Timmy Dooley
Question:805. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have surgery scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54915/17]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (805)
Written 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 National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Protected Disclosures
Questions (806)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:806. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the options open to a person employed by the HSE who would like to make a protected disclosure regarding practices in their workplace that they are of the view are covered by the whistleblowing legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54916/17]
View answerWritten answers
A protected disclosure is defined in the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 as a disclosure of information which, in the reasonable belief of a worker, tends to show one or more relevant wrongdoings came to the attention of the worker in connection with the worker’s employment; and is disclosed in the manner prescribed in the Act. The definition of the term “worker” used in the legislation includes current and former employees, independent contractors, trainees and agency staff. Prior to the enactment of this Act persons employed by the HSE could make protected disclosures to an Authorised Person under the Health Act 2004 (as amended in 2007). Some sections of this legislation are also still in force.
Section 5 of the 2014 Act provides protection for workers who disclose information in relation to the following wrongdoings:
a. the commission of an offence;
b. the failure of a person to comply with any legal obligation, other than one arising under the worker's contract of employment or other contract whereby the worker undertakes to do or perform personally any work or services;
c. a miscarriage of justice;
d. a danger to the health and safety of any individual;
e. damage to the environment;
f. an unlawful or otherwise improper use of funds or resources of a public body, or of other public money;
g. an act or omission by or on behalf of a public body that is oppressive, discriminatory or grossly negligent or constitutes gross mismanagement; or
h. information tending to show any matter falling within any of the preceding paragraphs (a) to (g) has been, is being, or is likely to be concealed or destroyed.
A worker must make a disclosure in the manner set out in the Act to be entitled to the protections of the Act. Different standards apply depending on the person or body to whom the worker discloses.
A disclosure may be made to the employer. The HSE encourages all workers to make disclosures internally to their employer in the first instance. Such disclosures will be taken seriously and the worker making a protected disclosure, as defined by and in accordance with the Act, will be entitled to the protections set out in the Act.
Alternatively, a worker may make a disclosure to persons other than their employer in certain circumstances. Different requirements need to be met in different cases, as set out at (a) to (e) below:
a. Other responsible person
Where the worker reasonably believes that the wrongdoing relates solely or mainly to the conduct of a person other than the worker’s employer or to something for which that other person has legal responsibility, then the worker may disclose to that other person.
b. A prescribed person
Certain persons are prescribed by Statutory Instrument 339 of 2014 (“SI 339”) to receive disclosures (“prescribed persons”). `This includes the heads or senior officials of a range of statutory bodies.
A worker may make a disclosure to a prescribed person if the worker reasonably believes that the relevant wrongdoing falls within the description of matters in respect of which the person is a prescribed person. In the case of such a disclosure, the worker must believe that the information disclosed, and any allegation contained in it, are substantially true.
c. A Government Minister
If a worker is or was employed in a public body, she/he may make a disclosure to a Minister on whom any function related to the HSE is conferred or imposed by or under any enactment. Accordingly, workers covered by these Procedures may make a disclosure to the Minister for Health, the Minister for Finance or the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, and any other Minister on whom any function related to the HSE is conferred or imposed by or under any enactment.
d. A legal adviser
A disclosure may be made by a worker in the course of obtaining legal advice from a barrister, solicitor, trade union official or official of an excepted body (an excepted body is a body which negotiates pay and conditions with an employer but is not a trade union as defined in section 6 of the Trade Union Act 1941).
e. Alternative external disclosures (in very limited circumstances)
It is preferable in most circumstances to disclose to the employer and, if that is not appropriate, to one of the disclosure options at (a) to (d) above. It will rarely be appropriate to make alternative external disclosures where the disclosure could be dealt with through one of the other disclosure options above. There are stringent requirements for alternative external disclosures to qualify as protected disclosures under the Act.
I am committed to facilitating the disclosure of wrongdoing and encouraging workers to make protected disclosures at the earliest possible opportunity. I would also encourage workers to make disclosures to their employer in the first instance and to use the internal procedures provided.
Such disclosures will be taken seriously and the worker making a protected disclosure will receive appropriate protection as set out in the legislation. There is an onus on the HSE to address any disclosure made, to conduct an investigation where warranted and to address all findings of that investigation that require attention. The legislation emphasises that workers will be protected from penalisation and from dismissal for having made a protected disclosure.
The contact details for the Authorised Person in the HSE are:
By post: Office of the Authorised Person, PO Box 11571, Dublin 2;
By phone: 01-6626984 or 071-9834651 (10am-1pm and 2-5pm; Monday-Friday);
By email: protected.disclosures@hse.ie.
Special Educational Needs Expenditure
Questions (807)
Jack Chambers
Question:807. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase funding for an organisation (details supplied); the reason a recent application by the organisation to the HSE for funding for an education officer and information officer was refused; his further plans to ensure children with dyspraxia receive the necessary supports and services to help them deal with this condition in childhood in order that it does not adversely affect their adult lives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54919/17]
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.
Occupational Therapy
Questions (808)
Robert Troy
Question:808. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for occupational therapy will be scheduled for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54920/17]
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 Staff
Questions (809)
Bríd Smith
Question:809. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of whole time equivalent staff working in child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, in the counties Laois and Offaly catchment area as a percentage of the staffing levels recommended in A Vision for Change; the number of CAMHS staff working in a locum position; if locum CAMHS staff are qualified for the positions they are filling; and if locum consultant child and adolescent psychiatrists are on the Medical Council specialist register for child psychiatry. [54922/17]
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.
Health Services Expenditure
Questions (810)
Bríd Smith
Question:810. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the costs of HSE disciplinary procedures or confidential investigations involving staff in child and adult mental health services, CAMHS, in the catchment area of counties Laois and Offaly in the past ten years; and the cost of locum replacements for suspended staff in the same period. [54923/17]
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.
Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
Questions (811)
Róisín Shortall
Question:811. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when the omnipod insulin pump will be provided for children with diabetes under the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54924/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Rare Diseases Strategy Implementation
Questions (812)
Billy Kelleher
Question:812. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the action taken to implement recommendations 1 to 29 and 40 to 48 of the national rare disease plan, in tabular form. [54925/17]
View answerWritten answers
In 2017 the Department published a progress report on the National Rare Disease Plan and this is available on the Department’s website under ‘Publications’.
An update is provided on all 48 recommendations of the Plan and on progress to date.
Establishment of a National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases was one of the principal recommendations in the Plan. The Programme is responsible for assisting with mapping and developing care pathways for rare diseases; facilitating timely access to centres of expertise- nationally and internationally; and developing care pathways with European Reference Centres for those ultra-rare disorders where there may not be sufficient expertise in Ireland.
In line with the National Rare Diseases Plan, the National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases and the Department of Health, encouraged designated centres of expertise in Ireland to apply for membership of European Reference Networks (ERNs) during the first round of calls from the European Commission for participation in European Reference Networks. Three of these centres are now represented on ERN network.
Membership of ERNs will bring opportunities for engaging in research relating to Rare Diseases in keeping with the National Rare Diseases Plan. Further centres are expected to apply for membership or affiliated membership of ERNs when the next call takes place in early 2018.
The establishment of a National Rare Disease Office (NRDO) was a key recommendation of the Rare Disease plan. The office provides current and reliable information about rare diseases to the general public, health care professionals, researchers and policy makers. The National Rare Diseases Office is responsible for updating Orphanet Ireland. Orphanet is the international rare disease reference and information portal funded by the EU. The office also manages the National Rare Diseases Information Line (a Freephone service) and provides online information about rare diseases on their website.
A number of recommendations about access to appropriate drugs and technologies were contained in the plan. One chief recommendation in this regard refers to the HSE developing a Working Group to bring forward appropriate decision criteria for the reimbursement of orphan medicines and technologies; and that the approach should include an assessment system similar to that for cancer therapies established under the National Cancer Control Programme. The HSE Acute Hospitals Division has developed the terms of reference, required membership and reporting relationship for this committee. A Chairperson has now been identified and it is expected that the Group will convene in early 2018.
One of the recommendations of the National Plan for Rare Diseases was that the Health Identifiers Bill and the Health & Patient Safety Bill be published. The former was published in 2013 and enacted in 2014. The Individual Health Identifier part of the project is now being implemented by the HSE. A revised and much expanded General Scheme of a Health Information and Patient Safety Bill was approved by the government in November 2015 and published on the Department's website.
Two recommendations referred to training in rare diseases for healthcare professionals. The Department of Health has contacted formally the various healthcare representative and professional bodies about implementing these recommendations. The National Rare Diseases Office developed eLearning modules for healthcare professionals. These modules are available on HSE website.
The issue of rare diseases and of the creation of an all-island patient register has been raised in the context of on-going discussions at North-South meetings. It is also anticipated that the Model of Care for Rare Diseases will set out recommendations for rare disease registries. This model of care is in development by the National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases. At the EU level, the Joint Research Centre is developing a joint European Platform on Rare Disease Registration which will promote EU level standards for data collection and contribute to the development of rare disease registries across the EU.
The Plan also recommended that an Oversight Implementation Group of relevant stakeholders, including patients' groups, be established to oversee and monitor implementation of the plan’s recommendations. This group was established by the Department of Health in 2015 and it has met on a number of occasions .
The National Rare Disease Plan continues to be implemented. The Department will consider the matter of a further plan as part of its Work Programme for 2018.
Health Services Reform
Questions (813)
Billy Kelleher
Question:813. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the integrated care pathways that have been developed across the acute hospitals and community interface. [54926/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Committee on the Future of Health's Sláintecare report strongly supports a real shift in our model of care. This will represent a move away from a hospital centric approach to one which is focussed on prevention and early intervention and which will provide the majority of care in the community. This greater integration between primary and acute care will provide person-centred, co-ordinated care, with improved care and outcomes for patients.
There is already much activity underway across the health service to develop better integration across acute hospitals and community care services. This has been supported by the HSE's Clinical Care Programmes and a wide range of initiatives that have developed at a local level. The HSE's Clinical Strategy and Programmes Division is leading a large-scale programme of work to develop a system of integrated care within our health and social care services. Currently work is underway under four Integrated Care Programmes (ICP for Older Persons, ICP for the Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease, ICP Patient Flow, ICP for Children) and the national, regional and local governance structures are now in place to guide and support the implementation of the required changes. Several pilot schemes have been established and in 2018 new integrated care models and pathways will be developed.
Building on the work underway, the delivery of integrated care, with collaboration between care professionals across primary, social care and hospital settings will have positive benefits for patients, providing a better care pathway and facilitating more care outside the hospital.
Hospital Accommodation Provision
Questions (814)
Billy Kelleher
Question:814. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the solutions found by the HSE social care division to the current regulatory requirements in order to protect public bed capacity which is vital to support the acute hospital system. [54927/17]
View answerWritten answers
Community Nursing Units are an essential part of our national infrastructure of nursing homes. They provide over 5,000 long stay residential care beds and about 2,000 short-stay public beds providing step-up, step-down care; intermediate care; and rehabilitation and respite care. The public centres providing short-stay beds are a mixture of stand-alone centres and centres with separate wings for rehabilitation /respite etc.
While the care delivered to residents in our community hospitals is generally of a very high standard, many of these services are delivered in buildings that are less than ideal in the modern context. It is important therefore that we upgrade our public bed stock and this is the aim of the five year Capital Investment Programme for Community Nursing Units which was announced in 2016. This provides the framework to allow for an enhanced programme to replace, upgrade and refurbish these care facilities, as appropriate. Significant work has been undertaken by the HSE in determining the most appropriate scheduling of projects over the 5 year period from 2016 to 2021, within the phased provision of funding, to achieve compliance and registration with HIQA.
Health Services Provision
Questions (815)
Billy Kelleher
Question:815. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the way in which the HSE social care division has developed appropriate public long-term capacity in order that complex patient needs can be met consistently. [54928/17]
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.
Health Services Provision
Questions (816)
Billy Kelleher
Question:816. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the detail of the HSE social care division’s local clinical governance model to ensure clear links between discharging hospitals and existing community services. [54929/17]
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.
Health Services Funding
Questions (817)
Billy Kelleher
Question:817. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if there is a ring-fenced funding stream in place for older patient groups, those with chronic illness and young persons with chronic neurological conditions, for example, acquired brain injury, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease. [54930/17]
View answerWritten answers
As recently announced by the Government, the overall health budget for 2018 is in the region of €15.5 billion, which represents an increased budget of over €600 million compared to 2017. This represents the fourth year in a row where significant additional resources have been allocated to the health services.
The Health Service Executive (HSE)’s National Service Plan for 2018, which was published on 20th December 2017, outlines the range of services that the Executive will provide over the coming year. I understand that the Executive is currently in the process of finalising detailed Operational Plans for each of its service areas and that these will include information on the funding allocations to specific services and priority areas.
As the specific issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter in the first instance for the HSE, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Strategies
Questions (818)
Billy Kelleher
Question:818. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the action taken for each of the 21 priority actions due to commence in the first year of the obesity policy and action plan 2016 to 2025, in tabular form. [54931/17]
View answerWritten answers
‘A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the national Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland agenda. The OPAP covers a ten year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy.
Every sector of our society has a role in reducing the burden of obesity. The OPAP clearly acknowledges this.
The OPAP prescribed Ten Steps Forward that would be taken to prevent overweight and obesity. These contain a number of actions, some of which have been identified for early implementation. A summary of progress with implementation of the Ten Steps Forward is outlined in the following table:
|
No. |
Action |
Progress |
|
1. |
Embed multi-sectoral actions on obesity prevention with the support of government departments and public sector agencies. |
My Department has established an Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group. The national Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG) - under the Chair of my Department - is comprised of representatives from the following Departments and Agencies: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Department of Children and Youth Affairs; Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection; Department of Education and Skills; Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government; University College Cork; the Food Safety Authority of Ireland; the Health Service Executive (HSE) - including the National Clinical Lead for Obesity; and Safefood. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the OPIOG held its inaugural meeting on the 19th of October last with further meetings to be arranged at agreed intervals for the purposes of providing oversight to the implementation of the national Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP). The OPIOG will identify processes for engaging with networks of stakeholders. It will elaborate on this aspect of its functions over the course of its work to implement the OPAP that runs up to 2025. The Minister for Finance has also announced in Budget 2018 the introduction of a sugar tax, at a rate of 30 cent per litre on drinks with over eight grams of sugar per 100 millilitres, along with a reduced rate of 20 cent per litre on drinks with between five and eight grams of sugar per 100 millilitres. |
|
2. |
Regulate for a healthier environment |
The development of legislation for calorie posting to support people to make healthy choices is underway by the Department. Currently, a behaviour study on how best to make the posting of calories meaningful to customers and more likely to impact on their behaviours is being carried out by the ESRI. In addition, actions in this area are being progressed through engagement with other Government Departments to support the work of stakeholders involved in planning and developing the built environment. |
|
3. |
Secure appropriate support from the commercial sector to play its part in obesity prevention. |
At its inaugural meeting, the OPOIG agreed to establish two sub-groups for Reformulation and Healthy Eating. Further sub-groups will be established as required. Both sub-groups have agreed to meet and agree their draft Terms of Reference, which in the interim, remain under active consideration in the Department. Note that one of the priority actions under Step 3 of the OPAP was to ‘Establish a forum for meaningful engagement with industry on best practice initiatives towards a healthy food environment’. It is intended to progress this action under the auspices of the OPIOG in 2018. The Department is planning to launch a Code of Practice for Non-Broadcast Media Advertising and Marketing of Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, including Sponsorship and Retail Product Placement in the coming weeks. |
|
4. |
Implement a strategic and sustained communications strategy that empowers individuals, communities and service providers to become obesity aware and equipped to change, with a particular focus on families with children in the early years. |
I recently launched a new child obesity campaign under the auspices of Health Ireland. It's called the START campaign and it aims to inspire, empower and support parents to start building and persist with healthy lifestyle habits in the family to prevent childhood obesity. The first phase of the campaign features advertising on TV, radio, video on demand, outdoor and digital platforms. This will be supported by the Healthy Ireland 2018 campaign. It seeks to encourage people to make positive choices to improve their physical and mental health, while also providing support and information to help people make those healthier choices. |
|
5. |
The Department of Health, through Healthy Ireland, will provide leadership, engage and co-ordinate multi-sectoral action and implement best practice in the governance of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan. |
As referred to at step 1 above, the establishment of an Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group is well advanced. New Healthy Eating Guidelines, Food Pyramid and supporting resources have already been published, disseminated and communicated in 2017, including dissemination of the new Guidelines to all primary and post-primary schools. Work has also commenced on developing Healthy Eating Guidelines for the 1-5 year old age group. As a first step in this work, the Scientific Committee of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) are currently developing scientific recommendations for food based dietary guidelines for 1 to 5 year olds. Health and Wellbeing, DOH will then lead out on the development of food based Healthy Eating Guidelines for this age group. New Nutrition Standards for schools, with an initial focus on school meal programmes funded by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, have also been developed. These Nutrition Standards were published in September 2017. The Standards were developed by the Department of Health with the assistance of safefood and the Health Service Executive, in cooperation with the members of the School Meals Programme in the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Department of Education and Skills. |
|
6. |
Mobilise the health services to better prevent and address overweight and obesity through effective community-based health promotion programmes, training and skills development and through enhanced systems for detection and referrals of overweight and obese patients at primary care level. |
A Healthy Eating, Active Living Programme has been established as a Policy Priority Programme within the HSE and a three-year plan for the programme has been finalised. The GP contract for the provision of free care to children under 6 years, already provides that the medical practitioner shall take an active approach toward promoting health and preventing disease through the provision of periodic assessments to child patients. The HSE is also implementing a Breastfeeding Action Plan and a new Making Every Contact Count brief intervention framework was launched earlier this year by the HSE which aims to capitalise on the opportunities that occur every day within the health service to support people to make healthy lifestyle choices. |
|
7. |
Develop a service model for specialist care for children and adults. |
The HSE National Clinical Lead for Obesity was recently appointed. This appointment will be important in further advancing the implementation of many of the recommendations in the OPAP including the development of a national integrated service model for the health and social care of overweight and obese people and for developing quality assurance guidance for obesity services. |
|
8. |
Acknowledge the key role of physical activity in the prevention of overweight and obesity. |
'Get Ireland Active! The National Physical Activity Plan for Ireland' (NPAP) is one of the key developments arising from Healthy Ireland, and implementation of that Plan is well underway in collaboration with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and a range of other stakeholders. This will be supported by the Healthy Ireland 2018 campaign. It seeks to encourage people to make positive choices to improve their physical and mental health, while also providing support and information to help people make those healthier choices. |
|
9. |
Allocate resources according to need, in particular to those population groups most in need of support in the prevention and management of obesity, with particular emphasis on families and children during the first 1,000 days of life. |
The implementation of the Healthy Eating and Active Living Plan within the HSE will begin to address this action area, with a particular focus on supporting parents and families. |
|
10. |
Develop a multi-annual research programme that is closely allied to policy actions, invest in surveillance and evaluate progress on an annual basis. |
The establishment of the national oversight structure referred to earlier will foster developments under this step of the OPAP. |
Special Educational Needs Expenditure
Questions (819)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:819. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if he will increase the funding for an organisation (details supplied) in order to employ an education and information officer in addition to services it provides such as a helpline, counselling and advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54934/17]
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.
Home Care Packages Provision
Questions (820)
Niamh Smyth
Question:820. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a home care package will be expedited for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54938/17]
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Accommodation Provision
Questions (821)
Martin Ferris
Question:821. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health if there are pending ward or bed closures at University Hospital Kerry; if so, the number of beds that will be affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54959/17]
View answerWritten answers
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 Support Services Provision
Questions (822)
Catherine Connolly
Question:822. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the days and hours on which the early intervention team and the school age teams use a building (details supplied); the number of children involved in each programme; the staff complement for each of the programmes; the nature of the services provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54962/17]
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.
Disabilities Assessments
Questions (823)
Niamh Smyth
Question:823. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for an assessment of need for a person (details supplied). [54963/17]
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (824)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:824. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [54967/17]
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 National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.