Written Answers Nos. 272-289
272. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to address the under-resourcing of CAMHS nationally and specifically the service in Swords, County Dublin in which several staff are working a three day week. [22612/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
273. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for an outpatient appointment; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22617/19]
View answerUnder 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.
274. Deputy Peter Burke 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. [22622/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
275. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the budget allocation to the national counselling services in each of the years 2017 to 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22628/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
276. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of companies contracted to provide personal assistance care on behalf of the HSE in CHO9 in each of the years 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22629/19]
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.
277. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health his plans for the FreeStyle Libre device to come under the drug payment scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22647/19]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
278. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if respite care will be made available to a person (details supplied) who is urgently in need of same. [22650/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
279. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the provision that can be made to refund taxi transport for patients attending hospital appointments who have no access to transport especially patients with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22661/19]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
280. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a care facility (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22664/19]
View answerThe Report “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion” proposes a new model of support in the community moving people from Congregated settings to the community in line with Government policy. The Report identified around 4000 people (based on 2008 census) with disabilities in Ireland living in congregated settings, defined as a residential setting where people live with ten or more people.
The Programme for Partnership Government contains a commitment to continue to move people with disabilities out of congregated settings, to enable them to live independently and to be included in the community. The objective is to reduce this figure by one-third by 2021 and ultimately, to eliminate all congregated settings.
By the end of this year, we will have exceeded this target and under 2,100 people with a disability will remain living in congregated settings. I want to emphasise that the appropriate supports and resources are being put in place to ensure that people are supported as they move out of residential centres. The model of care for individuals will be based on a person centred plan (PCP). The PCP may change over time in line with an individual’s needs and circumstances and the model of service delivery applicable at a particular time.
Any opportunity for residents to live in smaller settings in the community will come after considerable planning and discussion with those residents and their families. It will be on the basis that it will enhance their life, and anyone who moves will continue to access the services they require.
The HSE has prioritised the transition of a further 160 people from congregated settings in 2019 under its Service Plan, and I am informed that 49 people have moved into their homes in the community to the end of March this year.
As the HSE is responsible for leading out on the recommendations of "Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion", I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to St. Mary of the Angels, Beaufort, Co. Kerry.
281. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the entitlements to dental benefits and cover of older persons in receipt of a full medical card who are full-time residents in nursing homes and covered by the fair deal scheme; if his attention has been drawn to some nursing homes charging the full costs of dental treatments to these residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22666/19]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as A Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The NHSS covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care which are:
- Nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person;
- Bed and board;
- Basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living; and
- Laundry service.
A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the medical card scheme or the drugs payment scheme, is unaffected by participation in the NHSS or residence in a nursing home.
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) enables medical card holders to access basic dental treatment free of charge from contracted dental surgeons in the private sector. In addition, the Public Dental Service of the HSE provides oral healthcare to vulnerable patients and patients with special needs.
If the Deputy is aware of any incidents of nursing homes charging the full costs of dental treatment, she may wish to forward details to my Department and I will arrange to have the matter investigated by the HSE.
Future provision of oral healthcare services will be informed by Smile agus Sláinte, the new National Oral Health Policy, which was published last month. Smile agus Sláinte aims to reduce oral health inequalities by providing additional support to vulnerable groups to access oral healthcare and improve their oral health. One of the priority actions of the Policy is to commence identification of vulnerable groups and develop clinical care pathways and clinical management for these patients.
282. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if a blind welfare allowance will be reinstated in the case of a person (details supplied). [22668/19]
View answerAs 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.
283. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the status of an application to have a stair lift installed in their home by a person (details supplied); and when installation work will commence. [22669/19]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that this is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Planning & Local Government.
284. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the position of the HSE with respect to the recognition of a disputed condition (details supplied); the version of the WHO International Classification of Diseases diagnostic and statistic tool used by the HSE for the purpose of recognising the condition; if cross departmental work with the Department of Justice and Equality will take place should changes to the version being used be adopted in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22711/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
285. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have an angiogram; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22712/19]
View answerUnder 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.
286. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapists working in the early years department in Kilcreene Hospital, Kilkenny; if there is a shortage of occupational therapists in the hospital; if so, his plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22738/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible
287. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 426 of 21 May 2019, if he will provide a list of all meetings, consultations, correspondence and the purposes of each, between Ministers or officials and a person (details supplied) or members of their team since they undertook work in relation to CervicalCheck; if similar information will be provided regarding meetings between HSE officials and the person for the same time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22741/19]
View answerAs outlined in my response to the Deputy's previous question, I and officials from my Department have met with Dr Scally on a number of occasions since the Scoping Inquiry was established. The dates of these meetings, insofar as they have been ascertained following a comprehensive search of records, are outlined in the following table:
|
Date |
Details |
|
7 May |
Preliminary meeting with Department officials on work of the Inquiry |
|
24 May |
Dr Scally met with Department officials to facilitate the work of the Inquiry |
|
11 June |
Dr Scally met with Minister and Department officials to submit his First and Progress Reports |
|
12 July |
Dr Scally participated in a teleconference with Department officials and RCOG representatives |
|
8 August |
Dr Scally met with Department official to facilitate the work of the inquiry |
|
28 August |
Dr Scally met with Department official to facilitate the work of the inquiry |
|
28 August |
Dr Scally met with Department official to facilitate the work of the inquiry |
|
10 September |
Dr Scally met with Minister and Department officials to discuss his Final Report |
|
10 October |
Dr Scally met with Minister and Department officials to discuss the implementation of his recommendations and the progress of his supplementary report |
|
20 November |
Dr Scally met with Department officials to discuss implementation of his recommendations |
|
17 December |
Dr Scally met with Department officials to discuss implementation of his recommendations |
|
31 January |
Dr Scally attended Minister’s meeting with 221+ Patient Support Group, following which he met with Minister and Department officials to discuss progress of supplementary report |
|
14 February |
Dr Scally met with Department officials to discuss progress of supplementary report |
In addition to the above meetings, Dr Scally has corresponded with me or with Department officials on a number of occasions. The details, insofar as have been ascertained following a comprehensive search, are as follows:
|
From |
To |
Date |
Subject |
|
Minister |
Dr Scally |
8/5/18 |
Commencement of Scoping Inquiry |
|
Dr Scally |
Minister |
16/5/18 |
Progress of Scoping Inquiry |
|
Dr Scally |
Department official |
16/5/18 |
Administration of Scoping Inquiry |
|
Department official |
Dr Scally |
17/5/18 |
Indemnification of Scoping Inquiry team members |
|
Minister |
Dr Scally |
21/5/18 |
Administration of Scoping Inquiry |
|
Department official |
Dr Scally |
21/5/18 |
Facilitation of Scoping Inquiry |
|
Dr Scally |
Minister |
22/5/18 |
Declaration of Interests |
|
Minister |
Dr Scally |
22/5/18 |
Administration of Scoping Inquiry |
|
Dr Scally |
Department official |
30/5/18 |
Request for documents |
|
Department official |
Dr Scally |
1/6/18 |
Indemnification of Scoping Inquiry team members |
|
Department official |
Dr Scally |
7/6/18 |
Provision of documents |
|
Dr Scally |
Department official |
12/6/18 |
Request for documents |
|
Department official |
Dr Scally |
18/6/18 |
Provision of Documents |
|
Department official |
Dr Scally |
19/6/18 |
Provision of Documents |
|
Department official |
Dr Scally |
22/6/18 |
Provision of documents |
|
Department official |
Dr Scally |
6/7/18 |
Provision of Documents |
|
Department official |
Dr Scally |
9/7/18 |
Indemnification of Scoping Inquiry team members |
|
Minister |
Dr Scally |
16/7/19 |
Progress of Scoping Inquiry |
|
Department official |
Crowe representative (on behalf of Dr Scally) |
18/7/18 |
Facilitation of Scoping Inquiry |
|
Dr Scally |
Department official |
8/8/18 |
Administration of Scoping Inquiry |
|
Dr Scally |
Minister |
23/8/18 |
Supplementary Report |
|
Minister |
Dr Scally |
30/8/18 |
Supplementary Report |
|
Dr Scally |
Minister |
31/8/18 |
Update on progress of Scoping Inquiry |
|
Minister |
Dr Scally |
25/10/18 |
Administration of Scoping Inquiry |
|
Dr Scally |
Department official |
1/11/18 |
Supplementary Report and Implementation Plan |
|
Dr Scally |
Minister |
26/11/18 |
Implementation Plan |
|
Department official |
Dr Scally |
27/11/18 |
Implementation Plan |
|
Dr Scally |
Minister Harris |
30/11/18 |
Implementation Plan |
|
Dr Scally |
Minister Harris |
15/2/19 |
Update on timeline for supplementary report |
|
Crowe representative (on behalf of Dr Scally) |
Department official |
26/2/19 |
Submission of Progress Report on Implementation |
|
Dr Scally |
Department official |
2/5/19 |
Administration of Scoping Inquiry |
In relation to the Deputy's query regarding meetings between HSE officials and Dr Scally, I have asked the HSE to respond to him directly.
288. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in Co. Cork will receive orthotics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22742/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
289. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the supports which can be extended to a person (details supplied). [22758/19]
View answerClarification is being sought from the Deputy as to the nature of the support requested in the details supplied with the Question.
