Pat Deering
Question:125. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19173/18]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (125)
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 the Deputy directly.
Home Care Packages Provision
Questions (126)
Róisín Shortall
Question:126. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the assessments that have taken place into the extent of the inability of the HSE to provide home care hours to the level and duration recommended by its occupational therapists in respect of persons under the HSE's care; the basis on which a specific number of hours set down in an occupational therapist's report can be ignored by HSE staff organising home care; the extent of HIQA's role in relation to the assignment of home care hours; and the way in which to ensure that persons receive the number of hours of home care that have been recommended by occupational therapist staff. [19182/18]
View answerWritten answers
Since being appointed as Minister with responsibility for Older People, I have made improved access to home support services a key priority. Progress in this area is reflected in the additional funding made available for winter 2017/2018, the increased funding and level of activity in 2018 and in the work being progressed on the development of a statutory home support scheme.
An additional €18.25m was allocated for home supports in Budget 2018. This brought the budget for the direct provision of home support services to €408m. The HSE’s 2018 National Service Plan provides for a target of some
- 17.094 million home support hours to be provided to 50,500 people, which compares with last year’s 16.34m hours delivered to 50,000 people (home help and home hours combined). This is an increase of 754,000 hours to 500 more people.
- 235 intensive home care packages will provide 360,000 home support hours for people with complex needs.
Following the recent adverse weather the HSE provided about 350 extra Home Support Packages across 13 specific hospitals over a five week period.
Despite this significant level of service provision, the demand for home support continues to grow. It is important to note that the allocation of funding for home supports across the system, though significant, is finite and services must therefore be delivered within the funding available. In addition, some Community Health Organisations are experiencing capacity issues due to lack of availability of home support staff. This is a particular problem in the Dublin region and other urban areas.
The HSE has begun work on streamlining home support services in 2018 by brining together the funding for home help and standard home care packages which now operate as a single home support service. This new approach will provide significant benefits including making the services easier to understand, streamlining the application and decision making processes, and facilitating service users to move to changed levels of services as their assessed needs change, without the need for an additional application.
Currently there is no statutory scheme for the regulation and financing of home supports, and HIQA has no role in relation to assigning these services. Services are provided on the basis of healthcare needs as assessed by a healthcare professional, and subject to the availability of resources.
As you are aware the Department of Health is currently engaged in a detailed process to develop plans for a new statutory scheme and system of regulation for home support services.
The statutory scheme for home supports will introduce clear rules in relation to the services for which individuals are eligible and in relation to service-allocation. 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 these services. It will also help to improve access to the services that people need in an affordable and sustainable way. The system of regulation for home supports will help to ensure that the public can be confident that the services provided are of a high standard.
Home Care Packages Provision
Questions (127)
Niamh Smyth
Question:127. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a home care package for a person (details supplied) in order that they can return home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19189/18]
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 Expenditure
Questions (128)
Imelda Munster
Question:128. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the average cost of treating persons who are sent to Britain by the HSE to access mental health services due to the fact that no suitable service exists here. [19191/18]
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 Expenditure
Questions (129)
Imelda Munster
Question:129. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department has spent treating persons who are sent to Britain by the HSE to access mental health services due to the fact that no suitable service exists here in each of the years 2014 to 2017; and the number of persons sent to access such mental health services in Britain in each of these years. [19192/18]
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.
Patient Files
Questions (130)
Imelda Munster
Question:130. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the mechanism in place in the HSE to enable regular updates or reports on the treatment and progress of patients; the way in which progress and treatment is monitored by the HSE in cases in which persons have been sent to Britain for treatment due to a lack of suitable treatment options here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19193/18]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Medical Practitioners Act 2007, the functions of the Medical Council include the specification of standards of practice for registered medical practitioners, including the establishment, publication, maintenance and review of appropriate guidance on all matters related to professional conduct and ethics. The Council’s 2016 Guide to Professional Conduct for Registered Medical Practitioners emphasises the importance of continuity of care for patients.
Doctors are responsible for their patients until care has been taken over by another doctor or service. The Guide also notes that referral to another doctor or health professional for an opinion or treatment usually involves the transfer (in part) of responsibility for a patient’s care, usually for a set time and a particular purpose, such as care that is outside a practitioner’s area of expertise. The Guide to Professional Conduct also contains clear guidance for doctors on the provision of information to patients, with an emphasis on enabling them to exercise their right to make informed decisions about their care. These principles should inform the provision of care to patients whether this takes place entirely in this country or whether elements are provided outside the jurisdiction under the EU Treatment Abroad Scheme.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the specific arrangements which operate within the services for which the Executive is responsible.
Mental Health Services Data
Questions (131)
Imelda Munster
Question:131. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of wards of the State sent to Britain for mental health treatment due to the fact that no suitable treatment is available here in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018. [19194/18]
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.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (132)
Mary Butler
Question:132. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the position regarding general practitioners charging a person (details supplied) for routine blood tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19224/18]
View answerWritten answers
Under the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with
"all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess."
There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition. The HSE has advised GPs that where a blood test forms part of the investigation or necessary treatment of a patient’s symptoms or conditions, this should be free of charge for patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card. Notwithstanding this, I am aware that some GPs are charging GMS patients for phlebotomy services in some circumstances.
This is a matter of concern for me as it has long been the position, under successive Governments, that no user charges should apply to GP services provided to GMS and GP visit card patients. If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, then that patient may take the matter up with their HSE Local Health Office, who will investigate the complaint.
If the local office determines that the charge was inappropriate, it will inform the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service who will arrange to refund the cost of the blood test to patient and recoup this amount from the GP. The local office will inform the GP of the decision to deduct the payment.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (133)
Pat Deering
Question:133. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if an earlier date for a procedure for a person (details supplied) will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19229/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (134)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:134. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the opening of the minor injuries unit in the Louth County Hospital, Dundalk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19242/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Minor Injuries Unit at Louth County Hospital was developed in 2010 to provide rapid treatment of minor injury patients aged 14 years and over. This service is available to the people of Louth 7 days per week from 9:00am to 8:00pm.
As the query raised is a service matter, I have also asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly with any further information.
Hospitals Funding
Questions (135)
Brendan Smith
Question:135. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if additional resources will be provided in order to ensure maximum utilisation of capacity at a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19273/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
Commencement of Legislation
Questions (136)
Paul Murphy
Question:136. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to commence Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19282/18]
View answerWritten answers
A number of technical drafting issues have come to light in relation to Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015. The implications of these issues are being explored by officials in my Department and the Office of the Attorney General, and as these discussions are ongoing, I do not wish to pre-empt the outcome by citing specific details. I would be happy to arrange a briefing for the Deputy on the substantive issues in due course.
Clarification on whether primary legislation is required to resolve these issues is being sought. In the event that primary legislation is required I would seek to deal with it as a matter of urgency.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (137)
Paul Murphy
Question:137. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the disparity in services (details supplied); his plans to allocate more resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19283/18]
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.
Commissions of Investigation
Questions (138)
Clare Daly
Question:138. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the work of the Farrelly commission with particular reference to the progress and expenditure to date; if interim reports will be published; the timeframe for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19309/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Commission of Investigation (certain matters relative to a disability service in the South East and related matters) (the Farrelly Commission) is an independent statutory Commission of Investigation. It commenced its investigations in May 2017 and its work is ongoing. The first phase of the Commission's work is to investigate the role of public authorities in the care and protection of Grace, who resided with a former foster family in the South East of Ireland between 1989 and 2009. The Commission is required to make its final report on its investigations by 15 May 2018. However, the Sole Member has written to me to seek an extension to allow for the completion of its work and I am considering this request.
As required by its term of reference, the Commission presented an interim report to my Department on 15 November 2017. This primarily related to processes and progress and is available on the Department's website. I have received a second report on progress to date.
To date, the Farrelly Commission's costs amount to €1,168,437.68.
GLAS Payments
Questions (139)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:139. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a payment under the 2017 GLAS scheme has not issued to a farmer (details supplied) in view of the fact that they have been informed that the GLAS claim is cleared for payment; if his attention has been drawn to the financial burden being placed on farmers as a result of the delay in issuing GLAS payments in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19188/18]
View answerWritten answers
The person named was approved into GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2017.
This applicant has not yet submitted the required Nutrient Management Plan and the Commonage Management Plan and thus payments cannot be made. Both he and his advisor have been advised to submit both Plans immediately to ensure further payments and indeed participation in the scheme.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (140)
Niamh Smyth
Question:140. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding is available specifically for the setting up of a permaculture farm (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19210/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine provides a range of supports, for diverse farming practices under a number of areas including Horticulture, TAMS (Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes), Organics and GLAS (Green, Low-Carbon, Agri-Environment Scheme).
The availability of grant aid under these schemes is contingent on individual farmers meeting the normal criteria for eligibility for farming as set down by this Department.
While there is no specific grant aid scheme in place for the setting up of farms as permaculture farms, the grant aid provided under these schemes for the multiplicity of farming practices is compatible with those practices found in the permaculture system of farming.
Organic Farming Scheme
Questions (141)
Eamon Scanlon
Question:141. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the organic farming scheme will reopen for applications; his plans to reopen the scheme in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19241/18]
View answerWritten answers
The current Organic Scheme in the Rural Development Programme is fully subscribed and has used all available funding. It was therefore closed and I currently have no plans to reopen it on the basis that overall funding for the RDP is fully committed.
A new Organic Sector Strategy Group was established in March this year by my Department. This new Group is tasked with developing a strategy for the development of the Organic Sector for the period up to 2025. The Terms of Reference of the Organic Sector Strategy Group include an assessment of the case for a targeted reopening of the Organic Farming Scheme, looking to best economic and environmental outcomes. I expect to have the Group's recommendations well before the end of this year and this will be the next opportunity to examine the issue.
Agrifood Sector
Questions (142)
Brendan Smith
Question:142. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of recent discussions he had with the European Agriculture and Trade Commissioners on the need to protect the agrifood sector here in negotiations on a possible Mercosur trade deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19254/18]
View answerWritten answers
My objective in discussions with the Commission and with EU Ministerial counterparts has been to advance the Irish position in relation to Mercosur .
As a result of ongoing engagement, Ireland's position, and the vulnerability of its beef sector in particular, is well understood in the EU institutions and by other member states. Indeed Ireland played a central role in building an alliance of member states expressing concern at the prospect of a deal that could negatively affect EU agriculture.
I have articulated Ireland's concerns, as has my colleague Minister of State Andrew Doyle at the Council of Agriculture Ministers meetings, and by other Ministers in the relevant EU Trade policy fora. We have also made our views known through direct contacts with Commissioners Hogan and Malmstrom, and the Taoiseach has contacted Commission President Jean Claude Juncker and French President Emmanuel Macron.
I will continue to seek to influence negotiations in a manner that safeguards the interests of the Irish and European beef sector.
Agriculture Scheme Payments
Questions (143)
Tony McLoughlin
Question:143. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farming payments were allocated to a farmer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19284/18]
View answerWritten answers
In the interest of confidentiality and data security, my Department’s policy is to not release such third party information to, in this case, the new owner of the land parcels mentioned. I have, however, requested an official from my Department to contact the landowner to discuss the matter directly, and an official will be in contact with the Deputy's office in relation to contact details.
Herd Data
Questions (144)
Willie Penrose
Question:144. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application for change of herd ownership by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19303/18]
View answerWritten answers
The change of herd ownership was finalised on 25/04/2018 and documentation issued on the same date to the new herd owner.