Written Answers Nos. 530-549
530. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for child and adult orthodontic services in counties Laois and Offaly; the number of persons on each waiting list; the number of persons waiting six months, one year, 18 months, two years or over two years for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33730/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
531. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the way in which he intends to address the waiting times for orthodontic treatment in counties Laois and Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33731/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
533. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that are waiting for respite services in counties Laois and Offaly; the number of persons waiting six months, one year, 18 months, two years or two years or more; his plans to address waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33733/17]
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.
534. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE midlands area has submitted a request for additional staff in the area of occupational therapy; if this request will be approved by his Department; the timeframe for a decision on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33734/17]
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.
535. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 373 of 27 June 2017, the number of additional staff that have been requested by the HSE midlands area to address the waiting lists in occupational therapy; the costs of providing the posts requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33735/17]
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.
536. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for additional staff made by the HSE midlands area over each of the past ten years; the number of posts sought by grade and division; the number of posts that were approved by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33736/17]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
537. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to make provision for gambling addiction in the next HSE service plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33738/17]
View answer766. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE-funded beds there are allocated for gambling addiction as a primary addiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34222/17]
View answer768. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he has met with the private health insurance providers to discuss with them extending cover for gambling addiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34224/17]
View answer770. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to make provision for gambling addiction in the next HSE service plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34227/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 537, 766, 768 and 770 together.
People who present to the HSE for addiction treatment for gambling are offered the same range of interventions as those who present with a drug and alcohol addiction, or a mental health concern, including an initial assessment, a comprehensive assessment, and individual counselling. Counselling and rehabilitation services provide care to those presenting with a gambling addiction through one to one counselling, financial advice and onward referral to other services and supports where appropriate, such as Gamblers Anonymous.
The HSE provides funding to a number of voluntary sector providers who, in addition to treating drug and alcohol addictions, also treat gambling addiction. However, it is not possible to identify the number of HSE funded beds that are allocated specifically for the treatment of gambling addiction. According to the National Drug Treatment Reporting System, 208 cases were treated for gambling in Ireland in 2015, the latest year for which data is available.
These addiction services are already covered in the HSE’s 2017 service plan as part of primary care.
I am informed by the Minister for Justice and Equality that his department will proceed with gambling legislation at the earliest opportunity. The preparation of a Gambling Control Bill continues on that basis. However, it should be acknowledged that it will require some significant updating to take account of developments since 2013. The preparation of legislation will be a major and complex undertaking.
In relation to private health insurance providers, under the Minimum Benefit Regulations, 1996, all health insurance products that provide cover for in-patient hospital treatment must provide a certain minimum level of benefits. The key purpose of the Regulations is to ensure the continued availability of the type of broad hospital cover traditionally held as a minimum by the insured population and to ensure that individuals do not significantly under-insure.
Insurers are free to design and sell private health insurance plans, providing the plans comply with the minimum benefits regulations. The Minister has no role to play in commercial decisions taken by health insurers when determining whether to provide cover for any particular procedure or treatment, beyond those specified in the regulations.
538. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of hospitals that have on-site laundries; the number of hospitals that have outsourced laundries since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33752/17]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
539. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the cost of in-house laundries per hospital, in tabular form; the cost of outsourcing laundries per hospital, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33753/17]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
540. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the HSE's plans to invest and upgrade the boiler house and the laundry at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, in view of the near completion of the extension at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33754/17]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
541. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding general practitioners visiting patients on their medical card list in their homes in circumstances in which the person is seriously ill or unable to physically get to the health centre due to a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33791/17]
View answerUnder the General Medical Services (GMS) contract, GPs must be available to provide services in their practice premises or by way of domiciliary visits, as appropriate, for their medical card and GP visit card patients, for 40 hours each week. They must also make arrangements to enable contact to be made with them, or a locum/deputy, for urgent cases outside of these hours. It is a matter for the GP to decide whether it is appropriate to see the patient in his/her surgery or in the patient's home based on the clinical need, social and other circumstances in any particular case.
542. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of residential places that exist for persons seeking to come off drugs and alcohol; the location of each; the number which are private and public; the number which are for drugs rehabilitation; the number which are for alcohol rehabilitation; the number for dual diagnosis; and the number for men and women, respectively. [33793/17]
View answer545. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the amount of money that is spent on the provision of methadone; the number of persons in receipt of methadone currently; the number of persons annually that are engaged with methadone programmes that become drug free including methadone free on an annual basis; the amount of money which is spent on the provision of methadone in the prison service; and the number of persons in receipt of methadone in the Prison Service. [33806/17]
View answer546. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of detox beds that exist for persons seeking to come off drugs and alcohol; the location of each; the number which are private and public; the number which are for drugs detox and alcohol detox; the number for dual diagnosis; and the number for men and women. [33807/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 542, 545 and 546 together.
As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
543. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the drug prevention programmes currently being rolled out in each county; the budgets of each; and the number of persons each engage with. [33803/17]
View answerThe overall objective of the National Drugs Strategy is to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. Periodic reviews of progress across the five pillars of the Strategy are carried out through the Oversight Forum on Drugs, which is chaired by the Minister with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy.
Prevention and Education programmes constitute a significant part of the Government's response to the drug problem, particularly among young persons. Substance use education in schools is provided in the context of Social Personal and Health Education. The Department of Education and Skills's Inspectorate continues to monitor the effectiveness of the implementation of substance use policies in schools through the whole-school evaluation process and the inspectorate system. Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces operate a range of education and prevention programmes, which aim to promote healthier lifestyle choices among young people and other vulnerable groups at risk of problem drug use. In addition, young people at risk of drug misuse can access diversionary programmes, facilities and services and family support.
My Department does not routinely collect the information sought by the Deputy. However, in line with the National Drugs Strategy, departments and agencies report on their annual expenditure attributable to drugs programmes to the Oversight Forum on Drugs. Details of the expenditure from 2011 to 2015, as well as the allocation for 2016, is outlined in the following table.
Expenditure and Allocations attributable to Drugs Programmes
|
Department/Agency |
|
|||||
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
|
Expenditure €m |
Expenditure €m |
Expenditure €m |
Expenditure €m |
Expenditure €m |
Allocation €m |
|
|
HSE Addiction Services |
92.878 |
89.368 |
90.392 |
86.122 |
90.994 |
89.894 |
|
HSE Drugs Task Force Projects |
21.57 |
22.592 |
22.924 |
|||
|
An Garda Síochána |
45.014 |
45.85 |
44.00 |
43.00 |
43.000 |
45.000 |
|
Department of Children and Youth Affairs |
24.987 |
22.73 |
20.31 |
19.548 |
19.548 |
20.037 |
|
Department of Justice & Equality |
18.681 |
18.58 |
18.553 |
18.762 |
19.363 |
21.572 |
|
Revenue’s Customs Service |
15.47 |
14.241 |
14.624 |
16.235 |
17.445 |
18.500 |
|
Department of Social Protection (previously FÁS areas) |
15.634 |
11.859 |
13.434 |
14.063 |
13.900 |
14.167 |
|
Department of Health |
33.554 |
32.376 |
30.524 |
8.28 |
7.323 |
6.995 |
|
Irish Prison Service |
5.20 |
5.00 |
4.50 |
4.20 |
4.24 |
4.44 |
|
Department of Education and Skills |
0.411 |
0.815 |
0.81 |
0.748 |
0.758 |
0.748 |
|
Department of Environment, Community & Local Government |
0.4 |
0.2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
252.229 |
241.019 |
237.147 |
232.528 |
239.147 |
244.272 |
544. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if transport can be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Cork who will be attending an adult day service commencing in September 2017. [33805/17]
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 provision of transport to adults with a disability attending HSE-funded day services is not a core health service, and the HSE endeavours to ensure that all service users access public transport, including rural transport services, if possible. This is in keeping with the principle of mainstreaming with a clear focus on ensuring persons with a disability have access to the normal range of services and participate in community life as far as possible. In general, day service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the Free Travel Pass, so there should be no additional cost burden at an individual level.
When a person cannot avail of a day service because they do not have transport to attend, some transport is provided by disability service providers on a case-by-case basis and as this relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
547. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of the additional 114 assistant psychology posts to deliver rapid access low intensity psychological interventions for young persons that are now in place. [33808/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
548. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of the 20 staff grade psychology posts for services for children in geographical areas in which there are inadequate numbers of posts in place that have now been filled. [33809/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
549. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if a computerised cognitive behavioural therapy programme for young persons has now been provided. [33810/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
