Written Answers Nos. 890-909
890. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of introducing free access to fertility treatments, including IVF, for persons of childbearing age on the public health system. [34575/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in February 2016, the Health Research Board (HRB) was engaged to conduct a comprehensive review of international public funding models for 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.
891. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of introducing free access on the public service to abortion services in accordance with the Citizens’ Assembly recommendations. [34576/17]
View answerThe information the Deputy has requested is not available at this time.
As the Deputy is aware, the report of the Citizens’ Assembly on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, containing its recommendations, is being considered by the Special Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, which has been formally established by the Dáil and the Seanad for the purpose. The remit of the Special Joint Committee is to consider the Citizens’ Assembly report and recommendations and to report its conclusions and recommendations to both Houses of the Oireachtas within three months of its first public meeting.
The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 currently regulates access to a termination of pregnancy, if a pregnant women’s life, as distinct from her health, is at risk from a threat to her physical or mental health. Delivery of termination of pregnancy under the Act is provided in public obstetric units or, where needed, in large public multi-disciplinary hospitals with critical and intensive care facilities, as part of general obstetric/gynaecological services.
892. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of making access to non-invasive prenatal testing freely available as part of the maternity and infant care scheme. [34577/17]
View answer893. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of making access to combined prenatal testing including nuchal translucency scan freely available as part of the maternity and infant care scheme. [34578/17]
View answer894. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of ensuring universal access to 20-week foetal anomaly scans as part of the maternity and infant care scheme. [34579/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 892 to 894, inclusive, together.
The Maternity and Infant Care Scheme provides an agreed programme of care, free of charge, to an expectant mother arising out of her pregnancy and to her new born baby for six weeks after birth. All expectant mothers who are ordinarily resident in Ireland are eligible to avail of services under the scheme. Women who choose to avail of these services are under the care of both a general practitioner of their choice and a hospital obstetrician. Care can be obtained from any general practitioner who has a contract for the provision of services under the scheme. The scheme provides for 12 ante-natal visits – six to the general practitioner and six to the chosen maternity unit/hospital in the case of a first pregnancy. In subsequent pregnancies, there are seven visits to the general practitioner and five to the maternity unit/hospital. There are also two post-natal visits to the general practitioner – at two weeks for the baby and at six weeks for mother and baby.
Action 63 of The National Maternity Strategy – Creating a Better Future Together 2016-2026 commits the HSE to ensure "...a review of the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme is undertaken, and any necessary adaptations made, to reflect the new Model of Care proposed in this Strategy."
As the questions relate to clinical issues, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
895. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of making pre-exposure prophylaxis available free of charge on the public health service. [34580/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, the question has been referred to the HSE to respond directly to you.
896. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the cost of introducing a minimum wage of €15 an hour for all employees under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34581/17]
View answer897. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the cost to introduce a minimum weekly gross wage of €600 for all full-time employees under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34582/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 896 and 897 together.
I have asked that the HSE respond to you directly on the aspect of the question that relates to public sector employees in the HSE, and in Section 38 agencies under their aegis. This information in relation to Non-Commercial State Agencies under the aegis of the Department, is being sought and will be forwarded to the Deputy when collated.
898. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34614/17]
View answerUnder 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.
899. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34615/17]
View answerUnder 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.
900. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34623/17]
View answerUnder 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.
901. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the arrangements he is making to protect the public interest in the new national maternity hospital; if public interest directors will be appointed to its board and to the board of the St. Vincent's Hospital Group at Elm Park, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34625/17]
View answer902. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if management fees or other fees will be payable by the new national maternity hospital to the St. Vincent's Hospital Group at Elm Park, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34626/17]
View answer903. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the arrangements he is making to ensure that the St. Vincent's Hospital Group at Elm Park, Dublin, cannot raise borrowings on the assets of the new national maternity hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34627/17]
View answer904. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the board of the national maternity hospital will be accountable to the board of the St. Vincent's Hospital Group at Elm Park, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34628/17]
View answer905. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the board and chief executive of the St. Vincent's Hospital Group at Elm Park, Dublin, will have an influence over the policies and finances of the national maternity hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34629/17]
View answer906. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the progress he and his officials have made on the arrangements between his Department, the national maternity hospital at Holles Street and St. Vincent’s healthcare group which he was due to report to Dáil Éireann on at the end of May 2017; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34630/17]
View answer921. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the proposed new national maternity hospital will be retained in public ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34675/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 901 to 906, inclusive, and 921 together.
The Deputy can be assured that there has been extensive engagement between my Department and the St Vincent's Healthcare Group (SVHG) over the last few weeks, to agree the mechanism by which the State investment in the new National Maternity Hospital, on the St Vincent's University Hospital campus, will be protected. Discussions have been led by the Secretary General, and have, I am advised, been very constructive to date.
The discussions have also been very comprehensive and have taken somewhat longer than originally anticipated. As the discussions are not yet concluded, the Deputy will appreciate that it would be premature for me to disclose any great detail at this stage. However, I can confirm that it will be necessary to draw up a detailed legal agreement between the parties which will require further engagement with SVHG, NMH and the Department. It is my intention to bring the terms of the proposed agreement, in due course, to Government prior to approval.
With regard to the governance arrangements for the new hospital, the terms of the Mulvey agreement provide for the establishment of a new company - "The National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC (limited by shares)”. As that agreement was essentially a framework agreement, further work is required to define and clarify issues in the context of the establishment of the new DAC. However it is clear, that the new company will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services.
907. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation for a person (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34632/17]
View answerUnder 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.
908. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34633/17]
View answerUnder 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.
909. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34640/17]
View answerUnder 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.
