Written Answers Nos. 413-428
413. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the roll-out of agreed minor capital fund to enhance mental health facilities and infrastructure; and the specific facilities and capital developments being enhanced. [31894/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
414. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the services to be provided by the modular cath lab at University Hospital Waterford; the timeline for this service to be in place; the hours in which this lab will operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31899/18]
View answerI believe there is merit in the proposal for a modular cardio-catheterisation laboratory at UHW in order to address waiting times at the hospital and to provide a better service for the people of Waterford and the South East.
I have requested the HSE to proceed with next steps on the provision of a modular cath lab at UHW, and to revert to my Department with proposed timescales and costings as soon as possible to allow for consideration in the context of the 2019 estimates and capital planning processes. I expect that the detail of the services to be provided, and the hours of provision of the services, will be considered as part of the detailed planning to be undertaken for this new service.
415. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his plans to roll out electricity subsidies nationally to all chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, patients that are available in certain CHO areas for patients that are using oxygen machines at home for more than 16 hours per day. [31900/18]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
416. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if shortfalls in urology consultant hours have been addressed in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31908/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
417. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position on access for all type 1 diabetes patients to the FreeStyle Libre device under the reimbursement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31911/18]
View answerUnder 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.
418. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the details of the proposed new ambulance base announced in Project Ireland 2040 for Ardee, County Louth; the areas it will cover; the expected number of units it will hold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31912/18]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked for the HSE to reply to you directly.
419. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health the number of UHL referrals who receive radical prostatectomies at University Hospital Galway and a clinic (details supplied), respectively. [31915/18]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
420. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health if the HSE is considering reviewing its policy on UHL that is disallowing it from carrying out radical prostatectomies in view of the major advancements in staff and equipment over the past 12 years. [31916/18]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
421. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if persons with disabilities who are under 18 years of age will be included in the personalised budget demonstration project as recommended by the task force on personalised budgets. [31918/18]
View answerI have considered the findings of the Task Force on Personalised Budgets and intend to publish its report in the near future. The Government is committed to improving services and choices for people with disabilities and I am satisfied that the preferred option is to test the use of personalised budgets for adults with disabilities, in the first instance, as recommended by the Task Force.
422. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the way in which an organisation (details supplied) was awarded funding and another similar organisation was not offered equivalent funding although it fundamentally does the same work; the objective criteria used to reach these decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31925/18]
View answerFunding is being provided to the organisation to which the Deputy refers through the HSE. Accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you.
423. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when the Health (Transport Support) Bill will be published; the progress made in replacing the mobility allowance and the motorised transport schemes with new schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31928/18]
View answerThe Deputy will be familiar with the background to the closure of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes in February 2013.
Since the closure of the Mobility Allowance, the Government has directed that the Health Service Executive should continue to pay an equivalent monthly payment of up to €208.50 per month to the 4,046 people (4,700 in 2013) in receipt of the Mobility Allowance, on an interim basis, pending the establishment of a new Transport Support Scheme.
With regard to the Motorised Transport Grant, this scheme operated as a means-tested grant to assist person with severe disabilities with the purchase or adaptation of a car, where that car was essential to retain employment. The maximum Motorised Transport Grant, which was payable once in any three year period, was €5,020. Following the closure of the scheme in February 2013, no further Motorised Transport Grants have been payable.
The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. The Programme for a Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme, to assist those with a disability to meet their mobility costs. The Health (Transport Support) Bill is on the list of priority legislation for publication in the Spring / Summer session 2018.
My colleague, the Minister for Health and I recently brought a Memorandum to Government for proposals for a new Transport Support Payment Scheme. Following consideration of the matter, it was decided to withdraw the Memorandum from the Cabinet agenda on 8 May last. I intend to revert to Government with revised proposals to reflect the discussion at Cabinet, in due course.
While I cannot comment on the specific proposals under consideration, I can confirm that the proposals seek to ensure that:
- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;
- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;
- Resources are targeted at those with the greatest needs; and
- The Scheme is capable of being costed and is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.
It is important to note that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme, operated by the Revenue Commissioners, remains in place. This scheme provides VRT and VAT relief, an exemption from road tax and a fuel grant to drivers and passengers with a disability, who qualify under the relevant criteria set out in governing regulations made by the Minister for Finance. Specifically adapted vehicles driven by persons with a disability are also exempt from payment of tolls on national roads and toll bridges. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has responsibility for this particular scheme.
There are improvements in access to a range of transport support schemes available to persons with disabilities in the State and on-going work is being carried out by Government Departments, agencies and transport providers to further improve access to public transport services. Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of public transport for people with a disability.
424. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason the provision of youth counselling is not uniform across the State; the reason some areas such as County Galway receive little funding for this vital service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31930/18]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
425. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a new health centre will be provided in Inishbofin county Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31939/18]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for healthcare infrastructure projects, my Department has asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to a new health centre at Inishbofin, County Galway.
426. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the opening of the minor injuries unit in the Louth County Hospital, Dundalk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31951/18]
View answerMinor Injury Units (MIU) provide an important service to local communities and help to alleviate pressure on emergency departments. MIUs are for the treatment of broken bones, dislocations, strains, sprains, wounds, minor scalds and burns that are unlikely to need admission to hospital.
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.
427. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of residential places for persons with disabilities in Dundalk whose parents are elderly; when such provision will be available; the number of places that will be provided; if his Department is working with Louth County Council and or a housing body or external agency in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31953/18]
View answerThe 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.
428. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will increase ambulances, EMTs and paramedics each year with regard to the programme for partnership Government commitment to improve response times; the increase in each to date in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and the way in which response times have improved in the counties. [31954/18]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
