Thursday, 11 Apr 2019

Written Answers Nos. 116-135

Disability Services Provision

Questions (116)

Brian Stanley

Question:

116. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive the required services and intervention. [17007/19]

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.

Health Services Staff Data

Questions (117)

John Brassil

Question:

117. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the number employed in whole-time equivalent terms for staff categories (details supplied) by CHO in tabular form. [17009/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Questions (118)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

118. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if a post-project review has been compiled and published for the primary care bundle PPP as per the public spending code. [17020/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Large capital projects, such as the primary care centres provided by public private partnership, will be subjected to a post-project review. Post-project reviews should be undertaken once sufficient time has elapsed to allow the project to be properly evaluated in respect of costs and benefits. The timing of post project reviews will depend on the nature of the project i.e. the period required to observe the expected benefits.

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management and delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects including the primary care centres delivered through public private partnership, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (119)

James Browne

Question:

119. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be made for a child (details supplied) in WUH; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17027/19]

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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (120)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

120. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that children in north County Dublin are waiting up to three years for early intervention; his views on whether the HSE should dispense with the use of the term early intervention in view of the length of the delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17029/19]

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.

HSE Staff Data

Questions (121)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

121. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the role of the HSE Job Evaluation Board for clerical grades in jumping applications from category 5 to be evaluated before category 4; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that basic grade clerical officers have been working way in excess of their grade and pay scale for a number of years, yet they are continuously being told that their applications to the HSE Job Evaluation Board for clerical grades are being mislaid or subject to financial or other constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17030/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Questions (122)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

122. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions No. 301 of 2 April 2019, the rules in relation to the nominating of a licence holder to collect their prescribed medicinal cannabis product; and if a distribution company could be nominated to collect the prescribed medication and deposit at a nominated pharmacy in view of the HPRA position (details supplied) that a pharmacy can hold a licence and be supplied with cannabis based medication. [17031/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the deputy is aware, it is open to a registered medical practitioner to apply for a Ministerial licence under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 to 2016.  Such a licence, if granted, enables them to legally import, possess, prescribe, supply, and administer the Schedule 1 controlled drug - cannabis - for the patient named on the licence.

Licence holders can nominate a representative to collect the patients prescribed cannabis product on their behalf if, for example, the patient is not able to do this personally. At the time of applying for the Ministerial licence the applicant must provide the details of the nominated person who will be collecting the prescribed product on the patient’s behalf. That nominated person's name will then be included on the licence for this purpose. This is a matter for the patient and their prescriber.

Article 6 of the Misuse of Drugs Designation Order also provides for a pharmacist, for the purpose of his or her profession or business, to possess and supply drugs specified in Schedule 1, including cannabis, under a licence issued by the Minister for Health.

Should the pharmacist wish to procure a cannabis product from a supplier in another country, they should make contact with the relevant competent authority in that country to ensure that the product supplier and / or distributor is appropriately authorised to handle that cannabis product.

Ambulance Service

Questions (123)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

123. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will supply Ballinrobe, County Mayo with an ambulance base; the reason the town does not already have a base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17039/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly. 

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (124)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

124. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure a person (details supplied) has their operation for tonsillectomy; the number of persons on waiting lists for tonsillectomy in each county; the average wait in each county; and the longest wait in each county. [17050/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government. Budget 2019 announced that the Government has further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) increasing from €55 million in 2018 to €75 million in 2019.

The joint Department of Health/HSE/NTPF Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019 was published recently and sets out measures to improve care for patients waiting for scheduled care in 2019 by reducing wait times for inpatient/day case treatment and outpatient appointments. The plan will place a strong focus on a number of high-volume procedures, including tonsils. When combined with HSE activity, it is projected that the NTPF will be in a position to offer treatment to all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 6 months for one of these procedures.

The data requested by the Deputy is contained in the documents attached.

In relation to the operation for the person concerned, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Average wait by County

Area of Residence	Average days waiting
Carlow	134
Cavan	174
Clare	283
Cork	95
Donegal	361
Dublin	127
Exception	227
Galway	122
Kerry	110
Kildare	227
Laois	97
Leitrim	357
Limerick	237
Longford	194
Louth	74
Mayo	183
Meath	110
Monaghan	181
Offaly	168
Roscommon	168
Sligo	340
Tipperary (North)	243
Tipperary (South)	180
Waterford (County)	129
Westmeath	136
Wexford	160
Wicklow	97

Tonsillectomy Waiting List by County

Row Labels	0-3 Months	3-6 Months	6-9 Months	9-12 Months	12-15 Months	15-18 Months	18+ Months	Grand Total
Carlow	1	2	1					4
Cavan	3		1			1		5
Clare	10	5	1	9	5	3	4	37
Cork	32	29	1			1		63
Donegal	24	22	15	9	4	1	30	105
Dublin	151	47	39	11	4	3	8	263
Exception	85	89	18	28	26	12	31	289
Galway	42	12	1	1		2	4	62
Kerry	12	4	1	1			1	19
Kildare	13	6	2	2	3		5	31
Laois	3	4	1					8
Leitrim	3	2	1	4	2	1	3	16
Limerick	28	5	2	4	16	5	5	65
Longford	7	1	1		1		1	11
Louth	14	2	1					17
Mayo	28	9	3		4		4	48
Meath	27	2	6	3	2			40
Monaghan	4						1	5
Offaly	8	6				1	1	16
Roscommon	10	2	2	2			1	17
Sligo	24	23	10	3	3	2	23	88
Tipperary (North)	14	3		5	3	3	4	32
Tipperary (South)	3	1					1	5
Waterford (County)	4	2		1				7
Westmeath	7			1			1	9
Wexford	7	1	2		1		1	12
Wicklow	17	6	1	2				26
Grand Total	581	285	110	86	74	35	129	1300

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Appeals

Questions (125)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

125. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of the nursing home support scheme in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17052/19]

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.

Hospital Complaints Procedures

Questions (126)

Martin Ferris

Question:

126. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the status of a complaint made by a person (details supplied) in relation to the circumstances of the delivery of their child at Kerry General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17055/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this relates to the service at University Hospital Kerry, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

Departmental Meetings

Questions (127)

Alan Kelly

Question:

127. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the dates and attendees since 1 May 2016 of meetings between his Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment regarding the health benefits of a nationwide ban on smoky coal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17056/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

There have been no meetings between my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment regarding the health benefits of a nationwide ban on smoky coal since 1 May 2016.

Ambulance Service

Questions (128)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

128. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the status of Mulranny ambulance base, County Mayo; the staff stationed there; and the number of days per week and hours per day the base is manned. [17058/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.  

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (129)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

129. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be given an appointment for urgent treatment. [17059/19]

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 Reimbursement

Questions (130)

Imelda Munster

Question:

130. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the HSE to reinstate the authorisation for Versatis Lidocane 5% medicated plasters to the medical card for a person (details supplied). [17062/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the particular issue raised relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Staff Data

Questions (131)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

131. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant gastroenterologist posts that have been advertised since 2018; the number of these posts that have been filled to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17072/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

General Practitioner Services

Questions (132)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

132. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of the extension of free general practitioner care for children up to 12 years of age. [17073/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government intends to extend GP care without fees to all children aged between 6 and 12 years on a phased basis, starting in 2020. Legislative changes will be required to give effect to this extension.

It is not possible at this time to give an estimate of the cost of extending GP care without fees to this cohort of the population. The fees will be determined following consultations with GP representatives on the scope and content of the general practitioner service to be provided.

Following consultations with the relevant GP representatives, an appropriate fee for the provision of the service by GPs will be set under the Public Services Pay and Pensions Act 2017.

Legislative Measures

Questions (133)

Noel Rock

Question:

133. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the status of the general scheme of the assisted human reproduction Bill; when the Bill will be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17074/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In 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 of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017. The General Scheme encompasses the regulation of a range of practices, including: gamete (sperm or egg) and embryo donation for AHR and research; surrogacy; pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of embryos; posthumous assisted reproduction; and embryo and stem cell research. The Scheme also provides for the establishment of an independent regulatory authority for AHR.

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health is currently conducting a review of the General Scheme as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process, which began in January of last year. The review is in progress and the Joint Committee intends to report thereon before the summer recess. The recommendations in the Committee’s Report will be considered during the ongoing process of drafting this Bill in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General and although it is not possible to give a definitive timeline for the enactment of this legislation, I wish to assure the Deputy that it is a priority for me and my Department.

The aim of the AHR legislation is to promote and ensure the health and safety of parents, others involved in the process (such as donors and surrogate mothers) and, most importantly, the children who will be born as a result of AHR. Consideration of the welfare and best interests of children born through AHR is a key principle underpinning the Scheme.

General Practitioner Contracts

Questions (134, 135)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

134. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost in 2019 of the first phase of restoration of FEMPI for general practitioners; and the estimated full year cost of the restoration. [17075/19]

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

135. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost in 2020 of the second phase of restoration of FEMPI for general practitioners; and the estimated full year cost of the restoration. [17076/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together.

I am pleased that we have been able to conclude an agreement with the IMO on a major package of GP contractual reforms which will benefit patients and make general practice a more attractive career option for doctors.

My Department, the HSE and the IMO have agreed a set of measures on the provision of new services, including a structured chronic disease programme, commencing in 2020, which will benefit over 430,000 medical card and GP visit card patients. A wide-ranging set of modernisation measures has also been agreed in the areas of eHealth, medicines management and multidisciplinary working.

In return for cooperation with these service developments and reforms, the Government will increase investment in general practice by approximately 40% (or €210 million) over the next 4 years. This will see significant increases in capitation fees for GPs who participate in the reform programme and the introduction of new fees and subsidies for additional services such as the chronic disease programme.

The estimated full year cost of implementing the reform and modernisation measures in 2019 is €27 million. An additional €38 million will be provided to meet the full year cost in 2020.  In addition, €15 million will be provided in 2020 for the first phase of the roll out of the chronic disease programme.