Written Answers Nos. 154-177
154. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the age at which children with intellectual disabilities are assessed for adult respite services in order to access adult respite waiting lists; and if adult respite hours are allocated on a priority and highest needs basis or based on the length of time a person is on the waiting list. [5972/19]
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.
155. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a bed will be available for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5973/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
156. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated to a club (details supplied); if a decision has been made on allocating further funding to same; and if a reduction in funding has been allocated to it in 2019. [5976/19]
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.
157. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a home care package will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5981/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
158. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will provide funding for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal for an implant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5984/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
159. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if a clinic (details supplied) is in a position to provide postnatal care with qualified registered midwives on its staff. [5990/19]
View answerAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
160. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of respite hours provided for adults with an intellectual disability in County Wexford in each of the years 2010 to 2018, in tabular form. [5992/19]
View answer161. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of respite hours provided for children and adolescents with an intellectual disability in County Wexford in each of the years 2010 to 2018, in tabular form. [5993/19]
View answer162. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health if there is a limit to or a maximum amount of respite hours for adults with an intellectual disability available by year for each person who is eligible; and the criteria for eligibility for these respite hours. [5994/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 160 to 162, inclusive, together.
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 questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
163. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he has held discussions regarding the future of the cross-Border directive, in particular regarding patients accessing services in Northern Ireland post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6064/19]
View answerThe HSE operates the EU Cross Border Directive (CBD) in Ireland. Patients in Ireland can seek to be referred to another EU/EEA member state for medical treatment that is available in the public health service in Ireland. The patient may access the overseas service in either the public or private health sector of the EU/EEA member state they choose to receive the service in. The patient pays for the treatment and claims reimbursement from the HSE at the cost of that treatment in Ireland or the cost of it abroad, whichever is the lesser.
As part of a whole of Government response to Brexit, the Department of Health is working to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated set of preparations to ensure continuity of health services post-Brexit. This work involves the Department and the HSE and other agencies in engaging in intensive Brexit preparedness and contingency planning.
Work is ongoing to ensure that insofar as possible there is minimum disruption to health services and that essential services are maintained on a Cross-Border, all-island and Ireland-UK basis.
It should also be noted that post-Brexit, patients in Ireland can continue to seek to be referred to the remaining EU/EEA member states for treatment under the CBD.
164. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be arranged for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6068/19]
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.
165. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if additional home help will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6089/19]
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 questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
166. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals for counselling in primary care that were made in each CHO area in each of the years 2010 to 2018, in tabular form. [6092/19]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
167. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals for the self-harm intervention programme that were made in each CHO area in each of the years 2010 to 2018, in tabular form. [6093/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
168. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals for children and adolescents for counselling and psychotherapy that were recorded by the HSE in each CHO area in each of the years 2010 to 2018, in tabular form. [6094/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
169. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6100/19]
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.
170. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health when a procedure will take place for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6102/19]
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.
171. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the cardiac rehabilitation waiting list at Ennis General Hospital. [6103/19]
View answerIn relation to plans to reduce the cardiac rehabilitation waiting list at Ennis General Hospital, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
172. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the position on access to cognitive behavioural therapy through the County Clare mental health service; his plans to enhance the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6104/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
173. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6107/19]
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.
174. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if payment under the fair deal scheme would be subject to review in the event that a widow who was living alone and is now in a nursing home were to let their principal private residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6116/19]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
Participants in the Scheme contribute up to 80% of their assessable income, such as their pension and a maximum of 7.5% per annum of the value of assets held, such as their principal private residence or cash assets. The first €36,000 of an individual’s assets is not counted at all in the financial assessment. The capital value of an individual’s principal private residence is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of their time in care. This is known as the three year cap. No participant will pay more than the actual cost of care.
Under the NHSS rental income is considered income for the purpose of the financial assessment of means and is assessed at 80% less any allowable deductions.
Action 17 of the Strategy for the Rental Sector commits the Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government (DHPLG) to examine the treatment under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme's financial assessment of income from the rental of a person's principal private residence where they move into long term residential care. The Department of Health is currently engaging with the DHPLG in this regard to examine the policy and legal implications on this issue. Any changes to the treatment of rental income under the Scheme require careful policy analysis and consideration and if changes were to be proposed primary legislation would be required to give effect to them. Work will continue on this issue throughout 2019.
175. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a prescription for a person (details supplied); the date for the provision of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6123/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
176. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the recommendations put forward by a group (details supplied) will be considered on the assisted human reproduction Bill; if he will re-engage with stakeholders to ensure that all persons can be legally recognised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6128/19]
View answerIn October 2017 the Government approved the drafting of a Bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research, based on the published General Scheme. The process of drafting this Bill will be completed in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. As part of this process officials in my Department will ensure that there is coherent interaction between the AHR Bill and Parts 2 & 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015.
My officials and I have engaged with LGBT Ireland in relation to issues they had raised regarding the provisions within the General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017 and within Parts 2 & 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015. As part of this process of engagement, LGBT Ireland also made a formal submission to the Department in relation to these matters.
Related to the process of drafting the AHR Bill, the Joint Committee on Health’s is currently reviewing the General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process. The Committee intends to publish its report early in 2019. Given the comprehensive scope of the legislation and the ethical, legal and social issues that arise with AHR practices, it is anticipated that certain areas of the General Scheme will require further consideration and refinement during the drafting process. An analysis of the Committee's report on the General Scheme, once completed, and the response of stakeholders, including LGBT Ireland, to the proposals will feed into this process.
The aim of the proposed AHR legislation is to promote and ensure the rights, health and safety of all those involved, and, most importantly, the children who will be born as a result of these procedures. Consideration of the welfare and best interests of children born through AHR is a key principle underpinning the draft legislation.
177. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the dates, times, minutes and personnel present for all meetings between his officials and the chief executive or acting chief executive of the HSE in each of the years 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019. [6132/19]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available. I have surveyed the Department and the collated replies will be prepared into a full response to the Deputy as soon as possible.
In the meantime, if there is a particular issue or meeting for which the Deputy requires details please provide the specifics to my private office who will liaise with the relevant unit to expedite the required information.
