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Tuesday, 13 Nov 2018

Written Answers Nos. 329-345

Hospital Services

Questions (329)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

329. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if Letterkenny University Hospital is party to a contract with a company with respect to the provision of laundry services; if so, the name of the company; the value of the contract; the duration of the contract; the sum paid to the company in respect of the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46603/18]

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Written answers

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

Medicinal Products Availability

Questions (330)

Marc MacSharry

Question:

330. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46604/18]

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Written answers

Medicines play a vital role in improving the health of Irish patients. Securing access to existing and new and innovative medicines is a key health service objective. However, the challenge is to do this in a safe and sustainable manner. Treatment must be appropriate and proportionate and clinical decision-making, such as prescribing, should be based on both patient needs and sound medical evidence.

Lidocaine 5% medicated plasters are licensed for localised relief of post-shingles pain in adults. This is the patch's only licensed use in Ireland. It has been reimbursed in the community drug schemes since 2010.

Clinical concern arose when, from 2012 on, usage increased significantly, to the point where more plasters were being used in Ireland than in the entire UK National Health Service. In such situations, it is important and appropriate for clinicians to review usage and, in 2016, the HSE Medicines Management Programme (MMP) reviewed the use of the plasters. The review estimated that only 5-10% of prescribing was for the licensed indication.

From September 2017, following the clinical review, the HSE introduced a new reimbursement approval system for the patches, to support appropriate use and patient care. Under these arrangements, the patient's GP or consultant applies to the MMP for reimbursement approval on behalf of the patient. If an application is refused, the clinician may submit an appeal to the MMP, making a clear clinical case for the patient. Information for patients and practitioners is on the HSE MMP website at: hse.ie/yourmedicines.

The outcome of an application or an appeal for reimbursement of lidocaine patches is a matter between the MMP and the treating clinician. The Deputy will appreciate that, as Minister for Health, I cannot intervene in individual cases.

The decision to introduce a new reimbursement approval process is a matter for the HSE. However, I fully support the objectives of the HSE Medicines Management Programme.

Autism Support Services

Questions (331)

Michael Lowry

Question:

331. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if specialist autism specific respite support services will be developed in 2019 for persons in County Tipperary (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46613/18]

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Written 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.

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

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Questions (332)

Niall Collins

Question:

332. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a report from the Minister for State with responsibility for the drugs and alcohol strategy on actions proposed in respect of his commitment to support the continuation of community action on alcohol projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46614/18]

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Written answers

The remit of the Drugs Task Forces was extended to include the problem of alcohol misuse in 2014, in view of the central role they play in coordinating the response to substance misuse at local level. The 2014-2016 Dormant Accounts Action Plan provided a budget of approximately €1m to support the Task Forces in undertaking work at local and regional level to address the alcohol problem.

The Community Action on Alcohol Project (CAAP) was set up in 2014 to assist task forces to develop coordinated strategies to change behaviour around alcohol and to raise awareness of alcohol related harm. CAAP training for Task Forces is funded by the HSE and is delivered by the Alcohol Forum. A Steering Group chaired by the Drugs Policy Unit in the Department of Health oversees the work of CAAP. By the end of 2017, 16 of the 24 Task Forces had participated on the training programme.

The national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery, commits to the establishment of an initiative to deliver an integrated public health approach to drugs and alcohol including the promotion of evidence based approaches to mobilising community action on alcohol.

In June, I announced funding of €1 million to support and enhance services addressing drug and alcohol misuse. This money will be allocated in quarter four of 2018.

Implementing the health-led national drugs strategy continues to be a Government priority. Within the increased envelope of resources available in Budget 2019 for health services, my intention is to prioritise funding for community drug and alcohol projects in task force areas of greatest need, additional drug and alcohol midwives working with vulnerable mothers-to-be and enhanced treatment services to address existing and emerging needs.

The Department of Health is working with the Health Service Executive to finalise the 2019 National Service Plan. Drug and Alcohol Task Forces will be notified of their 2019 funding allocations once the service plan has been approved by the Minister for Health.

HSE Incident Management

Questions (333)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

333. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if the HSE 2018 incident management framework document, designed to provide health and social care services with a practical and proportionate approach to the management of incidents, is mandatory for all staff across all HSE community health organisation, CHO, areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46615/18]

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Written answers

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

Assisted Human Reproduction

Questions (334)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

334. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the legislative provisions in place in the area of surrogacy here. [46616/18]

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Written answers

At present, there are no specific legislative provisions dealing with surrogacy in Ireland. However, as you will be aware, the Government approved the drafting of a Bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research in October last year, which includes provisions for surrogacy.

The specific provisions relating to surrogacy are outlined in Part 6 of the General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017. These provisions outline the specific conditions under which surrogacy in Ireland will be permitted, including a requirement for all surrogacy agreements to be pre-authorised by the AHR Regulatory Authority. The Scheme also sets out a court-based mechanism through which the parentage of a child born through surrogacy may be transferred from the surrogate (and her husband, if applicable) to the intending parent(s).

The General Scheme is published on my Department’s website. The Joint Committee on Health is currently conducting a review of the General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017 as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process, which began in January of this year. The review is on-going and the Committee intends to publish its report early in 2019.

The introduction of legislation in relation to AHR and associated research is a priority for me and the process of drafting this Bill will be completed in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. However, it is not possible at this time to give a definitive timeline for the completion of the draft Bill and its subsequent passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas.

The aim of the AHR legislation is to promote and ensure the health and safety of parents, others involved in the process (such as donors and surrogate mothers) and, most importantly, the children who will be born as a result of AHR. Consideration of the welfare and best interests of children born through AHR is a key principle underpinning the Scheme.

Alcohol Advertising

Questions (335)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

335. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if half-time matches involving minors at sports grounds will be impacted by the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2018 being enacted (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46621/18]

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Written answers

The Public Health (Alcohol) Act prohibits alcohol advertising in or on a sports area during sports events. The sports area, under the legislation includes a playing pitch or area, a swimming pool, an athletics or dog or horse racing track or a motor racing track. The Act also prohibits alcohol advertising at an event aimed particularly at children or at an event at which the majority of participants or competitors are children.

Those provisions will apply from 12 November 2021. As a breach of those provisions is a criminal offence under the Act it would not be appropriate to comment on individual examples.

Nursing Staff Recruitment

Questions (336)

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

336. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if funding is in place and if the recruitment process has commenced for the position of a multiple sclerosis clinical nurse specialist in University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46623/18]

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Written answers

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (337)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

337. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if a review will be carried out on the request to secure independent living for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46629/18]

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

HSE Planning

Questions (338)

Gerry Adams

Question:

338. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the details of the winter initiative plan in place for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda in order to cope with the projected surge in persons accessing acute and step-down services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46632/18]

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Written answers

My Department is working with the HSE to ensure the most effective response to the winter challenges to unscheduled care provision and I expect to be in a position to outline the details of the Winter Plan 2018/19 very shortly.

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 Overcrowding

Questions (339)

Gerry Adams

Question:

339. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the additional measures being put in place in each community health organisation, CHO, area further to recent comments by a union (details supplied) warning that 2018 is forecast to be the worst year ever for hospital patient overcrowding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46633/18]

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Written answers

My Department is working closely with the HSE to ensure the most effective response to this winter within current capacity and resources. As part of this process, the HSE requested singular integrated winter plans from Hospital Groups and Community Health Organisations in June 2018.

€10 million in additional funding has been allocated in 2018 primarily for provision of supports to get patients home from hospital, where appropriate, before the end of the year. My Department sanctioned the release of €5 million of this additional funding to support the deployment of social and primary care measures to support this transition in October.

In addition, I have requested, in the context of the National Service Plan, that the HSE plan activity in 2019 to manage critical demand pressures, most particularly in respect of increased attendance at emergency departments. This planning will include activity in hospitals, primary care and community care to ensure that the system is working at full capacity throughout busy periods.

Winter Planning is at an advanced stage and once completed, my Department and the HSE will be in a position to outline the integrated plans by Hospital Group and CHO.

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 Data

Questions (340)

Gerry Adams

Question:

340. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting appointments in respect of cataract treatment in County Louth; and the number waiting for six, 12, 24 and in excess of 24 months, respectively, in tabular form. [46634/18]

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Written answers

Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for the Government and €50 million was provided to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) in 2018 to secure treatment for patients. The Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan, published last April outlines the combined impact of HSE and NTPF activity in 2018.

The Action Plan places a particular focus on cataract surgery and includes a commitment that the NTPF will provide 5,000 cataract procedures to patients. In addition, the NTPF commits to offer treatment to all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 9 months for a cataract procedure.

The NTPF advise that as of the end of October there were 2 patients waiting for a cataract procedure in Louth County Hospital and Our Lady's of Lourdes Hospital. There is a standard care pathway for patients attending for cataract treatment within the Louth and Drogheda area whereby the patient is assessed by the Community Ophthalmologist, and following assessment, and if deemed to require surgery, are placed directly onto the inpatient/daycase waiting list for cataract surgery at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin.

Cross-Border Health Initiatives

Questions (341)

Gerry Adams

Question:

341. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have accessed cataract treatment from County Louth under the cross-border healthcare directive scheme in each year since 2016. [46635/18]

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Written answers

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

Psychological Services Waiting Lists

Questions (342)

Gerry Adams

Question:

342. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting to access psychology services for community health organisation, CHO, area 8 and specifically for County Louth; the number of these children who have been waiting three to six months, six to 12 months and 12 to 15 months, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46636/18]

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Written answers

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.

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Questions (343, 344)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

343. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the process a person must follow to access cannabis oil in circumstances in which the person suffers with epilepsy. [46639/18]

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Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

344. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the timeline for cannabis oil to be allowed for persons with epilepsy. [46640/18]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 and 344 together.

Under the Misuse of Drugs legal framework, it is open to a medical practitioner to apply for a Ministerial licence for medical cannabis for the treatment of a patient under his or her care.

I would strongly advise that the Deputy and any persons interested in the use of cannabis for medical purposes to consult the Department of Health website which contains detailed information on the matter, including information on the types of cannabis products and the specified medical conditions for which they may be used to treat, as well as clinical guidance on its use. This information can be found at the following website address:

health.gov.ie/blog/publications/cannabis-for-medical-use.

Details of who may apply for a Ministerial licence and how to apply can also be found on this section of the Department's website at: health.gov.ie.

Having consulted the website, patients, healthcare professionals or others who require further details or clarifications are invited to contact my Department directly for further assistance.

Transport Support Scheme

Questions (345)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

345. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to replace the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant withdrawn in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46642/18]

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Written answers

The Deputy will be familiar with the background to the closure of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes in February 2013.

My colleague, the Minister for Health and I brought a Memorandum to Government on proposals for a new Transport Support Payment Scheme towards the end of the last Dáil session. Following consideration of the matter, it was decided to withdraw the Memorandum from the Cabinet Agenda at the time. A new Transport Support Payment Scheme remains a priority and we intend to revert to Government with revised proposals to reflect the discussions at that Cabinet meeting and further discussions between ourselves, in due course.

With regard to the Motorised Transport Grant, this scheme operated as a means-tested grant to assist persons 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 closure of the scheme in February 2013, no further Motorised Transport Grants have been payable.

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.

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