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Tuesday, 16 Apr 2019

Written Answers Nos. 325-343

Disability Support Services Provision

Questions (325)

Seán Haughey

Question:

325. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if a residential placement will be found for a child (details supplied) with severe autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17428/19]

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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. 

As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Questions (326)

Bobby Aylward

Question:

326. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 121 of 27 February 2019, if the required funding to hospitals will be made available for the provision of Fasenra to patients in a hospital setting further to the decision of the HSE leadership team in January 2019 to approve the drug for reimbursement; when he expects this funding decision to be made and communicated to patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17433/19]

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Written answers

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.

Food Safety Authority of Ireland Meetings

Questions (327)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

327. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when he last met formally with the CEO of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland; the issues discussed; and when he will next meet the CEO. [17434/19]

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Written answers

I have not had a formal bilateral meeting with the CEO of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and there are none scheduled at present.  On 22 February 2019, I met with the FSAI’s CEO along with others to discuss Brexit planning.

Officials from my Department held four formal performance/governance meetings with the FSAI CEO and senior management team in 2018 and have met with them once in 2019 (08 February).  The agenda for the formal meetings includes the following:

1. Legislation updates;

2. Corporate affairs including governance, FSAI’s Strategy and Business Plan, budget and staffing;

3. Enforcement policy;

4. Audit and investigations;

5. Risk management and regulatory affairs;

6. Food science and standards;

7. Events and communications;

8. Brexit; and

9. Any other relevant business.

Officials from my Department engage with the FSAI’s CEO and other FSAI officers on an ongoing basis.

Health Services Staff Remuneration

Questions (328)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

328. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to incentivise roles such as orthodontists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists in the public health sector in which shortages are arising and long waiting lists are being further exacerbated as a result of same; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these professionals wanting to work in the private sector is a perceived reason for shortages in addition to emigration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17437/19]

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Written answers

In general terms, steps continue to be taken to improve the pay of public servants as a whole.  The Government ratified the measures agreed in the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) and this provided a statutory roadmap for the unwinding of FEMPI.  This includes a series of salary increases that will see public servants, including orthodontists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists working in the public service receiving on average a 7% increase over the lifetime of the agreement. The Agreement commits to 90% pay restoration by the end of 2020.  All public servants (excluding teachers who did not agree to the PSSA) received a 1% increase in October 2018.

It should be noted that the Public Sector Pay Commission in its analysis of health sector grades, did not identify Occupational Therapists or Speech and Language Therapists as grades where recruitment or retention difficulties were being experienced.  It did identify Public Dentistry as having challenges and this is being looked at further by the Commission in Phase Two of its work.

Opportunities for professionals who choose to seek employment in the private sector or abroad is an issue which faces all public employers.  However, the measures outlined above in terms of pay restoration and the work of the Pay Commission should assist in making working in the Irish health service more attractive to potential candidates.

Disability Support Services Provision

Questions (329)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

329. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if parents have a choice to remain within an organisation (details supplied) after their child is six years of age; the rules relating to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17449/19]

View answer

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. 

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.

Hospital Equipment

Questions (330)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

330. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health his plans to upgrade the equipment at the radiology department at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17450/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Dental Services

Questions (331)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

331. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend dental cover to children under six years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17452/19]

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Written answers

On 3 April 2019, I published Smile agus Sláinte, the new National Oral Health together with my colleague Regina Doherty TD the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

The new Policy will support a preventive approach. Under the Policy the introduction of oral healthcare packages of care for children under 6 years of age will be prioritised in 2020 and made available to all children under 16 on a phased basis. These packages will consist of examinations, assessments, advice, prevention interventions, emergency care and referral as appropriate. The packages will be provided in a primary care setting by oral healthcare practitioners contracted by the HSE. 

Question No. 332 answered with Question No. 286.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (333)

Peter Burke

Question:

333. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of a procedure for a person (details supplied). [17463/19]

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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.

General Practitioner Services Provision

Questions (334)

Mary Butler

Question:

334. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health his plans to appoint a replacement general practitioner at the health centre in Cappoquin, County Waterford, further to the retirement of the previous general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17464/19]

View answer

Written answers

As this question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for it to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (335)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

335. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason a general practitioner visit card was only awarded in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17465/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (336)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

336. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have an appointment at the maxillofacial unit to allow their chemotherapy treatment to go ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17475/19]

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.

Disability Act Employment Targets

Questions (337, 338)

Brendan Ryan

Question:

337. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number or percentage of employees in his Department and in the agencies under his aegis with intellectual disabilities; his plans to increase this number to promote and support the employment of persons with intellectual disabilities as outlined in the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17489/19]

View answer

Brendan Ryan

Question:

338. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if his Department and the agencies under his aegis track the numbers of employees they have with an intellectual disability; his plans to do so in order to help set targets and increase workplace opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities such as those outlined in the national disability inclusion strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17506/19]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 337 and 338 together.

My Department is compliant with the Disability Act 2005 and we record and report annually, as required, on the percentage of the staff of the Department who have a disability.  However, we do not differentiate between those with an intellectual, physical or sensory disability and this is not a requirement under the Act.  In making these returns we are reliant on voluntary disclosure of a disability by officers of the Department on a strictly confidential basis to our Disability Liaison Officer (DLO).

The National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 requires the Department, along with all public service bodies, to progressively increase the percentage of our workforce with a disability to 6% by 2024. The Department's most recent return for 2018 showed that 4.6% of our workforce have a disability and we are committed to achieving the target of 6% by 2024. The Department engages in the following activities to promote and support the employment of people with a disability:

- Follows the Civil Service Code of Practice for the Employment of People with Disabilities

- Has a designated DLO to act as the point of contact for staff with disabilities, their line managers and the HR Unit to provide assistance and support to both staff and their line managers by the provision of information, advice and supports, where necessary

- Participates in the Job Shadow Initiative - in 2018 four people with a disability were placed in the Department under this initiative

- Provides SAFETalk training to staff

In 2019 the Department will participate in the Willing Able Mentoring Programme and is considering the possibility of taking interns with an intellectual disability under the pilot Internship Programme being proposed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

My Department is collating the response in respect of agencies under its aegis other than the HSE and will respond to the Deputy as soon as possible. These questions have been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply in respect of its employees.

Occupational Therapy Data

Questions (339)

Mick Wallace

Question:

339. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health if the HSE maintains separate waiting lists for paediatric occupational therapy for primary care and for disability services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17513/19]

View answer

Written answers

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.

Physiotherapy Provision

Questions (340)

Clare Daly

Question:

340. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to opening a forum for discussion among the physiotherapy profession regarding the suitability of the panel system in the medium to long-term for the national recruitment of physiotherapists. [17514/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Physiotherapy Provision

Questions (341)

Clare Daly

Question:

341. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the proposal to create another staff grade physiotherapist panel behind the supplementary panels of the original 2016 panel carried out in 2017 and 2018 (details supplied); and if he will disband in full the 2016 staff grade physiotherapist panel, both original and supplementary, in the interests of fairness. [17515/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (342)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

342. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a patient (details supplied) who has been referred for urgent treatment will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17516/19]

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.

Health Services Provision

Questions (343)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

343. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the status of a unit (details supplied); the status of recent clinical assessments carried out on patients; if his Department or the HSE has made contact with one or more of the unit's patients or family members in an effort to move them to a different location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17524/19]

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.

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