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Tuesday, 2 Apr 2019

Written Answers Nos. 327-345

Home Care Packages Data

Questions (327)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

327. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of applications that have been approved for the homecare package but are yet to receive allocated home help assistants in County Donegal since 1 January 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15182/19]

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Written answers

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

Disability Services Funding

Questions (328)

Seán Haughey

Question:

328. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health the details of a recent grant of €60,000 provided to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15222/19]

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Written answers

A commitment of €60,000 additional funding is being provided to IDS under a cross-departmental initiative.

The funding is a once-off grant for the purpose of developing a Business Plan and implementation strategy setting out a clear and detailed pathway to financial sustainability. Pobal are assisting in the oversight of the additional funds and related activities.

Respite Care Services Provision

Questions (329)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

329. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his plans for the need for respite services for adults with intellectual disability (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15225/19]

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Written answers

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 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.

HSE Properties

Questions (330)

Eamon Ryan

Question:

330. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Health if social work offices in Finglas, Dublin 11 are to be relocated to a premises on the North Circular Road. [15226/19]

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Written answers

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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (331)

Joe Carey

Question:

331. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect a required procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15237/19]

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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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (332)

Joe Carey

Question:

332. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment for consultation following general practitioner referral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15238/19]

View answer

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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (333)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

333. Deputy Jackie Cahill 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. [15239/19]

View answer

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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (334)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

334. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15246/19]

View answer

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.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (335)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

335. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the provision of a cardiac catheterisation laboratory at Sligo University Hospital to cover the north-west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15249/19]

View answer

Written answers

The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services is ongoing and it is expected that the work will be completed by the end of June 2019.

The aim of the Review is to achieve the optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive by establishing the need for an optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service.

As set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027, investment in cardiac catheterisation laboratories and other cardiac services infrastructure nationally will be informed by the outcome of the National Review.

Registration of Nurses

Questions (336)

Robert Troy

Question:

336. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is unable to work as a general practice nurse here following an absence from work following illness. [15261/19]

View answer

Written answers

The maintenance of the register of nurses and midwives is a matter for the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). I have asked the NMBI to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to this matter. 

Hospital Appointments Delays

Questions (337)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

337. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting for over four years for an appointment with the pain management clinic in Galway University Hospital in view of the fact that he stated in Parliamentary Question No. 149 of 27 February 2019 that the average waiting time is 246 days; the reason for the discrepancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15276/19]

View answer

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.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (338)

John Curran

Question:

338. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure an increase in the rate of children presenting for the MMR vaccination; his plans to ensure that this is increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15284/19]

View answer

Written answers

As this question relates to a service issue, I have referred it to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (339)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

339. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [15291/19]

View answer

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.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (340)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

340. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) was awarded home help but will not receive it for three to four months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15292/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Medicinal Products Supply

Questions (341)

John Brassil

Question:

341. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 25 of 13 March 2019, the strategy in place to achieve the objective of working towards a targeted minimum prescribing rate for biosimilars of 50%; if this is a mandatory target; the timeline to achieve the target; if he has engaged with all relevant stakeholders including prescribers, dispensers and suppliers of medicines to achieve the target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15300/19]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a clinical and operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue.

Medicinal Products Prices

Questions (342)

John Brassil

Question:

342. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the number of times he and or his officials have met with the representative body of the generics industry here on the issue of medicine pricing in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15301/19]

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Written answers

Officials from my Department met with representatives of the Healthcare Enterprise Alliance on 31 May 2016 and Medicines for Ireland on 24 August 2017.

I also attended a breakfast meeting organised by the Healthcare Enterprise Alliance on 8 February 2017 entitled Medicine Spending: Value and Reform for Patients and Our Health Service.

Medicinal Products Prices

Questions (343)

John Brassil

Question:

343. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the reason no national pricing agreement exists with the representative body for the generics industry here; when the last agreement expired; his plans to negotiate a new agreement with the industry to drive a more competitive medicine market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15302/19]

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Written answers

On 01 November 2012, a Framework Agreement was signed between the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Ireland and the Department of Health and the Health Services Executive on the supply terms, conditions and prices of generic medicines.  The duration of this agreement was three years from the 01 November 2012.

The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 Act provided  for the introduction of a system of generic substitution and reference pricing, which determines the price for generic medicines.

The Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines between the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association and the Department of Health, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Health Service Executive commenced on 01 August 2016 and shall continue in force until 31 July 2020.  The Framework Agreement provides a process for reference pricing on the introduction of interchangeable medicines.

I am advised that preparatory work for negotiations on the next Framework Agreement will commence in the coming months in my Department and in that regard relevant stakeholders will be consulted.

Hospitals Funding

Questions (344)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

344. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 296 of 12 March 2019 and the response, the reason the question was referred to the hospital; the reason the response did not issue from him as requested (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15313/19]

View answer

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. 

A parliamentary question can be referred to the HSE for direct reply, when it is considered that the question is more appropriate to the HSE, having regard for the differing remits of the HSE and Department of Health. 

The planning and management of future health expenditure is considered as part of the annual estimates and budgetary process which seeks to balance available funding across all service areas to achieve the best possible outcomes for the greatest number of service users and prioritise areas of greatest need. Following the service planning process, the annual HSE National Service Plan is published, setting out the type and volume of health and social care services to be provided in a given year with regard to the funding allocation.

Hospitals Capital Programme

Questions (345)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

345. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the projects included in the 2019 capital plan submitted to his Department. [15325/19]

View answer

Written answers

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is currently developing its Capital Plan for 2019. My Department and the HSE are currently in discussion in respect to capital funding in 2019 and subsequent years. My Department is meeting the HSE this week on this matter as part of a process of engagement to finalise the HSE Capital Plan for 2019.

Once the HSE has finalised its Capital Plan for 2019, it will then be submitted to me for consideration. The Capital Plan, when approved, will determine the projects that can progress in 2019 and beyond having regard to the available capital funding, the number of large national capital projects currently underway and the relevant priority of each project.

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