Thursday, 14 Dec 2017

Written Answers Nos. 512-524

EU Investigations

Questions (512)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

512. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the results of the state of health in the EU report; his views on its criticism of the two-tier model of care and the high hospitalisation rates for conditions that should normally be treated in primary care settings; his plans to address these issues through the full implementation of Sláintecare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54182/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The State of Health in the EU report was published at the end of November by the European Commission. The publishing of this particular report is timely as my Department are currently considering the recommendations of the Sláintecare report so as to provide a response and draft implementation plan to me by the end of the year.

I welcome the details provided in Ireland’s Country Health Profile which acknowledges that the health status of Irish people has improved and more rapidly than in many other EU countries. It also notes the progress we have made in reductions in smoking and alcohol consumption – leading causes of chronic disease in Ireland. It also lists details of our increasing life expectancy but notes that as our older population increases, prevalence of chronic disease among this age cohort will increase.

The State of Health in the EU report also highlights the fact that a significant proportion of the population have voluntary private health insurance. It further notes that this can give private patients access to diagnostics and hospital treatments in public hospitals faster that public patients. As the Deputy is aware, in line with Sláintecare recommendations, I have established an Independent Review Group to undertake an impact assessment of the removal of private practice in public hospitals.

Sláintecare also set out an ambitious vision for the future of healthcare in Ireland, including a shift to Primary and Community-based care. The State of Health in the EU report echoes this vision by stating that with strengthened Primary and Community-based services, unnecessary hospitalisations could be avoided. The report goes on to note that the absence of universal cover for Primary Care is a barrier to access for services. The re-orientation of our health services and the expansion of access to community-based services will be an important component of the response to Sláintecare.

Ministerial Travel

Questions (513, 514)

Niall Collins

Question:

513. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the use his Department has made of the Government jet since coming into office, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54198/17]

Niall Collins

Question:

514. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the use his Department has made of the Government jet in each of the years March 2011 to February 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54214/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 513 and 514 together.

I had occasion to use the Government Jet twice this year in January to Paris for a Ministerial level Health Committee Meeting and in June to Luxembourg for a meeting of the European Employment, Social Policy, Health and Community Affairs Council (EPSCO). The Department of the Taoiseach has the lead responsibility for the code of practice for the use of the Government jet, ensuring transparent and cost effective travel with the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces having a contributory role in its implementation. Details on the use of the Government Jet are published on the Department of Defence website at the Ministerial Air Transport Service page. Data are available from 2008.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (515)

Shane Cassells

Question:

515. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the photography costs for his Department in each year since March 2011 inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used, in tabular form; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54230/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

No photography costs are met from my Ministerial Allowance. Details as requested are presented for 2011 - 2016. I will forward details for departmental photography expenditure for 2017 as soon as they are collated.

Year	Event	Photographer	€Cost ex vat
2016	National Patient Safety Conference	Conor McCabe Photography Ltd	1,968
2016	Launch of the Healthy Cities and Counties Network of Ireland	Marc O'Sullivan Photography	707
2016	Launch of the Healthy Ireland Survey Wave	Marc O'Sullivan Photography	553
2016	Launch of the National Drugs Strategy Public Consultation	JCP Photography	492
2016	Launch of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan	Conor McCabe Photography Ltd	430
2016	Conference - Reaffirming the Values of Nursing and Midwifery	Stephen Wall Morris	301
2016	Launch of the National Physical Activity Plan	Conor McCabe Photography Ltd	553
2015	Department of Health Consultation Event 2015	Robbie Reynolds Photography	600
2015	Photography for the launch of National Sexual Health Strategy	Mark Stedman	450
2015	Photography for launch of the Healthy Ireland Survey 2015	Marc O'Sullivan	450
2015	Photography for new Healthy Ireland website and social media	Conor O'Mearain	150
2015	Purchase of stock photography for Healthy Ireland website	Shutterstock	39
2014	All Ireland Chief Nursing Officers' Conference	Conor McCabe Photography Ltd	369
2014	HSE Aviva Stakeholder Consultation	Conor McCabe Photography Ltd	308
2014	All Ireland Chief Nursing Officers' Conference	Robbie Reynolds Photography Ltd	308
2014	Portrait of Council Members - Healthy Ireland	Conor McCabe Photography Ltd	1046
2014	Launch of the National Rare Disease Plan for Ireland	Conor McCabe Photography Ltd	431
2014	A Ministerial Meeting of the British Irish Council – Misuse of Substances Sectoral Group, Dublin Castle	Robbie Reynolds Photography Ltd	246
2013	Symposium for Senior Pharmaceutical Policy-makers on 29-30 August 2013	Robbie Reynolds Photography Ltd	738
2013	Joint Meeting of Chief Medical Officers and Chief Nursing Officers	Fennells	105
2013	National Drugs Coordinators Meeting April 2013	Fennells	117
2013	NPHDB /CHGB Joint Induction Day Photo Session 1/10/13	1Image Photography	314
2013	Photography Costs for John Higgins Chair of the Strategic Board on Hospital Groups	Donagh Glavin Photography	234
2013	Tobacco Free Ireland Launch	Conor McCabe Photography Ltd	554
2013	First National Clinical Effectiveness Symposium	Derek Speirs	437
2013	Launch of the Healthy Ireland Report	Photocall Ireland	559
2013	Launch of Healthy Ireland Report	Robbie Reynolds Photography Ltd	615
2012	2nd National Patient Safety Conference	Derek Speirs	317
2012	Consultation Day on Rare Disease Plan for Ireland	Conor McCabe Photography Ltd	430
2012	Closing Conference to mark the end of the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012 in Ireland (in which the Department of Health was co-ordinating)	Tommy Clancy Photography	584
2011	Seminar: Parental Substance Misuse – Addressing its Impact on Children A review of the Literature	Conor Healy	800

It is the policy in the Department only to engage external services, including photography, where it is felt to be appropriate and cost-effective, e.g., to promote awareness of new schemes or to invite public consultations on policy matters. In doing so, the Department takes account of Government decisions and policy.

Public Relations Contracts Data

Questions (516)

Shane Cassells

Question:

516. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department in each year since March 2011; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54246/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Between March 2011 and December 2014, the Department did not use any external PR services.

Details of external PR firms engaged between 2015 and 2017 are presented in the following table:

Year	Name of Company	Cost	Details
2017	Hume Brophy	€114,491	Public Relations & Communications Support for European Medicines Agency (EMA) Bid
2016	RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd	€11,826	Public consultation process to inform the development of a new National Drugs Strategy. This work has a public relations dimension, as it involves a range of different public activities and events to publicise the consultation process in order to optimise public participation
2015	DHR Communications	€86,100	Development of strategy to support communication of the Healthy Ireland Framework and toolkit for Healthy Ireland Council

It is the policy in my Department only to engage the services of external consultants where it is felt to be appropriate and cost-effective, taking account of Government decisions and policy on the matter.

Consultancy Contracts Data

Questions (517)

Shane Cassells

Question:

517. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and the publication date, in tabular form. [54262/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Department does not collect data in a manner which would allow the Deputy’s question to be answered in full. Published reports for the years in question are available on the Department’s website at http://health.gov.ie/publications-research/publications/. Presented in the table are details from the Department's A7 expenditure for consultant reports commissioned by the Department from March 2011 to 28 September 2017, the latest date for which data are readily available. It is the policy in my Department only to engage the services of external consultants where it is felt to be appropriate and cost-effective, taking account of Government decisions and policy including procurement protocols on the matter.

Year Awarded	Consultants	Report	Cost to September 2017
2017	Work research centre	Expert evidence & review of mental health services (in relation to review of A vision for Change)	€33,210
2017	Mazars	Assist in the development of fee models under the EU Tobacco Products Directive	€24,564
2017	Hume Brophy	Public Relations & Communications Support for European Medicines Agency (EMA) bid	€114,491
2017	P A Consulting	Capacity Review across the health sector	€114,279
2017	Alpha Healthcare	Task Force on Personalised Budgets	€14,750
2016	Research Matters	Support for Newboarn Screening Card Archive Forum	€12,116
2016	Milliman Ltd.	Actuarial, accounting, insurance and economic advice services as and when required.	€55,081
2016	Metis Consulting	Technical advisor on pharmacy issues and tasks in respect of key priorities	€4,182
2016	Trutz Haase, OCC Ltd & Uni of Sheffield	Development & Implementation of an evidence based National Oral Health Policy	€29,202
2016	DCU	Complete pediatric guideline	€19,178
2016	Skills for Health	Research and stakeholder engagement to inform the further development of Nursing and Midwifery Key Performance Indicators	€24,750
2016	Mr Trutz Haase	Development of a performance measurement framework for Drug and Alcohol Task Forces	€73,720
2016	Aurion	Support a framework for the implementation of clinical practice guidance	€9,606
2016	Centre for Effective Services	Support a framework for the implementation of clinical practice guidance	€16,185
2016	The Performance Partnership	Development of a Learning Development Strategy/Plan for the Department and an approach and guidelines for mentoring and coaching.	€29,520
2016	Alpha Healthcare	Undertaking a series of internal and external consultation engagements	€39,426
2016	DCU	Support a framework for supporting patients and their advocates in the governance and development of National Clinical Guidelines and National Clinical Audit	€22,684
2016	UCC	Support for implementation of National Clinical Guidelines through the NCEC	€25,670
2016	UCC	Support for implementation of National Clinical Guidelines through the NCEC	€24,699
2016	RPS Group	Services to assist with drawing up a report on the consultation process on a new National Drugs Strategy	€128,509
2016	IPA	Establishment of a new integrated business and risk management system	€21,525
2016	Crowe Horwath	Report on current and future role of Public Health Specialists in Ireland	€31,570
2016	Alpha Healthcare	Independent Evaluation of Physician Associate Pilot – Beaumont Hospital – pathfinder for the National Integrated Strategic Framework for Health Workforce Planning	€17,220
2016	KPMG	Consultation exercise on performance dialogue with and performance management of the HSE	€14,145
2016	Alcohol Action Ireland	Joint participation in European study Participation into alcohol marketing during Euro 2016	€1,575
2016	Alpha Healthcare	Support - Implementation Planning Workshop	€4,381
2016	Treacy Consultancy	Management Board development programme	€44,040
2016	Prospectus Ltd.	Develop and establish a network in relation to the Healthy Ireland Framework	€59,163
2015	UCC,UCD, NUIG	Publication of a policy on future community nursing and midwifery, public health nursing and related support grades within the context of health reform	€104,355
2015	DCU	Patient Engagement in the governance and development of national clinical effectiveness processes	€34,743
2015	Prospectus	Consultation and report to inform the development of a policy on Trauma System for Ireland	€104,242
2015	Amarach Research	Alcohol Labelling Research	€150,368
2015	NUIG	Suite of Literature Reviews to support National Clinical Guidelines	€159,645
2015	UCC	Clinical Guideline 2 (NEWS Update, NCG No. 1)	€22,743
2015	ICF Consulting Services/DKM Economic Consultants	An assessment of the economic costs of smoking in Ireland	€49,799
2015	Prospectus	Code of Conduct for Health and Social Service Providers	€86,138
2015	UCD	Provision of an Evidence Review to inform Future Specialist and Advanced Nursing Practice	€11,119
2015	UCD	Clinical Handover Guideline	€86,292
2015	DCU	Management of the Acute Adult Asthma Patient – provision of research	€9,973
2015	DCU	Paediatric Early Warning Score – Pre-implementation research	€23,978
2015	INDECON Economic Consultants	Analysis of potential measures to encourage the provision of Primary Care facilities	€143,485
2015	DKM Economic Consultants	Analysis of potential measures to encourage the provision of Nursing Homes and Community Nursing Unit facilities	€144,586
2014	DCU School of Nursing	Report to support the Taskforce on Staffing and Skill mix for nursing	€7,418
2014	DCU School of Nursing	Literature Review and Nursing Workforce Evaluation to Support the Taskforce on Staffing and Skill Mix	€19,845
2014	Crowe Horwath	Thematic Analysis of Submissions in response to a Public Consultation on the White Paper for Universal Health Insurance	€39,176
2014	NUI Galway	Systematic literature review Maternity Early Warning Score	€23,935
2014	DCU	Systematic literature review Paediatric Early Warning Score	€20,095
2014	UCC	Systematic literature review Clinical Practice Guidance	€20,712
2014	Sinéad Shannon	Review of the international evidence and literature on selection criteria for the Outcomes Framework	€5,000
2013	Prospectus Strategy Consultants	Review of Staffing Resources and Organisational Structure of the Department of Health	€72,940
2013	Deloitte and Touche Consultants Ltd	Review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme	€61,800
2013	Matheson Ormsby Prentice	Legal Research and advisory services on the design and implementation of an insurance based health system providing universal coverage in Ireland	€123,000
2013	Prof Oonagh Walsh	Report on symphysiotomy in Ireland, 1944-1984	€49,500
2013	Ernst & Young	Reports relating to the development of the Programme Management Office (cost includes a range of consultancy services)	€79,212
2013	Dr Sinead Hanafin & Associates	Review of the Traveller Health Advisory Committee	€6,150
2013	Prospectus	Overview of the development of the Health & Wellbeing Programme	€15,156
2013	Research Matters	Provision of Research Management Services	€74,490
2013	Institute of Public Health	Analysis re Consultation (Tobacco Products Directive)	€5,000
2013	Professor Hammond	Research on Standardised Packaging- Irish Context	€5,000
2013	CJP Consultants	Preparation of report on the efficacy of minimum pricing and other public policies for alcohol.	€31,488
2013	Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland	Annual Report of the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body (AMCMB)	€21,115
2012	McGee Pharma International	Labelling of Medicinal Products in both Irish and English	€13,644
2012	Goodbody Stockbrokers and Matheson Ormsby Prentice Solicitors	Further Analysis of Options in relation to the restructuring of the Irish Private Health Insurance Market	€62,349
2012	Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with the assistance of PwC	Review of the Department of Health's Parliamentary and Legislative Processes	€18,020
2012	Department of Public Expenditure and Reform	A survey of experience and qualifications in the Department of Health	None
2012	Michael Collins Associates	Supplementary Report and Addendum on Cost Comparison for the Dolphin Review Group	€12,423
2012	John Martin	Further assessment of planning issues in relation to proposed sites for the Dolphin Review Group	€6,000
2012	Simon Clear	Further assessment of planning issues in relation to proposed sites for the Dolphin Review Group	€9,475
2012	The Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, UCC, in conjunction with the Centre for Health Policy and Management, TCD.	The Efficiency Review of the BreastCheck Screening Programme	€71,270
2012	Mr Gerard Mullaly	Reforming Chronic Care: Financing and Delivering Integrated Chronic Care	€5,227
2012	Mr Gerard Mullaly	The Integrated Continuing Care System (ICCS): Reforming Elderly Care in Ireland	€7,558
2012	Matheson Ormsby Prentice	Options Appraisal of multi-payer universal health insurance models: Preliminary advice	€6,150
2012	Department of Health / SIRA Consulting	Report on the baseline measurement of the administrative burden from the Department of Health (as part of a cross Departmental project coordinated by Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)	€14,000
2011	Goodbody Stockbrokers and Matteson Ormsby Prentice Solicitors	Commissioned to undertake are review of the Irish Private Health Insurance Market in Relation to the options which may exist for re-balancing	€300,080

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (518, 519)

Niall Collins

Question:

518. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the level of expenditure by his Department from 1 January 2017 to date in 2017 on advertising of Government information campaigns published specifically in national and regional newspapers in addition to all online advertising for all such Government information campaigns; the name for each such information campaign to which this expenditure related; the cost of each, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54278/17]

Niall Collins

Question:

519. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the level of expenditure by his Department or organisations under the aegis of his Department from 1 January 2017 to date in 2017 on photography, advertising, communications advice, public relations, website development, media interview training and preparation; the events, campaigns or policies to which this expenditure related; the company or person to which such payments were made, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54294/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 518 and 519 together.

The full information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available, I will collate this information and provide a comprehensive response to the Deputy in due course.

Details in relation to newspaper advertising expenditure on public consultations held during 2017 are presented as follows:

Date	Campaign	Company	Cost (ex VAT)
October 2017	Public Consultation Task Force on Personalised Budgets for People with Disabilities.	Mediavest	€5,013.56
September 2017	Public Consultation Human Tissue Legislation, Newspaper Ads	Mediavest	€5,013.57
July 2017	Public Consultation Home care, Newspaper Ads	Mediavest	€5,517.59

The Department also engaged the services of Hume Brophy during 2017 for Public Relations and Communications support regarding Ireland's bid for the European Medicines Agency. The cost was €114,491. It is the policy in my Department only to engage the services of external consultants where it is felt to be appropriate and cost-effective, taking account of Government decisions and policy on the matter.

I have referred the question to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy in relation to its expenditure on photography, advertising, communications advice, public relations, website development, media interview training and preparation. Details for other bodies under the aegis of the Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (520)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

520. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will permit the funding of dental implants in the cases of reconstructive surgery post-oncological treatment; if his attention has been drawn to the fact implant procedures are of a critical nature in allowing a person to relearn the way to eat solid food; the options available to persons if treatment is withdrawn due to a funding restriction (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54302/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (521)

Willie Penrose

Question:

521. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to ensure that a person (detail supplied) has their BPS payment issued without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53508/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The persons named submitted applications under the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme and Young Farmers Scheme to my Department. These applications have been finalised and payment is due to issue shortly.

TAMS Applications

Questions (522)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

522. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied); if the persons are entitled to 40% or 60% grant aid in this case; when a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53552/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Herd Number associated with the application referred to is in the sole name of the more senior applicant. A TAMS II application under the Animal Welfare Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme Measure was submitted by the person named on 28 September 2017. 

Grant aid is available under this measure at the rate of 40% up to the applicable maximum investment ceiling of €80,000 per holding.

Commencement of Legislation

Questions (523)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

523. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the Acts, or parts of Acts, awaiting commencement within his area of statutory responsibility; the reason for the delay in the commencement of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53560/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following table:

Title of Act	Act /Part of Act Awaiting Commencement	Reason for delay in commencement
Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997	Section 13	Section has not commenced as the timeline originally envisaged is not appropriate having regard to the complexities associated with aquaculture licensing. The issue remains under ongoing review in the context of the Report of the Aquaculture Licensing review group.
Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013	Part 5 Levies Part 12 Animal Marts	These are enabling provisions allowing for future replacement of existing regimes on Animal levies and Animal marts. The existing regimes are still operating so it has not been necessary to commence these two parts of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.Eleven parts were commenced in 2014 and one in 2015.
Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006	Section 98	Applicants for sea fishing boat licences must satisfy strict criteria in order to be granted a licence. It is considered that these criteria as currently apply are sufficiently robust and accordingly, it is not considered necessary to add to these criteria.
Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016	Section 12	New structures currently being put in place to facilitate the commencement

Question No. 524 withdrawn.