Written Answers Nos. 466-485
466. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the number of the 15 recommendations of the 2012 Report on the Review of Drugs Task Forces and the National Structures Under Which They Operate that have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48292/18]
View answerThe 2012 Report on the Review of Drug Task Forces made fifteen recommendations aimed at strengthening the effectiveness and impact of Drug Task Forces.
The Review's recommendations focused on the role, composition and boundaries of Drugs Task Forces, the national structures as set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, and the development of a performance measurement system.
Although the majority of the Review's recommendations have been implemented, many of them are now out of date as they related to the oversight structures in place under the National Drug Strategy 2009-2016. In July 2017 a new strategy 'Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery-a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025' was subsequently launched. This strategy has taken on board the recommendations of the 2012 Review where appropriate.
Work is ongoing in the Department, in association with key stakeholders, on the revision of the 'Task Force Handbook'. It is intended that the revised handbook will contribute to improving the overall governance and accountability of Task Forces. This work is an important preliminary step in the development of a performance measurement system as recommended in the 2012 Review. An implementation plan to operationalise a Performance Measurement System will be developed by 2020. It is intended that an outstanding recommendation from the 2012 Review on the realignment of Task Force boundaries will be examined as part of this process.
467. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the number of residential detox and rehabilitation beds available; his plans to implement the recommendations of the 2007 Health Service Executive report on residential treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48293/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
468. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by his Department have been carried out; the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising and other consultancy or production costs for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48294/18]
View answerThe Health Promotion Unit of the Health Service Executive has responsibility for promotion of policies in relation to public health. Within the Department, we have surveyed units which engage in public information campaigns and responses returned are as follows:
|
Year |
Campaign |
Cost € |
|
2018 |
Healthy Ireland - communications and citizens engagement programme, Healthy Ireland 2018 |
390,456 |
|
2017 |
Healthy Ireland - wall calendar |
10,000 |
|
2016 |
Radio ad re Smoking in Cars |
935 |
|
2015 |
Radio ad re Smoking in Cars |
49,078 |
As not all units have yet made returns, I will contact the Deputy again if further relevant information is submitted.
469. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary No. 404 of 13 November 2018, if he will consider the prohibition by clinics here to engage in the activity of proactively arranging for couples to seek anonymous gametes in clinics located in other jurisdictions in which it may be legal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48310/18]
View answerAs indicated in my previous response to you (on 13 November last) the purpose of the General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017 is to regulate assisted human reproduction (AHR) activities occurring in Ireland. This includes providing for the establishment of the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority here.
I would re-iterate that the State can only regulate activities that occur in this jurisdiction and cannot regulate people availing of AHR treatment that is legally provided in another country.
470. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the entitlement that older persons that satisfy the means test and clinical assessment criteria to respite care in a public hospital or nursing home; the number of free days respite they are entitled to in every 12 month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48311/18]
View answerRespite care is an essential component to ensuring older people with care needs in the home, including those with dementia, can be cared for in their community and close to their carers. Respite beds offer additional assistance to families and carers thus helping to alleviate the ongoing stress associated with providing care. The provision of respite can often assist with avoidable acute hospital admissions.
There are in the region of 2,000 “short stay” public beds nationally with a budget of €212 million approximately. This includes step-up, step-down care, intermediate care, rehab and respite care comprised of a mixture of the following categories:
- Palliative
- Respite
- Rehab Specific
- Convalescent
- Dementia Respite
- Assessment beds
- Transitional care beds.
These beds are interchangeable for use depending on demand in the centres and so the number of specific respite beds in any one month can fluctuate up and down.
The Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all persons ordinarily resident in the country are eligible, subject to certain charges, for public in-patient services. In-patient services are defined as institutional services provided for persons while maintained in a hospital, convalescent home or home for persons suffering from physical or mental disability or in accommodation ancillary thereto.
Within this overall definition of in-patient care, a person may be eligible for acute in-patient care in circumstances where in-patient services are provided in a hospital for the care and treatment of patients with acute ailments to a person requiring medically acute care and treatment.
The definition of “in-patient services” covers a range of services which may include respite care provided or funded by the HSE in residential accommodation (other than in the person’s own home).
In this context, whether respite care services for older persons falls within the definition of in-patient or acute in-patient services depends on the setting in which the service is provided and the type of service provided.
A person in receipt of acute in-patient services is liable, subject to a number of exemptions, for the statutory acute in-patient charge, currently €80 per day for a maximum of 10 days in any period of 12 consecutive months.
In non-acute residential support service settings, an obligation to pay contributions towards maintenance and accommodation costs applies under section 67C of the Health Act 1970. This includes non-acute residential respite care services provided by the HSE or by agencies funded to provide such services on behalf of the HSE under section 38 of the Health Act 2004. These contributions apply to the maintenance and accommodation elements only of such services. There is no provision for free days in each 12 month period. However, a threshold provision means that contributions are payable on a given day if the person has received 30 or more days of residential support services during the immediately preceding 12-month period.
A waiver system is in place to ensure that each service user's maintenance and accommodation contribution is based on what he or she can afford, taking account of the service user's individual circumstances.
The HSE publishes detailed supporting documentation in relation to long stay residential support services maintenance and accommodation contributions on its website at www.hse.ie/longstaycontributions.
471. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the provision he will make for home support services for the elderly in view of the significant increase in the number of persons waiting for home support services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48314/18]
View answer472. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health his plans to deal with the challenges and risks posed to elderly persons waiting for homecare supports during adverse weather conditions; the number of extra persons he plans on providing these services to in winter 2018/2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48315/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 471 and 472 together.
Following the recent Budget announcement, the HSE and officials from the Department of Health are in the process of developing and agreeing the HSE National Service Plan 2019, which will set out, in detail, the type and quantum of services to be delivered in 2019 including in relation to services for older people.
In the context of winter planning there has been a sustained focus in recent years on reducing delayed discharges and enabling patients to be discharged from acute hospital sooner; the HSE is currently finalising its Winter Plan, in conjunction with the Department of Health, to provide the most effective response to the challenges to unscheduled care provision in the coming months. This Plan will contain a range of measures across hospitals, primary care and community care settings to manage critical demand pressures during winter to ensure that the system is working at full capacity throughout busy periods.
As part of Budget 2019, €10 million has been made available to the HSE for the winter period for home care packages and other supports to minimise delays in people getting home from hospital, with a focus on those in the over 75 age group. An additional €10m has been provided in 2018 to anticipate and manage critical demand pressures on the health service and Minister Harris has requested the HSE to prioritise social care measures, with a focus on measures to support older people to transition from acute care to the most appropriate setting. The Social Care measures to be included in the winter 2018/2019 plan are currently being put into place.
473. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of carers in the employment of the HSE in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in each CHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48316/18]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
474. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress report on the uptake of the flu vaccine to date; the details of the uptake to date compared with 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48317/18]
View answerThe information that the Deputy seeks is not readily available. Therefore, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy.
476. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health his plans to address an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48320/18]
View answerThe issue that the Deputy has raised is being addressed in the context of the national Obesity Policy and Action Plan being implemented by my Department.
A 'Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland agenda.
This Policy, which takes a ‘whole system’ approach, and covers a ten-year period up to 2025, was developed with a high degree of consultation, including with children and young people.
Childhood obesity is a key priority under the Policy, as is reducing the inequalities we see in obesity rates, where children (and adults) from lower socioeconomic groups have higher levels of obesity.
The Department of Health has established an Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group, comprising of officials from a range of other Departments as well as key academic and health agency representation. It is comprised of representatives from the following Departments and Agencies: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Department of Children and Youth Affairs; Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection; Department of Education and Skills; Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government; University College Cork; the Food Safety Authority of Ireland; the Health Service Executive (HSE) - including the National Clinical Lead for Obesity; and Safefood.
Sub-groups on Reformulation and on Healthy Eating have been established as initial priority areas for action. Work has commenced on a Roadmap for Reformulation of foods and drinks to reduce sugar and fat content.
In addition, a voluntary code of practice for food and beverages promotion, marketing and sponsorship has also been developed involving representatives from the food industry, advertising sector, statutory agencies, and various Government Departments. This Code was published in February and work is underway to operationalise it.
A Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tax commenced on the 1st of May this year.
New Healthy Eating Guidelines and Food Pyramid resources have been published, and widely disseminated, including to all primary and post-primary schools. In addition, new Nutrition Standards for the School Meals Scheme have been introduced.
Work has commenced on developing Healthy Eating Guidelines for the 1-5 year old age group, which will be a valuable resource for parents and carers in the future. In the HSE the Healthy Eating Active Living programme is supporting work in the education sector, as well as with parents, families and communities in delivering a more co-ordinated approach to prevention and early intervention in child obesity.
This includes a five-year communications campaign, called START, which is being delivered in collaboration with the HSE and Safefood, with a focus on supporting parents make healthy choices around food and activity
A HSE national Clinical Lead for Obesity was appointed in 2017. Health assessments (including weight checks) were introduced in the GP under-6s contract. The HSE is also implementing a national Breastfeeding Action Plan which is very important and relevant to this topic.
Finally, under the broader Healthy Ireland agenda, a number of other major initiatives support the Obesity Policy:
- The National Physical Activity Plan is one of the key developments arising from Healthy Ireland, and implementation of that Plan is well underway in collaboration with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and a range of other stakeholders.
- The Healthy Ireland 2018 Communications campaign aims to encourage people to make a small, healthy change under three themes – Healthy Eating, Physical Activity and Mental Wellbeing, and we are working with a range of national and local partners to deliver a range of communications and citizen engagement activities.
- The Healthy Ireland Fund, which was initiated in 2017 has supported a range of actions at both national and local level, many of which are targeted at children and which aim to support the Obesity Policy and the Physical Activity Plan.
477. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an assessment of need will be scheduled in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48325/18]
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.
478. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health when the building of a unit (details supplied) will be commenced; when the building of the unit will be completed; and if these commitments will be fully included in the HSE service and capital plan for 2019. [48329/18]
View answerThe Programme for Partnership Government contains a Government commitment regarding the development of a dedicated Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Unit in Beaumont Hospital, to be progressed in the context of a new model of care.
A model of care for people with Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland is being developed by the National Clinical Programme for Cystic Fibrosis. It will set out standards and requirements for the physical and human resources to be provided for treatment of people with Cystic Fibrosis from a national perspective.
In terms of the progression of the CF Unit capital project in Beaumont Hospital I am happy to confirm that it has been included in the National Planning Framework under Project Ireland 2040, as well as being recommended for inclusion in the HSE's capital plan by the HSE National Capital and Property Steering Committee.
The Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of health infrastructure projects and is currently preparing its National Service Plan for 2019 which will outline the details of this and other capital projects to be progressed next year.
479. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if extra funding will be provided to facilitate extra hours of speech and language therapy at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48367/18]
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.
480. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be allocated a spinal stimulator. [48399/18]
View answerUnder 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.
481. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a MRI appointment for a child (details supplied) will be scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48403/18]
View answerUnder 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.
482. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to appoint an additional orthopaedic consultant surgeon to a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48411/18]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
483. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the rationale for the decision not to proceed with legislating for the establishment of hospital trusts and groups; the reason this decision has been undertaken; the costs associated with the establishment of the trusts to date; the governance structure that will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48416/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the cross-party Oireachtas Committee report, Sláintecare, recommended the establishment of regional health bodies to better support and underpin the delivery of new models of integrated care and population-based service planning and delivery.
In response, the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy approved by Government during the summer commits to the establishment of a new framework of health structures, governance and accountability.
As set out in the Strategy, these new structures will involve a reconfiguration of the current HSE into a leaner national centre with responsibility for national planning, strategy and standard setting. This central authority will be complemented in time by regional integrated care organisations which will operate with appropriate operational autonomy within defined geographic areas and with clear reporting structures and will deliver almost all services at regional and local level. These organisations will build on excellent work to date in the development of Hospital Groups and Community Healthcare Organisations. This has brought about positive change, but the fact that they are not aligned and are separate management structures impedes the kind of integrated planning and delivery unpinning the Sláintecare vision.
The Sláintecare Implementation Strategy sets out the steps to be taken to achieve these new structures. A public consultation on the geographical alignment of Hospital Groups and CHOs took place earlier this year, and I expect to bring proposals to Government on this in the near future. Over the coming period, work will also begin on defining and agreeing a new organisational and operational structure for the future reconfigured health service, including respective roles of the Department of Health, the HSE and national and regional integrated care organisations. Ultimately this will lead to legislation for the revised health structures, putting them on a statutory basis.
As the Deputy will appreciate, I decided to await the Oireachtas Committee’s recommendations before proceeding with the hospital trust process, and consequently, we have incurred no costs on this. Under the Sláintecare proposals, there would no longer be a requirement to establish trusts.
484. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to upgrade the customs post at Rosslare Europort to a border inspection post in view of Brexit. [47904/18]
View answerAs part of on-going planning for Brexit, my Department has been working with other government departments, including the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, in assessing the infrastructure requirements at ports that are currently in receipt of consignments of products, plants and animals from the UK. Such consignments will require SPS checks to be carried out at a designated border control post, following the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union, and after the transition period. Rosslare has been identified as a port where SPS checks will need to be carried out. Work is underway, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works (OPW), to identify a suitable site for the construction of a border control post (BCP) at Rosslare Port. The BCP will be part of a multi-agency central compound. DAFM will continue to liaise with the OPW and the other State bodies who will be sharing this facility, with a view to ensuring that the design meets all legislative requirements, works as efficiently and effectively as possible and maximizes value for money, in particular through the sharing of facilities where this is provided for by the legislation.
485. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a forestry payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47682/18]
View answerThe person named was approved for an afforestation contract in January 2012. The second grant payment application from the person named was received by my Department in November 2017. On receipt of this payment application, an assessment of the plantation was carried out by the relevant District Inspector. A series of shortcomings in relation to adherence with the scheme’s silvicultural requirements was identified as part of the inspection and was communicated to the person named and their forestry company in December 2017 for remedial action to be completed no later than by 26th July 2019. The remedial works required were not related to any flooding incident, but were solely related to silvicultural requirements that apply to the afforestation scheme.
In October 2018, the applicant’s forestry company informed my Department that all remedial works had been completed. A subsequent assessment was carried out by the District Inspector in October 2018. The Inspector advised that the site was not up to the required silvicultural standard and that there were still remedial works outstanding to be carried out. My Department informed the applicant and his forestry company of the outstanding remedial works on 7th November 2018.
The Afforestation Scheme Terms and Conditions specify that second instalment grants will be paid only when the entire plantation is up to the required standard. If part of the plantation fails inspection, payment may be withheld on the entire area until the remedial works are carried out and the plantation established. In addition, the Terms and Conditions also set out that the 7th and all subsequent annual premium payments must be withheld until the second instalment grant has been paid. The person named was notified of the scheme’s terms and conditions when signing up to the grant scheme and in all subsequent correspondence from my Department.
