Tuesday, 30 May 2017

Written Answers Nos. 402 - 423

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (402)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

402. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25328/17]

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 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.

Respite Care Services Availability

Questions (403, 404)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

403. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the progress made in recruiting nursing staff for a respite facility (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25331/17]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

404. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the alternative provisions available to service users of a respite facility (details supplied) in County Donegal during the period of recruitment of nursing staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25332/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 403 and 404 together.

I am informed that the Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed that the nursing staff vacancies in Seaview Respite House are to be filled through the national recruitment process.

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 questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (405)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

405. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will issue for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25333/17]

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.

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

Hospital Services

Questions (406)

Bobby Aylward

Question:

406. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the reason persons with type 1 diabetes attending University Hospital Waterford are experiencing a lack of access to dose adjustment for normal eating, DAFNE, carbohydrate counting courses for public patients in St. Luke's hospital, Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25340/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Mental Health Tribunals

Questions (407)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

407. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the cost per mental health tribunal for legal aid provided to the patient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25341/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The current full fee for legal representation of a patient at a mental health tribunal in relation to an admission order detaining a patient for care and treatment in an approved centre is €1,196. The full fee for legal representation by the same legal representative at a subsequent mental health tribunal hearing in relation to a renewal order is €335. Part fees apply in circumstances where a patient's detention order (either an admission order or a renewal order) is revoked prior to a tribunal hearing and some of the preparatory work has been completed by the legal representative concerned.

Respite Care Services Provision

Questions (408)

John McGuinness

Question:

408. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason the proposed temporary respite house for children with disabilities in counties Carlow and Kilkenny, which was due to open in Bagenalstown in 2017, will not go ahead; the status of this project; the alternative respite services that are available to parents for children with disabilities in counties Carlow and Kilkenny in the immediate to short term in view of recent announcements; his long-term plans for a respite house for children with disabilities in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25344/17]

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.

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.

Mental Health Guidelines

Questions (409, 411, 412)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

409. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if section 8 of the Mental Health Act 2001 does not prevent involuntary sectioning of persons with alcoholic use disorders; if the law allows for the involuntary sectioning of persons with substance use disorders and a mental health disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25348/17]

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

411. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the details of the operating clinical guidelines governing the operation of the Mental Health Act 2001 in circumstances in which there is an alcohol or substance use disorder; if these guidelines under the provisions of the Act make a distinction between primary or secondary disorders, that is, alcohol use disorder as the primary problem with a secondary other mental health disorder; if so, if they are in compliance with the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25350/17]

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

412. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if a person with a recent prescription for a psychotropic drug is considered to be a clinical indication of a mental health disorder under the guidelines of the Mental Health Act 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25351/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 409, 411 and 412 together.

Section 8 of the Mental Health Act, 2001 outlines the criteria for the involuntary admission of a person into an approved hospital or other in-patient facility for the care and treatment of persons suffering from mental illness or mental disorder. It states that a person may be detained in such a centre where he or she is suffering from a mental disorder. It does, however, prohibit the detention of a person deemed not to have a mental disorder but who is addicted to drugs or intoxicants or is suffering from a personality disorder. Section 3 of the Act defines “mental illness” as being a state of mind which affects the person’s thinking, perceiving, emotion or judgement and which seriously impairs the mental function of the person to the extent that he or she requires care or medical treatment in his or her own interest or in the interest of other persons. The prescription of psychotropic drugs may be taken as a clinical indication of a mental health disorder if it has been prescribed to treat a mental illness.

Substance Misuse

Questions (410)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

410. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the way in which he will ensure legal compliance of operation between different drug and alcohol approved centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25349/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Questions Nos. 411 and 412 answered with Question No. 409.

Mental Health Services Data

Questions (413)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

413. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the number of occasions on which, and the number of persons involved, an attempt was made to involuntarily section a person but the request was refused by the admitting psychiatrist; the reason the request was refused in each instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25352/17]

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.

Nursing Home Accommodation Provision

Questions (414)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Question:

414. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite the allocation of a long-term stay bed for a person (details supplied) in a facility in County Cork. [25356/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Acquired Infections

Questions (415)

Niall Collins

Question:

415. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of preventable deaths that have occurred as a consequence of University Hospital Limerick's ongoing failure to prevent the spread of the superbug KPC in view of HIQA reports in each of the years 2014 to 2016 on the failure of the UHL to comply with hygiene standards. [25371/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Protected Disclosures Data

Questions (416)

Niall Collins

Question:

416. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE whistleblowers on suspension. [25372/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the number of HSE staff who are on suspension is a matter for the HSE, this question has been referred to the Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Care Services Provision

Questions (417)

James Lawless

Question:

417. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health when a care plan for a person (details supplied) will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25376/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services Staff

Questions (418)

Alan Kelly

Question:

418. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if extensions are being given to experienced paramedics who wish to work after 66 years of age. [25384/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The position with regard to the retirement age of the employees concerned is determined by their contract of employment.

With regard to mandatory retirement age in general, this is a public service wide issue. The terms and conditions of employees in the public service is generally a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. In this context an Interdepartmental Working Group on Fuller Working Lives, chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, was established in early 2016 to examine issues from prevailing retirement ages for workers in both the public and private sectors.

The Report of this Group was agreed by Government in August 2016. The report identified a set of framework principles to underpin policy in the area and made a number of recommendations assigned to Government Departments and employer bodies for follow-up. On foot of the recommendations in this report the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has been tasked with reviewing the current statutory and operational considerations giving rise to barriers to extended participation in the public service workforce up to and including the current and planned age of entitlement to the Contributory State Pensions. This work is currently underway and expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2017. Any future proposals will be considered in the context of the outcome of the work of this group.

Health Services

Questions (419)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

419. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25388/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has again been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services Provision

Questions (420)

Robert Troy

Question:

420. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the supports in place for persons who suffer from arthritis; his plans to put further services in place for arthritis sufferers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25396/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy

Medicinal Products Availability

Questions (421)

Jack Chambers

Question:

421. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with the HSE to ensure a drug (details supplied) is available to persons here; his plans to fund or part fund this drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25397/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Disability Services Provision

Questions (422)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

422. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide resources to expand the skills for life programme in County Kerry in view of the fact that there are only two places in the skills for life programme available in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25400/17]

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 matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Administration

Questions (423)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

423. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if there is a transitional payment available to assist with nursing home fees for nursing home support scheme applicants while their applications are being processed and they await funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25403/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their income and assets while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.

The Scheme covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care which are:

- Nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person;

- Bed and board;

- Basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of everyday living;

- Laundry service

The Scheme has a budget of €940 million in 2017, providing support to just over 23,600 people by the end of the year. In order to manage the available funds within the budget throughout the year, a national placement list is operated by the HSE. Funding approvals issue to applicants in chronological order. There is no transitional payment available for applicants whose NHSS application is being processed, however in 2017 the time applicants to the Scheme spend on the placement list for funding should not exceed 4 weeks.