Michael Healy-Rae
Question:355. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the HSE recruitment freeze; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25015/19]
View answerHSE Staff Recruitment
Questions (355)
Written answers
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Grant Payments
Questions (356, 357)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:356. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the injury grant awarded to a person (details supplied); when the payment will be made; the timeline over which the payment will continue to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25016/19]
View answerFiona O'Loughlin
Question:357. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if the injury grant will cover future medical procedures and associated costs for a person (details supplied); and the procedure for reimbursement. [25017/19]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 356 and 357 together.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Pension Provisions
Questions (358)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:358. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be entitled to recompense for a reduction in pension entitlements as a result of having their hours reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25018/19]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Health and Social Care Professionals Regulation
Questions (359)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:359. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the agreements that exist between Ireland and the United Kingdom for the mutual recognition of decisions made by the Irish Medical Council and the General Medical Council in respect of members of the medical profession who have been struck off the register in either jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25031/19]
View answerWritten answers
The Internal Market System (‘IMI’) is an EU alert system, coordinated by the EU Commission, whereby competent authorities within the EU share information in respect of any decision restricting or prohibiting a medical practitioner’s registration or license to practice. The system was formalised through the European Union (Recognition of qualifications) Regulations 2017.
In addition to this the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK provides the Medical Council with a ‘decisions circular’ whereby all disciplinary decisions of the Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal in the UK are disclosed. If the Medical Council becomes aware of a disciplinary sanction of a medical practitioner in the UK who is also on the Medical Council's register the Council will seek additional information and review the circumstances which may lead to a complaint being made to the Medical Council's Preliminary Proceedings Committee and possibly a Fitness to Practise inquiry, depending on the facts, in accordance with the Medical Practitioners Act 2007.
It is the current practice in the Medical Council that both the IMI alert system is checked and the GMC ‘decisions circular’ is reviewed when a medical practitioner applies for registration with the Medical Council.
The Medical Council has a strong working relationship with the GMC and both organisations are working closely together to ensure there will be robust information sharing protocols in place following Brexit to protect patients in both jurisdictions.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Eligibility
Questions (360)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:360. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is not covered under the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25041/19]
View answerWritten answers
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as 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 Scheme aims to ensure that long-term residential care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings. The applicant can choose any public, voluntary or approved private nursing home. The home must have availability and be able to cater for the applicant's particular needs.
The legislation underpinning the Nursing Homes Support Scheme requires each private nursing home to negotiate and agree a price for long-term residential care services with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) should they wish to be an approved nursing home for the purposes of the Scheme. The NTPF has statutory independence in the performance of its function, and negotiates with each nursing home on an individual basis.
Whilst it is not appropriate to comment on an individual case it is my understanding that the facility referenced is not registered with the NTPF for the purpose of State Support for long term care under the NHSS. It is for this reason that the NHSS does not apply to the facility.
Health Services Funding
Questions (361)
Seán Sherlock
Question:361. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if an organisation (details supplied) will continue to receive funding. [25060/19]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives. The Government's primary concern is to ensure the continuity of disability services delivered in line with strong governance mechanisms in a cost-effective and equitable manner consistent with care and support needs. As one of many service providers, Rehab provide invaluable services and supports to people with disabilities and their families.
Minister Harris and I held meetings with Rehab and the HSE on 7th , 15th, and 21st May. We want to acknowledge the positive and transparent level of engagement by Rehab with the HSE and their commitment to continue to work closely in the future. We recognise the additional expenditure requirement, as set out and agreed at our meeting, is attributable in the main to a number of specific regulatory challenges and associated service pressures. We have committed to the provision of an additional €2 million in funding to Rehab. Provision of this additional funding is subject to the completion of a process of financial and service review.
Medicinal Products Reimbursement
Questions (362)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:362. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a drug for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25067/19]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and 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.
Primary Care Centres Staff
Questions (363)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:363. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when additional staff will be allocated to the primary care centre in Roscommon town to enable medical assessments for the primary medical certificate to be carried out on patients who have applied for the primary medical certificate and whose assessments have been put on hold for a minimum of three months as a result of staff shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25068/19]
View answerWritten 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.
Orthodontic Services Provision
Questions (364)
Alan Kelly
Question:364. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if the report on a review of the statement of concern that children had been damaged by the HSE orthodontic services in Dublin-mid-Leinster more than a decade previously which was submitted on 6 February 2015 will be published [25071/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Staff Recruitment
Questions (365)
Pat the Cope Gallagher
Question:365. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health his plans to appoint new laboratory scientists for Letterkenny University Hospital; when appointments will be made; the arrangements in the hospital for blood testing and other testing required through the laboratory in view of the staff shortages within the laboratory; the costs associated with outsourcing testing due to laboratory staff shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25077/19]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly.
HSE Funding
Questions (366)
Stephen Donnelly
Question:366. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health when the 2019 HSE capital plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25079/19]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is continuing to work with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Health Service Executive in a process to finalise as soon as possible a multi-annual Capital Plan for the HSE, which will include capital projects to be funded in 2019 and beyond, having regard to the available capital funding and the number of large national capital projects currently underway.
The HSE Capital Plan will determine the projects that can progress in 2019 and beyond having regard to the available capital funding, the number of large national capital projects currently underway, the cashflow requirements attaching to each project and the relevant priority.
Projects that are currently in construction and are contractually committed will not be affected.
Once the HSE has finalised its Capital Plan for 2019, it will then be submitted to me for consideration.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (367)
Bernard Durkan
Question:367. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of an application for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25081/19]
View answerWritten 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 (368)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Question:368. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe 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. [25084/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (369)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:369. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if day services will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25089/19]
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.
Medicinal Products Reimbursement
Questions (370)
Catherine Murphy
Question:370. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if there are age restrictions or otherwise for persons wishing to avail of treatment in view of the fact that Spinraza treatment has been approved; if so, the rationale for imposing a barrier to the treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25090/19]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and 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.
Hospital Staff Recruitment
Questions (371)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:371. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if recruitment in order to fill a number of vacancies in a department in a hospital (details supplied) will be approved in order to allow the service to operate at full capacity and avoid sending tests to private laboratories as a cost to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25092/19]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Staff Recruitment
Questions (372)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:372. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the status of staffing arrangements in a department in a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25093/19]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Staff Data
Questions (373)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:373. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies in a department in a hospital (details supplied); the full title of the positions that are vacant; the funding required to fill all vacant positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25094/19]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly.
Home Help Service Provision
Questions (374)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:374. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if additional home help hours will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25108/19]
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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (375)
Peter Burke
Question:375. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25141/19]
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.