patient's home as possible.
795. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1091/17]
View answerCommunity groups may apply for Lottery Funding to help with start up costs to the Department of Health or the Health Service Executive.
796. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the scheme providing free wigs to people suffering from medical conditions leading to hair loss allow for those availing of the scheme to shop around and not be confined to a limited number of shops and outlets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1183/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
797. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a primary medical certificate will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1258/17]
View answerAs 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.
798. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the inspection regime in place to establish the veracity of nutritional information on food labelling; if he will provide statistics on enforcement activity, including numbers of penalties imposed, prosecutions taken and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1424/17]
View answer1248. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the role of his Department in relation to legislating for nutritional information on food labelling; and his plans to make nutritional information compulsory. [1425/17]
View answer1255. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the role of his Department in relation to legislating for nutritional information on food labelling; and his plans to make per portion and consumption information compulsory. [1441/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 798, 1248 and 1255 together.
This Department's role in legislating for nutritional information on food labelling involves discussing and contributing to the formation of policy at EU level. The central piece of EU legislation concerning food labelling is Regulation (EU) No.1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers. This Regulation has been given effect in Irish law by the European Union (Provision of Food Information to Consumers) Regulations 2014 and 2016. These Regulations provide for a mandatory nutritional declaration on pre-packed foods indicating the amounts of energy, fat, saturates, carbohydrates, protein, sugars and salt per 100g/100ml of the food product. This nutritional declaration for pre-packed foods became mandatory from 13th December 2016.
In addition to the above requirements food business operators may also present these details per portion size, if desired. However, portion-based labelling is not mandatory under the current legal framework. Food business operators may give supplementary information on the amounts of vitamins, minerals, fibre and types of fat in the food, if desired.
In general, inspections to assess compliance with food labelling are carried out as part of the routine scheduled official controls in food businesses. In 2015, 66,819 such official control inspections were carried out by Authorised Officers of the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), the Local Authority Veterinary Service (LAVS), the Sea- Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). As part of these inspections in 2015, 11,422 specific checks on food labelling were carried out by Authorised Officers of the HSE and SFPA. Information is not available on how many of these labelling checks specifically related to nutritional labelling.
As stated above, the legislative changes with regard to nutritional labelling are only in force since December 2016 and, therefore, official controls under this legislation have only just commenced. The FSAI is not aware of any prosecutions taken under this legislation since its introduction in December 2016.
There are currently no plans at EU or national level to provide for mandatory nutritional information on a per serving/portion basis.
The National Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016-2025 states that the relevant parties will “Review EU consumer information labelling of food products and with a view to its application in the Irish market.” Furthermore, the Special Action Group on Obesity (SAGO), which consists of a number of stakeholders including representatives from the Department of Health and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), is considering a wide range of actions which could be taken to counter obesity, including labelling.
799. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when children in receipt of domiciliary care will be issued a full medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1468/17]
View answer1315. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health when the necessary legislation will be passed allowing the issuing of medical cards to all recipients of domiciliary care allowance as per budget 2017. [1697/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 799 and 1315 together.
My Department recently received permission from Government to draft the new Bill. 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 card means test at any point in the future while in receipt of DCA. The legislation is currently being prepared and will be 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.
800. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health the status of a medical card application by person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41019/16]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.
801. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied), who is on long-term disability, is no longer receiving nabilone on their medical card. [41029/16]
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 to the Deputy.
802. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41030/16]
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 National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
803. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41031/16]
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.
804. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the reason home care hours in an area (details supplied) are being allocated when there are not sufficient carers available to cover this allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41032/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
805. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the procedures regarding general practitioners (GPs) charging patients for routine blood tests in view of the fact some GPs are now reporting to be charging €25 per test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41035/16]
View answer997. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if full medical card holders should have to pay their general practitioners for blood tests; and, if they have been charged and paid for these tests, can they receive a refund from the HSE or PCRS. [41476/16]
View answer1253. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if notices on charging GMS patients for blood tests, as well as charging itself, are allowed (details supplied); the recourse, other than making a complaint, which is available to patients that have been charged by their general practitioners for blood tests when they are needed and the way a refund can be sought; the action he will take with general practitioners to overcome this issue and barrier to care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1435/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 805, 997 and 1253 together.
Persons covered by the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme should not be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP, or the Practice Nurse on behalf of the GP, which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition. The HSE has addressed this issue and advised GPs, that where the service forms part of the investigation or necessary treatment of a patient's symptoms or conditions, it should be provided free of charge for patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card.
The HSE will fully investigate any reported incidents of eligible patients being charged for such services and will explore all legitimate options to effect an appropriate redress for patients. If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he/she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his/her GP, the that patient may wish to make a complaint to the HSE Local Health Office who will deal with the matter in accordance with the HSE's Complaints Policy. Contact details for all Local Health Offices can be found on the HSE's website.
I have no role in determining what notices can be displayed in GP practices, however, I share the Deputy's concern that in certain instances GMS patients are being charged for routine phlebotomy services. In order to resolve this issues, the provision of phlebotomy services will be addressed in the forthcoming GP contractual review process. Initial engagement with GP representative bodies will commence in the coming weeks.
806. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41036/16]
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.
807. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the hiring process for support jobs such as porters, administrative staff and service staff for a care centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41037/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
808. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if a disability service (details supplied) is still closed; if so, when it will reopen; his plans for the facility in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41038/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
809. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will review a file of a deceased person (details supplied); and if not, the options available. [41039/16]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that I have a limited role in individual cases and do not have access to individual patient files or personal information. In relation to the query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
810. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health when the recruitment process will begin for staff in a primary care centre in Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41041/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
811. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure costs on refurbishment to a hospital (details supplied) since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41051/16]
View answerAs the HSE is responsible for the delivery of health care infrastructure projects, the Executive has been requested to reply directly to you in relation to the total expenditure costs for refurbishment since 2008.
812. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for an occupational therapist for a person (details supplied). [41053/16]
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.
However, 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.
813. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a psychologist for a person (details supplied). [41054/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
814. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that a centre of excellence is established in Saint James' Hospital in 2017 for sufferers of unique narcolepsy disorder; if funds will be set aside and ring fenced for that centre of excellence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41056/16]
View answer817. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the status of the planned national narcolepsy service centre at St James's Hospital and its inclusion in the 2017 HSE plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41066/16]
View answer903. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address the concerns of narcolepsy sufferers here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41281/16]
View answer922. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide funding to narcolepsy units within the HSE for children that have just turned 16 years of age or are due to turn 16 years of age, suffering from narcolepsy due to the pandemrix vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41304/16]
View answer971. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a sleep clinic for a group of persons suffering with narcolepsy (details supplied); if funding will be provided for the provision of this clinic; his views on the situation whereby Ireland is one of the only countries in Europe without a dedicated sleep clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41427/16]
View answer1000. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide the necessary funding to fully staff the national narcolepsy and sleep disorder service in St. James’s Hospital; the supports his Department will provide to families of children and young adults who developed narcolepsy when they were given the swine flu vaccination in 2009/2010 in view of the fact they now begin to transition to adult services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41481/16]
View answer1002. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if there is extra funding being made available for the narcolepsy and sleep disorder service at St James's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41492/16]
View answer1007. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding for the completion of the recruitment and staffing of the national narcolepsy and sleep disorder service in St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8, with particular need to assist those involved with a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41528/16]
View answer1039. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when funding will be provided for the new national narcolepsy disorder service, to be provided in St. James's Hospital, Dublin for victims of the swine flu vaccine who are represented by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41745/16]
View answer1116. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the status of the funding of the centre of excellence for narcolepsy and sleep disorders at St James's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41894/16]
View answer1269. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the data his Department gathered and the findings it has made regarding the side effects of swine flu vaccine on adults and children; if he met a group (details supplied); if not, if he will facilitate a meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1506/17]
View answer1270. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the plans of the HSE to fund a national narcolepsy service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1507/17]
View answer1282. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if funding will be made available for the completion of recruitment and staffing for the national narcolepsy and sleep disorder service in St James's Hospital, Dublin. [1541/17]
View answer1349. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if funding for St James's centre, for persons that attend St James's Hospital with narcolepsy, will be cut; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1921/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 814, 817, 903, 922, 971, 1000, 1002, 1007, 1039, 1116, 1269, 1270, 1282 and 1349 together.
As part of Ireland's response to the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 the National Public Health Emergency Team, following advice from the Pandemic Influenza Expert Group recommended that vaccination against pandemic influenza would be provided to all citizens. Following reports of narcolepsy among children and adolescents who were vaccinated with Pandemrix in Ireland, a National Narcolepsy Study Steering Committee was established to conduct a retrospective population based study in relation to the Irish data. This Committee comprised expertise in the areas of epidemiology, neurology, paediatrics and paediatric neurology.
The study found that there was a 13 fold higher risk of narcolepsy in children/adolescents vaccinated with the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccine compared with unvaccinated children/adolescents. The development of narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination is not a uniquely Irish issue. The results from the Irish data concur with those observed in Finland and Sweden.
As of 16 January 2017, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has received 81 reports with clinical information confirming a diagnosis of narcolepsy in individuals who were vaccinated with Pandemrix (80) and Celvapan (1). The majority of these reports relate to children/adolescents (latest numbers).
My Department, the HSE and the Department of Education and Skills continue to work together to provide a wide range of services and supports for those affected by narcolepsy following the administration of pandemic influenza vaccine.
The HSE's Advocacy Unit acts as liaison with service and support providers and other Government Departments to facilitate access to required services. It is in regular contact with individuals affected and regularly meets with representatives of the SOUND (sufferers of unique narcolepsy disorder). Regional co-ordinators have been appointed to assist individuals by providing advice, information and access to local services.
The ex-gratia health supports include clinical care pathways to ensure access to diagnosis and treatment, multi-disciplinary assessments led by clinical experts, counselling services for both the individuals and their families, discretionary medical cards for those who have been diagnosed have been provided to allow unlimited access to GP care and any prescribed medication, ex-gratia reimbursement of vouched expenses incurred in the process of diagnosis and treatment, including travel expenses for attending medical appointments; physiotherapy, occupational therapy assessments, dental assessments and dietary services all on a needs basis.
Work is underway on the proposed Centre of Excellence for Narcolepsy based in St James's Hospital which will cater for all people diagnosed with narcolepsy, including those diagnosed with narcolepsy after receiving pandemic influenza vaccine. In relation to the queries raised by the Deputies, as these are service issues, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
