Noel Rock
Question:688. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health if the transport needs of a person (details supplied) will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24192/19]
View answerDisability Services Provision
Questions (688)
Written answers
The provision of transport services is not part of core services within disability services. As a general rule public transport should be used in all circumstances where it is an option. This is in keeping with the principle of main-streaming with a clear focus on ensuring persons with a disability have access to the normal range of services and participate in community life as far as possible. It must be noted that in general, day service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the Free Travel Pass, so there should be no additional cost burden at an individual level.
In regard to developments to meet the day service needs of school leavers each year, all new service locations under development are located as close as possible to where people reside so as to reduce the travel time for each person and enable them to be more connected with their own local community.
Funding is not provided for the transportation of young people to and from day services. However when all other options are exhausted and a person cannot avail of a day service because they do not have transport to attend, the service provider is advised to use some of the service money to cover the transport costs – this usually results in the provision of a reduced quantum of service.
The HSE intends to liaise with the National Transport Authority and disability service providers to explore ways in which the Authority’s services could assist people with disabilities. The National Transport Authority has a total of 17 Transport co-ordinating units called Local Link which provide safe secure and reliable Public Transport services in local and rural areas of Ireland through a combination of scheduled Public Transport services and door to door services. The HSE plans to explore the opportunities these units may provide to people with disabilities to access day services and participate in the social, educational and economic life of their local communities.
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter concerning an individual, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Disability Services Provision
Questions (689)
Noel Rock
Question:689. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24193/19]
View answerWritten 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.
Questions Nos. 690 to 692, inclusive, answered with Question No. 394.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (693)
Mary Butler
Question:693. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an outpatient appointment for pain management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24214/19]
View answerWritten 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.
Medicinal Products Expenditure
Questions (694)
Stephen Donnelly
Question:694. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 6 March 2019, the list of new drugs approved by the HSE each year since 2014, in tabular form; the cost in the year they were approved; the cost in each subsequent year; the projected cost in future years; the way in which the forecast of €150 million referenced in the reply is to be allocated per year per drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24222/19]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
Home Care Packages
Questions (695, 696, 697, 698, 699, 700, 701, 702)
Gerry Adams
Question:695. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the HSE budget for home care packages in each of the years 2015 to 2019. [24223/19]
View answerGerry Adams
Question:696. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the HSE budget for intensive home care packages in each of the years 2015 to 2019. [24224/19]
View answerGerry Adams
Question:697. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the correct pathway to access an intensive home care package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24225/19]
View answerGerry Adams
Question:698. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the HSE budget for County Louth for intensive home care packages in each of the years 2015 to 2019. [24226/19]
View answerGerry Adams
Question:699. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Louth who received intensive home care packages in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019. [24227/19]
View answerGerry Adams
Question:700. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Louth seeking an intensive home care package. [24228/19]
View answerGerry Adams
Question:701. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the date of approval of the last intensive home care package in County Louth. [24229/19]
View answerGerry Adams
Question:702. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if it is HSE policy that staff presenting to patient groups on the subject of HSE home care also inform group members regarding intensive home care packages and the way in which to access them. [24230/19]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 695 to 702, inclusive, together.
As these are a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Home Care Packages Provision
Questions (703)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:703. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on concerns relating to home care provision by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24233/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.