Michael Healy-Rae
Question:920. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of orthodontic treatment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35314/19]
View answerOrthodontic Services
Questions (920)
Written answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
Orthodontic Services
Questions (921)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:921. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of braces for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35315/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
Dental Services Provision
Questions (922)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:922. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of dental treatment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35316/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (923)
Catherine Murphy
Question:923. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount expended on the renewal of licences (details supplied) by his Department since 2009 to date in 2019; the amount projected to be spent on the renewal of such licences by his Department over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35343/19]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has spent €384,000 excluding VAT for the renewal of these licenses since 2009.
The Department of Health ICT Unit provides shared services to a number of external agencies including the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Adoption Authority of Ireland and the Ombudsman for Children's Office. The figure includes renewals for the Department and all supported agencies during this period.
It is expected that the level of shared service provision will reduce in the future as external agencies make other provisions. The cost for the next five years is expected to be approximately €175,000 and relates in the main to the Department of Health.
Rehabilitation Training Allowance Payments
Questions (924)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:924. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason the rehabilitative training allowance has been abolished for new applicants with disabilities from 1 September 2019; the estimated saving that will accrue to the HSE as a result in 2019 and 2020, respectively; the reason for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35351/19]
View answerWritten answers
This 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 million 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.
General Practitioner Contracts
Questions (925)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:925. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35356/19]
View answerWritten answers
Under the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess." There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition.
The HSE has advised GPs that where a blood test forms part of the investigation or necessary treatment of a patient’s symptoms or conditions, this should be free of charge for patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card. Notwithstanding this, I am aware that some GPs are charging GMS patients for phlebotomy services in some circumstances.
This is a matter of concern for me as it has long been the position, under successive Governments, that no user charges should apply to GP services provided to GMS and GP visit card patients. If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office.
As the persons concerned in this instance have already reported the matter, I have arranged for the HSE to provide an update on this case by direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (926)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:926. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regrading issues in University Hospital Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35357/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (927)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:927. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of procedures for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35361/19]
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.
Residential Institutions Redress Scheme
Questions (928)
Anne Rabbitte
Question:928. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the estimated average annual cost of operating the various supports such as medical cards that were extended under the Redress for Women in Certain Institutions Act 2015 since the inception of the scheme. [35365/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Residential Institutions Redress Scheme Data
Questions (929)
Anne Rabbitte
Question:929. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that accessed the various supports such as medical cards that were extended under the Redress for Women in Certain Institutions Act 2015 since its inception. [35366/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Disability Services Provision
Questions (930)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:930. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health his views on whether a response from the HSE (details supplied) to a Parliamentary Question is appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35367/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
Autism Support Services
Questions (931)
Michael McGrath
Question:931. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if further details of the environmental support needs referred to in correspondence from a service provider in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35368/19]
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.
Question No. 932 answered with Question No. 915.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (933)
Sean Fleming
Question:933. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a medical procedure will be carried out on a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35377/19]
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.
Ambulance Service Provision
Questions (934)
Pearse Doherty
Question:934. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal was not provided with ambulance transport back to the county following an operation at Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35378/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (935)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:935. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35380/19]
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.
Home Care Packages
Questions (936)
Bernard Durkan
Question:936. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if alternative arrangements can be made to provide a homecare package in the case of a person (details supplied); if the matter will be examined with a view to resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35403/19]
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.
Rehabilitation Training Allowance Payments
Questions (937)
Michael Harty
Question:937. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health if the decision by the HSE to discontinue the rehabilitative training allowance due to be abolished from 1 September 2019 will be reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35406/19]
View answerWritten answers
This 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 million 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.
Home Help Service Provision
Questions (938)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:938. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35414/19]
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.
Occupational Therapy Provision
Questions (939)
James Browne
Question:939. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the waiting list for occupational therapy in south central areas of Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35416/19]
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.
Psychological Services Waiting Lists
Questions (940)
James Browne
Question:940. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the waiting list for psychology services in south central areas of Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35417/19]
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.
HSE Complaints Procedures
Questions (941)
James Browne
Question:941. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the reason a complaint must go through an internal review with the HSE before it can go to the Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35418/19]
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.
Home Help Service Provision
Questions (942)
Martin Heydon
Question:942. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health if additional home help will be expedited for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35437/19]
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 (943)
Mary Butler
Question:943. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to be called for an appointment for knee replacement surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35442/19]
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.
Cross-Border Health Services Provision
Questions (944)
Sean Fleming
Question:944. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the cost of the cross border initiative in each year since 2014; the geographical breakdown of the amount paid in each of the years; the payments in respect of Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35443/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.