Written Answers Nos. 570-592
570. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if a model of care for specialist rehabilitation units has been agreed with regard to the development of high-dependency rehabilitation services for service users with severe illness and complex needs; if a cohort of population for specialist rehabilitation units has been identified; and if he will provide details of both. [33831/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
571. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of new Central Mental Hospital beds for those admitted under section 21(2) of the Mental Health Act 2001 that have opened to date in 2017. [33832/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
572. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of new staff appointed to date in 2017 to support the NFS. [33833/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply in respect of the National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS).
573. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the recruitment and establishment of a CAMHS community-based forensic mental health team. [33834/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
574. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the way the provision of mental health services for persons experiencing homelessness has been expanded in 2017. [33835/17]
View answerAn additional €2 million was made available from the additional €35 million allocated for mental health services in 2016, to address the specific health needs of homeless persons in the Dublin region, with a particular focus on mental health needs. A key requirement was that any mental health supports provided would be developed as part of an overall cohesive response to homelessness.
This funding was transferred to the HSE in 2016 to mainly fund Supported Temporary, and Long-Term Accommodation across 5 different providers (€1.5 million approximately), expansion of In-Reach services (primary care and mental health) to Supported Temporary Accommodation settings (€330,000 approximately) and the expansion of health input into the Housing First Scheme. The €2 million provided in 2016 will continue to be provided in 2017 onwards to fund these additional services for homeless people with mental health and addiction needs.
The HSE National Service Plan 2017 sets out a commitment to improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable in society, including the homeless. Amongst the priority actions for 2017 are to improve health outcomes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, particularly those with addiction and mental health needs, by providing key worker, case management, general practitioner (GP) and nursing services; and to implement the health actions set out in Rebuilding Ireland, Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, on a phased basis, in order to provide the most appropriate primary care and mental health services to those in homeless services and improve their ability to sustain a normal tenancy.
575. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if an agreed Advancing Recovery in Ireland, ARI, contract with each CHO on delivery of programme of education and capacity building to support development of recovery-oriented services is now in place. [33836/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
576. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if all financial assessments are now completed in accordance with legislative timeframes regarding the residential support services maintenance and accommodation contributions and long-stay contributions in each CHO. [33837/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
577. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the review of nationally-funded mental health agencies; when it was completed; the recommendations and findings; the further action which now arises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33838/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
578. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the survey of mental health capital stock to scope future infrastructural needs of services; the key findings from the survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33839/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
579. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of the care pathway for mental health intellectual disability, MHID, patients within the Central Mental Hospital. [33840/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
580. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the initiatives being taken to address the significant shortage of clinical space from which community-based mental health services can be delivered and to refurbish existing approved centres. [33841/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
581. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the services available in each county for teenagers who use drugs or who have a drug addiction. [33842/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
582. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the status of the progress towards providing financial support for IVF treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33843/17]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, in February 2016, the Health Research Board (HRB) was engaged to conduct a comprehensive review of international public funding models for assisted human reproduction (AHR). The completed HRB evidence review was published simultaneously on the Department of Health’s and the HRB's websites on Wednesday 15 March 2017.
This evidence review examines the public funding mechanisms for AHR in different countries. The review looks at the associated costs and benefits for the funder, provider and patient, the criteria for accessing the public funded service and the basis for these criteria in different jurisdictions. The review does not indicate a recommendation or preference for a specific funding model; rather it outlines the pros and cons of such funding models, the different aspects of models in different jurisdictions, as well as the different rationales underpinning such funding models.
The HRB evidence review will be analysed by officials in my Department in the context of considering policy options for a potential public funding model for AHR treatment. It should be noted that any funding model that might ultimately be introduced would need to operate within the broader regulatory framework relating to AHR.
Work on the General Scheme of an AHR Bill is well advanced in my Department and I consider this and the development of policy on public funding for AHR treatment to be a priority for 2017.
While IVF treatment is not currently provided by the Irish public health service, there is some support available in that patients who access IVF treatment privately may claim tax relief on the costs involved under the tax relief for medical expenses scheme. In addition, a defined list of fertility medicines needed for fertility treatment is covered under the High-Tech Scheme administered by the HSE. Medicines covered by the High-Tech Scheme must be prescribed by a consultant/specialist and approved by the HSE ‘High Tech Liaison Officers’. The cost of the medicines is then covered, as appropriate, under the Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme.
583. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the status of progress on legislation to deal with the regulation of surrogacy; the timeframe for this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33844/17]
View answerA draft of the General Scheme of legislative provisions on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated research, which includes provisions relating to surrogacy, has been prepared by officials in my Department. Consultation is taking place with the Attorney General's Office and with other relevant Departments in relation to the provisions in the draft Scheme. The draft General Scheme will be revised, where deemed necessary, in advance of being submitted for my approval.
Once the General Scheme has been completed, a Memo will be submitted to Government seeking approval to draft a Bill based on the General Scheme, as well as permission to publish the General Scheme submitted. If the Government approves the General Scheme it will be submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health for pre-legislative scrutiny.
It is not possible at this time to give a definitive timeline for the completion of the draft Bill and its subsequent passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas. However, work on the General Scheme of an AHR Bill is well advanced in my Department and I consider this to be a priority for 2017.
584. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the status of the delivery of the primary care education, pathways and research in dementia education programme to primary care teams in collaboration with the dementia office and social care services; the number of sites that have been selected for same; and the location of each. [33847/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
585. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of home care packages currently being provided in each LHO. [33848/17]
View answer586. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of intensive home care packages currently being provided in each LHO. [33849/17]
View answer587. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours currently being provided in each LHO. [33850/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 585 to 587, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
588. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of adults who have been deemed appropriate for treatment for substance use to date in 2017 in each LHO; and the number who have received treatment within one calendar month. [33851/17]
View answer589. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of children who have been deemed appropriate for treatment for substance use to date in 2017 in each LHO; and the number who have received treatment within one week. [33852/17]
View answer590. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the review of the services in all CHOs regarding the person-centred care planning processes of the drugs rehabilitation framework reassessment, key working and care planning. [33853/17]
View answer591. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of health service staff who are currently being trained on SAOR screening and brief intervention for problem alcohol and substance use. [33854/17]
View answer592. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of new persons who have been granted access to naloxone to date in 2017. [33855/17]
View answer596. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the increase in addiction residential treatment beds and additional treatment episodes which has been provided to date in 2017. [33859/17]
View answer597. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the development of integrated care pathways and referral pathways from pharmacy needle exchange to other agencies. [33860/17]
View answer598. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the expansion of other paraphernalia such as foil within the pharmacy needle exchange programme to allow clients the option of smoking rather than injecting. [33861/17]
View answer599. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the status of the guidelines and strategic statement on hidden harm. [33862/17]
View answer601. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the current average waiting time from referral to assessment for opioid substitution treatment. [33864/17]
View answer602. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the current average waiting time from opioid substitution assessment to exit from waiting list or treatment commenced. [33865/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 588 to 591, inclusive, 592, 596 to 599, inclusive, 601 and 602 together.
As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
