Michael Healy-Rae
Question:373. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38821/18]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (373)
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, since 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (374)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:374. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38822/18]
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, since 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (375)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:375. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38823/18]
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, since 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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (376)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:376. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation in Cork University Hospital for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38824/18]
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, since 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.
Psychological Assessments Waiting Times
Questions (377)
Brian Stanley
Question:377. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the delays in having assessment of needs for children with autism carried out, access to the school-age team psychology services and access to the early intervention psychology services in order to address waiting lists and times as quickly as possible. [38828/18]
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (378)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:378. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38829/18]
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, since 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.
National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics
Questions (379)
John Brassil
Question:379. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the number of health technology assessments carried out by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics since 2016 in view of the fact that page 6 of the NCPE’s health technology assessment submission applicant template indicated that the medicine has an orphan designation from the European Medicines Agency; the number of these medicines that have since been added to the reimbursement list; the combined cost of these reimbursed medicines per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38835/18]
View answerWritten answers
The requested information is held by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics. It has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
National Drugs Strategy
Questions (380)
John Curran
Question:380. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the criteria which will be used over the next two years to determine the level of funding required by each local and regional drug task force during the development of a performance measurement system to improve accountability across all sections of local and regional drug task forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38892/18]
View answerWritten answers
Measuring the overall effectiveness of the response to the drug problem is an important objective of public policy. Resources should be direct towards interventions and strategies which are most likely to lead to a reduction in problem substance use and an improvement in public health, safety and well-being.
The national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, commits to operationalising a performance measurement system by 2020. The system is primarily concerned with the net effects of the drugs strategy at the population level, in particular the effects on the health, well-being and quality of life of people living in drug and alcohol task force (DATF) areas.
The performance measurement system incorporates a resource allocation model to enable DATF funding to be allocated on a more equitable and rational basis, which takes account of underlying need in local areas and targets those communities which face a higher risk of substance misuse. The criteria to be used to determine the allocation of resources to task forces will be developed in consultation with key stakeholders, including DATFs.
I am committed to supporting the valuable work of the drug and alcohol task forces. For that reason, I recently allocated an additional €290,000 for task forces. In addition, task forces are being consulted on the allocation of €710,000 for priority projects and services to address drug and alcohol misuse in community healthcare organisation areas.
Hospitals Car Park Charges
Questions (381)
John Curran
Question:381. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if the review of hospital parking charges has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38893/18]
View answerWritten answers
Early this year I requested the HSE to undertake a review of car parking charges in public hospitals. I understand that this report is currently being finalised by the HSE and will be submitted for my consideration shortly. My Department will then liaise with the HSE on the next steps to be undertaken.
Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans
Questions (382)
John Curran
Question:382. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health when the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund will finalise and publish an outpatient action plan for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38894/18]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department, in consultation with the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund, is in the process of finalising an Outpatient Action Plan for the remainder of 2018 and I hope to publish it shortly.
The Plan will support the HSE’s compliance with their National Service Plan targets, reduce the growth in the number of patients waiting for outpatient services.
In addition, in June this year I approved the establishment of a Central Waiting List Validation function with the NTPF. The new Office will deliver a standardisation of approach of validation across all waiting lists and all hospitals in line with the best patient-centred practices. The validation of waiting lists will better inform the true demand for hospital services and enable improved efficiency and patient scheduling.
Furthermore, the NTPF has recently commenced trialing a number of outpatient interventions, including weekend and out of hours clinics. The NTPF has invited proposals from hospital groups and to date this has resulted in the approval of 12,600 outpatient appointments.
I acknowledge that, nationally, the Outpatient waiting list is a challenge to be addressed in 2018. Waiting times can often be unacceptably long and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (383)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Question:383. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to reintroduce the agri-environment options scheme and Natura scheme in the near future. [38317/18]
View answerWritten answers
There are no plans to reintroduce the Agri-Environment Options and Natura Schemes (AEOS) at present. The subsequent agri-environment scheme the Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) opened in three tranches commencing in 2015. It was open to AEOS participants to apply to join GLAS, such applicants were required to exit their existing AEOS contract before a GLAS contract could commence. GLAS is now fully subscribed with the target of 50,000 participants met well ahead of target. There are no plans to re-open this scheme to new applications.
Agri-environment policy is included in the CAP reform negotiations currently under way and any future schemes will be dependent on the outcome of these negotiations.
Haulage Industry
Questions (384)
Bobby Aylward
Question:384. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps which have been taken to assist an association (details supplied) following receipt of correspondence by his Department in July 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38450/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Director of the Irish Grain and Feed Association (IGFA) wrote to my Department on behalf of the membership on 17th July seeking the immediate introduction of a derogation for the haulage sector to facilitate increased levels of demands for their services arising from increased levels of demand for the transportation of fodder and feed for animals.
Road Safety is the responsibility of the Department of Transport, Tourism and my Department conveyed this request to the appropriate Department at that time.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (385)
Róisín Shortall
Question:385. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expenditure savings that are earmarked for his Department for 2019 that are not accounted for in the mid-year expenditure report or are not included in the fiscal space calculations for 2019. [38478/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Mid-Year Expenditure Report (MYER) set out the starting baseline in relation to the gross voted expenditure for 2019. As outlined in the MYER, the technical pre-Budget position for current expenditure is the current expenditure allocation for this year set out in the Revised Estimates (REV). This pre-Budget position will be adjusted to reflect the allocation to the Department of a central provision in relation to the Public Service Stability Agreement.
The capital ceiling set out in the MYER is consistent with the ceiling for 2019 published in the National Development Plan.
The figures set out in the MYER do not include expenditure savings targets specifically earmarked for my Department. However, as usual as part of the Estimates process my Department will be examining the allocations across its programme areas, including taking into account expenditure trends in 2018, to identify how services can be delivered within the overall fiscal parameters for 2019.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (386)
Tony McLoughlin
Question:386. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a suckler cow scheme will be introduced in order to help to increase the incomes of suckler farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38497/18]
View answerWritten answers
Examination of appropriate measures to support all agrifood sectors, including the suckler sector, is under way in my Department in preparation for the next iteration of the CAP. The measures adopted will be informed by stakeholder consultation on the needs of the sector to develop in an economically and environmentally sustainable way, as well as the available budget and structure of the new CAP when it is finalised.
Currently, the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, which provides Irish beef farmers with some €300 million in funding over the current Rural Development Programme (RDP) period. This scheme is an agri-environmental measure to improve the environmental sustainability of the national suckler herd by increasing genetic merit within the herd.
My Department has rolled out a range of schemes as part of the €4 billion Rural Development Programme (RDP), 2014 - 2020. In addition to the BDGP, other supports which are available for suckler and sheep farmers under Pillar II of the CAP include GLAS, ANCs and Knowledge Transfer Groups. Suckler farmers also benefit from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening payments under CAP Pillar I.
I am strongly of the view that the current range of supports available to suckler farmers, together with ensuring market access to as many markets as possible, both for live animals and beef exports, are appropriate supports for the continued development of the sector. National Farm Survey data suggests that suckler farmers receive support equivalent to approximately €500 per suckler cow on average.
I will continue to argue for as strong a CAP budget as possible, post-2020. In particular, I am committed to ensuring that suckler farmers continue to receive strong support in the next CAP. My view is that such payments should support and encourage suckler farmers to make the best decisions possible to improve the profitability, and the economic and environmental efficiency, of their farming system.
Herd Number Applications
Questions (387)
Patrick O'Donovan
Question:387. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for a herd number by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38498/18]
View answerWritten answers
Staff in my Regional Veterinary Office have been in direct contact with the applicant regarding his herd number application and I expect the matter to be resolved in the shortest possible time.