Written Answers Nos. 611-629
611. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has implemented the 2017 prioritised, health-related actions in line with national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender based violence, 2016 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33874/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
612. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the HSE's implementation of the phased health actions from the second national action plan to prevent and combat human trafficking in Ireland. [33875/17]
View answer613. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the HSE's review of current supports to victims of human trafficking as part of the overall efforts towards monitoring provision of services to victims of human trafficking and identifying areas for improvement. [33876/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 612 and 613 together.
The Government recognises that trafficking in human beings undermines the principles of human rights and dignity. Ireland's 2nd National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking in Ireland sets out Ireland's response to trafficking in human beings over the coming years. It commits to continuing the provision of psychological and health services through the National Referral Mechanism of services to victims. The Anti-Human Trafficking Team in the Health Service Executive provides an individual care plan for each potential or suspected victim of human trafficking.
I have asked the HSE to provide a report for the Deputy on the services provided to victims of human trafficking in line with its obligations under the Action Plan.
614. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex practice policy has now been implemented in each community healthcare organisation, CHO. [33877/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
615. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if each community healthcare organisation, CHO, now has Traveller co-ordinators in place in relation to the provision of mental health services for Travellers. [33878/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
616. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the number of medicines that have had their price reduced as of 1 July 2017 with reference to the framework agreement on the supply and pricing of medicines; the details of each medicine; and the extent of the price cut. [33879/17]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
617. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if online PCRS processing has now been extended to dentists and clinical dental technicians. [33880/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
618. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health when the web based paperless medical card application process to reduce the number of paper based applications will be implemented. [33881/17]
View answerThe web based portal for medical card applications is live and accessible through the HSE website: https://www.sspcrs.ie/portal/medapponline/.
619. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the progress which has been made on considering further recommendations of the clinical advisory group, including conclusions on the assessment of the burden of disease as agreed for implementation by the HSE and his Department. [33882/17]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question refers to operational matters related to the Primary Care Operational Plan it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
620. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has developed a burden of illness assessment tool. [33883/17]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question refers to operational matters related to the Primary Care Operational Plan it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
621. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the additional resources which have been provided to ensure that the assessment process for new medicines is implemented effectively. [33884/17]
View answerThe 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.
622. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if new arrangements for management of GP training involving the Irish College of General Practitioners have been finalised and implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33885/17]
View answerAs GP training is currently the responsibility of the HSE, I have arranged for the question to be transferred to the Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
623. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that have transferred from congregated settings to community living to date in 2017; and the number of additional homes provided. [33886/17]
View answerThe HSE’s report “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion”, (2011) proposes a new model of support in the community by moving people from institutional settings to the community. The plan is being rolled out at a regional and local level and involves full consultation with stakeholders.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to continue to move people with disabilities out of congregated settings, to enable them to live independently and to be included in the community.
The HSE has established a subgroup, under ‘Transforming Lives’, the Programme to implement the recommendations of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services, which is developing an implementation plan for moving people from institutions. I welcome the fact that the needs of people moving from congregated settings will be fully taken into account during this process as the model of care for individuals will be based on a person centred plan.
At the end of December 2016, less than 2,600 people with a disability were living in congregated settings. The HSE's 2017 National Service Plan has set a target of 223 to move from institutions in 2017. This will ensure that people are able to move out of congregated settings, and into their own homes in the community. I want to emphasise that the appropriate supports and resources are being put in place to ensure that people are supported as they move out of residential centres.
As the HSE is responsible for leading out on the recommendations on "Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion", I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
624. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of additional speech and language therapists newly employed by the HSE to date; and the sectors of the HSE in which they are employed. [33887/17]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
625. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of additional occupational therapists newly employed by the HSE to date in 2017; and the sectors of the HSE in which they are employed. [33888/17]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
626. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the locations of the 185 new residential emergency places provided under disability services in 2017. [33889/17]
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.
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.
627. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children's disability network teams established. [33890/17]
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.
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.
628. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of adults with a physical and-or sensory disability in receipt of a personal assistant, PA, service as of 30 June 2017 or the latest date available. [33891/17]
View answer629. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with a disability in receipt of home support services, intellectual disability, ID, autism and physical and sensory disability, as of 30 June 2017 or the latest date available. [33892/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 628 and 629 together.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) is committed to protecting the level of Personal Assistant and Home Support Services available to people with disabilities. In their 2017 National Service Plan, the HSE expects to deliver 1.4 million Personal Assistant hours to 2,357 adults with a physical and/or sensory disability. This is an increase of 100,000 hours on the 2016 target. With regard to Home Support hours, the HSE's 2017 commitment is to provide 2.75 million hours to people with disabilities, which is an increase of 150,000 hours over the 2016 target.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
