Written Answers Nos. 770-794
770. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if the decision to reduce the care hours provided for a person (details supplied) will be reconsidered, which have been reduced from ten to seven hours per week. [35068/19]
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.
771. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if additional funding in relation to the nursing home support scheme will be proved in budget 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35541/19]
View answerThe Estimates process for 2020 is ongoing and includes an examination of all service areas. The 2020 budget for the NHSS will be determined through the normal budgetary and National Service Planning process.
Over the last two years, an additional €45 million has been provided to NHSS budget for the continued provision of services in line with pricing and demand.
772. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if the decision to end the availability of the rehabilitative training bonus will be reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35696/19]
View answerThis 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. The 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 payment of the Rehabilitative Training (RT) Bonus came into place on the transition of Rehabilitative/Training Programmes to the HSE following the dissolution of the National Rehabilitation Board in June 2000.
The decision to phase out the Rehabilitative Training (RT) Bonus payment is designed to bring equity and consistency between people with a disability attending HSE funded rehabilitative training programmes who receive the payment, and those attending similar HSE funded Day Services or in other State schemes such as further education and training, who do not.
This action will ensure all HSE funded Day Services are provided on an equitable basis and will also ensure that the use of finite resources is maximised.
The Rehabilitative Training (RT) Bonus Payment is a historical payment, introduced in July 2001, aligned with a similar FÁS Training Bonus. However, during 2011 the FÁS Training Bonus was reduced to €20.00 and then eliminated the following year while to date the RT Bonus Payment has continued to be paid in the Health Sector
It is worth remembering that:
- There is no cut in the number of RT places available
- There is no cut in payment of the bonus - those who have it will continue to receive it for the remainder of their RT Placement
- All participants continue to be eligible for Disability Allowance of €203 per week
- All participants continue to be eligible for a free travel pass
- No expectation of an additional RT bonus payment has been created by HSE for 2019 participants
The redirected funding (€3.7 m over 4 years), which will be ring-fenced, will facilitate 148 full day placements or 370 enhanced day places nationally based on priority need.
Each CHO will have the flexibility to redirect its own savings to address local service requirements. The HSE will put in place a monitoring system and regularly report the additional placements realised to the Department of Health.
773. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if the call of an organisation (details supplied) for investment will be included in budget 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36156/19]
View answerThe implementation of the 2014 National Dementia Strategy is being led by the National Dementia Office in the HSE, which has made substantial progress in developing evidence-based care pathways for people with dementia. Actions are being implemented progressively as resources allow and Dormant Accounts funding is allowing a number of key projects to proceed. The HSE is working with key partners, including the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, to implement specific elements of the Strategy, including the Understand Together awareness campaign and the attendant community activation programme.
With regard to the specific pre-budget submission referred to by the Deputy, the level of funding available for the Department of Health in 2019 and the quantum of services to be provided by the HSE will be considered as part of the national Estimates and budgetary process and National Service Planning.
774. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a primary medical certificate application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36382/19]
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.
775. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 will be fully commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34986/19]
View answer776. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when Parts 2 and 3 of the Family Relationships Act 2015 will be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36068/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 775 and 776 together.
I intend to commence Parts 2 and 3 of The Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 on 5th May 2020. When commenced it will regulate aspects of assisted reproduction involving donated gametes and embryos. Parts 2 and 3 are specifically concerned with parentage rules for children born through donor assisted human reproduction (DAHR) procedures, obligations applying to facilities providing such procedures and the establishment of the National Donor-Conceived Person Register. This commencement date allows time for individuals or couples to plan to use donor gametes that they have already purchased and stored.
777. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 4 May 2017, the consideration being given to the issue raised (details supplied); his views on whether urgent action is required to address the issue; the timeframe for recommendations to be made in relation to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34686/19]
View answerI am aware of the issue arising where a prescribed dosage requiring different medication strengths results in separate prescription charges. I am advised by the HSE that this is due to technical issues in relation to the pharmacy claiming process and that a solution will be considered in the context of IT developments in this area.
778. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an angiogram appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34687/19]
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.
779. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the services provided in a clinic (details supplied); if his attention has been further drawn to the ownership of the clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34689/19]
View answer780. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a service agreement between Holles Street Maternity Hospital and a clinic (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34690/19]
View answer781. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to or if he has requested information from Holles Street Maternity Hospital on shared services that may be provided to a clinic (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34691/19]
View answer979. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if clinics (details supplied) are different entities or the same entity; if there are differences, the nature of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35588/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 779 to 781, inclusive, and 979 together.
As the queries raised by the Deputy relate to operational matters, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
782. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if procedures and operations for persons over 60 years of age are being carried out in Cavan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34692/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
783. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of capital expenditure for a new wing to Cavan General Hospital and a 14-bed ward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34693/19]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
784. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if costs are determined by costs per treatment episode; the number of episodes in each of the years since 2012 by medical detoxification unit, community based residential detoxification beds and adolescent community based residential detoxification beds in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34694/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
785. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if other Departments have been notified of the receipt of protected disclosures submitted to the National Maternity Hospital; the number of protected disclosures submitted to the hospital of which he has been notified; if he has been notified of protected disclosures submitted to other maternity hospitals here; and if he has been notified of protected disclosures that have referred to the reduction of genetic expertise in foetal healthcare at the hospital. [34695/19]
View answerAny protected disclosures submitted to the National Maternity Hospital or any other maternity hospital, or notified to any Department, are a matter for that organisation.
Section 22 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 requires each public body to publish an annual report setting out the number of protected disclosures received in the preceding year and the action taken (if any). Information regarding the number of any protected disclosures received by the National Maternity Hospital can be accessed through the hospital's website - http://www.nmh.ie/home/freedom-of-information.13646.html.
786. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused access to genetic testing that was recommended by their treating physician. [34696/19]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
787. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the status of the construction of the national forensic mental health service facility in Portrane, County Dublin; the completion date for same; if the project will be delivered on time and within budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34709/19]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
788. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the actions taken during 2018 to improve outcomes for persons with comorbid severe mental illness and substance misuse problems. [34710/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
789. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the status of developing a no wrong door policy to address dual diagnosis in mental health; and the funding provided in future for services to adapt. [34711/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
790. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Health his plans to make flash glucose monitoring technology available for persons with type 1 diabetes regardless of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34717/19]
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.
791. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for a drugs payment card by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34718/19]
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.
792. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [34724/19]
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.
793. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the spend on agency staff in the health service to date in 2019 and for the same period in 2018, by occupation, hospital and community healthcare organisation in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34729/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
794. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if St. James's Hospital, Dublin will review the case of a person (details supplied) to determine if an earlier appointment than 14 October 2019 can be arranged; and if they will be considered for cancellations that might arise. [34731/19]
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.
