Thursday, 30 Mar 2017

Written Answers Nos. 212-24

Health Services

Questions (212)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

212. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a mislaid file in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15832/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly

Questions Nos. 213 and 214 answered with Question No. 197.

Hospital Services

Questions (215)

Pat Casey

Question:

215. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the purchase and installation of the robotic da Vinci surgical system in public hospitals in Dublin, Leinster and Munster, by hospital in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15872/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Dental Services

Questions (216)

Pat Deering

Question:

216. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on their application to the HSE for dental work [15874/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (217)

Seán Fleming

Question:

217. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15878/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

This PQ concerns correspondence from an individual representing a group opposed to immunisation against HPV. In this correspondence he expresses concern about the vaccine and it effectiveness in preventing cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. Each year in Ireland around 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 100 die from the disease. All cervical cancers are linked to high risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types. In 2009 the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommended HPV vaccination for all 12 year old girls to reduce their risk of cervical cancer and in September 2010 the HPV vaccination programme was introduced for all girls in first year of second level schools.

There are 2 licensed HPV vaccines available in Ireland (Gardasil and Cervarix). Gardasil is the vaccine used by the HSE in the School Immunisation Programme and is provided free of charge to girls in first year of second level school. Gardasil has been authorised for use across the European Union since September 2006 following a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use at the European Medicines Agency (EMA). It is a fully tested vaccine which protects against the main cancer-causing strains of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV 16 & 18) and will eventually save around 60 lives in Ireland every year. Vaccinated women and girls will still be at risk from other high risk types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer and will therefore need to continue to have regular cervical smear tests.

While no medicine (including vaccines) is entirely without risk, the safety profile of Gardasil has been continuously monitored since it was first authorised both nationally and at EU level. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is responsible for monitoring the safety and quality of all medicines that are licensed in Ireland. The HPRA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in Europe continually monitor adverse events to vaccination. The vast majority of reports received by the HPRA have been consistent with the expected pattern of short term adverse side effects for the vaccine, as described in the product information. The most frequently reported side effects are local redness and /or swelling at the point of injection and fever. These are usually mild and temporary reactions to any kind of vaccination. Fainting has occurred after vaccination with Gardasil, especially in adolescents.

The EMA completed a detailed scientific review in November 2015 of the evidence surrounding reports of two conditions: complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). The Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use concurred that the available evidence does not support that CRPS and POTS are caused by HPV vaccines. It therefore did not recommend any changes to the terms of licensing or the product information for these medicines. On 12 January 2016 the European Commission endorsed the conclusions of the European Medicines Agency, that there is no change to the way HPV vaccines are used, or to amend the current product information. This final outcome by the Commission is now binding in all members states.

I am aware of claims of an association between HPV vaccination and a number of conditions experienced by a group of young women. An illness that occurs around the time a vaccine is given and is already known to be common in adolescence does not imply the vaccine caused the problem. It appears that some girls first suffered symptoms around the time they received the HPV vaccine, and understandably some parents have connected the vaccine to their daughter’s condition. It is important to reassure people that anyone who is suffering ill health is eligible to seek medical attention, and to access appropriate health and social care services, irrespective of the cause of their symptoms. The diverse nature of these symptoms, which can have both physical and psychological causes, are shared by many conditions which has implications for both diagnostic and treatment services. The individual nature of the needs of some children may require access to specialist services and the HSE are currently working to put in place clinical care pathways appropriate to the differing medical needs of this group. As there is no scientific evidence that the vaccine causes long term illnesses, the HPV vaccine cannot be held responsible for these illnesses.

It is important to counter misinformation in relation to the safety of vaccines, and to increase the uptake rates of all vaccines in the State’s immunisation programmes. The scientific evidence is clear and misinformation is causing real harm to those unvaccinated children and adults who develop vaccine preventable diseases, and to people who seek inappropriate treatments for real conditions that are not caused by vaccines. The benefits of HPV vaccines outweigh the known side effects. The safety of these vaccines, as with all medicines, will continue to be carefully monitored and will take into account any future new evidence of side effects that becomes available.

My Department has already sent a reply to the original query.

European Health Insurance Card

Questions (218)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

218. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the percentage of medical costs that is reimbursed to persons who claim under the European health insurance card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15879/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under EU Regulations, all persons ordinarily resident in the EU are entitled to apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC certifies that the holder has the right to receive emergency healthcare during a temporary stay in any EU country as well as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland. This right is guaranteed to all persons who are covered by the public healthcare system of these countries. The European Health Insurance Card holder has the right to receive necessary treatment in the host Member State's public healthcare system on the same terms and at the same cost as nationals of the State concerned.

As the administration of the European Health Insurance Card comes under the remit of the HSE, my Department has asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage

Questions (219)

Dara Calleary

Question:

219. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health when he expects the HSE to make a decision regarding the addition of the diabetes flash monitoring device, FreeStyle Libre, to the reimbursement list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15881/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (220)

Clare Daly

Question:

220. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase funding to develop new residential care facilities in areas identified with a need or an alternative policy to meet identified needs (details supplied). [15884/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

As the Deputy's question relates to service issues, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Psychological Assessments

Questions (221)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

221. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a child psychological assessment will be arranged in respect of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15924/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (222)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an emergency medical card will be issued in the case of a person (details supplied) who previously held such a card and who has no income other than jobseeker's and disability allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15936/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Health Services Provision

Questions (223)

John Brassil

Question:

223. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an ophthalmology appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15940/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Question No. 224 answered with Question No. 203.