Wednesday, 6 Mar 2019

Hospital Procedures

Questions (192)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if required surgery will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11081/19]

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Written answers

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.

Occupational Therapy Data

Questions (193)

Mick Wallace

Question:

193. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of children on the waiting list for six, nine, 12, 18 and more than 18 months, respectively, for occupational therapy by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11088/19]

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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.

Occupational Therapy Data

Questions (194)

Mick Wallace

Question:

194. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric occupational therapist vacancies in each county; and the steps he is taking to reduce waiting lists. [11089/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Primary Medical Certificates

Questions (195)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

195. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a primary medical certificate for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11095/19]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (196)

Martin Ferris

Question:

196. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for an angiogram at Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11096/19]

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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.

Speech and Language Therapy Staff

Questions (197)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

197. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when the position of speech therapist as part of the north Kildare disability team will be filled following a recent vacancy in view of the need for speech therapy in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11097/19]

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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.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (198)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

198. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the costs associated with the work and report of the independent review group examining the role of voluntary organisations, such as remuneration for members, expense and allowances, drafting and publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11102/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Please see the following table setting out the costs associated with the work and report of the Independent Review Group examining voluntary organisations in health and personal social services over the period August 2017 to February 2019. The three members of the group were not remunerated for their work and were only paid travel and subsistence expenses where these arose.

Expense item	Cost €
Public consultation – advertising – easy read version	4544 1350
Group report – design and print	3735
Euro observatory policy dialogue event	2521
Group report briefing event for vol sector representatives	800
Travel & Subsistence, meeting refreshments	3790
TOTAL	16740

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Questions (199)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

199. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the way in which the HSE conducts overseas video job interviews with medical professionals who are based in states that ban online telecommunication software, such as a programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11103/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Calorie Posting on Menus

Questions (200)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

200. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans to include carbohydrate levels on menus in addition to calories in view of the fact that those with type 1 diabetes must input correct carbohydrate levels into insulin pumps and type 2 diabetes sufferers must control diet through carbohydrate counting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11104/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The relevant Government Decision approved the development of a General Scheme for legislation requiring calorie content only on menus. I have no plans to go beyond the Government Decision.

Mental Health Services

Questions (201)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

201. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason family members with residents in a facility (details supplied) are being invited by the HSE to meet with an independent psychiatrist; the intentions behind such meetings; the options being considered in view of these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11105/19]

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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.

Departmental Advertising Expenditure

Questions (202)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

202. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on social media advertising and online promoted content (details supplied) in 2018 and to date in 2019, by campaign and social media platform used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11123/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

This spend for 2018 is related to the Healthy Ireland 2018 Summer campaign only and is in accordance with IAB policy and based on LEAN advertising principles. There has been no spend to date on in feed advertising for 2019.

		2018
		Healthy Ireland
Social Media Advertising (feed advertising)	Facebook	3,010.92
	Twitter	3,300.00
	Ex VAT	6,310.92

Departmental Advertising Expenditure

Questions (203)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

203. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged and-or consulted with a public relations online advertising agency regarding social media advertising and online promoted content in 2018 and to date in 2019; the amount spent by company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11140/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Department has not engaged with public relations online advertising agencies during the time specified by the Deputy.

Hospital Procedures

Questions (204)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

204. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if an operation will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11147/19]

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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.

Medicinal Products Expenditure

Questions (205)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

205. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if a report on the new drugs budget for the HSE 2019 will be provided; the amount that has been spent; the items on which the money has been spent; the amount remaining in view of a media report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11153/19]

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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.

Medicinal Products Availability

Questions (206)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

206. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if a detailed analysis of the decision not to make Spinraza available to persons here will be provided including but not limited to the final agreed costs to the HSE and the final agreed costs in all other relevant jurisdictions; if the costs for Ireland are broadly comparable to all other jurisdictions in which Spinraza is being made available; the rationale for it not being made available here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11180/19]

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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.

Pharmaceutical Sector

Questions (207)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

207. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to address the issue of long-standing pharmaceutical assistants in the event of a change in rules (details supplied); if he has met with representatives of pharmaceutical assistants in formulating his views on these rule changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11183/19]

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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. That 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.

In April 2017, officials from my Department met with representatives of the Pharmaceutical Assistants' Association (PAA) to discuss the association’s concerns regarding the PSI’s development of draft Rules governing the practice of registered pharmaceutical assistants during the temporary absence of a pharmacist.

Correspondence outlining the concerns of registered pharmaceutical assistants has been received by my Department. My role in relation to this process is limited to the consideration of the draft Rules once submitted for my approval and, as I’m sure you will appreciate, I must consider any Rules presented to me from a fair and impartial perspective, without prejudice or prejudgement. This includes consideration of concerns raised by, or on behalf of, registered pharmaceutical assistants.

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.

National Children's Hospital

Questions (208)

Bobby Aylward

Question:

208. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the Health Service Executive to provide a status report of plans for refurbishment, renovation and new building works at a hospital (details supplied) as committed to in the capital plan; the position regarding the overall security of the timeline of the project in view of the overspend on the national children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11184/19]

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Written answers

Minister for 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 propose the projects that can progress in 2019 and beyond having regard to the total available capital funding. All Health capital projects, currently at various stages of development are considered 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 respond to you directly in relation to the hospital referred to in your question.

Primary Care Centres

Questions (209)

Bobby Aylward

Question:

209. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the Health Service Executive to provide a status report on the progress of the proposed local health centre planned at a location (details supplied); the position regarding the overall security of the timeline of the project in the view of the overspend on the national children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11185/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As 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.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (210)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

210. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is entitled to assistance with hearing aids. [11216/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Questions (216)

Robert Troy

Question:

216. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a cross-Border scheme refund will be awarded to a person (details supplied). [11237/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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