Niamh Smyth
Question:330. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of the home support package for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51551/17]
View answerNursing Homes Support Scheme Applications
Questions (330)
Written answers
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. In order for an applicant to be eligible for the NHSS they must be deemed to be in need of long term nursing home care during the Care Needs Assessment stage of the application process. As the scheme was particularly designed, including in law, for residential care there are no provisions within the scheme for an applicant to remain at home as referred to by the Deputy in her question.
The Government is committed to promoting care in the community so that people can continue to live in their own homes for as long as possible. There have been calls to extend the NHSS to cover home care services. However the Government is committed to establishing a new statutory scheme and system of regulation for home care services. The Department of Health is currently engaged in a detailed process to progress this.
The statutory scheme for home care will introduce clear rules in relation to the services for which individuals are eligible and in relation to how decisions are made on allocating services. For that reason, developing a new statutory scheme will be an important step in ensuring that the system operates in a consistent and fair manner for all those who need home care services. It will also help to improve access to the home care services that people need, in an affordable and sustainable way. The system of regulation for home care will help to ensure that the public can be confident that the services provided are of a high standard.
A public consultation on home care services was launched by Minister Harris and Minister of State Daly on 6 July and closed on 2 October 2017. The purpose of this consultation was to allow all those who have views on this topic to have their say, including service-users, their families, and healthcare workers. It also allowed the Department to find out what people think about current home care services as well as the public’s views on what the future scheme should look like. Approximately 2,600 submissions were received. A report of the findings of this consultation process will be published early next year and the findings will be used by the Department in the development of the new home care scheme.
The development of a new home care scheme is a complex undertaking which will involve significant legislative, operational and financial resources. A significant amount of detailed work remains to be undertaken before final decisions are taken on the form of a home care scheme and the regulation of these services. This is required if reforms are to be successful, affordable and sustainable.
Stroke Care
Questions (331)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:331. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he has given consideration to the development of a national stroke strategy with multi-annual funding; if and when preparatory work will be done on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51571/17]
View answerWritten answers
The National Clinical Programme for Stroke has achieved much in the last 10 years, modernising stroke care in Ireland while reducing mortality and dependency after stroke. Between 2008 and 2015 mortality rates fell from 19% to 14%, and stroke care units largely non-existent in 2008 are now in 80% of our acute hospitals, with two further units to open early in 2018, at Kerry University Hospital and Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown.
However, many challenges remain with new and significant advances in the medical treatment of stroke, or aging demography and potential increases in the incidence of stroke, training of skilled staff and improving public awareness of risk factors and signs of stroke. To this end the National Clinical Programme for Stroke has set about a process to produce a costed 5 year deliverable strategy for stroke in the key areas of prevention, acute care, rehabilitation and restoration to living. This process is well underway and aims to have a completed document for consideration in the third quarter of 2018.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (332)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:332. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 746 of 7 November 2017, the name, the capacity, the date on which they were established and the aegis under which all accommodation settings in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Meath, Westmeath and Leitrim that provide residential care for persons with an intellectual disability operate; his plans for expansion at the listed providers or of new facilities planned across the five-county catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51572/17]
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.
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.
Hospital Appointments Administration
Questions (333)
Robert Troy
Question:333. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [51575/17]
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.
Hospital Appointments Administration
Questions (334)
Robert Troy
Question:334. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [51576/17]
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.
Speech and Language Therapy Data
Questions (335, 339, 340, 341, 342)
Billy Kelleher
Question:335. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of in-post and vacant whole-time equivalent speech and language therapists in each HSE area in tabular form. [51584/17]
View answerBilly Kelleher
Question:339. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of children aged zero to 18 years on waiting lists for a speech and language assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51588/17]
View answerBilly Kelleher
Question:340. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children aged zero to 18 years for speech and language assessment, by HSE area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51589/17]
View answerBilly Kelleher
Question:341. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of children aged zero to 18 years on waiting lists for speech and language therapy treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51590/17]
View answerBilly Kelleher
Question:342. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children aged zero to 18 years for speech and language therapy treatment, by HSE area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51591/17]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 335 and 339 to 342, inclusive, 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.
Nursing Staff Data
Questions (336)
Billy Kelleher
Question:336. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of in-post and vacant whole-time equivalent public health nurses in each HSE area in tabular form. [51585/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Mental Health Services Data
Questions (337)
Billy Kelleher
Question:337. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of children aged zero to 18 years on waiting lists for an appointment with their local child and adolescent mental health team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51586/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services Data
Questions (338)
Billy Kelleher
Question:338. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children aged zero to 18 years for an appointment with their child and adolescent mental health team by HSE area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51587/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Questions Nos. 339 to 342, inclusive, answered with Question No. 335.
HSE Waiting Lists
Questions (343, 344)
Billy Kelleher
Question:343. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of children on waiting lists for an initial assessment of need to determine severity of a condition or disability from the early intervention teams, by HSE area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51592/17]
View answerBilly Kelleher
Question:344. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children aged zero to 18 years for an initial assessment of need from the early intervention teams, by HSE area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51593/17]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 and 344 together.
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.