Tuesday, 6 Feb 2018

Written Answers Nos. 327-344

Respite Care Grant Eligibility

Questions (327)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

327. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to reinstate the respite care grant of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5375/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Emergency Departments Waiting Times

Questions (328, 329, 452)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

328. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the emergency department waiting times greater than 24 hours for persons over 75 years of age in 2017; if the targets were met; if not, the number of persons over 75 years of age who have had a wait of more than 24 hours in an emergency department in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5377/18]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

329. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons aged 75 years of age or over who experienced an emergency department waiting time of more than 24 hours in 2017; the hospital in which this occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5378/18]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

452. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the HSE target of eliminating emergency department waiting times of greater than 24 hours for persons over 75 years of age was met for 2017; the number of persons over 75 years of age who have had to wait for more than 24 hours in an emergency department in 2017; the hospital in which the wait occurred in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6065/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 328, 329 and 452 together.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Respite Care Services Provision

Questions (330)

Gerry Adams

Question:

330. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can be considered for additional respite care hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5380/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

HSE Expenditure

Questions (331)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

331. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the amount paid by the HSE to each of the EU states in each of the years 2015 to 2017 in respect of treatments provided in those states under the E111 scheme; the amount received by the HSE from each of the EU states in each of the years 2015 to 2017 in reimbursement for treatments provided here under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5387/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Question No. 332 answered with Question No. 324.

Newborn Screening Cards

Questions (333)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

333. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the progress he has made to date on a decision on how to proceed following a report that was produced after a forum hosted by his Department in October 2016 regarding the storage of newborn bloodspot screening cards taken prior to July 2011; if he will publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5394/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Newborn Screening Card Archive Forum met in October 2016 and produced a report which was published in January 2017. The report may be found at: http://health.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Report-on-the-Newborn-Screening-Card-Archive-Forum.pdf.

This report informed further study into policy options regarding the future use and storage of newborn bloodspot screening cards. An options paper is currently being prepared by my officials. I expect to receive this report shortly and will make decisions on future policy based on the recommendations presented for my consideration.

Health Services Provision

Questions (334)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

334. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the approval of the model of care for rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders; the timeframe for its approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5395/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Paediatric Services

Questions (335)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

335. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans for the development of future adult and paediatric rheumatology services in view of the difficulties accessing both services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5396/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The specialty of rheumatology continues to be one of the most rapidly growing services within Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin and now accounts for the highest number of medical day care patients per year. This increase in demand has had a corresponding effect on waiting lists for paediatric rheumatology services.

Adult and Paediatric Rheumatology services are part of the medical service provided in the primary care setting and in hospitals for patients with arthritis and related conditions.

Paediatric rheumatology hospital services and adult rheumatology hospital services are developed in accordance with patient needs and are part of the normal HSE service planning process.

I am committed to reducing waiting lists across the range of specialties including rheumatology.

The HSE has developed a new National Model of Care for Paediatric Healthcare Services, which includes the development of a hub and spoke model of care for paediatric rheumatology as part of a national clinical network for paediatrics. The new children’s hospital will have a central role in this national model of care which will include the provision of outreach clinics to regional centres to improve access for those children living outside the greater Dublin area. The development of the new children’s hospital and urgent care centres will provide an opportunity to progress operational integration of the three existing children’s hospital rheumatology services and to plan for the appropriate provision of these services well in advance of the move to the new facilities.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (336)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

336. 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. [5397/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Respite Care Services Funding

Questions (337)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

337. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health if additional transitional funding for a respite bed for a person (details supplied) will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5399/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

First Aid Training

Questions (338)

Micheál Martin

Question:

338. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council is proposing to implement a ban on advertising first-aid training courses by self-employed instructors who are not registered as approved contractors even though they are registered with the council; his views on whether a distinction between permitting advertising by one provider and not permitting advertising by another, in circumstances in which both are delivering the same course to the same standards, amounts to a statutory body conferring a special advantage to one at the expense of another; and his views on the fact that no basis has been put forward by the council to establish that a council-registered self-employed instructor who provides training will not observe the required standards and that there is therefore no justification for imposing an advertising ban. [5424/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) is the statutory body responsible for standards, education and training in the area of pre-hospital emergency care.

Training institutions/individuals who wish to conduct courses and award PHECC qualifications must comply with and meet the Council approved PHECC Education and Training standard commensurate with the particular course they wish to conduct and certificate they seek to award. Training organisations, including sole traders, who wish to deliver training and award PHECC qualifications are required, and are encouraged, to become a Recognised Institution (RI) with PHECC. Only RIs are permitted to advertise PHECC approved courses or use the PHECC logo on promotional material; registration by an individual as an Emergency Medical Services Practitioner does not confer any rights on an individual to conduct courses, award PHECC qualifications or indeed to advertise same.

I have been assured by PHECC that the RI application process is not unduly onerous. PHECC is committed to improving its services for all stakeholders and, in that regard, I understand that an online portal has been developed for applicants seeking RI status. PHECC anticipates that this online portal, which will significantly aid in the communication and interactions between PHECC and prospective applicants, will be launched by early March.

Maternity Services Provision

Questions (339)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

339. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the introduction of anomaly scans at Cavan General Hospital; when the unit will open; the number of women who have accessed the service since its introduction; if all staff and equipment are now in place to roll out the service in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5429/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The National Maternity Strategy is very clear that all women must have equal access to standardised ultrasound services. The Strategy will be implemented on a phased basis and this work will be led by the National Women and Infants Health Programme. In October last, I was pleased to launch the Programme's Implementation Plan for the Strategy. That Plan includes a number of actions to facilitate the provision by all maternity hospitals/units of dating and anomaly scans to all pregnant women. Indeed, the issue of anomaly scanning is a priority issue for the Programme and I am assured that it will continue to work with the six Hospital Groups to assist in increasing access to anomaly scans for those units with limited availability.

I can confirm that additional funding has been made available for anomaly scanning in 2018. In relation to the specific queries raised concerning Cavan General Hospital, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Speech and Language Therapy Staff

Questions (340)

Brendan Smith

Question:

340. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a situation in St. Patrick's community hospital, Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim, whereby there has been no speech and language therapist for a number of months; the reason an agency therapist has not been appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5431/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Speech and Language Therapy Waiting Lists

Questions (341)

Brendan Smith

Question:

341. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting to be seen by the speech and language therapist in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5432/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Tax Code

Questions (342)

Brendan Smith

Question:

342. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to propose income tax reliefs for medical school graduates in respect of loans they obtained to cover their tuition; his views on whether this would incentivise graduates to remain in the health sector; if he has spoken to the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5433/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As previously indicated, I do see merit in the suggestion that tuition loans taken out by graduate entry medical (GEM) graduates should qualify for tax-relief. However, tax relief is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance. I have made written proposals for the consideration of such tax-relief to the Minister for Finance previously. Unfortunately given the tight budgetary position, it has not been possible to address these proposals to date.

I am, of course, very conscious of the need to recruit and retain Irish trained doctors. There are, however, many other initiatives in place to support the recruitment and retention of doctors, and a number of these were set out in the recommendations contained in the MacCraith Report.

With regard to easing the financial burden facing GEM doctors, the Deputy will wish to know that increased pay rates for new-entrant consultants were introduced in 2015, with provision for the application of incremental credit, along with revised pay rates for NCHDs and new arrangement concerning the Living Out Allowance. Such new measures should contribute to improving the financial position of GEM doctors.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (343)

Michael Harty

Question:

343. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE and his Department are discriminating against adults with type 1 diabetes by excluding them in the FreeStyle Libre reimbursement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5439/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Cross-Border Health Services Provision

Questions (344)

Michael Harty

Question:

344. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive a response from the HSE on a cross-border directive application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5441/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the HSE has responsibility for the administration of the Cross Border Directive, I have asked the HSE to examine the issue raised and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.