Written Answers Nos. 380-401
380. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if grants are available through her Department for a community group organising a history-based summer school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25775/17]
View answerMy Department operates a fund for Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools which are of cultural importance. The maximum amount of funding per applicant is in the order of €5,000. The closing date for receipt of applications for funding under the Scheme in 2017 is 12 noon on 30 June 2017. Information in regard to this fund can be found on my Department's website at- http://www.ahrrga.gov.ie/arts/culture/grants-and-funding/small-scale-local-festivals-summer-schools/.
It should be noted that Fáilte Ireland and the Arts Council operate more significant funding schemes for festivals which may relevant.
381. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to run an outdoor infrastructure recreation scheme again in 2018 in view of the tight timeframe for applications to the 2017 scheme. [25793/17]
View answerThe Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the necessary maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing recreational infrastructure in rural areas across Ireland.
On 28 April, I announced details of €11 million in funding for the 2017 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme as part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development. Funding will be available under the scheme for a range of initiatives, from small scale local projects to large-scale strategic projects.
The closing date for applications is 31st May for projects with a grant value of up to €100,000, and 16th June for large-scale projects with a grant value of up to €1 million. Full details of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme are available on my Department’s website at http://www.ahrrga.gov.ie/rural/rural-development/rural-recreation/.
It is intended to announce the successful applicants by the end of June, and projects will be expected to commence shortly thereafter.
The question of announcing a further round of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme in 2018 will be kept under review in the context of the annual Budgetary process.
382. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad iad na pleananna atá aici maidir le scéim deontas bóithre straitéiseacha a chur ar bun sa Ghaeltacht chun slí rochtana a chur ar fáil ar fud na Gaeltachta agus ar fud na tíre, os rud é go bhféadfaí maoiniú a fháil dá leithéid de scéim ag féachaint don mhéid airgid atá faoina cúram agus nár caitheadh sna buiséid éagsúla; an dtabharfaidh sí eolas i dtaobh cén uair a d'fhéadfaí a leithéid de scéim a chur ar bun, agus an mbeadh sí sásta gur plean ilbhliantúil a chuirfí ar bun chun déileáil leis an easpa tograí bonneagair i gceantair Ghaeltachta ó cuireadh an scéim ar fionraí sa bhliain 2010; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [25979/17]
View answer383. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad iad na pleananna atá aici maidir le scéim bóithre áise a chur ar bun in athuair chun freastal ar thithe agus bóithre feirme i gceantair Ghaeltachta ar fud na tíre; an aithníonn sí an phráinn mhór atá le scéim den sórt seo chun dul i ngleic leis an gcaoi a bhfuil cúrsaí ag dul chun donais i gceantair tuaithe ó thaobh ísliú caighdeán bóithre sa Ghaeltacht mar go bhfuil na mílte cónaitheoirí neamhábalta an costas a sheasamh maidir leis na bóithre seo a chóiriú chomh fada lena dtithe cónaithe; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [25980/17]
View answerTógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimhir 382 agus 383 le chéile.
Faoi na scéimeanna atá luaite ag an Teachta agus atá ar fionraí anois, bhíodh deontais chaipitil ar fáil chun bóithre sa Ghaeltacht a fheabhsú agus a dheisiú. Bhí sé de chuspóir ag na scéimeanna seo cur le saol sóisialta, cultúrtha agus eacnamaíoch na Gaeltachta chomh maith leis an Ghaeilge a neartú mar theanga pobail sa Ghaeltacht.
Is i gcomhthéacs fhorfheidhmiú na Straitéise 20-Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030, atá áirithe go sonrach mar sprioc i gClár an Rialtais Rannpháirtíochta, a dhéanfar aon chinneadh maidir le hathnuachan na scéimeanna sin.
384. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Health his plans to offer an incentivised pension scheme in critical employment areas, such as nursing, occupational therapy and speech therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25860/17]
View answerI am not aware of any proposals to introduce an incentivised pension scheme along the lines described by the Deputy. In any case the sanctioning of any changes to existing pension arrangements would be a matter for my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
385. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if general practitioners and other medical professionals receive regular training on Lyme disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25269/17]
View answerThe content and composition of curricula and specialist training programmes is a matter for the Medical Council and the recognised medical education or postgraduate training bodies. Under the Medical Practitioners Act, all medical degree courses and specialist training programmes in Ireland are required to be accredited by the Council. As of May 2011, doctors are legally obliged to maintain their professional competence by enrolling in approved professional competence schemes and following requirements set by the Medical Council. In this context, the Council has established a range of professional competence schemes through formal arrangements with the recognised postgraduate training bodies. Schemes are operated by the postgraduate training bodies and have been developed to drive good professional practice, which is centred on patient safety and quality of patient care.
386. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the KnowNow pilot programme for rapid testing of HIV; if this pilot programme will be rolled out across the country; his plans to tackle the rising rate of HIV; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25270/17]
View answer387. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if the pilot rapid testing HIV programme, the KnowNow programme, previously administered through an organisation (details supplied) will be continued; the organisation that will take over the administration of this pilot programme; if there will be interruptions to the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25271/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 386 and 387 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
388. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the status of surgery for a person (details supplied) in Tallaght hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25275/17]
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.
389. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment for a scan at Sligo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25279/17]
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.
390. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his Department signed a contract with the manufacturers of Orkambi; when the drug will be made available to persons with cystic fibrosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25284/17]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
I am informed that an agreement has been confirmed, in principle, between the HSE and the manufacturer for the supply of two cystic fibrosis treatments to Irish patients. These are Orkambi (for patients aged 12 years and older) and Kalydeco (for patients aged 2-5 and certain patients aged 18 and over). The agreement will also include other treatments and age cohorts, following market authorisation in Europe for these.
HSE Leadership has confirmed to the Department of Health that, in line with their statutory responsibilities under the 2013 act, they have decided to add this treatment to the list of reimbursable products.
Both the HSE and the manufacturer are now working to finalise the contractual arrangements and complete approval processes in order to achieve this. This process is at an advanced stage and the HSE is working intensively with the company to bring the contact to a conclusion.
The expectation is that this process will conclude shortly.
391. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite increased personal assistant hours and transportation to school for a person (details supplied) in Lucan, County Dublin. [25285/17]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
392. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status and projected timeframe for the possible introduction of medical cannabis under the supervision of medical professionals; if he will make available information related to this area of interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25288/17]
View answerCannabis is strictly controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977 to 2016 and the Regulations made thereunder.
There are two pathways for medical practitioners to prescribe cannabis-based products containing THC for medical purposes; through the Medicinal Cannabis Access Programme (which is currently being established), and through the Ministerial licence application route.
In February I published the Health Products Regulatory Authority’s (HPRA) report ‘Cannabis for Medical Use – A Scientific Review’. On foot of the conclusions from the HPRA’s report I announced my intention to establish an access programme for cannabis-based treatments, for patients under the care of a medical consultant, for the following medical conditions:
- spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis resistant to all standard therapies and interventions;
- intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, despite the use of standard anti-emetic regimes;
- severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy that has failed to respond to standard anticonvulsant medications.
An expert reference group has been established to develop the operational, clinical and practice guidelines for this access programme. Officials in the Department are also working on secondary legislation to underpin the access programme. This work will take a number of months to complete.
Under existing legislation it is open to me, as Minister, to consider granting a licence under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, for access to medical cannabis for named patients, where the proposed course of treatment has been endorsed by the patient’s Irish-based consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient, and who is prepared to monitor the effects of the treatment over time. One such licence has already been granted under this mechanism.
The main elements of an application submitted under the Misuse of Drugs legislation for a licence for cannabis for medicinal use must 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;
- 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.
Ultimately it is the decision of the clinician, in consultation with their patient, to prescribe or not prescribe a particular treatment for a patient under their care. I have no role in this clinical decision-making process.
393. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health when the recruitment process will commence for staff in a new primary care centre (details supplied); if there will be a position for a dental hygienist; if so, when the position will be advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25289/17]
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.
394. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25290/17]
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.
395. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that private patients are being directed and pressurised to use their health insurance in public hospitals though the insurance is not required for their treatment; if this will cease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25291/17]
View answerThe Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all persons ordinarily resident in the country are, subject to certain charges, eligible for to public in-patient hospital services. Although a proportion of activity in public hospitals involves the provision of care to private patients, the core purpose of the system is to provide services for public patients. Government policy is to ensure there is equitable access for public patients, that the proportion of private activity is appropriately controlled and that the costs of provision of services to private patients are recouped by public hospitals. Persons can opt to be treated privately on admission to a public hospital, in which case they are liable for the consultants fees and hospital charges arising for that episode of care, whether paid for by the patient or by a health insurer on their behalf. Where private in-patient services are provided the daily charges that apply depend on the category of hospital and whether the overnight accommodation was in a single or multi-occupancy room.
There are a broad range of health insurance products available to consumers in the health insurance market, which provide varying levels of benefit. Most health insurance contracts cover the cost of consultant services provided during a hospital stay (an exception to this would be day-to-day or outpatient policies).
Some Private Health Insurers have raised issues in relation to the operational procedures (in particular the use of the Private Insurance Patient waiver form) in place by hospitals for the collection of the private in-patient charges. The detailed operational procedures are managed by the HSE. It is considered that the application of these operational procedures should be sensitive to the health status of patients whilst in hospital. The Department has recently conducted an analysis of trends in private activity in public hospitals since the Health (Amendment) Act 2013 commenced. The key conclusion from the analysis is that the proportion of patients treated privately in public hospitals remained very stable over recent years and did not increase significantly further to the introduction of the new charging regime in 2014.
396. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health his plans for reshaping the way in which patients with chronic conditions are cared for in the health system; his plans to engage private hospitals in managing some chronic conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25292/17]
View answerChronic Diseases are largely preventable diseases linked to a set of four common risk factors, namely tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity, and can remain preventable until late in life.
A national policy framework for the prevention and management of chronic disease was developed in 2008. This chronic disease policy framework addresses the challenges of chronic disease so as to reduce the burden for individuals, their carers and the health system. This broad aims of this policy are (i) to promote and improve the health of the population and reduce the risk factors that contribute to the development of chronic diseases and (ii) to promote structured and integrated care in the appropriate setting that improves outcomes and quality of life for patients with chronic conditions.
The framework for action underlines the importance of intersectoral activities for prevention of the emergence of adverse lifestyle factors that contribute to chronic disease.
It addresses the management of chronic disease at different levels through a reorientation towards primary care and the provision of integrated health services that are focused on prevention and returning individuals to health and a better quality of life.
I have asked the HSE to address the operational matters of the question and to respond directly to the Deputy.
397. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the way in which the €30 million earmarked in budget 2017 for waiting list reduction measures in the public system was allocated; his assessment of the effectiveness of this expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25293/17]
View answerReducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018.
In December 2016, I granted approval to the NTPF to dedicate €5m to a daycase waiting list initiative with the aim of ensuring that no patient will be waiting more than 18 months for a daycase procedure by 30 June 2017. In excess of 2,000 daycases will be managed through this process and patients have started to receive appointments and procedures. Specifically, the NTPF has advised that over 300 patients have accepted an offer of treatment in a private hospital and that over 80 patients have received their procedure.
In order to reduce the numbers of long-waiting patients, I asked the HSE to develop Waiting List Action Plans for 2017 in the areas of Inpatient/Daycase, Scoliosis and Outpatient Services. These plans have now been finalised and the details will be communicated imminently. It is expected that the Inpatient / Daycase and Outpatient Plans will considerably reduce the number of patients waiting 15 months or more for inpatient and daycase treatment or for an outpatient appointment. The Scoliosis Action Plan aims to ensure that no patient is waiting more than four months by the end of 2017.
These Plans will utilise both the capacity within the private hospital system through outsourcing, whilst maximising existing capacity in our public hospital system through insourcing within hospital groups. The Plans have been developed in conjunction with, and supported by, the NTPF's proposal for utilisation of the remaining €10m of 2017 funding for patient treatment.
398. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason persons (details supplied) are still on the orthodontic treatment waiting list. [25309/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
399. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) who had two previous appointments cancelled. [25321/17]
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.
400. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the replacement of a person (details supplied) who deals with rare eye disorders in children. [25323/17]
View answerIn relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
401. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the status of the answer to Parliamentary Question No. 465 of 31 January 2017 (details supplied), which to date has not issued from the HSE; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25327/17]
View answerI understand that the HSE has now replied to the Deputy on this matter.
