Written Answers Nos. 139-158
139. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of Ministers of State attached to his Department; the responsibilities of each; if designated powers have been signed by him and assigned to the relevant Ministers of State; the date on which each designation was signed; the reason in circumstances in which no such designation has been made, this has not occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40801/17]
View answerI have delegated responsibilities to the three Ministers of State assigned to my Department as follows:
Finian McGrath T.D., Minister of State for Disabilities at my Department, has been delegated responsibility for all legislation, policy and funding relating to the provision of specialist health and personal social services to persons with a disability. The Order S.I. No. 335 of 2017 Health (Delegation of Ministerial Functions)(No. 2) Order 2017 delegating these functions was signed by the Taoiseach on the 18 July 2017.
Catherine Byrne T.D., Minister of State has been delegated responsibility for Communities, the National Drugs Strategy and Health Promotion. The Order S.I. No. 339 of 2017 Health (Delegation of Ministerial Functions)(No. 4) Order 2017 delegating these functions was signed by the Taoiseach on 18 July 2017. I have also assigned responsibility for Social Inclusion issues to Minister Byrne on a non-statutory basis.
Jim Daly T.D., Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People has been delegated responsibility for all legislation, policy and funding relating to the provision of mental health services for adults, children and adolescents, including the strategy on suicide prevention. Minister Daly will also be responsible for all services for older people, including the Nursing Support Scheme. The Order S.I. No. 340 of 2017 Health (Delegation of Ministerial Functions)(No. 3) Order 2017 delegating these functions was signed by the Taoiseach on 18 July 2017.
140. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the transfer arrangements for public health nurses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40810/17]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
141. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when a replacement scheme will be announced for the motorised transport grant and the mobility allowance in view of the fact that this has been discussed for the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40814/17]
View answerConscious of the reports of the Ombudsman in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Scheme in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes in February 2013.
The Government is aware of the continuing needs of people with a disability who rely on individual payments that support choice and independence. In this regard, monthly payments of up to €208.50 have continued to be made by the Health Service Executive to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance.
The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health and the Programme for a Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme. I can confirm that work on the policy proposals for the new Scheme is at an advanced stage. The proposals seek to ensure that:
- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;
- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;
- Resources are targeted at those with greatest needs; and
- The Scheme is capable of being costed and is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.
The next step is to seek Government approval to the drafting of a Bill for the new Scheme
142. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of fair deal beds in CH08 by county; the annual cost of same by county; the number of contracted beds in CH08 by county; the cost of each contracted bed; the additional costs for contracted beds; the private nursing homes by county providing contracted beds; and the annual cost of contracted beds by county in tabular form. [40831/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
143. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the detail of the management structure and or organisational chart for CH08 by each pillar, including primary care, mental health, social care, health and well-being; and the annual costs of same by pay and non-pay categories. [40832/17]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
144. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health when a position (details supplied) will be filled. [40837/17]
View answerIn relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
145. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 535 of 20 September 2017, if his attention has been drawn to the impact that the changes of the prescribing of Lidocaine have had on persons with fibromyalgia; if the HSE medicines management programme has investigated the impact that changes to the prescription of pain medication has on persons with fibromyalgia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40839/17]
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.
146. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the implementation of the national neuro-rehabilitation strategy; if his attention has been drawn to an organisation's (details supplied) campaign and its call for specific investment of €7 million in 2018 to address the underfunding of neuro-rehabilitation services here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40842/17]
View answerThe Health Service Executive Social Care Division and the Health Service Executive Clinical Programme and Strategy Division are working in tandem to progress the implementation of the National Policy and Strategy for the provision of Neuro-rehabilitation Services in Ireland. This is in line with the commitment to publish an implementation plan as outlined in the Programme for a Partnership Government and the commitment in the Health Service Executive National Service Plan 2017 and the Health Service Executive Social Care Operational Plan for 2017.
Given the level of feedback received by the Executive following a consultation process in 2016 in respect of the Implementation Framework, the Framework document needs to be enhanced and expanded by the HSE to ensure engagement of the whole health system, i.e. engagement across the acute hospital, post-acute and community levels of care. The Health Service Executive is committed to publishing a draft Implementation Plan before year end.
The enhanced Implementation Framework will be completed by members of the National Working Group and overseen by the National Steering Group. I am happy to inform the Deputy that the first meeting of the reconstituted National Steering Group was held on Tuesday 26 September 2017.
Full terms of reference for both the National Steering Group and the National Working Group are in development. The terms of reference will provide guidance on the roles and functions of the groups, to ensure that all members have clarity in terms of accountability and responsibilities.
Funding for the implementation of the Strategy will be considered by my Department in the context of the ongoing discussions with the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as part of the Estimates Process for Budget 2018.
147. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of the refurbishment of the HSE property in Drogheda Street, Monasterevin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40847/17]
View answer148. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the amount that has been spent on the refurbishment of the HSE property in Drogheda Street, Monasterevin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40848/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 148 together.
Your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as the management of the healthcare property estate is a service matter.
149. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the long-term plans for the HSE property on Drogheda Street, Monasterevin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40849/17]
View answer150. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE property on Drogheda Street, Monasterevin is not reopening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40850/17]
View answer151. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 351 of 27 June 2017, the reason this Deputy received confirmation that the HSE property in Drogheda Street, Monasterevin would be reopening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40851/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 149 to 151, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
152. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 444 of 14 February 2017, the public hospitals that are resourced with at least one clinical nurse specialist whole-time equivalent that is specific to the HSE’s outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy OPAT programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40854/17]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
153. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 444 of 14 February 2017, the number of persons that were IV antibiotic inpatients in each public hospital in 2016; the number of hospital bed days that were taken up by IV antibiotic inpatients in each public hospital in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40855/17]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
154. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 444 of 14 February 2017, the number of persons that were community-based IV antibiotic patients via the OPAT programme; the number of persons on the self-care OPAT programme; the number on the nurse led OPAT programme; the number of hospital bed days that these groups of persons accounted for in 2016, by hospital, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40856/17]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
155. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40871/17]
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.
156. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 466 of 20 September 2017, if the 2015 circular on sleepover pay rates and its funding in the 2015 service plan applies to all HSE-funded section 38 and section 39 organisations in the sector. [40872/17]
View answerHSE HR Circular 027 / 2014 applies to HSE staff and staff employed by agencies that are funded by the HSE under section 38 of the Health Act 2004 who undertake sleepover duties as set out in the circular.
157. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures he proposes to implement in view of the shortage of nursing personnel at a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40902/17]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
158. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards that have been issued as a result of the new arrangements for persons that have been approved for the domiciliary care allowance arising from the changes in the budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40905/17]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
