Robert Troy
Question:519. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide respite services in Mullingar, in view of the fact Mullingar currently has no respite services available. [11448/17]
View answerRespite Care Services Availability
Questions (519)
Written answers
The 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.
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.
Hospital Accommodation Provision
Questions (520)
John Brady
Question:520. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the number of portacabins planned to be used at hospitals; the location of each one; the costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11451/17]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE has put in place a National Framework for the provision of temporary alternative accommodation, as just one part of a broad range of measures undertaken under the Winter Initiative Plan 2016-2017. Under the Framework, the HSE has advised that consideration will also be given to managed temporary patient accommodation solutions which are staffed. The next stage will be for a mini-tender to be co-ordinated in the coming weeks to request proposals in relation to temporary patient accommodation solutions.
Decisions in relation to the opening of temporary alternative accommodation in specific locations and information on associated costs will be made based on the outcome of this procurement process and the submissions made by hospitals and hospital groups.
Medicinal Products Reimbursement
Questions (521)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Question:521. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the subsidy for blood testing strips remains in place; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons suffering from diabetes who require very frequent blood testing on a daily basis require these strips; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that to remove this subsidy will result in many diabetics not being able to afford the test strips, which cost €70 per perscription, and will result in more hospitalisation when hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia sets in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11464/17]
View answerWritten answers
Under 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.
Home Care Packages Funding
Questions (522)
Anne Rabbitte
Question:522. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the detail of the distribution of funding for home care packages, which will be divided between hospital and community sectors under the supervision of the head of social care with responsibility for administering the funds for Galway city and county. [11470/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Blood Donations
Questions (523)
Jim Daly
Question:523. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence that was recently submitted to his office by a person (details supplied) in County Cork regarding the Irish Blood Transfusion Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11479/17]
View answerWritten answers
The remit of the (IBTS) is to provide a safe, reliable and robust blood service to the Irish health system and, in this context, they have a range of measures in place to protect both the recipients and the donors of blood and blood products. The practice of not accepting donors who present after clinic closing times is in place to ensure the effective working of the clinic. As well as facilitating the appropriate processing of the blood donations received at each clinic, this practice ensures that the welfare of people who present on time to give blood is not compromised and that donors are dealt with in a courteous and efficient manner.
Given that the practice of the IBTS of not taking blood donations from people who arrive outside the allocated clinic times is centred on the safety of the blood supply for transfusion, providing the appropriate duty of care to blood donors, as well as ensuring the effective working of the donor clinic and its staff, I am satisfied that the current arrangements are justified.
National Children's Hospital
Questions (524)
Clare Daly
Question:524. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if plans for the new national children's hospital will be reviewed in view of the fact that the hospital will be the most expensive children's hospital in the world, according to international data; and if alternative sites will be considered and costed. [11480/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Government decision in 2012 to locate the hospital on St. James’s Hospital campus was made in the best interests of children from a clinical perspective. St. James's has the broadest range of national specialties of all our acute hospitals, in addition to a strong and well-established research and education infrastructure, making it the hospital that best meets the criteria to enable the children’s hospital achieve our vision of excellence in modern paediatric practice. A major milestone was achieved in this long awaited, much needed project when An Bord Pleánala granted planning permission in April 2016 to build a state of the art hospital on a campus shared with St. James’s Hospital, together with two Paediatric Outpatients and Urgent Care centres at Tallaght Hospital and Connolly Hospital. The first phase of construction (site clearing works) on the site of the new children’s hospital began in August 2016 and will be substantially completed within a matter of weeks. The new children’s hospital will open and provide services to children and young people in Ireland in 2021, and the Urgent Care Centres at Tallaght Hospital and Connolly Hospital will open on a phased basis from 2018.
The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) was appointed in 2013 to design, build and equip the new children’s hospital for children, young people and families in Ireland. An internationally recognised design team supported by an experienced Board and Project Team are in place, and have followed best international design, planning and procurement process at each stage of the project. The Project Team, during the design, planning and tendering phases, has constantly monitored the external environment – tracking construction inflation and market costs. The cost estimate for the core construction elements of the new children’s hospital and the Paediatric Outpatients and Urgent Care centres at Tallaght and Connolly Hospitals was prepared in early 2014. This estimate, prepared at a time when annual construction inflation was predicted at 3% per annum, was €650m. The recently concluded tendering process for the main construction works determined the actual market cost of the construction elements of the project. Due to annual construction inflation rising from 3% in 2013 to more than 9% in 2017 and the lengthened project timeline in the planning, design and procurement process, the cost of the core construction of the hospital and Paediatric Outpatients and Urgent Care Centres has increased from the original estimate. The increase reflects the increasing volume of activity in the Irish construction industry which is having a significant impact on construction inflation.
The Final Project Brief sets out the costs and funding proposals for the construction of the core hospital and satellite centres, including VAT provision, risk provision, all fees, decant, external works, enabling costs and project management costs. Importantly, it also includes commercial spaces (underground carpark and retail space), higher education facilities, the Children’s Research and Innovation Centre, and equipment.
While I am not in a position to comment on cost at this stage, I understand that the final construction elements of the project compare favourably to the costs of international projects of a similar size and scale. I intend to bring a Memorandum to Government in the coming weeks on the new children’s hospital. Full details of the costs will be set out in the Memorandum for Government and will form the basis upon which the approval decision will be made. The costs and funding will span the period up to and including 2021 in line with project requirements.
The NPHDB and the Children’s Hospital Group Board continue to work closely with the HSE and the Department of Health to deliver this much-needed world-class hospital. My priority, as I have stated before, is to make progress on the new hospital as soon as possible so we can ensure children, young people and their families have the facilities they need and deserve.
Health Insurance Community Rating
Questions (525)
Eamon Scanlon
Question:525. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the reason previous health insurance cover taken out in other countries, for example, the UK, is not taken into consideration with respect to the lifetime community rating that is applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11487/17]
View answerWritten answers
Our health insurance system is voluntary and community-rated, which means that people who are old or sick do not have to pay more for health insurance than the young and healthy. Since 1 May 2015, young people are encouraged to join the private health insurance market at an earlier age and thus avoid late entry loadings of 2% per annum which may apply at age 35 and older.
Previous periods of health insurance cover in Ireland are taken into account in calculating the loading that may apply to individuals, whereby the level of loading is reduced by the relevant credited period(s). These credited periods apply to community-rated health insurance cover with registered health insurers in this country.
Periods of cover on health insurance plans held outside the State (including the UK) are not taken into account when calculating loadings, as such plans do not comply with private health insurance legislation in Ireland.
Medicinal Products Reimbursement
Questions (526)
Billy Kelleher
Question:526. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason the ten Irish sufferers of MPS IVA morquio disease cannot receive the medication Vimizin for treatment through local hospital based care or home care, similar to children in the UK with this condition and many others on mainland Europe. [11490/17]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines in 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 information submitted by the company). It will take into account such expert opinions and recommendations which it may have sought at its sole discretion, for example from the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).
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).
9. The resources available to the HSE.
The HSE asked the NCPE to carry out a health technology assessment on the cost effectiveness of this treatment. The NCPE completed its assessment and made a recommendation on 8 December 2016. The NCPE determined that the manufacturer failed to demonstrate cost-effectiveness of the drug and did not recommend it for reimbursement.
A summary of the health technology assessment has been published on the NCPE website and is available at: http://www.ncpe.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Web-summary-07-12-2016.pdf.
The statutory process is ongoing.
Commissions of Investigation
Questions (527)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:527. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will extend the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes to hospitals in which infant deaths occurred and in which the circumstances of the child's death, post mortem and burial were not clarified with the parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11494/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) comes within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
The Commission of Investigation was established by the Government to provide a full account of the experiences of women and children who lived in Mother and Baby Homes over the period 1922-1998. This followed the establishment of an Inter-Departmental Group by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in response to the revelations and public controversy regarding conditions in Mother and Baby Homes.
Communication between a hospital and bereaved parents following the death of a child is a hospital service issue. This is a devastating time for parents. The development of appropriate bereavement care is an important step in the overall development of quality maternity services, and this is recognised in the National Maternity Strategy - Creating a Better Future Together 2016-2026. In that regard, the Deputy may wish to note, that in August 2016, I launched the HSE National Standards for Bereavement Care following Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Death. These standards seek to ensure that clinical and counselling services are in place to support women and their families in all pregnancy loss situations, from early pregnancy loss to perinatal death. The standards underline the important role that healthcare professionals play in providing a caring and compassionate response to parents, including that of the bereavement specialist teams which will be established in each maternity unit. The HSE National Service Plan 2017 priorities the implementation of a range of improvement actions across all maternity units, based on the new Standards.
In regard to past post mortem practices, the Deputy will be aware of two Reports by Dr. Deirdre Madden published by my Department in 2006. The first of these reports "Post Mortem Practice and Procedures" inquired into the policies and practices relating to the removal, retention and disposal of organs from children who had undergone post-mortem examination in the State since 1970. In her report, Dr. Madden set out the general facts in relation to paediatric post-mortem practice in Ireland from 1970 to 2000, the way in which information was communicated to parents of deceased children in relation to post-mortem examinations and how these practices might be improved upon for the future.
The second report "Working Group on Post Mortem Practice" considered the application of the recommendations of the first Report to (a) babies who died before or during birth, (b) minors and (c) adults.
Since that time, in March 2012, the Health Service Executive published "Standards and Recommended Practices for Post Mortem Examination Services" and these were circulated to all relevant hospital staff. The overall aim of the standards and recommended practices for post-mortem examinations is to drive high quality services based on best professional practice and current legal requirements.
Nursing Staff
Questions (528)
Robert Troy
Question:528. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his plans to encourage more nurses to work for the HSE as opposed to working for private care companies or emigrating. [11497/17]
View answerWritten answers
During recent engagement between this Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, INMO and SIPTU to avert the proposed industrial action scheduled by the INMO for the 7th March, the management side supplied a joint proposal document setting out a number of specific measures to attract and retain nursing staff. This was done in the context of HSE management having developed a fully funded workforce plan for an additional 1,208 nursing/midwifery posts in 2017. The proposal includes extensive education and personal development opportunities for nurses and midwives to upskill, and a pilot pre-retirement initiative as a method of retaining the expertise of experienced nursing/midwifery staff. It also includes 127 promotional posts for staff nurses/midwives to Clinical Nurse/Midwife Manager 1. The management side is also positively disposed to a proposal from the union side for the restoration of a number of allowances for new entrant nurses and this consideration will be concluded in the upcoming pay talks in the summer.
The above is in addition to the many other initiatives currently underway to improve nursing and midwifery staffing levels throughout the country. The number of nursing and midwifery staff increased by 1,650 whole-time equivalents between December 2013 and December 2016, notwithstanding intense global competition for our nurses and midwives. The HSE has offered permanent posts to 2016 degree programme graduates in order to retain its graduates. The HSE is also offering full-time permanent contracts to those in temporary posts and is also focused on converting posts filled by agency staffing to permanent posts. Its National Recruitment Service is actively operating rolling nursing recruitment campaigns. The HSE ran a 3 day open recruitment event over the Christmas holiday period in Dr. Steevens’ Hospital for nurses and midwives from all disciplines interested in working in the Irish Public Health Service. A further event is scheduled for 31 March 2017. A relocation package of up to €1,500 continues to be available to nurses who return from overseas.
Food Safety Authority of Ireland
Questions (529)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:529. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to recent studies both in France and the United States that cast doubt on the safety of the food additive titanium dioxide, E171, in nano particle size; if he has requested the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI, to re-evaluate the use of this food additive, especially in view of its use in many foods, including confectionary, eaten by young children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11498/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is an independent statutory body which was established under the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act 1998. The Authority works under the aegis of the Department of Health.
The Authority’s key remit is the enforcement of food safety legislation which is carried out on behalf of the FSAI by a network of official agencies through the service contracts programme. The FSAI monitors and reports on these activities and seeks continuous improvement and accountability through a programme of regular audits. The Authority supports Ministers in the development of a well-functioning, robust and proportionate food regulatory framework and provides the best independent scientific advice to underpin policy and risk analysis in respect of food safety.
The use of additives in Irish food is strictly controlled by European Union (EU) legislation which requires that only authorised food additives may be used in the manufacture or preparation of foodstuffs. At European level all additives approved for use in current legislation have been evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) or previously by the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF). All approvals of food additives are kept under review by the regulatory authorities as and when scientific and medical information becomes available on possible adverse effects, not previously recognised or reported.
The FSAI has advised my Department that it is aware of a number of scientific studies linking the ingestion of Titanium Dioxide nanoparticles to potentially negative health effects. The recently reported studies carried out in France and the USA raising concerns about Titanium Dioxide have been brought to the attention of the European Commission and EFSA.
Titanium Dioxide’s use as a food additive (E171) was last evaluated by EFSA in June 2016. Taking all available evidence and data into account, EFSA experts concluded that titanium dioxide in food does not indicate health concerns for consumers, though further studies were recommended to bridge any data gaps on possible effects on the reproductive system in order to enable them to set an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI).
The European Commission is currently calling for scientific and technical data needed to address issues identified by EFSA in the re-evaluation of the safety of titanium dioxide as a food additive. Once this data becomes available it will be assessed by EFSA.
Medical Card Administration
Questions (530)
Pearse Doherty
Question:530. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) had a medical card revoked subsequent to having gained employment following the requisite period of unemployment and despite having engaged with the relevant authorities and having returned documentation and information to the medical card section; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11500/17]
View answerWritten answers
Under 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.
Hospital Beds Data
Questions (531)
Michael D'Arcy
Question:531. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Health the number and proportion of public ward beds occupied by persons with private health insurance in each of the years 2014 to 2016; the number or the proportion of these persons who opted to be treated in a private capacity, incurring the new private bed charge of €813 versus the statutory charge of €80 per night; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11510/17]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Long-Term Illness Scheme
Questions (532)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:532. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if SuperCheck test strips, as used with the SuperCheck two glucometer, are available free of charge under the long-term illness scheme; if not, his plans to make them available under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11516/17]
View answerWritten answers
Under 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.