Tuesday, 4 Dec 2018

Written Answers Nos. 338-359

Disability Services Provision

Questions (338)

Mick Barry

Question:

338. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if suitable residential care can be obtained for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50262/18]

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

Ministerial Meetings

Questions (339)

Niall Collins

Question:

339. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the public events he attended by county since 1 May 2018 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50285/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Ministers undertook to publish their diaries on the Department’s website in line with the Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection Act. The Ministerial diary is published on the Department's website quarterly in arrears. Currently, diary dates for 2008 up to 31st of August are available. Diary entries for the last quarter will be available in early 2019.

Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors Recruitment

Questions (340)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

340. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of non-consultant hospital doctor, NCHD, vacancies in hospitals nationally in tabular form. [50292/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Questions (341)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

341. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of senior house officer, SHO, vacancies in hospitals nationally in tabular form. [50293/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Nursing Staff Recruitment

Questions (342)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

342. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of nurse vacancies by community healthcare organisation, CHO, and local health office, LHO, in tabular form. [50294/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (343)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

343. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and an urgent appointment expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50299/18]

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.

Autism Support Services

Questions (344)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

344. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not been provided with an autism diagnostic observation schedule assessment despite being referred for one. [50302/18]

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

Occupational Therapy Waiting Lists

Questions (345)

James Lawless

Question:

345. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if an appointment with an occupational therapist will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50305/18]

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.

Medical Aids and Appliances Applications Data

Questions (346)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

346. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if there have been recorded cases of anaplastic large cell lymphoma related to textured implants here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50313/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Deputy's question refers to service delivery matters and accordingly, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.

Hospital Admissions

Questions (347)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

347. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons admitted to hospitals in 2017 for diabetes related illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50314/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Diabetes Strategy

Questions (348)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

348. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of diabetes related illnesses to the health service each year; the amount the health service spends on diabetes prevention and management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50315/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Medicinal Products Data

Questions (349)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

349. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the HSE purchases drugs or medicines produced by Israeli pharmaceutical companies in occupied Palestinian territory; and if so, the medicines purchased. [50316/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Primary Care Services Provision

Questions (350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

350. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the primary care teams in place in community healthcare organisation, CHO 1; and the number of staff employed in each by position and-or grade, that is, general practitioner, nurse and therapy posts in tabular form. [50320/18]

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

351. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the primary care teams in place in community healthcare organisation, CHO 2; and the number of staff employed in each by position and grade, that is, general practitioner, nurse and therapy posts in tabular form. [50321/18]

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

352. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the primary care teams in place in community healthcare organisation, CHO 3; and the number of staff employed in each by position and grade, that is, general practitioner, nurse and therapy posts in tabular form. [50322/18]

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

353. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the primary care teams in place in community healthcare organisation, CHO 4; and the number of staff employed in each by position and grade, that is, general practitioner, nurse and therapy posts in tabular form. [50323/18]

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

354. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the primary care teams in place in community healthcare organisation, CHO 5; and the number of staff employed in each by position and grade, that is, general practitioner, nurse and therapy posts in tabular form. [50324/18]

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

355. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the primary care teams in place in community healthcare organisation, CHO 6; and the number of staff employed in each by position and grade, that is, general practitioner, nurse and therapy posts in tabular form. [50325/18]

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

356. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the primary care teams in place in community healthcare organisation, CHO 7; and the number of staff employed in each by position and grade, that is, general practitioner, nurse and therapy posts in tabular form. [50326/18]

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

357. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the primary care teams in place in community healthcare organisation, CHO 8; and the number of staff employed in each by position and grade, that is, general practitioner, nurse and therapy posts in tabular form. [50327/18]

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

358. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the primary care teams in place in community healthcare organisation, CHO 9; and the number of staff employed in each by position and grade, that is, general practitioner, nurse and therapy posts in tabular form. [50328/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 350 to 358, inclusive, together.

As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Medicinal Products

Questions (359)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

359. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to problems with permanent contraceptives manufactured by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50335/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

My attention has been drawn to the recent media coverage around medical devices regulation and certain medical devices which were or are available to Irish patients

I understand that the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has received some incident reports in relation to the Essure contraceptive product, however they have also confirmed that Essure has not been distributed in Ireland since January 2014.

The HPRA has further advised me that the sale of Essure has been voluntarily discontinued across Europe and Bayer has made the business decision to stop distribution in the US by the end of 2018 due to declining sales. The HPRA maintain a dedicated section on their own website to provide information for women who have received this device and for healthcare professionals.

With regard to the wider matter of medical device regulation and safety, a new EU Medical Device Regulation will be implemented over the coming years and will enhance and reinforce the existing regulatory system. The HPRA were one of the strongest proponents of this tightening of Regulation and indeed provided expert advice to the EU during the deliberations of this new Regulation.