Monday, 11 Sep 2017

Written Answers Nos. 948-973

Nursing Staff Recruitment

Questions (948)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

948. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health if all nursing graduates of 2017 will be offered permanent contracts when they graduate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37392/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under an agreement reached with the INMO and SIPTU Nursing earlier this year, management committed to increasing the nursing and midwifery workforce in 2017 to deliver 1,224 additional permanent posts. As part of the Agreement the HSE have committed to offering all graduating nurses full time contracts. I recognise the importance of recruiting and retaining our graduate nurses and on the 27 April I issued a written direction under Section 10 of the Health Act 2004, to the Health Service Executive, in order to emphasise the importance of full implementation of this Agreement.

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the current position in relation to offering permanent contracts to all nursing graduates.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (949)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

949. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure extra home help hours are provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37394/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospital Staff Data

Questions (950)

Jack Chambers

Question:

950. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant positions for doctors in all hospitals in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37395/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Hospital Staff Data

Questions (951)

Jack Chambers

Question:

951. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies in nursing positions in all hospitals in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37396/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Hospital Staff Data

Questions (952)

Jack Chambers

Question:

952. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies in Health Service Executive management positions in all hospitals in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37397/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Hospital Appointments Administration

Questions (953)

John Brassil

Question:

953. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an urgent operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37401/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Hospital Appointments Administration

Questions (954)

John Brassil

Question:

954. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37402/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Hospital Appointments Administration

Questions (955)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

955. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37417/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (956)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

956. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37418/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (957)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

957. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); if he will expedite same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37419/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

EU Regulations

Questions (958)

Kate O'Connell

Question:

958. Deputy Kate O'Connell asked the Minister for Health if inspections are now taking place with respect to compliance of SI 271 of 2016 in view of the fact that the sell-through period deadline for vaping products and e-liquids as set out in same expired on 20 May 2017; if his Department and the Health Service Executive, HSE, have provided training to the environmental health officers that carry out inspections; if the HSE plans to produce an annual compliance report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37421/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Compliance with SI 271 of 2016 European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and related products) Regulations 2016 is a matter for the HSE as the Enforcement Authority for the Regulations. I have forwarded your question to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Home Help Service Data

Questions (959)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

959. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons employed as home help by the Health Service Executive, HSE, in counties Kildare, Laois and Offaly at the end of each of the years 2010 to 2016, and to date in 2017, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37422/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Home Help Service Data

Questions (960)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

960. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons employed as home help through agencies by the Health Service Executive, HSE, in counties Kildare, Laois and Offaly at the end of each of the years 2010 to 2016, and to date in 2017, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37423/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (961)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

961. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an urgent assessment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37424/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (962)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

962. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of unfulfilled community nursing, home help and home care hours (details supplied) at the last count, by county or region, in tabular form [37439/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Obesity Strategy

Questions (963, 964, 965, 966, 967, 968, 969, 970, 971, 972, 973)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

963. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding 1.1 to 1.11 of A Healthy Weight for Ireland obesity policy and action plan 2016 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37442/17]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

964. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding recommendations 2.1 to 2.4 of A Healthy Weight for Ireland obesity policy and action plan 2016 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37443/17]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

965. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding recommendations 3.1 to 3.5 in A Healthy Weight for Ireland obesity policy and action plan 2016 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37444/17]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

966. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding recommendation 4.1 of A Healthy Weight for Ireland obesity policy and action plan 2016 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37445/17]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

967. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding recommendations 5.1 to 5.5 of A Healthy Weight for Ireland obesity policy and action plan 2016 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37446/17]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

968. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding recommendations 6.1 to 6.13 of A Healthy Weight for Ireland obesity policy and action plan 2016 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37447/17]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

969. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding recommendations 7.1 to 7.4 of A Healthy Weight for Ireland obesity policy and action plan 2016 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37448/17]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

970. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding recommendations 8.1 to 8.3 of A Healthy Weight for Ireland obesity policy and action plan 2016 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37449/17]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

971. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding recommendations 9.1 to 9.3 of A Healthy Weight for Ireland obesity policy and action plan 2016 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37450/17]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

972. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding recommendations 10.1 to 10.11 of A Healthy Weight for Ireland obesity policy and action plan 2016 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37451/17]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

973. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the ten steps forward in A Healthy Weight for Ireland obesity policy and action plan 2016 to 2025; the number of priority actions planned to commence in the first year that have commenced; the priority actions which have not commenced in the first year; the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37452/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 963 to 973, inclusive, together.

I am pleased to be able to report to the Deputy on progress with the early implementation of ‘A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP). As the Deputy is aware, this Policy was launched last September under the Healthy Ireland agenda. The OPAP covers a ten year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. I wish to emphasise that every sector of our society has a role in reducing the burden of obesity and the OPAP clearly acknowledges this. The OPAP prescribes 'Ten Steps Forward' and under each step there are a number of actions, some of which have been identified for early implementation. The current position with these steps and early priority actions is as follows:

1. Embed multi-sectoral actions on obesity prevention with the support of government departments and public sector agencies: Plans by my Department to establish an Implementation Oversight Group are well advanced and the first meeting of this cross-sectoral group is expected to take place in the coming weeks. The Minister for Finance has also announced that he will introduce a tax on sugar sweetened drinks starting in 2018;

2. Regulate for a healthier environment: the development of legislation for calorie posting to support people to make healthy choices is underway by my Department. In addition, actions in this area are being progressed through engagement with other Government Departments to support the work of stakeholders involved in planning and developing the built environment.

3. Secure appropriate support from the commercial sector to play its part in obesity prevention: A number of working groups will be established within the overall national oversight structure referred to above - including one on food reformulation. A Code of Practice for food and drink promotion, marketing, product placement and sponsorship has been developed by a working group and will be published shortly.

4. Implement a strategic and sustained communications strategy that empowers individuals, communities and service providers to become obesity aware and equipped to change, with a particular focus on families with children in the early years: A new child obesity campaign is being developed with safe food and the HSE as an important initial action in this area, and this campaign is expected to be launched before the end of this year.

5. The Department of Health, through Healthy Ireland, will provide leadership, engage and co-ordinate multi-sectoral action and implement best practice in the governance of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan: As referred to at step 1 above, the establishment of an Implementation Oversight Group is well advanced. New Healthy Eating Guidelines, Food Pyramid and supporting resources have already been published, disseminated and communicated in 2017, including dissemination of the new Guidelines earlier this month to all primary and post-primary schools. Work has also commenced on developing Healthy Eating Guidelines for the 1-5 year old age group. New Nutrition Standards for schools, with an initial focus on school meal programmes funded by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, have also been developed and will be published shortly.

6. Mobilise the health services to better prevent and address overweight and obesity through effective community-based health promotion programmes, training and skills development and through enhanced systems for detection and referrals of overweight and obese patients at primary care level: A Healthy Eating, Active Living Programme has been established as a Policy Priority Programme within the HSE and a three-year plan for the programme is currently being finalised; the GP contract for the provision of care free to children under 6 years already provides that the Medical Practitioner shall take an active approach toward promoting health and preventing disease through the provision of Periodic Assessments to Child Patients. Assessments involve the recording of age, gender, weight and height, and plotting on a centile chart at ages two and five, and taking appropriate follow-up action, including where appropriate, provision of health promotion advice, brief intervention and support, or referral to specialist services. The next phase of discussions on a new GP contract is underway. The aim is to develop a contract which has a population health focus, providing in particular for health promotion and disease prevention and for the structured ongoing care of chronic conditions. The HSE is also implementing a Breastfeeding Action Plan and a new Making Every Contact Count brief intervention framework was recently launched by the HSE which aims to capitalise on the opportunities that occur every day within the health service to support people to make healthy lifestyle choices.

7. Develop a service model for specialist care for children and adults: I welcome the recent appointment of a National Clinical Lead for Obesity, Professor Donal O’Shea. This appointment will be important in further advancing the implementation of many of the recommendations in the OPAP including the development of a national integrated service model for the health and social care of overweight and obese people and for developing quality assurance guidance for obesity services.

8. Acknowledge the key role of physical activity in the prevention of overweight and obesity: 'Get Ireland Active! The National Physical Activity Plan for Ireland' (NPAP) is one of the key developments arising from Healthy Ireland, and implementation of that Plan is well underway in collaboration with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and a range of other stakeholders..

9. Allocate resources according to need, in particular to those population groups most in need of support in the prevention and management of obesity, with particular emphasis on families and children during the first 1,000 days of life: the implementation of the Healthy Eating and Active Living Plan within the HSE will begin to address this action area, with a particular focus on supporting parents and families.

10. Develop a multi-annual research programme that is closely allied to policy actions, invest in surveillance and evaluate progress on an annual basis; The establishment of the national oversight structure referred to earlier will foster developments under this step of the OPAP.