Written Answers Nos. 432-457
432. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the current expected wait time for children to receive physiotherapy in Dublin North-Central; and the current numbers of children awaiting assessment for physiotherapy and receiving treatment, respectively. [5705/17]
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.
433. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health when works are due to commence on the new extension to a building (details supplied) in County Sligo; the proposed completion date of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5713/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
434. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health when works are due to commence on the new acute mental health building at Sligo University Hospital; the proposed completion date of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5714/17]
View answerAs the HSE is responsible for the delivery of health care infrastructure projects, the Executive has been requested to reply directly to you.
435. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health if he will give consideration to the inclusion of phase 3c of Naas General Hospital in the revised capital plan during the mid-term review of the capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5718/17]
View answerThe project to be delivered at Naas General Hospital will include accommodation and ancillary services to support the new physical medicine, physical therapy, oncology services and day procedures departments, a duplex (rather than simplex) reverse osmosis filtration system and two lifts. All stages of capital projects, including the design and tendering processes, are subject to review to ensure that the projects deliver value for money. This includes, where possible, 'future proofing' to ensure that capital developments meet not just current standards but that provision is made for additional capacity and/or improved equipping and that these are addressed appropriately. This has resulted in a significant increase in the scope of the project and as a consequence its estimated cost.
Funding will be considered in the context of the future capital envelope for the health service and the overall priorities for future service development in the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. During 2017 my Department will work with the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to conduct a mid-term review of the capital programme.
436. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an emergency hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5722/17]
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.
437. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the position with regard to the certification of cannabidiol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5724/17]
View answerCannabidiol (CBD) is derived from cannabis. However, since it does not have psychoactive properties it is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts.
While I am aware that CBD oil is sometimes marketed as a nutritional or dietary supplement, it should be noted that it is not authorised as a medicinal product in Ireland. Under European and Irish legislation, before a medicine can be placed on the Irish market, the manufacturer must seek an authorisation from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) or, in the case of certain medicinal products, the European Medicines Agency. A determination on an application for authorisation of a medicinal product is based on a rigorous scientific assessment of the application against the criteria of safety, quality, efficacy, legal and regulatory requirements. I have no role in the process of medicinal product authorisation.
With the exception of Sativex, which has been authorised and is indicated for the treatment of spasticity for sufferers of Multiple Sclerosis, no application has been received from any company for any products containing CBD. The HPRA are open to receiving such applications. Elsewhere products containing CBD are undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of a number of medical conditions, including severe, intractable (treatment-resistant) epilepsy.
438. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will re-examine an application regarding a review of a medical card for a person (details supplied). [5729/17]
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 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.
439. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a required operation will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5732/17]
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.
440. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health his plans for the vacant health centre in Rathangan, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5747/17]
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.
441. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to redevelop a training centre for persons with disabilities (details supplied) in County Donegal; when it is anticipated these plans will proceed to construction phase; when it is anticipated the centre will be ready to accept service users once again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5768/17]
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.
442. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if additional funding will be made available as requested by the HSE in its submission to the health Estimates process for respite care services for the Cork and Kerry region, especially for the Tralee and Listowel areas in which there is a huge shortfall in the provision of respite care services; if he will provide additional funding to allow the facility purchased in Listowel by an association (details supplied) for the expansion of respite services to be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5834/17]
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 Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
Budget 2017 includes an increased allocation to the Disability Services Programme to address a number of key priorities in the Programme for Partnership Government. The allocation for disability services will rise to over €1.654bn in 2017, an increase of €92 million on the Budget 2016 allocation.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
443. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract assessment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5836/17]
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.
444. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); if the matter will be progressed as quickly as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5840/17]
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 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.
445. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the State services currently available to those persons suffering from eating disorders and related illness in counties Carlow and Kilkenny who do not have private health insurance; if any provisions have been made within his Department for additional services to be introduced to communities in these counties; his plans to enable children, adolescents and adults in such a situation to access out-of-hours support services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5844/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
446. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the lack of respite care in north County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5852/17]
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 Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
Budget 2017 includes an increased allocation to the Disability Services Programme to address a number of key priorities in the Programme for Partnership Government. The allocation for disability services will rise to over €1.654bn in 2017, an increase of €92 million on the Budget 2016 allocation.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
447. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health when he will next meet a person (details supplied); the issues that will be discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5875/17]
View answerAt this point in time I do not have a meeting scheduled with the named individual.
As Minister for Health, I do have specified powers of appointment under the Acts in relation to the board members, but I have no function in the day to day running of the Company.
448. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time nursing positions at Beaumont Hospital for each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of agency staff at the hospital in 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of full-time nursing vacancies at Beaumont Hospital in 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5876/17]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
449. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health when the six posts of director of midwifery that are currently vacant will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5877/17]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
450. Deputy John Brady 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. [5884/17]
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.
451. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a case involving a person (details supplied) who claims there are oversight issues at a hospital between the HSE and management and who is currently under suspension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5887/17]
View answerThis case has not been brought to my attention. The Incorporated Orthopaedic Hospital of Ireland, Clontarf is a health service provider, which is funded by the HSE under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004 and so such issues would be dealt with between the HSE and the provider in the first instance. My officials have therefore referred the issue to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
The HSE aims to ensure that appropriate systems are in place to effectively manage the services and funding which are provided on its behalf. It has developed a Governance Framework for the purpose of its arrangements for delivery of services by providers funded under Section 38. The Governance Framework provides for national standard governance documentation and administrative processes and it seeks to ensure that both the HSE and the recipient service providers comply with their respective obligations, and that the services delivered provide best outcomes for the service user and represent effective use of public Exchequer funding.
452. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to incorporate the Irish community air ambulance service into the national strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5897/17]
View answerMy Department has been approached by the Irish Community Air Ambulance (ICAA) in relation to a proposed air ambulance service for Munster.
My officials have met with the organisation and I am advised that a number of issues require further consideration and clarification. In addition, to ensuring that any new service will complement the existing service and that the funding model proposed is robust, the clinical governance model for the service will need to be developed in conjunction with the Medical Director of the National Ambulance Service. This requirement is paramount to ensure patient safety.
My Department continues to engage with the ICAA in relation to this proposal.
453. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for physiotherapy for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5900/17]
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.
454. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to address the inordinate delays of ten to 15 working days to register medical card applications and match up additional information to existing applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5903/17]
View answerThe Primary Care Reimbursement Service has a target to have 96% of properly completed medical/GP visit card applications processed within 15 days of the application having been received by the HSE. The current turnaround is 99.67% within 15 days. This refers to applications, again properly completed, that enable an assessor to make a determination on eligibility under the scheme.
The length of time that it takes for applicants to receive a decision on their medical card applications where a fully completed application form was not submitted, depends on how quickly the applicants respond to the subsequent request for additional information. Once the outstanding documentation is received, the assessment is prioritised without delay.
The HSE provides weekly statistics on turnaround times on its website www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/schemes/mc.
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine the issue raised in relation to matching existing information with new applications and will reply directly to the Deputy.
455. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5908/17]
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.
456. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to a request from a school (details supplied) in County Donegal for the provision of a defibrillator; the funding options and appropriate channels through which such a device may be applied for and sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5918/17]
View answerThe decision to install a defibrillator is made at local school level and is a matter for the board of management of each individual school. Applications to the HSE for lottery funding to help with the purchase of defibrillators may be made.
One of the means to help improve health outcomes in this area is through the expansion of the National First Response Network. Community first responder groups comprise this national network. These are people from local communities who are trained in basic life support and the use of defibrillators that attend a potentially life threatening emergency in their area. They are then able to provide an early intervention in situations such as heart attack or cardiac arrest by providing, among other things, resuscitation and defibrillation.
Cardiac First Responders (CFR) Ireland, launched in 2015, is the national umbrella organisation for Community First Responders Groups. CFR Ireland works with the National Ambulance Service, Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council and the Centre for Emergency Medical Science UCD. There are currently 141 Community First Responder groups tasked by the National Ambulance Service. If an emergency 999/112 call for cardiac arrest, choking, chest pain or breathing difficulties is made to the National Ambulance Service in an area where a CFR group is established, the on-duty CFR member gets a text from the National Ambulance Service at the same time that an ambulance is despatched with location and call details. The First Responder then goes straight to the scene and administers initial care (defibrillation if required) until the National Ambulance Service Emergency resources arrive.
457. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the Mojo programme for mental health for men; if he has considered supporting its expansion; and if he has considered expanding the programme to take in Cork city. [5926/17]
View answerSince the initial pilot was established in 2011 to target the high level of male suicide, Mojo has proven to be a high-quality, evidence-based mental health programme.
The National Office for Suicide Prevention fully funded the first two Mojo pilot projects in South Dublin and Kildare, and has committed some funding to projects in Offaly and North Dublin. The National Office for Suicide Prevention has also funded a Programme Co-ordinator and administrative support. Since June 2016, Mental Health Ireland has hosted the Mojo Programme.
The Mojo Programme itself is a twelve-week programme. In an attempt to address the increasing need for mental health services, a "Mini Mojo" starter programme has been introduced. There have also been initiatives to expand capacity, such as men being trained by Samaritans as 'Mojo' Listeners to offer peer listening service to distressed men. A toolkit has also been designed to guide and inform potential new Mojo groups.
Much of the success of the programme to date has been the immense investment in building and engaging key stakeholders in the community and it is vital that the ethos and structure of the programme is not diminished by a rapid expansion plan. As such any expansion of the Mojo Programme should be measured, sustainable and affordable. The criteria for selecting new projects are based on need, interagency capacity and sustainability. Pre-development work has taken place with consortiums in South Kerry, Sligo and Dublin South Central with other requests from Dublin North Inner City, Fingal, Laois, and West Meath. A formal application has not been received from Cork; if such an application is received it will be processed with the same considerations to need, interagency capacity and sustainability. The Interagency Steering Committee's Practise and Research Working Group will oversee the selection of new Mojo Projects based on the criteria and application form. A detailed outline of the steps involved in the establishment of Mojo Project can be found on their website, www.Mojo.ngo.
