Thursday, 21 Feb 2019

Medicinal Products

Questions (125)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

125. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health when Kuvan will be approved by his Department and the HSE for persons with PKU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8822/19]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (126)

John Brassil

Question:

126. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if funds will be allocated to refurbish an acute mental health unit in University Hospital Kerry as committed to in the 2019 national service plan of the HSE; if the overspend on the national children’s hospital will not impact on this commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8828/19]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The new children’s hospital is a vital and much needed project. The Government has examined the funding pressures associated with delivering this important project and has made adjustments to capital allocations to ensure that the new children’s hospital will be delivered.

My Department and the Health Service Executive are currently engaged in a process to finalise the HSE Capital Plan for 2019. The HSE Capital Plan will determine the projects that can progress in 2019 and beyond having regard to the total available capital funding and the relevant priority of each project.

All Health capital projects, currently at various stages of development, such as the project in Kerry, are included as part of this process. Once the HSE has finalised its Capital Plan for 2019, it will then be submitted to me for consideration.

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly and outline the current status of Kerry University Hospital.

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Questions (127, 136)

John Brassil

Question:

127. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if Lomotil will be reimbursed under the medical card scheme at its cost price to pharmacies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8829/19]

View answer

John Brassil

Question:

136. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if Lomotil will be reinstated on the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8903/19]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 136 together.

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

Pharmaceutical Sector

Questions (128)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

128. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if the concerns of a person (details supplied) in relation to rules covering the temporary absence of pharmacists will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8830/19]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Pharmacy Act 2007 established the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) and the functions of the Society are set out in the Act. The functions of the PSI are carried out on its behalf by the Council of the Society.

Section 30 of the Pharmacy Act 2007 provides for an exception to the general provision in the Act which requires the sale and supply of medicines at a pharmacy to be conducted under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacist, and specifies that no offence is committed where a registered pharmaceutical assistant “acts on behalf of a registered pharmacist during the temporary absence of the registered pharmacist”.

Section 30 also permits the Council to make rules as to:

1. What may or may not be done by a registered pharmaceutical assistant when acting on behalf of a registered pharmacist; and

2. What constitutes the temporary absence of a registered pharmacist.

Following a period of public consultation, the Council of the PSI considered the proposed draft Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2018 at its meeting of 20 September 2018, where the Council approved the draft rules without amendment. Following this, the PSI undertook to redraft the Rules in relation to what may or not be done by a registered pharmaceutical assistant when acting on behalf of a registered pharmacist.

On 6 December, the Council of the PSI approved a revised draft of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2018 for issuance for public consultation. This public consultation commenced on 13 December 2018 and ran until 11 January 2019, affording any interested party the opportunity to make representations on the matter directly to the PSI.

Following completion of the public consultation phase, the Council of the PSI considered the proposed draft Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2018 at its meeting on 14 February 2019.

My role in relation to this process is limited to the consideration of any such Rules once submitted for my consent. I must consider any Rules presented to me from a fair and impartial perspective, without prejudice or prejudgment.

I await the receipt of the Rules for my consideration from the PSI and, until that time, I am unfortunately not in a position to comment any further on the matter raised.

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Questions (129)

James Browne

Question:

129. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health when a group of families with spinal muscular atrophy will be informed of the HSE decision regarding Spinraza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8856/19]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

The Act specifies the criteria to be applied in the making of reimbursement decisions which include the clinical and cost effectiveness of the product, the opportunity cost and the impact on resources that are available to the HSE.

I am advised by the HSE that the application for the reimbursement of Nusinersen (Spinraza) was considered by HSE Leadership at a meeting on 12 February 2019 and that the HSE is in the process of communicating its decision to the relevant company.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (130)

Robert Troy

Question:

130. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for surgery will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [8859/19]

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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.

Physiotherapy Provision

Questions (131)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

131. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age on the physiotherapy waiting list by local health area in tabular form; and the numbers waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [8869/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Questions (132)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

132. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason ulcerative colitis is not a recognised disability here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8875/19]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

There are no plans at present to add ulcerative colitis to the list of conditions currently listed under the Long Term illness scheme. However, any patient with a condition, not listed under Long Term illness scheme, is eligible to apply to the Drugs Payment Scheme or to apply for a Medical Card.

Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €134 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.

People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.

People who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of GP consultations.

General medical services are provided by GPs. If the patients clinical condition warrants a referral to a Consultant then their GP will organise that for them.

Departmental Funding

Questions (133)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

133. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for a project (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8885/19]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Pharmaceutical Sector

Questions (134)

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

134. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he has received draft rules on temporary absence from an organisation (details supplied); if consideration will be given to the way in which these rules as drafted will affect qualified pharmaceutical assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8888/19]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Pharmacy Act 2007 established the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) and the functions of the Society are set out in the Act. The functions of the PSI are carried out on its behalf by the Council of the Society.

Section 30 of the Pharmacy Act 2007 provides for an exception to the general provision in the Act which requires the sale and supply of medicines at a pharmacy to be conducted under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacist, and specifies that no offence is committed where a registered pharmaceutical assistant “acts on behalf of a registered pharmacist during the temporary absence of the registered pharmacist”.

Section 30 also permits the Council to make rules as to:

1. What may or may not be done by a registered pharmaceutical assistant when acting on behalf of a registered pharmacist; and

2. What constitutes the temporary absence of a registered pharmacist.

Following a period of public consultation, the Council of the PSI considered the proposed draft Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2018 at its meeting of 20 September 2018, where the Council approved the draft rules without amendment. Following this, the PSI undertook to redraft the Rules in relation to what may or not be done by a registered pharmaceutical assistant when acting on behalf of a registered pharmacist.

On 6 December, the Council of the PSI approved a revised draft of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2018 for issuance for public consultation. This public consultation commenced on 13 December 2018 and ran until 11 January 2019, affording any interested party the opportunity to make representations on the matter directly to the PSI.

Following completion of the public consultation phase, the Council of the PSI considered the proposed draft Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2018 at its meeting on 14 February 2019.

My role in relation to this process is limited to the consideration of any such Rules once submitted for my consent. I must consider any Rules presented to me from a fair and impartial perspective, without prejudice or prejudgment.

I await the receipt of the Rules for my consideration from the PSI and, until that time, I am unfortunately not in a position to comment any further on the matter raised.

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Questions (135)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

135. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if Spinraza will be made available for children with spinal muscular atrophy [8889/19]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

The Act specifies the criteria to be applied in the making of reimbursement decisions which include the clinical and cost effectiveness of the product, the opportunity cost and the impact on resources that are available to the HSE.

I am advised by the HSE that the application for the reimbursement of Nusinersen (Spinraza) was considered by HSE Leadership at a meeting on 12 February 2019 and that the HSE is in the process of communicating its decision to the relevant company.

Question No. 136 answered with Question No. 127.

Health Services Provision

Questions (137)

Peter Burke

Question:

137. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding services for a person (details supplied). [8920/19]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Hospitals Capital Programme

Questions (138, 139, 140)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

138. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the status of the refurbishment of Kanturk Community Hospital; if the increased expenditure on the new children’s hospital will have an effect on the timeframe for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8925/19]

View answer

Michael Moynihan

Question:

139. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the status of the refurbishment of St. Joseph's Community Hospital, Millstreet, County Cork; if the increased expenditure on the new children’s hospital will have an effect on the timeframe for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8926/19]

View answer

Michael Moynihan

Question:

140. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the status of the refurbishment of Macroom Community Hospital, County Cork; if the increased expenditure on the new children’s hospital will have an effect on the timeframe for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8927/19]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 to 140, inclusive, together.

The new children’s hospital is a vital and much needed project. The Government has examined the funding pressures associated with delivering this important project and has made adjustments to capital allocations to ensure that the new children’s hospital will be delivered. My Department and the Health Service Executive are currently engaged in a process to finalise the HSE Capital Plan for 2019.

The HSE Capital Plan will determine the projects that can progress in 2019 and beyond having regard to the total available capital funding and the relevant priority of each project.

All Health capital projects, currently at various stages of development, such as the projects in Cork are included as part of this process. Once the HSE has finalised its Capital Plan for 2019, it will then be submitted to me for consideration.

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly and outline the current status of the community hospitals in Cork.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (141)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

141. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8952/19]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Home Care Packages Provision

Questions (142)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a home care package will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8954/19]

View answer

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 a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Harbours and Piers Development

Questions (143, 144)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

143. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to invest in Greencastle Harbour, County Donegal in line with the commitments referenced in Project Ireland 2040. [8780/19]

View answer

Pearse Doherty

Question:

144. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the breakwater works at Greencastle Harbour, County Donegal will be completed (details supplied). [8779/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 144 together.

Greencastle Harbour is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with that Local Authority in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government thereafter.

My Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested Districts Board piers, lights and Beacons Act.

As indicated, my legislative remit does not extend to Greencastle Harbour, and given that the ownership of, and overall responsibility for Greencastle Harbour rests with the County Council, it is the Council who will decide if it wishes to carry out any further development, repair or maintenance of Greencastle Harbour.

When Donegal County Council decide on the exact programme of works they wish to carry out, and the costing and timescale for those works, and notify their full intentions in this respect, the matter can be considered further in the context of Government priorities.

My Department does provide limited funding to assist coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, subject to available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.

Donegal County Council successfully secured funding of €9,000 under the 2018 Programme for development works at Greencastle Harbour. On the 28th of January 2019 Local Authorities were invited to submit prioritised lists of projects for consideration under this years programme. The closing date for receipt of these applications was the 8th February 2019. These are now being assessed and detailed applications will shortly be requested from Local Authorities for short-listing and the finalized suite of projects will be prepared.