Written Answers Nos. 147-163
147. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to provide greater supports and to reduce costs for persons undergoing IVF treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7430/19]
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. In addition, the Joint Committee on Health is currently conducting a review of the General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017 as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process, which began in January of last year. The review is on-going and the Committee intends to publish its report early this year. However, it is not possible at this time to give a definitive timeline for the completion of the draft Bill and its subsequent passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
In order to support the commencement of the legislation, officials in my Department are working with the HSE to develop a model of care for infertility to ensure the provision of safe, effective and accessible services through the public health system as part of the full range of services available in obstetrics and gynaecology.
The Government has approved a €1 million fund for use in relation to providing public AHR treatment. Officials in my Department are currently examining options in relation to the operation and administration of this fund, which includes determining the access criteria that will apply. Once I have had the opportunity to review and approve these proposals, there will be an announcement regarding the commencement of this fund.
It should also be noted that, currently, patients who access IVF treatment privately may claim tax relief on the costs involved under the tax relief for medical expenses scheme. In addition, a defined list of fertility medicines needed for fertility treatment is covered under the High Tech Scheme administered by the HSE. Medicines covered by the High Tech Scheme must be prescribed by a consultant/specialist and approved by the HSE ‘High Tech Liaison Officers’. The cost of the medicines is then covered, as appropriate, under the Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme.
148. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if the reason the methodology of the cross-border directive will be investigated by which patients are being treated within a few weeks cannot be applied to the National Treatment Purchase Fund in order to expedite the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7441/19]
View answerWith regard to the matter raised by the Deputy, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) advise that under the terms of the Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) they hold with referring hospitals, all referring hospitals should contact patients with an offer of NTPF funded treatment within 2 weeks of receiving an NTPF authorisation of treatment. Subsequent to this, the transfer of the patient’s clinical file to the treating hospital should occur within two weeks of the patient’s acceptance of the offer of NTPF funded treatment.
The NTPF further advise that the treating hospital should ensure that treatment is completed within a maximum of six weeks from receipt of the relevant referring hospital Patient Health Records and Clinical Authorisation Notice (CAN).
All timelines as set out by the NTPF are maximum timelines.
149. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 433 of 29 January 2019, if the note provided to him on 7 September 2018 by his officials updating him on the emerging position of the cost increases involved with building the new national children’s hospital will be provided (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7443/19]
View answerThe briefing notes submitted to me by my officials relating to the emerging position on the cost of the new children's hospital were provided by my Department to the Clerks of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Public Accounts Committee on 7 February 2019. This included the note provided to me on 7 September 2018 referred to by the Deputy.
150. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be arranged at University Hospital Waterford urology department for a person (details supplied); and if the matter will be expedited. [7452/19]
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.
151. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive an appointment at the Cork dental hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7454/19]
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.
152. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting since 2006 for corrective surgery; the further reason a misplacement of files has led to a three-year wait for an appointment with an ENT in South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7455/19]
View answerRegarding the issues raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
153. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7456/19]
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.
154. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who has no spouse or children must pay a larger amount per week for the fair deal scheme than the person's combined pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7460/19]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as A Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their income and assets 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. An applicant to the scheme can choose any public, voluntary or approved private nursing home. The home must have availability and be able to cater for the applicant's particular needs.
Participants in the Scheme contribute up to 80% of their assessable income and a maximum of 7.5% per annum of the value of assets held. Assets include cash assets and all forms of property whether situated in the State or not. The capital value of an individual’s principal private residence (PPR) 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.
The Scheme has a number of important safeguards built into the financial assessment which ensures that:
- Nobody will pay more than the actual cost of care;
- An applicant will keep a personal allowance of 20% of his/her income or 20% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (non-Contributory), whichever is greater. This is in recognition of the fact that, although the NHSS covers core living expenses, residents can still incur some costs in a nursing home, such as social programmes, newspapers or hairdressing;
- If an applicant has a spouse/partner remaining at home, he/she will be left with 50% of the couple’s income or the maximum rate of the State Pension (non-Contributory), whichever is greater;
- If both members of a couple enter nursing home care, they each retain at least 20% of their income, or 20% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (non-Contributory), whichever is greater;
- Certain items of expenditure, called allowable deductions, can be taken into account for the financial assessment, including health expenses, payments required by law, rent payments and borrowings in respect of a person’s principal private residence;
- A person’s eligibility for other schemes, such as the Medical Card Scheme or the Drug Payment Scheme, is unaffected by participation in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme or residence in a nursing home.
155. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if funding is available for a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7469/19]
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.
156. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting since October 2018 for the results of the most recent annual smear test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7470/19]
View answerIn May 2018, I asked CervicalCheck to make the necessary arrangements to provide that any woman who had had a CervicalCheck smear test, and whose GP considered that she should have a further test as part of her reassurance, to access such a further test without charge. This decision was made in good faith to address the considerable fears of the many anxious women in Ireland as a result of significant media coverage of the issues that emerged in late April.
In the months since then, there has been a significant increase in the volume of women presenting for smear tests. This includes women who have availed of the out of cycle tests, but also a greater number of women presenting for scheduled screening.
This increased level of engagement with the programme is very welcome. However, the increased demand has undoubtedly put pressure on lab capacity and turnaround times.
The HSE has been working actively with the labs to manage this issue and to improve turnaround times for smear tests. In addition, the HSE is aiming to source additional screening capacity, which would improve the turnaround time of results; however, sourcing capacity and resources is a global challenge as countries start to move to primary HPV screening, which vastly reduces the requirement for cytology screening staff. The HSE is currently developing a capacity plan, which will take account of available capacity and expected demand, with the aim of bringing the programme into stabilisation this year. This is a priority concern for my Department and the HSE.
The HSE advises that the CervicalCheck Programme has recently agreed with laboratories to prioritise those slides which originate from women who attended colposcopy, as this cohort of women are considered to have the most serious need.
In relation to the specific case raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
157. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) who is fully funded can have funds redirected to the person's parent in view of circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7471/19]
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.
158. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the HSE retains funds in cases in which persons are fully funded and the service is not provided or only partly provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7472/19]
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.
159. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if cataract surgery will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7474/19]
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.
160. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if an anomaly regarding medication available under the drugs payment scheme (details supplied) will be removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7479/19]
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.
161. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be treated under the National Treatment Purchase Fund. [7480/19]
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.
162. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the way in which it is planned to reduce the waiting times being experienced by children in counties Laois and Offaly who are in need of an assessment for occupational therapy. [7482/19]
View answer163. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the way in which it is planned to reduce the long waiting times being experienced by children in County Kildare who are in need of an assessment for occupational therapy. [7483/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 163 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.
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.
