Niamh Smyth
Question:431. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32501/17]
View answerMedicinal Products Reimbursement
Questions (431)
Written answers
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In reaching a reimbursement decision, the HSE examines all the evidence which may be relevant in its view, including information submitted by the applicant. It will also take into account expert opinions and recommendations which it may have sought, for example from the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). In addition, the HSE will have regard to the criteria set out in the 2013 Act, including the cost effectiveness of the item and the resources available.
The NCPE completed a health technology assessment of ataluren (Translarna) in April 2016 and did not recommend reimbursement.
The HSE considered all information related to ataluren (Translarna) and did not support its reimbursement.
The company was informed of this decision and, under the 2013 Health Act, was entitled to make written representations to the HSE within 28 days of the decision having been made. The notice period for applicant representations recently ended and the HSE is now considering the representations received from the applicant.
A final decision can only be made after the representations have been carefully considered.
Ambulance Service
Questions (432)
Billy Kelleher
Question:432. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the date on which the HSE received a report (details supplied) into the structure of ambulance services; and when it will be published. [32525/17]
View answerWritten answers
The report referred to by the Deputy was commissioned by the HSE. While I understand that this review has been completed, the question of when it was received, its publication, and the timing of same, is a matter for the Executive, who I have asked to respond to the Deputy directly.
Orthodontic Services Provision
Questions (433)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:433. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting orthodontic treatment in the north-west region (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32530/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
Mental Health Commission Reports
Questions (434)
James Browne
Question:434. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if training has been provided to staff of financial institutions that are dealing with customers in arrears in line with the Mental Health Commission's 2011 report, The Human Cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32532/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Ambulance Service Provision
Questions (435)
Brendan Smith
Question:435. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide additional resources to improve ambulance services in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32537/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Living Wage Implementation
Questions (436)
Niall Collins
Question:436. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.70 for all employees directly employed or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32564/17]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked that the HSE respond to you directly on the aspect of the question that relates to their public sector employees. In relation to Non-Commercial State Agencies under the remit of the Department, this information is being sought and will be forwarded to the Deputy when collated.
Health Insurance Community Rating
Questions (437)
Eamon Scanlon
Question:437. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce Government levies for private health premiums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32577/17]
View answerWritten answers
Our community rated health insurance market is supported by a Risk Equalisation Scheme, which in turn is funded by a community rating levy payable by insurers on all health insurance policies written. All money raised by the imposition of these levies is paid back to insurers in the form of credits, with the particular objective of keeping health insurance more affordable for older and less healthy citizens. The community rating levy does not contribute to general Exchequer funding, rather it is used specifically to redistribute funds between insurers to meet some of the additional costs of insuring older members.
Each year, the independent Health Insurance Authority (HIA) carries out an evaluation of the market and recommends the level of credits that should apply the following year, taking into account factors such as the changing demographic profile of the insured population and other market developments. The HIA report will be submitted to my Department in October, to inform the level of risk equalisation credits, and corresponding stamp duties required to fund those credits, next year.
Health Services
Questions (438)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:438. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if it is mandatory for a member of staff of a State institution (details supplied) to accompany a resident to a medical appointment; if it is permissible for the resident's next-of-kin to accompany the person alone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32581/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Health Services Expenditure
Questions (439)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:439. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the annual and operational cost in relation to the hospital inpatient inquiry system and its operation by the Economic and Social Research Institute up to the end of 2013 and subsequently by the Healthcare Pricing Office for each of the years from 2007 to 2016, inclusive. [32583/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have referred this to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Occupational Therapy
Questions (440)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:440. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric occupational therapists in CHO area 9 in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32592/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (441)
Barry Cowen
Question:441. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a surgery appointment for a person (details supplied). [32602/17]
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 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.
Occupational Therapy
Questions (442)
Niamh Smyth
Question:442. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 622 of 11 April 2017, if a person (details supplied) is on the occupational therapy priority waiting list; the way in which the person is being prioritised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32603/17]
View answerWritten 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.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Assisted Decision Making
Questions (443)
Micheál Martin
Question:443. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health his plans for the development of independent advocacy services to support vulnerable persons in view of the enactment of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 and the planned Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016; his further plans to prepare for the implementation of the Adult Safeguarding Bill 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32610/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015, which is the responsibility of the Department of Justice and Equality, provides for the establishment of the Decision Support Service within the Mental Health Commission to support decision-making by and for adults with capacity difficulties and to regulate individuals who are providing support to people with capacity difficulties. A Steering Group chaired by the Department of Justice and Equality has been set up to progress the establishment of the Decision Support Service and this work is ongoing.
There are many Departments and agencies involved in the provision of advocacy services and as the Department of Social Protection has the remit for advocacy services for people with a disability, I will refer this matter to my colleague, Minister Regina Doherty, to respond to you directly.
The development of appropriate legislation for the safeguarding of vulnerable adults is currently under consideration. As indicated by Minister Harris during the second stage debate on Senator Colette Kelleher's Adult Safeguarding Bill 2017, the Government supports the principle of providing a legislative basis for the safeguarding of vulnerable adults. This is a broad piece of work that will involve an extensive scoping exercise across a number of different sectors to determine the precise nature of legislation that may be required.
In identifying the major legislative gaps and preferred approach to addressing these, in consultation with other Government Departments and stakeholders, the Government will be in a position to determine the Departments and agencies most equipped to lead on the development of legislative solutions and to implement them.
The Department of Health is liaising with the Office of the Attorney General with a view to asking the Law Reform Commission to conduct a scoping exercise on the nature of the legislation necessary for the safeguarding of vulnerable people and the promotion of their rights. Appropriate implementation and legislative proposals will be developed as this work progresses.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (444)
Mary Butler
Question:444. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when a hip operation will be provided for a person (details supplied) at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32613/17]
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 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.
Health Services Staff Data
Questions (445)
Mick Wallace
Question:445. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of urologists employed by the HSE; the location of each; the average wait times for urologist appointments in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017; if the HSE plans to recruit further urologists; and if so, the locations in which these new urologists will be located. [32614/17]
View answerWritten answers
In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.