Written Answers Nos. 234 - 251
234. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the full year cost of providing respite care services; the estimated cost of increasing respite care services by 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12592/17]
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.
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.
235. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the full year cost and make up of a community neuro-rehabilitation team and all supports required for the team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12593/17]
View answer236. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the full year cost and make-up of a dedicated acquired brain injury transitional unit and intensive rehab post acute in order to enable persons to return home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12594/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 236 together.
The Health Service Executive's (HSE's) National Service Plan for 2017 contains a priority to finalise and progress implementation of the framework for the Neuro-Rehabilitation Strategy. Full implementation of the Strategy will, of necessity, be a longer term project. The Department of Health has agreed with the HSE that the focus initially will be on implementation in the community, which is in keeping with the Programme for Government commitment.
The HSE has committed to undertake a mapping and gap identification exercise for the country as a whole in order to establish a clear picture of where specialist rehabilitation services are currently being delivered and where the demands are for these services. The HSE's Social Care Division and the Rehabilitation Medicine Clinical Programme will work together to form an action plan, under the HSE's Clinical Strategy and Programme Division. A National Steering Group made up of stakeholders representing all interested parties will be responsible for the governance and implementation of the action plan.
In terms of capital developments, the priority at the present time is the delivery of the replacement accommodation at the National Rehabilitation Hospital. Procurement of the contractor has commenced and it is projected that the contractor will be appointed in Quarter 2, 2017.
Moving forward, it is acknowledged that further investment in rehabilitation services at acute hospital, post-acute and community level is required to meet the ongoing needs of clients all across the country.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive for a detailed, direct reply to the Deputy.
237. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the progress that is being made on implementing the Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion since the publication of this strategy; the number of persons with disabilities living in congregated settings who have been moved to integrated mainstream settings; the amount of funding being allocated for the de-congregation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12595/17]
View answerThe HSE’s report Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion (2011), proposes a new model of support in the community by moving people from institutional settings to the community. The plan is being rolled out at a regional and local level and involves full consultation with stakeholders.
The programme for Government contains a commitment to continue to move people with disabilities out of congregated settings, to enable them to live independently and to be included in the community. In May 2016, 2725 people lived in congregated settings and our objective is to reduce this figure by one-third by 2021 and ultimately, to eliminate all congregated settings.
The HSE has established a subgroup, under ‘Transforming Lives’, the Programme to implement the recommendations of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services, which is developing an implementation plan for moving people from institutions. I welcome the fact that the needs of people moving from congregated settings will be fully taken into account during this process as the model of care for individuals will be based on a person centred plan.
At the end of December 2016, less than 2,600 people with a disability were living in congregated settings. The HSE's 2017 National Service Plan has set a target of 223 to move from institutions in 2017. This will ensure that people are able to move out of congregated settings, and into their own homes in the community. I want to emphasise that the appropriate supports and resources are being put in place to ensure that people are supported as they move out of residential centres.
In addition, I am pleased to note that the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government (DHPCLG) is providing funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) to provide suitable accommodation for people transitioning from institutions in 2017. CAS funding will also be available to provide housing for people with disabilities in the community more generally that is not specifically targeted at deinstitutionalisation
This demonstrates the joined up commitment of both Departments to support the de-congregation programme.
As the HSE is responsible for leading out on the recommendations on Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
238. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when medical equipment will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12599/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
239. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when hip replacement surgery will be carried out at Tallaght Hospital for a person (details supplied). [12634/17]
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.
240. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [12635/17]
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.
241. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be admitted for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12638/17]
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.
242. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when an operation will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12640/17]
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.
245. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application to the HSE for equipment by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12661/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
246. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the financial assistance available to persons who have to travel to Germany to have Lyme disease treated; the financial support available for Lyme disease patients that require ongoing medical treatment and medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12662/17]
View answerLyme disease (also known as Lyme borreliosis or LB) is an infection caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi that is transmitted to humans by bites from ticks infected with the bacteria. The infection is generally mild affecting only the skin, but can occasionally be more severe. Lyme disease is the commonest cause of tick-borne infection in Europe.
Lyme disease can be very successfully treated using common antibiotics. These antibiotics are effective at clearing the rash and helping to prevent the development of complications. Antibiotics are generally given for up to three weeks. If complications develop, intravenous antibiotics may be considered. In Ireland, treatment by most clinicians is based on that laid out in evidence-based guidelines for the management of patients with Lyme disease, human granulocytic anaplasmosis (formerly known as human granulocytic ehrlichiosis), and babesiosis published by the Infectious Diseases Society of America in 2006.
A Lyme Borreliosis Sub-Committee of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been established to look at methods of raising awareness especially in those areas (including recreation areas) where Lyme carrying ticks can be most expected to be found. The aim of this Sub-Committee is to develop strategies to undertake primary prevention in order to minimise the harm caused by Lyme Borreliosis in Ireland. The membership of the Sub-Committee includes specialists in Public Health Medicine, Consultants in Infectious Diseases, Clinical Microbiology, Occupational Health, an Entomologist from the Parks and Wildlife Service, a representative from the Local Government Management Agency, an Environmental Health Officer, and a member of Tick Talk who has been invited to be the patient representative on the Sub-Committee. The initial work stream involves a survey of laboratory methods for the diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis in Ireland, the development of Lyme borreliosis guidance for general practitioners, the publication of medical media articles to highlight diagnostics and laboratory methods relating to Lyme borreliosis available in Ireland for general practitioners, and ongoing work in drawing together the Final Report of the Sub-Committee.
As the services referred to in the question are available in Ireland there is no requirement for people to travel to other countries for diagnosis or treatment.
247. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to develop new services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12695/17]
View answerThe provision of services to prevent and treat addiction to alcohol is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive and as such, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply.
248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a tonsillectomy procedure will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12717/17]
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.
249. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the process regarding granting a licence to access medicinal cannabis; the criteria he is using to decide on licences granted; if he will grant a licence for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12741/17]
View answerI hope you will understand that I cannot go into any detail relating to an individual.
Cannabis is strictly controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977 to 2016 and the Regulations made thereunder.
You will already be aware, it remains open to me as the Minister for Health to grant a licence under the Misuse of Drugs Act for access to cannabis for medical purposes in individual cases. Such applications will be considered on a case by case basis. The granting of a licence must, however, be premised on an appropriate application being submitted to the Department of Health, which is endorsed by a consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient and who is prepared to monitor the effects of the treatment over time.
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 the Oireachtas and is also contained in a recent Department of Health Press Release which outlines the advice provided by the Chief Medical Officer to me in relation to the use of cannabis for medical reasons.
The main elements of a licence application are expected to 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.
250. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of persons under 18 years of age on waiting lists to access child and adolescent mental health services following a referral by a general practitioner, by CHO and in tabular form; if he will provide details of those waiting three months, six months, nine months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months and more than 18 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12742/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
251. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of Social Workers Registration Board applicants which were successfully registered for each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; the number of applicants that had their application refused; the number of applications who were voluntarily withdrawn by the applicant; the number of applications which were removed from the registration process prior to completing registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12743/17]
View answerIn accordance with the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, the processing of applications for registration as a social worker is a matter for the Social Workers' Registration Board. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the board for direct reply.
