Written Answers Nos. 455-75
455. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the publicity in recent days surrounding the possible exemption on the usage of cannabis-based medicines, he will provide clarification on this and the way in which a person would proceed with an application for an exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2818/17]
View answerCannabis is strictly controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977 to 2016 and the Regulations made thereunder.
You will already be aware it is open for an Irish registered doctor to apply for a licence for a cannabis-based product for an individual named patient, under their care. The appropriateness of any particular treatment is a matter between the patient and their doctor, I have no role in this process.
This information has been provided to individuals who contacted my Department for information and has been stated publicly by myself on a number of occasions. However, to date, just one application has been received from a doctor and following review, a licence has been granted to that doctor.
An application for a controlled drug licence for a Schedule 1 drug such as cannabis is a very serious matter and can only be made for a named patient by a doctor registered with the Medical Council. I would expect that an application would be from a doctor actively involved in the treatment of their patient.
The main elements of an application will include:
- An outline of the treatment the patient has received to date and justification from the doctor as to why it is appropriate in their patient’s specific circumstances to prescribe a Schedule 1 drug.
- If the patient’s consultant is not the applicant, the views, if any, of the consultant in relation to the application.
- Details of the cannabis-based product which it is proposed to prescribe and administer to the patient.
- The source of the cannabis-based product.
- The arrangements for the ongoing monitoring and care of the patient once the cannabis-based treatment has commenced.
No other exemption exists in Irish legislation for the usage of cannabis for medicinal purposes.
456. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the progress which has been made concerning the drafting of legislation to establish a new transport support scheme, which will replace the now closed motorised transport grant scheme; when it is expected that this process will be formally completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2820/17]
View answerConscious of the reports of the Ombudsman in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Scheme in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes in February 2013.
The Government is aware of the continuing needs of people with a disability who rely on individual payments that support choice and independence. In this regard, monthly payments of up to €208.50 have continued to be made by the Health Service Executive to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance.
The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Programme for Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme. I can confirm that work on the policy proposals for the new Scheme is at an advanced stage and I anticipate that this will be brought to Government shortly. The proposals seek to ensure that:
- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;
- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;
- Resources are targeted at those with greatest needs; and
- The Scheme is capable of being costed and is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.
The Deputy may be interested to note that people who previously benefited from the now-closed Motorised Transport Grant, may, if they satisfy the criteria under that scheme, be eligible for tax relief under the Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities Tax Relief Scheme. This scheme is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Finance and is operated by the Revenue Commissioners. Details of the scheme can be found on www.revenue.ie.
457. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the information available to him on the incidence of foetal alcohol syndrome over the past ten years; and if he will consider introducing a comprehensive testing and education programme to address this issue. [2823/17]
View answerThe provision of services to prevent and treat foetal alcohol syndrome 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.
458. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange to have a person (details supplied) assessed by the HSE for extended assistance under a scheme. [2829/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
460. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the timeframe within which CORU is expected to validate and register persons who qualified as radiographers outside of Ireland and are seeking the validation due to the fact they have been offered employment with the HSE; if those persons who have applied and are waiting for the validation will be fast-tracked; if there is a backlog in this process; and if so, the action he will take to speed up the process. [2832/17]
View answerDirective 2005/36/EC applies to all European Economic Area (EEA) nationals with EEA qualifications who wish to practise a regulated profession in an EEA Member State other than that in which they obtained their professional qualifications. Its intention is to make it easier for such professionals to practise their professions in EEA countries other than their own but due safeguards are provided in the assessment of the qualification for public health and safety and consumer protection.
The General System of the Directive, into which professions such as the profession of radiographer fall, provides for an assessment on a case-by-case basis of the formal qualifications and professional experience of an individual applicant against the qualifications required to practise in the host Member State and for a final decision to be communicated to the applicant within 4 months of submission of a complete application.
In Ireland, the Radiographers Registration Board at CORU is the competent authority under the Directive for the recognition of non-Irish radiography qualifications for the purposes of registration under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. A similar system for recognising foreign professional qualifications outside the scope of the Directive is also in place under the Act.
As the outcome of a particular application cannot be guaranteed, and given the time lines involved due to the individual nature of each application, CORU’s website advises applicants not to make any travel or employment arrangements which depend on their qualifications being recognised. Likewise, the Health Service Executive (HSE) does not offer any post until candidates are registered with CORU and strongly recommends that anyone interested in pursuing a career in radiography with the HSE commences the validation/registration procedure as early as possible.
461. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health when the funding will be provided for the promised level three hospice unit for the midlands; the timeframe for same to become available for use by patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2843/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
462. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when an operation will be provided for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing a date for this procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2847/17]
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.
463. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for hip surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2848/17]
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.
464. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the total capital funding that has been spent at Our Lady's Hospital, Cashel, County Tipperary between 2008 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2849/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
465. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if patient referrals to the oncology department at a hospital (details supplied) for chemotherapy treatment are currently being made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2852/17]
View answer466. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have received chemotherapy treatment as part of cancer services at a hospital (details supplied) for each month in 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2853/17]
View answer467. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have been referred from the oncology department at Letterkenny University Hospital to Galway University Hospital in order to receive chemotherapy treatment for each month in 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2854/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 465 to 467, inclusive, together.
The Deputy's questions relate to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
468. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be issued with a date for an orthopaedic operation; the reason for the delay in issuing a date for surgery in view of the fact that this is an extremely urgent case; if the person can undergo this surgery in another hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2857/17]
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.
469. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the reason an essential facility for the care of vulnerable persons with dementia (details supplied) run with the support of the Alzheimers' Society of Ireland, at Kilglass, Enniscrone, County Sligo for the past four years will cease to operate from 24 February 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2865/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
470. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the levels of oversight he has regarding the setting out of menus in school canteens; the number of healthy eating and-or food education initiatives his Department is involved in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2868/17]
View answerAs a Minister of State for Health Promotion, I have no role in oversight for schools menus. Issues which occur in schools are a matter for the Minister for Education and Skills. My Department and the Health Services Executive (HSE) continues to support the Department of Education and Skills in the implementation of the curriculum and to improve health promotion in school settings. We will continue to work with the Department of Education and Skills on matters including a whole-school approach to healthy lifestyle programmes including, but not limited to the curriculum, on nutrition, physical activity and exercise, smoking, alcohol, mental well-being and sexual health as was indicated in Action 1.1 of "A Healthy Weight for Ireland - Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016-2015." Under Action point 1.1, it is also intended to develop National Food Standards for primary schools.
This Policy is particularly concerned with overweight and obesity in children and young people. Prevention is the primary focus of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan and preventing children from becoming overweight must form the cornerstone of prevention efforts. It covers a ten year period until 2025 and sets targets to be achieved and actions that will produce measurable outcomes. The first part is set out as the "Ten Steps Forward." Each Step includes a number of priority actions, many of which have already commenced.
The HSE work with the Department of Health and Department of Education and Skills to deliver Healthy Food policy workshops and training to teachers across primary and post-primary schools. In terms of initiatives in schools, the HSE: provides information tools and resources to schools such as 'Eat Smart Move More booklet', reward chart and posters, 'Healthy Lunchbox' leaflets; it funds the Irish Heart Foundation Health Promotion Programme which is rolling out a Happy Heart@School Catering Award in post-primary schools the HSE is in the process of providing all schools with a bi-lingual set of 'Healthy Eating for Life' resources which were launched in November 2016 by my Department. The HSE also provides training for the community based cooking programmes Healthy Food Made Easy/Cook-it which some schools have adapted and integrated into their curriculum for Transition Year students.
472. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if funding will be allocated for two additional full-time consultant respiratory physicians for Beaumont Hospital. [2878/17]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
475. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the cost in 2017 and on a 12-month basis to the HSE of bringing forward the increases due under the Lansdowne Road agreement from September to April; the way in which this cost will be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2900/17]
View answerI am advised by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform that the overall increases for the public service (including the Health Service Executive) are estimated to cost approximately €120 million and will be met from available public resources, taking into account the scope for reallocation of expenditure, while also ensuring that core public services are not adversely impacted as a result of this decision.
I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly with regard to their costs.
