Written Answers Nos. 367-390
367. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the national landscape strategy for Ireland with regard to the hiring of landscape architects by local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39492/17]
View answerArising from Ireland’s ratification of the European Landscape Convention, I launched the National Landscape Strategy for Ireland 2015-2025 in May 2015. Copies are available on my Department’s website.
The Strategy is being implemented in two phases. The key action in Phase one, as set out in the Implementation Programme, is the preparation of a National Landscape Character Assessment (NLCA). My Department is currently preparing tender documentation for the NLCA. The NLCA will be an important tool to provide data and objective information required to evaluate the current state of the landscape and to underpin effective spatial planning and landscape-centred decision making.
I would note that the primary role of planning authorities and the consultative roles of other bodies and persons in decision-making relating to landscape issues will continue to be governed by the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). One of the objectives of the National Landscape Strategy will be to assist in the achievement of greater consistency in decision making when dealing with issues of landscape via the landscape character assessment process, within City and County Development Plans, at local government level.
The second phase of the strategy under Action 3, following completion of the National Landscape Character Assessment, is the preparation of statutory guidelines on local Landscape Character Assessments for Planning Authorities. The preparation and issuing of these statutory guidelines will be a joint action of my Department and that of my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.
There is no requirement in the National Landscape Strategy for local authorities to hire landscape architects. Its staffing requirement is a matter for each local authority in accordance with its own requirements and resources.
368. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil iarratas faighte ag a Roinn ó Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe maidir le hairgead a chur ar fáil d’uasghrádu bóthair (sonraí tugtha); cén rannóg atá ag plé leis an iarratas sa Roinn; cén dul chun cinn atá déanta go dtí seo maidir leis an iarratas a bhreithniú; cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh ar an iarratas; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [39847/17]
View answerNí miste a shoiléiriú ar an gcéad dul síos nach bhfuil aon iarratas ar mhaoiniú na Roinne faighte ó Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe maidir leis an mbóthar a bhfuil tagairt déanta dó sa cheist atá curtha ag an Teachta. Mar is eol don Teachta, bhíodh ciste airgid ag mo Roinn faoina ndéantaí oibreacha feabhsúcháin ar bhóithre áirithe Gaeltachta i gcomhar leis na hÚdaráis Áitiúla ábhartha. Mar gheall ar thosca airgeadais tá an ciste agus an scéim faoinar ceadaíodh oibreacha den chineál seo ar fionraí anois.
Tuigim, áfach, go bhfuil mo chomhleacaí, an tAire Gnóthaí Tuaithe agus Pobal ag breathnú ar na féidireachtaí chun scéim bóithre áise a chur i bhfeidhm i 2017.
369. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the reason for recent comments on the forthcoming referendum on the eighth amendment being held in June 2018. [39100/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government established a Citizens’ Assembly, in line with its Programme for Partnership Government commitment, to consider a number of matters including constitutional reform. The Assembly first considered the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Article 40.3.3), and submitted its final report, setting out its recommendations, to the Oireachtas on 29 June 2017.
The Special Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution is now considering the report of the Citizens’ Assembly in order to recommend to the Oireachtas the policy direction it should consider on the issue.
Both the Taoiseach and I have previously stated that we envisage a referendum on this issue in 2018.
370. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the reason Ocuvite Lutein is no longer available under the general medical services scheme; if he will reinstate Octuvite Lutein on the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39727/17]
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.
371. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person working for a section 39 organisation, such as an organisation (details supplied), is not entitled to the same pay restorations as his or her public sector or HSE colleagues as provided for under the Haddington Road and Lansdowne Road agreements or entitled to future public sector pay increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39837/17]
View answerUnder section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE has in place Service Level Agreements with voluntary providers which set out the level of service to be provided for the grant to the individual organisation. Any individuals employed by these section 39 organisations are not HSE employees, therefore neither the HSE nor the Minister has a role in determining the salaries or other terms and conditions applying to these staff.
The staff of these Section 39 organisations are not public servants and therefore were not subject to the FEMPI legislation which imposed pay reductions. It follows then that the staff of the section 39 bodies will not be eligible for any pay restoration which is provided for under the more recent Public Service Agreements. It is a matter for Section 39 organisations to negotiate salaries with their staff as part of their employment relationship and within the overall funding available for the delivery of agreed services.
372. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on allowing primary care resource centres to become ambulatory care hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39055/17]
View answerThe Programme for Partnership Government confirmed the Government’s commitment to a decisive shift towards primary care. In this context, in my role as Minister of Health, I am bringing a renewed focus to the development of primary care and my Department's Statement of Strategy 2016-2019 sets out a range of actions aimed at improving health outcomes and the health services over the next the period of the strategy. Amongst the key areas to be addressed in this context are:
- Further development of multidisciplinary primary care teamworking;
- Planning and resourcing the primary care workforce;
- Promoting the provision of necessary infrastructural capacity;
- Development of chronic disease management in primary care; and
- Negotiation of a modernised GP contract.
As the Deputy will be aware significant funding has been invested in the development of Primary Care Centres in recent years; 104 Primary Care Centres are now operational. In addition to the 5 already opened in 2017, a further 10 are expected to open in 2017, and another 13 are expected to open in 2018 with many more either under construction or at advanced or early planning stage.
The development of Primary Care Centres to accommodate Primary Care Teams and, where possible, GPs in the one location is a key enabler for the delivery of primary care services. Primary Care Centres facilitate the shift from acute care towards primary care because of the range of multi-disciplinary services they can provide and the role they can play in keeping people who don't need to be in an acute setting out of hospital.
It is the Government's intention to continue to invest in and expand capacity in the primary care sector, including the remit of services delivered in Primary Care Centres, so that we can keep people well and minimise, as far as possible, the number of patients admitted to hospitals. This requires a focus on health promotion, prevention, early identification and simple and early interventions rather than dealing with episodes as they occur. Primary Care Centres can and are enabling such a focus to be delivered through a range of measures including:
- Multi-disciplinary Primary Care Teams being located in Primary Care Centres providing a range of services such as General Practitioner Service, Practice Nurse Service, Community Nurse Service, Home Help/Home Care Attendant Service, Occupational Therapy Service, Physiotherapy Service, Speech and Language Therapy Service and Social Work Service;
- Provision of diagnostic facilities in Primary Care Centres;
- Utilisation of space within Primary Care Centres for health promotion/prevention activities.
Officials in my Department continue to review and examine the role of Primary Care Centres to ensure that we are harnessing and maximising the potential of Primary Care Centres to meet patients' health needs in local communities and reduce the need for attendance at hospital.
373. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to keep older and newly qualified general practitioners here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39056/17]
View answerThe Government is committed to the continued development of GP capacity to ensure that patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future. I want to ensure that existing GP services are retained and that general practice remains an attractive career option for newly qualified GPs.
Efforts undertaken in recent years to increase the number of practicing GPs include changes to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to accommodate more flexible/shared GMS/GP contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme, allowing GPs to hold GMS contracts until their 72nd birthday, as well as the introduction of enhanced supports for rural GP practices. These steps should help to address the future demand for GPs by enticing GPs who may have ceased practising for family or other reasons back into the workforce, facilitating GPs to work past the standard retirement age and encouraging more GPs to work in rural areas.
Separately, the State is seeking to train more GPs to provide GP services to the population. In 2009, there were 120 GP training places and in 2017 there were 170 training places filled. The Government is committed to further increasing this number in future years.
In addition, I have repeatedly emphasised the need for a new GP services contract which will help modernise our health service and develop a strengthened primary care sector, and health service management have already progressed a number of significant measures through engagement with GP representatives in recent years. 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. A new contract should be flexible and be able to respond to the changing nature of the GP workforce. It should also include provisions in relation to service quality and standards, performance, accountability and transparency. I think this will be key in making general practice a more attractive career.
The next phase of engagement on a new GP contract is under way. I am keen to ensure that future contractual terms for GPs would enjoy the support of the broad community of GPs and in this regard officials from my Department and the HSE are engaging with the relevant GP representative bodies in relation to the wide range of matters which will need to be encompassed by the contract development process. The GP contracts review process will, among other things, seek to introduce further measures aimed at making general practice a fulfilling and rewarding career option into the future.
374. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans for a new GMS contract that will represent a new opportunity and reimagine the way in which general practice and primary care is delivered here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39057/17]
View answerThe development of primary care is central to the Government's objective to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost-effective health service. The Programme for Government commits to a decisive shift within the health service towards primary care in order to deliver better care close to home in communities across the country. The development of a new, modernised contract for the provision of general practitioner services will be a key element in facilitating this process.
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. A new contract should be flexible and be able to respond to the changing nature of the GP workforce. It should also include provisions in relation to service quality and standards, performance, accountability and transparency. I think this will be key in making general practice a more attractive career.
Since 2015, negotiations have resulted in a number of service developments including the provision of free GP care to under 6's and over 70's, the introduction of a Diabetes Cycle of Care for adult GMS patients with Type 2 Diabetes and enhanced supports for rural GPs. The next phase of discussions on a new GP contract is under way and officials from my Department and the HSE meet with GP representatives on a regular basis.
I understand that the discussions taking place are wide ranging and definitely ambitious in their scope. I think it is important to acknowledge that, as with any negotiation-type process, and given the range and complexity of the issues to be discussed, the engagement may take some time. While I am of course anxious to see good progress made, it is not my intention to set a deadline for completion of discussions. I look forward to significant progress being made in the months ahead. While there will be challenges for all parties involved, I would hope that everyone will remain focused on our common goal of putting suitable new arrangements in place that will work for patients, GPs, and other health care providers in primary care. I look forward to continued ongoing positive engagement with GP representatives in the months ahead.
375. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite the provision of essential equipment for a person (details supplied). [39061/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
376. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the status of HSE dental services in Ballymahon, County Longford; and if he plans to intervene in order to protect this service. [39087/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
377. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite extra home care hours for a person (details supplied) in order that the person can be discharged from Cherry Orchard Hospital. [39088/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
378. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a wheelchair for a person (details supplied). [39089/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
379. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a soft opt-out model of organ donation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39113/17]
View answerIn July 2017 the Government approved the preparation of a General Scheme and Heads of a Human Tissue Bill. The General Scheme will include provisions for an opt-out system of consent for organ donation. Under this system, consent will be deemed unless the person has, while alive, registered his/her wish not to become an organ donor after death. However, the next-of-kin will always be consulted prior to removing any organ.
One of the aims of the legislation is to make organ donation the norm in Ireland when people pass away in circumstances in which donation is a possibility. The introduction of an opt-out system of consent for organ donation will be accompanied by a publicity campaign aimed at raising awareness of organ donation and encouraging discussion among families of the intentions of family members in relation to organ donation.
A public consultation on the proposed Human Tissue Bill commenced on 28 August. The consultation questionnaire is available online at http://health.gov.ie/consultations and the closing date for submissions is 9 October 2017.
380. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will give consideration to funding an IVF scheme for couples who both carry the cystic fibrosis gene which would remove the CF gene before conception (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39114/17]
View answer391. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a campaign by an organisation (details supplied) for an IVF scheme for couples with the cystic fibrosis gene; his plans to provide supports for those persons undergoing IVF and associated treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39171/17]
View answer443. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been or will be given to the funding of an IVF scheme to eliminate the cystic fibrosis gene for couples affected by this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39451/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 380, 391 and 443 together.
As the Deputies 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 in March of this year on both the Department of Health’s and the HRB's websites.
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 or for eligibility criteria for accessing funding; 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.
An analysis of the HRB evidence review will feed into the development of 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 this comprehensive piece of legislation will encompass the regulation of a range of practices, including pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of embryos. I consider the AHR legislation and the development of policy on public funding for AHR treatment to be a priority for 2017.
381. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of senior executive positions that have been filled annually by the HSE since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39123/17]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
382. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of agencies funded under section 39 of the Health Act 2004 concerning pay restoration; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that agencies which were required to align their staff pay to HSE salary scales over many years and were instructed to reduce pay in accordance with FEMPI have now been informed that their staff are not entitled to any pay restoration as FEMPI is unwound in the public service; if this reflects his own position on the matter; if so, the way in which he justifies it; the number of agencies, the number of staff and the amount of pay involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39135/17]
View answerUnder section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE has in place Service Level Agreements with voluntary providers which set out the level of service to be provided for the grant to the individual organisation. Any individuals employed by these section 39 organisations are not HSE employees, therefore neither the HSE nor the Minister have a role in determining the salaries or other terms and conditions applying to these staff.
The staff of these Section 39 organisations are not public servants and therefore were not subject to the FEMPI legislation which imposed pay reductions. It follows then that the staff of the section 39 bodies will not be eligible for any pay restoration which is provided for under the more recent Public Service Agreements. It is a matter for Section 39 organisations to negotiate salaries with their staff as part of their employment relationship and within the overall funding available for the delivery of agreed services.
The Deputy's query in relation to the number of section 39 agencies involved has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. For the reasons outlined above, information in relation to the number of staff and the amount of pay involved is not available.
383. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who availed of services at a HSE day care facility (details supplied) over the past 12 months; the locations of the surrounding district from which patients attended; and the details of the various services provided at this centre. [39146/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
384. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the reason none of the services has been relocated to the new and under-occupied HSE primary care centre building on the Navan Road in Kells, County Meath, further to the end of services at a HSE day care centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39147/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
385. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health his plans to recruit dental hygienists in CHO1 to address significant waiting times and staff shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39151/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
386. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a primary school dental appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39154/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
387. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if a medical condition (details supplied) is covered under the GMS scheme. [39157/17]
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.
388. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment for an MRI scan in the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly. [39165/17]
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.
389. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adolescents waiting for an appointment for urgent orthodontic treatment in CHO1; the efforts being taken to reduce the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39168/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
390. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adolescents waiting for zero to three months, three to six months, six to nine months, nine to 12 months, 12 to 18 months, 18 to 24 months and over 24 months for orthodontic treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39169/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
