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Tuesday, 9 Jul 2019

Written Answers Nos. 409-435

Stroke Care

Questions (409)

John McGuinness

Question:

409. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason there is no stroke rehabilitation services in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; if this service was in place; if so, the skill sets of the staff involved; his plans in relation to the provision of such a service; if there is a waiting list; the nearest location to counties Carlow and Kilkenny for such a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29453/19]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

HSE Agency Staff Expenditure

Questions (410)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

410. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the spend on agency staff in the health service to date in 2019, by occupation, hospital and community healthcare organisation, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29463/19]

View answer

Written answers

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Questions (411)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

411. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the decisions taken by the senior leadership team of the HSE at its monthly sittings relating to drugs reimbursement and the recommendations issued by the drugs group of the HSE to the team on same, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29464/19]

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Written 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.

Home Help Service Data

Questions (412)

Carol Nolan

Question:

412. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in counties Laois and Offaly on waiting lists for home help hours, homecare packages and respite by category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29475/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Mental Health Services Data

Questions (413)

Denis Naughten

Question:

413. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the status of each recommendation made in the Roscommon mental health services review, in tabular form; the implementation measures taken prior to its publication; the steps taken since its publication in September 2017; the recommendations fully implemented; the reason a specific recommendation has not been completed; the reason for the failure to implement the recommendation in full; the timeline for its completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29501/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Mental Health Services

Questions (414)

David Cullinane

Question:

414. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the actions taken by the psychiatric department at University Hospital Waterford to address concerns raised by the Mental Health Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29502/19]

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Written answers

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

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Staff

Questions (415)

David Cullinane

Question:

415. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of staff assigned to CAMHS at University Hospital Waterford in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019, by whole-time equivalent staff and staff speciality, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29503/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Staff

Questions (416)

David Cullinane

Question:

416. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of child consultant psychiatrists attached to CAMHS at University Hospital Waterford in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019, by whole-time equivalent positions in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29504/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Data

Questions (417)

David Cullinane

Question:

417. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children admitted or kept in the adult psychiatric unit at University Hospital Waterford in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29505/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (418)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

418. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 195 of 26 February 2019, when funding will be made available to enable a facility (details supplied) to reopen; if his attention has been drawn to the effect the closure of the facility is having on persons that avail of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29506/19]

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Written 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.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Questions (419)

Peter Burke

Question:

419. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of the planned rehabilitation unit at Roscommon University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29511/19]

View answer

Written answers

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.

Gender Recognition

Questions (420)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

420. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if there will be provision in the health service for transgender surgery services in view of a recent retirement (details supplied); if so, if the services will be available on the treatment abroad scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29533/19]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. 

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (421)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

421. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the costs paid to a company (details supplied) for projects each was engaged by his Department in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; the reason it was engaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29554/19]

View answer

Written answers

The information is in the following table.

Date

Company

Amount

05/06/19

Actuarial Work Private Health Insurance

€4,276.71

20/03/19

Actuarial Work Private Health Insurance 

€6,487.02 

20/03/19

Actuarial Work Private Health Insurance

€17,544.72

26/02/19

Slaintecare PMO Support 

€21,106.80 

29/01/19

Slaintecare PMO Support 

€11,771.10 

17/12/18

Slaintecare PMO Support 

€13,800.00 

04/12/18

Slaintecare PMO Support 

€13,800.00 

21/11/18

Actuarial Work Private Health Insurance

€32,342.85 

03/10/18 

Risk Equalisation Review 

€33,185.40 

03/10/18

Disentanglement of Private Practice

€3,493.20

07/03/18

Work undertaken for EMA bid 

€25,000.00

Cross-Border Health Services Provision

Questions (422)

Robert Troy

Question:

422. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an application for a cross border scheme refund will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [29588/19]

View answer

Written answers

The HSE operates the Cross Border Directive (CBD) in Ireland.  As this question refers to a service matter I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.

Abortion Services Provision

Questions (423)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

423. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the payments made under the primary care reimbursement service for consultations, terminations and aftercare services since January 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29590/19]

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Written answers

Funding of €12 million was provided in 2019 for the implementation of a termination-of-pregnancy service.  Of this funding, €4.5 million was identified for the provision of the service in the community.  This funding includes the cost of service provider fees, the provision of scans in the community, medication costs and pregnancy tests.  

Under Section 20(3) of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, the Minister for Health is required to prepare a report on the notifications of terminations of pregnancy received during the immediately preceding year.  Therefore, the first such report will be prepared before end-June 2020.  I believe that in the light of this statutory requirement, it would not be appropriate to pre-empt the annual report by publishing data, the effect of which would be to place in the public domain information of a type intended by the Oireachtas to be addressed in the annual report.

Nursing Home Services

Questions (424, 425)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

424. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the level of service being provided at a nursing home (details supplied) in County Mayo; the number of days it should be open; and if day services and respite are available each day. [29592/19]

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Lisa Chambers

Question:

425. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of staff employed at a nursing home (details supplied) in County Mayo; the number of vacancies; and the length of time each vacancy has remained unfilled. [29593/19]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 424 and 425 together.

As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (426)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

426. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address matters in relation to support and services for persons with dementia (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29595/19]

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Written answers

The National Dementia Strategy recommends that the HSE considers the provision of dementia advisors, based on the experience of demonstrator sites, with an appropriate number of such advisors to be dedicated to the needs of those with early onset dementia.  In this context, an evaluation of the Dementia Adviser Service, which was published in September 2018, recommends the continuation and expansion of the service to ensure equity of access countrywide.

There are currently 9 dementia advisors working across 12 counties in the Dementia Adviser Service established by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland in 2014, with 7 of these posts funded by the HSE since 2016.  €400,000 in funding has been allocated by the HSE in each of the last 3 years towards the cost of the service, and the HSE has agreed to continue to provide this level of funding for the service in 2019 and future years.

The HSE provides approximately €7.9 million for Dementia-Specific Intensive Homecare Packages, which facilitate people with dementia who have complex needs to remain living at home.  Since the introduction of these packages at the end of 2014, 443 dementia-specific intensive homecare packages have been delivered, with 201 active at the end of March 2019. 

People with dementia can also avail of standard Home Support Services for Older People, on the basis of need and within the resources available.  A total of €426 million has been provided for home support services this year, delivering over 17.9 million home support hours to over 53,000 people.

In addition to the above services, the HSE granted €12.68 million in 2018 to Section 39 organisations who deliver dementia-specific respite, home care, day care, cognitive stimulation therapy, social clubs and supports for family carers.

The Department of Health has also secured €6.26 million in Dormant Accounts funding for a range of additional projects being implemented by the National Dementia Office projects including a post-diagnostic support pathway project, a dementia diagnostic project and a national network of memory technology resource rooms.  

The level of funding available for the Department of Health in 2020 and the quantum of services to be provided by the HSE, including for measures under the National Dementia Strategy,  will be considered as part of the national Estimates and budgetary process and National Service Planning.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (427)

Seán Fleming

Question:

427. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of mental health services at a location (details supplied); the changes that have occurred to the provision of services there in recent months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29596/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Orthodontic Services Data

Questions (428)

Seán Fleming

Question:

428. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of the 18,043 persons on the orthodontic waiting list at the end of quarter one that went on the waiting list in 2018 and each year prior to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29597/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

HSE Properties

Questions (429)

Pat Casey

Question:

429. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Health the plans of the HSE in relation to the old health clinic and surrounding lands in Tinahely, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29601/19]

View answer

Written answers

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.

Autism Support Services

Questions (430)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

430. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if the reason a person (details supplied) cannot receive an appointment for an up-to-date diagnosis for autism will be investigated with the autism CAMHS in CHO 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29602/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Cross-Border Health Services Provision

Questions (431)

Catherine Martin

Question:

431. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Health if the necessary legislation has been put in place here and in the United Kingdom to guarantee cross-Border health arrangements such as patients accessing healthcare in Northern Ireland under the cross border directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29624/19]

View answer

Written answers

The HSE operates the EU Cross Border Directive (CBD) in Ireland. Patients in Ireland can seek to be referred to another EU/EEA member state, including Northern Ireland, for medical treatment that is available in the public health service in Ireland. The patient may access the overseas service in either the public or private health sector of the EU/EEA member state they choose to receive the service in. The patient pays for the treatment and claims reimbursement from the HSE at the cost of that treatment in Ireland or the cost of it abroad, whichever is the lesser.

It is important to emphasise that at present there are no changes to patient care in the UK and Northern Ireland under the CBD, as the UK continues to be a full member of the EU. Indeed, until the UK formally withdraws from the European Union, it remains a full Member with all its existing rights and obligations.

Nevertheless, as part of a whole of Government response to Brexit, my Department is working intensively to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated set of preparations to ensure continuity of health services post-Brexit. This includes the enactment of the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2019. This legislation contains provisions which, if required, allows me to make Orders and Regulations to enable necessary healthcare arrangements to be maintained between Ireland and the UK in a Brexit no-deal scenario.

Organ Transplant Services

Questions (432)

Catherine Martin

Question:

432. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Health if the two flow cytometers used by the National Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Service for Solid Organ Transplantation in Beaumont Hospital have been replaced to date in 2019 as promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29625/19]

View answer

Written answers

The HSE has confirmed that €0.1m has been allocated from the HSE Equipment Replacement Programme to replace a flow cytometer at Beaumont Hospital.

The HSE also advises that the replacement of the second flow cytometer is a high priority and will be considered in the context of the Estimates process.

National Children's Hospital

Questions (433)

Catherine Martin

Question:

433. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Health the rationale for the building of a private clinic in the new national children's hospital. [29626/19]

View answer

Written answers

The vast majority of services in the new  children’s hospital will be public services. However, as part of the National  Contract for Consultants negotiated in 2008, some consultants holding specific contracts are entitled to engage in private outpatient practice outside of their public commitment and this commitment must be conducted on site, that is, in the  hospital they are contracted with. As a result, private outpatient clinics may  be held on the public hospital campus but these clinics must be held outside  contracted hours. The new children's hospital is obliged to provide such facilities for consultants holding such contracts.

There are a total of 8 clinics off the main concourse of the new children’s hospital. There are a suite of rooms within each clinic. Each of these clinics are identical in fit out.

It is proposed that private care may be provided in one of these 8 clinics. The proposal is for  consultants to pay a fee for use of the rooms and other operational costs.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (434)

Catherine Martin

Question:

434. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29627/19]

View answer

Written 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.

HSE Staff

Questions (435)

Catherine Martin

Question:

435. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Health if new entrant management employees in the HSE have an induction period on joining; if so, if the period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29628/19]

View answer

Written answers

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

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