Written Answers Nos. 358-376
358. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if additional funding will be made available as requested by the HSE in its submission to the health estimates process for respite care services for counties Cork and Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51779/18]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
359. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of hours of personal assistance care provided in CHO7 in each of the years 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51780/18]
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.
360. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of companies contracted to provide personal assistance care on behalf of the HSE in CHO7 for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51781/18]
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.
361. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels for CAMHS teams in CHO area 9; the way in which this compares with the necessary full complement of staff as outlined by A Vision For Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51783/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
362. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the funding provided for a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51793/18]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
363. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when a patient who is in long-term care in an institution needs to attend an outpatients appointment in a general hospital, the person or body responsible for taking the person to and from the appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51801/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
364. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the person or body responsible for bringing a person to and from an appointment in cases in which a patient who is in long-term care in an institution needs to attend an outpatient's appointment in a general hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51809/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
365. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if an early appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [51810/18]
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.
366. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an operation in the maxillofacial unit in St. James’s Hospital, Dublin; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51813/18]
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.
367. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51814/18]
View answerI am informed by my colleague with responsibility for Older People, Minister Jim Daly, that the changing demographics and the implications for future health care costs underpin the importance of developing a wider choice of appropriate housing options for older people suited to their needs.
The aim is to encourage and facilitate timely planning by older people and to rebalance the care model away from residential care to supporting older people to remain living independently at home for longer. As the research shows, this reflects the preferences of older people themselves.
The aim is to ensure that older people will have more choice by developing a range of housing options that are suited to their needs, so they can plan ahead and, insofar as possible, choose the right option for them. These options may include retirement villages, housing with supports projects or other initiatives.
However, it is envisaged that there will always be a cohort of people for whom residential nursing home care is the most appropriate option. The main issue is the significant gap in alternative or intermediary options. This is the issue that Minister Daly wishes to address. Ultimately the model of care with regard to older people must evolve and reform, including in relation to nursing homes. This is the vision set out in Sláintecare.
In terms of my own responsibilities as Minister for Disabilities, the Deputy will be aware that the Report “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion” proposes a new model of support in the community, moving people from Congregated settings to the community in line with Government policy.
The Programme for Partnership Government contains a commitment to continue to move people with disabilities out of congregated settings, to enable them to live independently and to be included in the community. The objective is to reduce this figure by one-third by 2021 and ultimately, to eliminate all congregated settings.
By the end of this year, it is expected that under 2,200 people with a disability will remain living in congregated settings. I want to emphasise that the appropriate supports and resources are being put in place to ensure that people are supported as they move out of residential centres. The model of care for individuals will be based on a person centred plan (PCP). The PCP may change over time in line with an individual’s needs and circumstances and the model of service delivery applicable at a particular time.
In the context of residents in St Mary of the Angels, any opportunity for residents to live in smaller settings in the community will come after considerable planning and discussion with those residents and their families. It will be on the basis that it will enhance their life, and anyone who moves will continue to access the services they require.
As the HSE is responsible for leading out on the recommendations on "Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion", I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
368. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the facilities and options available for persons with acquired brain injury in view of the slow progress over the years in the provision of facilities and the fact that many persons are required to travel to the UK for treatment (details supplied). [51834/18]
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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
369. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a long-term home care package will be put in place for a person (details supplied). [51873/18]
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.
370. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he has formally met his UK counterpart to discuss Brexit and its impact on east-west trade reciprocal arrangements and all other Brexit-related matters that fall within the remit of his Department; the number of times they have formally met to discuss Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51889/18]
View answerThe negotiations on both the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and political declaration on the framework for the EU-UK future relationship, both of which were endorsed by the European Council on 25 November, were conducted on behalf of the EU27 by the EU's Chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, and the Commission's Article 50 Taskforce.
Brexit is a priority issue for this Government. Along with the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and cabinet colleagues, I have engaged with EU partners and the UK to advance Ireland’s priorities. I and Minister of State Catherine Byrne on my behalf have met directly with Ministers from the UK Department of Health and Social Care, and from Scotland on the health aspects of Brexit on eight occasions since the start of 2017. Most recently I met bilaterally with the UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health Lord James O'Shaughnessy to discuss the health aspects of Brexit during my trip to Brussels for the EPSCO Meeting of Health Ministers on 7 December.
On the specific issue raised by the Deputy the Government has already taken a number of key decisions on measures to support East – West Trade. These include staffing, ICT and infrastructure measures to implement necessary checks and controls at our ports and airports. To support businesses, the Government provided dedicated Brexit support measures in Budgets 2017, 2018 and 2019. Ireland is working closely with the EU and fellow Member States to discuss and to facilitate the use of the UK as a landbridge post Brexit.
371. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [51914/18]
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.
372. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the position in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is awaiting a cataract operation. [51918/18]
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.
373. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of the refurbishment of the HSE property on Drogheda Street, Monasterevin, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51948/18]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
374. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a meeting on a matter (details supplied) will be arranged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51968/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
375. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a matter will be addressed regarding the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51971/18]
View answerI am informed by my colleague with responsibility for Older People, Minister Jim Daly, that the changing demographics and the implications for future health care costs underpin the importance of developing a wider choice of appropriate housing options for older people suited to their needs. The aim is to encourage and facilitate timely planning by older people and to rebalance the care model away from residential care to supporting older people to remain living independently at home for longer. As the research shows, this reflects the preferences of older people themselves.
The aim is to ensure that older people will have more choice by developing a range of housing options that are suited to their needs, so they can plan ahead and, insofar as possible, choose the right option for them. These options may include retirement villages, housing with supports projects or other initiatives.
However, it is envisaged that there will always be a cohort of people for whom residential nursing home care is the most appropriate option. The main issue is the significant gap in alternative or intermediary options. This is the issue that Minister Daly wishes to address. Ultimately the model of care with regard to older people must evolve and reform, including in relation to nursing homes. This is the vision set out in Sláintecare.
In terms of my own responsibilities as Minister for Disabilities, the Deputy will be aware that the Report “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion” proposes a new model of support in the community, moving people from Congregated settings to the community in line with Government policy.
The Programme for Partnership Government contains a commitment to continue to move people with disabilities out of congregated settings, to enable them to live independently and to be included in the community. The objective is to reduce this figure by one-third by 2021 and ultimately, to eliminate all congregated settings.
By the end of this year, it is expected that under 2,200 people with a disability will remain living in congregated settings. I want to emphasise that the appropriate supports and resources are being put in place to ensure that people are supported as they move out of residential centres. The model of care for individuals will be based on a person centred plan (PCP). The PCP may change over time in line with an individual’s needs and circumstances and the model of service delivery applicable at a particular time.
In the context of residents in St Mary of the Angels, any opportunity for residents to live in smaller settings in the community will come after considerable planning and discussion with those residents and their families. It will be on the basis that it will enhance their life, and anyone who moves will continue to access the services they require.
As the HSE is responsible for leading out on the recommendations on "Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion", I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
376. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of information and communications technology contracts in place in the HSE that involve prepayments in respect of work to be carried out by a third party; the amount of prepayments made for works that have not been completed; the companies in respect of each of these cases; the duration of each of these contracts; the overall costs of each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51977/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
