Written Answers Nos. 152-161
152. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the progress made in addressing the shortfall in funding that threatens the future services to clients of RehabCare; if the necessary funding will be provided to address the shortfall and provide security to the persons and families dependent on these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20963/19]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives.
I want to acknowledge the important services provided by Rehab and the commitment of staff to people with disabilities and their families.
Minister Harris and I held a joint meeting on Tuesday 07 May last, with Rehab and the HSE. Rehab and the HSE committed to working together intensively with a view to making substantive progress in reaching a solution to the issues. A further meeting is scheduled to take place today, 15 May.
Our collective aim is to ensure service continuity for service users and their families.
153. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will address matters relating to the sufficient number of specialist registered consultants (details supplied). [20965/19]
View answer156. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if staffing in the children's hospitals in Crumlin, Temple Street and Tallaght will not be compromised to facilitate the running of the satellite Blanchardstown urgent care centre in circumstances in which recruitment is insufficient or incomplete. [20968/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 156 together.
As the recruitment of staff is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
154. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of eligible specialist applications received for each advertised but unfilled consultant post; and the number of eligible candidates interviewed for each unfilled post [20966/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
155. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason these is an insufficient number of eligible applications for approved permanent consultant posts in Children's Health Ireland, CHI; and the reason he has not restored pay parity for new entrant consultants as recommended in the Public Service Pay Commission report published in August 2018 in view of the fact that this is one of the main factors that is driving the required specialists abroad. [20967/19]
View answerThe Public Service Pay Commission proposed that the Parties to the Public Service Stability Agreement jointly consider what further measures could be taken, over time, beyond the incremental credit adjustments, to address the pay differential between pre-existing consultants and new entrant consultants which has increased following the settlement of the 2008 Consultant Contract claim.
Last month, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform stated that outstanding matters relating to new entrant pay will be given full consideration either by any pay review mechanism agreed by the relevant parties; or in the context of the next round of pay talks. My Department has been in contact with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to this.
I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to posts in CHI.
157. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of addiction beds in the health service; and his plans to increase the number. [20969/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
158. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if further consideration will be given to the need for an inquiry into foetal valproate syndrome as soon as the valproate response team of the HSE has completed its work; when this work is expected to be completed; and when he expects to further consider the matter. [20971/19]
View answer159. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will meet a group (details supplied) and provide a clear answer to its request for an inquiry into accountability issues and compensation for those individuals and families already affected by foetal valproate syndrome. [20972/19]
View answer160. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when his attention was drawn to the risks associated with the use of valproate in pregnancy; the action taken to minimise these risks in particular prior to 2014 when the European Medicines Agency implemented its first series of risk reduction measures; and his views on the recent study published in a journal (details supplied). [20973/19]
View answer162. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the information available in respect of the prevalence of foetal valproate syndrome within the population. [20975/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 158 to 160, inclusive, and 162 together.
The HSE's Valproate Response Project is expected to be completed before the end of June, and a final report will be submitted to my Department upon completion of the project. Once that report is received in the Department, I will give further consideration to the requests made by the forum that the Deputy refers to.
I have been aware of the issues surrounding sodium valproate use in pregnancy since early 2017, when the European Medicines Agency (EMA) initiated its most recent review of the use of valproate-containing medicines in the treatment of women who are pregnant or of childbearing age. The risk reduction measures recommended by the EMA on foot of its previous review in 2014 were fully implemented in Ireland; prior to this, there were no specific restrictions over and above those listed in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) leaflet for healthcare professionals and the patient information leaflet. As with any medicine, these documents were regularly updated as new data emerged about the medicine and its potential side effects. The study referred to by the Deputy suggests that the association between valproate use in pregnancy and congenital malformations in children was firmly established by 2005. The SmPC and patient leaflets used in 2005 reflect this association, and the patient leaflet includes specific information for women who become pregnant, or could become pregnant, while taking this medicine, based on the increased risk of having a child with an abnormality.
An assessment conducted by the HSE estimates that between 153 and 341 children will have experienced a major congenital malformation and up to 1,250 children will have experienced some form of neurodevelopmental delay following exposure to sodium valproate in utero between 1975 and 2015. It should be noted that this assessment was subject to a number of assumptions and limitations, and relied heavily on international data when developing estimates of the numbers of children who may be affected.
161. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the healthcare assessment and needs of children suspected of having foetal valproate syndrome will be prioritised as a matter of urgency; and if there will be no delays in diagnosis and service provision [20974/19]
View answerThe 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.
