Tuesday, 25 Jun 2019

Written Answers Nos. 434-459

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Questions (434)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

434. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when the €250,000 funding committed to support community action on alcohol will be allocated to support the implementation of community action and within the local drugs and alcohol task forces; the way in which the funding will be spent; if additional funding over and above that committed will be provided to support the implementation of community action on alcohol strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26416/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The national drugs, strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery, contains a commitment to deliver an integrated public health approach to drugs and alcohol as a key priority by promoting the use of evidence-based approaches to mobilising community action on alcohol.

My Department will develop two new schemes this year to deliver an integrated public health approach to drugs and alcohol, as set out in the National Drugs Strategy. One of the schemes will support evidence-based approaches to mobilising community action on alcohol. Both schemes will have a fund of €250,000 on a multi-annual basis.

It is intended that both schemes will be developed in the second half of 2019.

On 6th March 2019, I announced additional funding of €1 million for the implementation of the national drugs strategy. This funding, which will be provided on a recurring, multi-annual basis, will address the priorities set down in the strategy including early harm reduction responses to emerging trends in substance misuse, and improving access to services for people with complex needs.

Following consideration of the outcome of a consultation process with task forces and community healthcare organisations, I approved a three-strand funding model for this additional funding. Task forces were notified of this funding model on 17 May. A series of regional workshops took place in June outlining the details of scheme and the application process for this funding.

I am committed to implementing an integrated public health response to substance misuse, with the twin aims of reducing harm and supporting recovery. Working in partnership with task forces and Community Healthcare Organisations, I am confident that the allocation of additional resources in 2019 will make a significant contribution to achieving this objective.

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Questions (435)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

435. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the orthodontic waiting lists for all age groups in County Tipperary in 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26417/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (436)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

436. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a CAMHS appointment will be provided for a person (details supplied); if the case can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26419/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

National Children's Hospital

Questions (437)

Peter Burke

Question:

437. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the practitioners that will be engaged contractually in respect of the new national children’s hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26437/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The majority of consultants, approximately 90%, are employed under Consultant Contract 2008. About 10% remain on the 1997 Contract, though this percentage is declining over time.

There are 4 main types of Contract available under Consultant Contract 2008, Type A - public only, Type B that allows private practice on site, Type B* that allows on-site and off-site private practice (for those who moved from the 1997 Contract), and Type C, that also allows on-site and off-site private practice for those who have taken up employment since 2008. At the end of 2018, the HSE's DIME system reported, for filled posts,1,690 Type B clinical contracts, 289 Type B*s and 156 Type C's.

The volume of private practice allowed for under Consultant Contract 2008 is, typically, limited to 20%. Consultants who moved from the 1997 Contract may be entitled to retain a higher percentage, where such a percentage applied under the 1997 Contract.

It is expected that the majority of consultants who move from existing sites to the new children's hospital will retain their contracts. However there is a facility within the contract under which consultants may apply to switch their contract type.

Respite Care Services Provision

Questions (438)

Seán Fleming

Question:

438. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of respite hours provided for children with an intellectual disability in County Laois in each of the years 2008 to 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26439/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.

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

Disability Services Data

Questions (439)

Seán Fleming

Question:

439. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of adults with intellectual disabilities in residential care in County Laois in each of the years 2008 to 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26440/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Disabilities Assessments

Questions (440)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

440. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin 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. [26443/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Respite Care Services Data

Questions (441)

Seán Fleming

Question:

441. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of respite hours provided for adolescents with an intellectual disability in County Laois in each of the years 2008 to 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26450/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.

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

Emergency Departments

Questions (442)

Tom Neville

Question:

442. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health the status of the independent review taking place in the emergency department, University Hospital Limerick. [26453/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive (HSE) initiated an After-Action Review (AAR) of the Winter Planning Process in 2018/2019 with a view to identifying the specific factors that contributed to performance over the winter period.

Although nationally trolley numbers were lower over the winter period than the previous winter, attendances and admissions were higher. Consequently, the HSE has decided to extend the existing review of Winter 2018/2019 to include a review by an independent expert group. The group will carry out a comparative analysis of unscheduled care performance across the nine hospital sites and the relevant Community Healthcare Organisations that were the subject of specific focused support through Winter 2018/2019. This will include University Hospital Limerick as one of the nine focus sites.

The independent expert group includes external clinical and management expertise from NHS Scotland, and domain knowledge and data analysis and expertise from the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland. The HSE will provide facilitation and support to the review team.

The terms of reference and membership of the group have been agreed and preliminary performance data collection has been undertaken and shared with the independent members to enable early analysis in advance of potential site visits. The HSE advise that two meetings of the review group members have taken place to agree the overall requirements and work plan, with the next meeting planned for early July.

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Questions (443)

Peter Burke

Question:

443. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health his plans for the recruitment of an audiologist for County Westmeath (details supplied). [26461/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Disability Services Data

Questions (444)

Seán Fleming

Question:

444. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for residential care for adults with an intellectual disability in County Laois in each of the years 2008 to 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26466/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Respite Care Services Data

Questions (445)

Seán Fleming

Question:

445. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of respite hours provided for adults with an intellectual disability in County Laois in each of the years 2008 to 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26467/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.

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

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (446)

Joe Carey

Question:

446. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the way in which he can ensure that the HSE consider survey findings submitted by an organisation (details supplied) in the context of clinical effectiveness and quality of life data as they pertain to the review being carried out with respect to the use of the FreeStyle Libre device; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26469/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under 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.

Respite Care Services Data

Questions (447)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

447. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of respite hours provided for adults with an intellectual disability in counties Cavan and Monaghan in each of the years 2008 to 2018, in tabular form. [26471/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.

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

Respite Care Services Data

Questions (448)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

448. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of respite hours provided for children with an intellectual disability in counties Cavan and Monaghan in each of the years 2008 to 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26472/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.

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

Respite Care Services Data

Questions (449)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

449. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of respite hours provided for adolescents with an intellectual disability in counties Cavan and Monaghan in each of the years 2008 to 2018, in tabular form. [26473/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Disability Services Data

Questions (450)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

450. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for residential care for adults with an intellectual disability in counties Cavan and Monaghan in each of the years 2008 to 2018, in tabular form. [26474/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Disability Services Data

Questions (451)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

451. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of adults with intellectual disabilities in residential care in counties Cavan and Monaghan in each of the years 2008 to 2018, in tabular form. [26475/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Ministerial Communications

Questions (452)

Micheál Martin

Question:

452. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he replied to a group (details supplied) that the area was not his responsibility; if he spoke with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26485/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

My office wrote to the group referred to on 11 June. It advised that this matter does not fall within the remit of my Department and is more appropriate to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment; it was suggested that the correspondence be directed to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

I have not spoken to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment about this matter.

Illicit Trade in Fuel and Tobacco Products

Questions (453)

Micheál Martin

Question:

453. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health his views on high-sulphur coal being smuggled across the Border region; if he has spoken to other Ministers regarding same; if actions are being taken to prevent this smuggling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26489/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I wish to advise the Deputy that I have no remit in the matter of cross border smuggling and have not spoken to any other Minister regarding this issue.

Medical Negligence Claims

Questions (454)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

454. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the compensation paid by the HSE in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019, for negligence claims at each hospital in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26517/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims, including claims in respect of clinical negligence, on behalf of Delegated State Authorities (DSA’s) including the Health Service Executive.

The specific details relating to the Deputy's question have been provided to me by the State Claims Agency and are set out in the attached report. I have been informed by the State Claims Agency that the information contained in this report has been extracted from the National Incident Management System (NIMS). It contains clinical and general claims relating to both statutory and voluntary hospitals within the acute hospital group. The claims relate to patient/service user, staff members, member of public and property damage. The payments reflect damages only and exclude legal fees and other expert costs.

Compensation Paid

Legislative Process

Questions (455, 456)

Carol Nolan

Question:

455. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delays in respect of the drafting of legislation to update the Mental Health Act 2001. [26531/19]

Carol Nolan

Question:

456. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health when draft legislation to update the Mental Health Act 2001 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26532/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 456 together.

The Expert Group Review of the Mental Health Act 2001, which was published in 2015, made 165 recommendations, approximately 70% of which relate to amendments to the 2001 Act. The Deputy will be aware that Government approved plans to proceed with the general scheme of a bill and officials are working on the heads of this comprehensive amending bill which will legislate for the recommendations of the Review.

Draft heads of Bill are currently being finalised and will be submitted to the Mental Health Commission within the next two weeks for their detailed review. It is essential that the Mental Health Commission, which has a very significant and important role in overseeing the safeguards provided in the Act, has full input into the framing of the many amendments to be included in revised mental health legislation.

The Deputy may also wish to note that since the Expert Group Review was published three mental health amendment acts have been enacted.

The first was the Mental Health (Amendment) Act 2015 which updated the provisions of the 2001 Act regarding treatment, in particular ECT.

The second was the more recent enactment of the Mental Health (Amendment) Act 2018 which makes changes to the 2001 Act regarding the definition of voluntary patient and which introduces guiding principles for adults replacing the principle of best interests. The Act also introduces guiding principles for children and refers to capacity within the meaning of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. It is important to point out, however, that the provisions of the 2018 amending act cannot be commenced until further legislative changes are made and the Decision Support Service, established under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act is operational. The changes in these two acts are based on a number of different recommendations of the Expert Group Review.

The third amending act is the Mental Health (Renewal Orders) Act 2018, which amended Section 15 of the 2001 Act following on from a Court of Appeal finding of unconstitutionality.

In addition, changes to, or that have an effect on, the 2001 Act will be introduced as part of the new Deprivation of Liberty provisions currently being developed by my Department and also through changes proposed for the Child Care Act 1991. Finally, there are four Private Member's Bills published which seek to make changes to or that have an effect on the 2001 Act. As these bills are moved in the Oireachtas, my Department is required to prioritise these over other legislative work such as the review of the Act.

Many of the changes proposed in the various private members bills replicate recommendations of the Expert Group Review.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Questions (457)

Carol Nolan

Question:

457. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health when he expects to bring legislative changes in respect of the fair deal scheme before Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26533/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The proposed policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), to cap contributions based on farm and business assets at 3 years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset, has been approved by Government. My Department developed draft Heads of Bill while considering a number of complex ancillary policy and operational matters which may need to be addressed in the proposed legislation.

It is intended that this proposed policy change, the 3 year cap, will be extended to eligible existing participants in long term residential care so that they are not disadvantaged, but that there would be no retrospective recoupment of contributions for those who have paid contributions over and above the 3 year period. The cost of applying the change to existing residents who will qualify from the coming into effect of the provisions has been factored into the overall cost of this proposed legislative change.

The General Scheme of Bill for the NHSS was approved by Government at Cabinet on the 11th June 2019. The changes to the Scheme will come into effect as soon as the legislative process is successfully complete. I intend to progress this as quickly as possible, however, the timeline for completion of the legislation will also depend on how it passes through the Houses.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (458)

Carol Nolan

Question:

458. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for urgent surgery will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [26536/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Hospitals Building Programme

Questions (459)

Carol Nolan

Question:

459. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health his plans to allocate funding of €23.7 million to the building of a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26537/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.