Written Answers Nos. 167-181
169. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the way in which a person may apply to become an instructor in mental health first aid as per the course licence purchased by the HSE and assisted by a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47223/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
170. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if more frequent appointments will be arranged for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [47226/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
171. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health when work will commence on the new acute mental health unit in County Sligo (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47229/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
172. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if a delivery date in respect of equipment ordered for a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be established. [47232/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
173. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the status of the national Traveller health action plan; if a planning advisory body for Traveller health to drive delivery will be established; if the national Traveller health action plan will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47233/18]
View answerHealth and wellbeing are not evenly distributed across society. There are socially excluded groups who experience extreme health inequalities. Such groups include Travellers homeless people, refugees and asylum seekers and people with addiction issues. Inequalities in health are reflected in the mortality and morbidity rates of the population. Rates of chronic diseases are another indicator of health inequalities. A social gradient is also apparent in mental health. Reducing health inequalities can delivery real benefits for society and for future generations. It requires interventions to address the social determinants of health and to provide integrated and comprehensive healthcare services.
The health needs of Travellers' are documented in the landmark All Ireland Traveller Health Study, published in 2010 and funded by the Department of Health.
- The Department of Health, through the HSE, provides funding in the region of €10m per annum for programmes to improve the health situation for Traveller communities. These include:
- primary healthcare projects, counselling services, family support programmes and men's health projects; dedicated public health nurses and related staff; and
- mental health promotion and suicide prevention services in a culturally sensitive manner, to reduce the stigma associated with mental health.
A further €500,000 funding is provided through the Dormant Accounts Fund for initiatives aimed at improving Traveller mental health.
The Department recently convened a workshop on Traveller health needs. This involved representation from various policy units in the Department of Health, Community Healthcare Organisations within the HSE and Traveller organisations.
The National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) has over 30 actions to address the health needs of Travellers and Roma. It includes an action by the HSE to develop and implement a detailed action plan, based on the findings of the All Ireland Traveller Health Study, 2010, to continue to address the specific health needs of Travellers, using a social determinants approach.
I understand a draft of the action plan is being finalised by the HSE and look forward to considering it in due course. Any proposal from the HSE for a planning advisory body for Traveller health, which might include representation from the Department of Health, will also be considered.
174. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the status of the legislation for the new transport support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47234/18]
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.
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.
175. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health his plans to carry out maintenance works in a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47241/18]
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.
176. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health when the FreeStyle Libre device will be available to adult diabetics to assist in the management and control of their illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47242/18]
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.
177. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the awarding of medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47244/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the medical card assessment process is based primarily on a financial assessment and not medical need. The HSE is required to conduct an assessment of an individual's financial circumstances to determine if an individual meets the eligibility requirements before a medical card may be granted. The medical card therefore will only come into effect from the date of approval by the HSE. It should be noted that where particular medical costs arise in advance of any medical card being issued other supports are available to individuals to assist in the cost of medical care. If an individual has registered for the Drugs Payment Scheme he/she will only be required to pay for medication costs up to the value of €134 per month. In addition tax relief on medical expenses that an individual pays for oneself or on behalf of any other person may also be claimed.
It is noted that the HSE can in very particular circumstances issue an emergency medical card for persons in need of urgent or on-going medical care that they cannot afford and for persons in palliative care who are terminally ill. These medical cards are issued within 24 hours of receipt of the required patient details and a letter which confirms the medical condition from a doctor or consultant. With the exception of terminally ill patients, all medical cards, granted on an emergency basis, are followed up with a full application within a number of weeks.
178. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the efforts the HSE is putting in place to ensure the large number of persons on trolleys at Sligo University Hospital does not continue for the duration of the winter period in view of recent numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47249/18]
View answerMy 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 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.
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
I expect to be in a position to outline the full details of the Winter Plan 2018/19 very shortly.
179. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the status of the reforms of the fair deal scheme relating to small businesses and farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47252/18]
View answerThe 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. My Department is working on the development of draft Heads of Bill while considering a number of complex ancillary policy and operational matters which may need to be addressed in the proposed legislation.
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. Subject to legal advice, I expect to bring Heads of Bill to Government in the next session before this year end.
The changes to the Scheme will me into effect in 2019 subject to the legislative process.
180. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a respite payment for a person (details supplied) can be recouped; if a future respite payment will be granted or fulfilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47253/18]
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.
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 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.
181. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason a reply has not issued from the HSE regarding the number of reviews per laboratory (details supplied) in view of evidence provided to the Committee of Public Accounts on 10 November 2018. [47254/18]
View answerAs previously advised to the Deputy, analysis is required in order to make the requested data available. Noting that the Deputy has requested, in effect, that the unanalysed data be provided, the interpretation of such data would not be clear. The requirement for analysis reflects the complexities involved. For example, some women may have had multiple smears, not necessarily read in the same lab; slides may have changed by one grade or multiple grades which is a complexity that would not be shown by a simple breakdown across labs; labs dealt with different regional populations; in the early years of the programme, it was dealing with an unscreened population which is a further complexity.
Once again we wish to emphasise there is in no way any intention to withhold this information. Following significant efforts, appropriate expertise has been sought to ensure that the necessary analysis can be done such that it is anticipated the information sought by the Deputy will be available by the end of the year.
In the broader context in which this data is sought, it is important to reiterate that Dr Scally is clear in his report that the Inquiry is satisfied with the quality management processes in the laboratories contracted by CervicalCheck. As previously outlined to the Deputy, it would be expected that false negatives would have occurred in all laboratories contracted by CervicalCheck since its inception. It is important to emphasise that false negatives are not automatically negligence, and indeed that they are unavoidable in any cervical screening programme. As stated by Judge Meenan in his recently published report, smear tests are a screening test, not a diagnostic process. A significant number of smears will be reported as showing no abnormalities despite there being possible abnormalities present. This does not, of itself, amount to negligence on the part of the person(s) reading the smear. However, “missed” does not mean “negligence”. However, “missed” does not mean “negligence”.
In relation to the 18 month query, the HSE have advised that there was never a criteria in place whereby smears taken less than 18 months from diagnosis were excluded from review. The slides identified for further review were reviewed from a minimum of 1 month prior to diagnosis to up to 78 months prior to diagnosis. The HSE further advise that the Director General has written to Dr Gabriel Scally to provide clarity on this matter and that Dr Scally has welcomed the clarification and published correspondence in this regard on the website of the Scoping Inquiry.
