Tuesday, 9 Oct 2018

HSE Staff

Questions (345)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

345. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a HSE position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41128/18]

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Written answers

I understand that the EB outreach nurse post is currently being funded by the HSE for 3 years, from January 2017 to the end of 2019 and that this post has hugely benefitted families and patients’ ability and resilience to live with Epidermolysis bullosa.

Funding beyond 2019 to support this clinical nurse specialist outreach post will be considered within the HSE in the first instance next year in the context of service prioritisation for 2020 and with regard to competing priorities for resources available.

Health Services Funding

Questions (346)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

346. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a budget 2019 request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41129/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I am aware that at the recent launch of a research report, DEBRA Ireland made a request for ringfenced funding for care packages for Epidermolysis Bullosa patients.

All funding requests are considered as part of the Estimates process in the context of competing priorities. However, funding for care packages is not based on specialty, but rather on an independent assessment of each individual case according to clinical need. This helps to ensure that the resources available are used in the most effective manner possible.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Eligibility

Questions (347)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

347. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health when the new contributory assessment conditions under the fair deal scheme will come into practice whereby land and businesses will be excluded after three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41135/18]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The proposed policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), to cap contributions from farm assets at 3 years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset, has been approved by Government. I hope to progress the legislation in the Oireachtas in the autumn session. My Department is working on the development of draft Heads of Bill while considering a number of ancillary policy and operational matters which may need to be addressed in the proposed legislation.

The impact of potential changes to the NHSS will be considered as part of Budget 2019, with changes expected to take effect next year following the legislative process. It is intended that this proposed policy change, the 3 year cap, will be extended to eligible existing participants in long term residential care so that they are not disadvantaged, but that there would be no retrospective recoupment of contributions for those who have paid contributions over and above the 3 year period.

Disability Support Services Funding

Questions (348)

Frank O'Rourke

Question:

348. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if the requested funding of €600,000 will be provided to an organisation (details supplied) to enable a respite facility to open 52 weeks of the year instead of 40 weeks a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41142/18]

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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.

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 (349)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

349. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41144/18]

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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, 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.

Question No. 350 answered with Question No. 303.

Disability Support Services Funding

Questions (351)

Joan Collins

Question:

351. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if the further €600,000 will be allocated to a group (details supplied) for its care centre in Dublin. [41152/18]

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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.

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.

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Questions (352)

Michael McGrath

Question:

352. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the finger test strip utilisation monitoring is indicating a cost or a saving (details supplied); the measures the HSE has determined to be the next steps in the finger test strips utilisation monitoring; the way in which persons that will turn 22 years of age in the next six months will be treated if they do not qualify for the reimbursement scheme any longer but would like to continue using it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41153/18]

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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.

HSE Staff Data

Questions (353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359)

Peter Burke

Question:

353. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of staff across all grades working at the National Recruitment Service, Manorhamilton; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41155/18]

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Peter Burke

Question:

354. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the full budget allocated to the National Recruitment Service, Manorhamilton; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41156/18]

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Peter Burke

Question:

355. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the scope of responsibility of the National Recruitment Service, Manorhamilton; the facilities for which it is responsible for recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41157/18]

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Peter Burke

Question:

356. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of staff vacancies unfilled both new and current across all grades at the National Recruitment Service, Manorhamilton (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41158/18]

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Peter Burke

Question:

357. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant positions across all grades that are before the National Recruitment Service, Manorhamilton awaiting final appointment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41159/18]

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Peter Burke

Question:

358. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of positions across all grades filled by the National Recruitment Service, Manorhamilton in each of the years 2011 to 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41160/18]

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Peter Burke

Question:

359. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of staff working at the National Recruitment Service, Manorhamilton; the budget assigned to it for each of the years 2011 to 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41161/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 353 to 359, inclusive, together.

I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.

Hospital Staff Data

Questions (360)

Peter Burke

Question:

360. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of staff vacancies approved both current and new waiting to be filled by grade across all the statutory hospitals for each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41162/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.

HSE Agency Staff Expenditure

Questions (361, 362)

Peter Burke

Question:

361. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on agency staff by each statutory hospital in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41163/18]

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Peter Burke

Question:

362. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on agency staff for all the voluntary hospitals in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41164/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 362 together.

I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.