Imelda Munster
Question:264. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the actions that are ongoing to recruit paediatric occupational therapists for primary health care services in County Louth. [44906/17]
View answerHealth Services Staff Recruitment
Questions (264, 265)
Imelda Munster
Question:265. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is currently a minimum two year waiting time for paediatric occupational therapy in County Louth; his views on the impact he expects this may have on children that are on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44907/17]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 265 together.
As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Health Services Provision
Questions (266)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:266. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an eye test for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44934/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Insurance Cover
Questions (267)
Niamh Smyth
Question:267. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44955/17]
View answerWritten answers
It is important that a person seeking private healthcare is satisfied as to their level of cover and I would therefore encourage individuals to carefully review their private health insurance requirements when taking out, renewing, or before seeking to make a claim on their medical insurance. This includes which hospitals are covered under which plans.
If an individual wishes to upgrade their cover and to use a benefit on the new plan which is higher than the benefit provided on the old plan, they may have to serve an upgrade waiting period before full cover for this benefit is available. The maximum waiting period that may be applied to any higher benefit on a new plan is 2 years.
The Health Act 1970 provides that all persons ordinarily resident in the country are eligible, subject to certain charges, to all in-patient public hospital services in public wards including consultant services and out-patient public hospital services. Persons can opt to be treated privately on admission to a public hospital, in which case they are liable for the consultants fees and hospital charges arising for that episode of care, whether paid for by the patient or by a health insurer on their behalf.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (268)
Pat Deering
Question:268. Deputy Pat Deering 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. [44960/17]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Mental Health Services Funding
Questions (269)
Pat Buckley
Question:269. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the mental health budget adjusted for population growth and increase in demand by year in tabular form (details supplied). [44962/17]
View answerWritten answers
Funding provided for Mental Health Services for each year for the period 2011 to 2016 is as follows:
|
Year |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Allocation |
712.0 |
711.0 |
737.0 |
766.0 |
791.8 |
826.6 |
|
Spend |
709.0 |
735.8 |
785.4 |
825.0 |
The HSE Mental Health Services expect to spend its full allocation of €853 million in 2017. New developments have been initiated and will continue to be enhanced, along with existing services, in the coming years in line with the Programme for Government and recommendations from A Vision for Change.
Between 2012 and 2017 €140 million additional funding has been provided to the Mental Health Budget, with an addition of €59.1 million announced in Budget 2018, bringing increased investment by the Government to over €200 million, or 28%, since 2012. In addition, the Minister for Health has committed to a further €55 million to be made available for mental health services in 2019.
In relation to the section of the question regarding population growth and increase in demand, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Respite Care Services Funding
Questions (270)
Gerry Adams
Question:270. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the funding that will be allocated to provide respite services in County Louth from the €15 million announced in budget 2018 for the provision of disability services; if funding has been allocated to provide emergency respite services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44964/17]
View answerWritten answers
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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.
Disability Services Funding
Questions (271)
Gerry Adams
Question:271. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the way in which the additional €15 million announced in budget 2018 for the provision of disability services will be allocated; the amount of funding that will be allocated to each CHO area; and the services, programmes or projects that will receive funding from this allocation. [44965/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive is currently in the process of finalising its National Service Plan for 2018, in consultation with officials from my Department. Detailed Operational Plans for the coming year for each of the Executive's service areas, including disability services, will stem from this process.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (272)
Peter Fitzpatrick
Question:272. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44974/17]
View answerWritten answers
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
National Dementia Strategy Implementation
Questions (273)
Brendan Smith
Question:273. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 5 July 2017, the additional services that will be provided in 2018 in relation to the provision of community supports for persons with dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44975/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Health is working with the HSE to prepare the 2018 National Service Plan. Pending agreement of the National Service Plan, I am not in a position to comment either on the funding that will be made available for dementia care or the specific services that will be provided.
An evaluation of the Dementia Advisers employed by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland has commenced. It would be appropriate to await the outcome of this evaluation before considering the appointment of additional advisers. The National Dementia Office is examining the role of Key Worker for people with dementia, a commitment outlined in the National Dementia Strategy. There are a number of potential models and approaches and the NDO is currently identifying these with a view to determining a suitable approach to this action under the Strategy.
My Department secured €2.28 million in funding under the 2016 and 2017 Dormant Accounts Action Plans to support a number of initiatives relevant to dementia. These include the continuation of innovative community based projects for people with dementia, the establishment of Assistive Technology Libraries in each Community Healthcare Organisation, the provision of post-diagnostic supports for people with dementia, further work on the proposed establishment of a National Dementia Registry, and the development of Dementia Friendly Community Groups.
The Department of Health and the HSE are working on a mid-term review of the National Dementia Strategy which will identify the achievements so far and set out the further work that is required to implement the Strategy in 2018 and beyond.
Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage
Questions (274)
Jack Chambers
Question:274. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will include anti-coagulation strips in the long-term illness scheme or the drugs repayment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44983/17]
View answerWritten answers
Under 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.
Assisted Human Reproduction
Questions (275)
Dara Calleary
Question:275. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health his plans to assist families with IVF; if those plans will be brought forward to 2018; if not, the plans in place for those that will need IVF assistance in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44992/17]
View answerWritten answers
On Tuesday 3 October 2017 the Government approved the drafting of a Bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research. Officials in my Department are engaging with the Office of the Attorney General in relation to the process of drafting this Bill.
In relation to the issue of public funding and AHR treatment, I intend to revert to Government by the end of this year with proposals for a potential model of public funding for AHR treatment for the Government's consideration and decision.
As you may be aware, the Health Research Board's (HRB) evidence review of international public funding models for AHR was published earlier this year. This evidence review examines 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.
An analysis of the HRB evidence review will feed into the development of policy options for a potential public funding model for AHR treatment by my officials. This policy options paper will be presented to me by the end of this year and I will then submit these proposals to Government. It is important to note that any funding model that may ultimately be introduced would need to operate within the broader regulatory framework set out in the AHR Bill.
While IVF treatment is not currently provided by the Irish public health service, there is some support available in that patients who access IVF treatment privately may claim tax relief on the costs involved under the tax relief for medical expenses scheme. In addition, a defined list of fertility medicines needed for fertility treatment is covered under the High Tech Scheme administered by the HSE. Medicines covered by the High Tech Scheme must be prescribed by a consultant/specialist and approved by the HSE ‘High Tech Liaison Officers’. The cost of the medicines is then covered, as appropriate, under the Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme.
Questions Nos. 276 and 277 withdrawn.