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Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019

Written Answers Nos. 456-471

Health Services Expenditure

Questions (456)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

456. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the costing model used by his Department to cost the roll out of a State-sponsored contraception scheme in the report of the working group on access to contraception. [47729/19]

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Written answers

The Working Group on Access to Contraception used a basic cost estimation model utilising the data that were available.

The estimated cost of €80m to €100m reflects the cost of providing the current GMS contraceptive service on a universal basis to all women aged 16-44, assuming two GP consultations per annum and assuming an uptake rate of between 50% and 60%. The pharmacy and product costs are extrapolated from PCRS data, while clinical costs are based on an average of a range of possible costs per client per consultation.

It is noted that the report of the Working Group is clear that this estimate of costs should be considered as indicative and is subject to a number of uncertainties, including the outcome of consultation with service providers and the final parameters of any scheme.

Home Help Service Expenditure

Questions (457)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

457. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the amount that has been spent for the provision of home support services in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the amount that has spent on the provision of home support by external agencies in the same period by year; the amount spent in each area nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47732/19]

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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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (458)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

458. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting for an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47733/19]

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Written 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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (459)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

459. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [47740/19]

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Written 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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (460)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

460. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [47743/19]

View answer

Written 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.

Occupational Therapy Waiting Lists

Questions (461)

Michael McGrath

Question:

461. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Cork will receive occupational therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47746/19]

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.

Dental Services Provision

Questions (462)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

462. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the case of a child (details supplied) in need of dental care will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47747/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Medicinal Products Availability

Questions (463)

Michael McGrath

Question:

463. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to a drug being made available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork to enable them to undergo a transplant operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47753/19]

View answer

Written answers

As this refers to an individual case, I have referred this matter to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Expenditure

Questions (464)

Barry Cowen

Question:

464. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the budget in 2019 for the fair deal scheme; the amount spent under the fair deal scheme to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47766/19]

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Written answers

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home 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 nursing home 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.

As outlined in the HSE's National Service Plan for 2019, the NHSS is expected to support 23,042 people in 2019. The NHSS budget for 2019 is €985.8m which is an increase of €24.3m over its 2018 budget.

The year-to-date spend to 30 September 2019 for the NHSS is €748.9m. An additional €13m has been allocated to the Scheme for 2019 in the context of managing system demands during the winter period. This will help to support continued access to long-term residential care under the HSE Winter Plan 2019/20 and to keep the waiting time for access to support under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme at 4 weeks to the end of the year.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Questions (465)

Barry Cowen

Question:

465. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the number of open applications for assistance under the fair deal scheme; the average time it takes between application and the completion of the application in cases in which funding is released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47767/19]

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.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Expenditure

Questions (466)

Barry Cowen

Question:

466. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the budget for the fair deal scheme in each year since its establishment; the amount spent under the scheme in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47768/19]

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.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (467)

Marc MacSharry

Question:

467. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there have been no BCG vaccinations for babies since May 2015 due to a shortage of the vaccine here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47770/19]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy would be aware, the BCG vaccine is given to protect babies against tuberculosis (TB). It is important to note that the number of cases of TB in Ireland is low. Most European countries do not give the BCG vaccine routinely to all babies.

Due to a lack of vaccine from the sole EU supplier, the BCG vaccine has not been available in Ireland since April 2015. The HSE National Immunisation Office and the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) have sought an alternative supply of BCG vaccine that meets safety, quality and effectiveness standards that could be used in Ireland. To date no appropriate alternative manufacturer has been found.

I am informed that in 2013, a joint recommendation from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and the National TB Advisory Committee proposed moving from a universal neonatal BCG vaccination programme to a selective BCG vaccination programme targeting high risk groups only.

Following this recommendation, the Department of Health requested the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to undertake a Health Technology Assessment. HIQA reported in 2015 noting that selective vaccination is more effective and less costly than universal vaccination.

Given that both reports predate the discontinuation of vaccine supply, the HSE were requested earlier this year to undertake an updated review of the epidemiology of TB in Ireland, considering the public health impact of having no BCG vaccination since April 2015. This review will be used to inform an updated recommendation to my Department regarding the future provision of BCG vaccination in Ireland.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (468)

Peter Burke

Question:

468. Deputy Peter Burke 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. [47807/19]

View answer

Written 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.

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Questions (469)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

469. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if replacement staff for speech and language therapists on maternity leave can be provided in CHO7 in view of the urgent need to ensure that children depending on the service can rely on its continuity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47824/19]

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.

Counselling Services Provision

Questions (470)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

470. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47842/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (471)

Michael McGrath

Question:

471. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the future of a residential centre (details supplied) in County Cork; the role of the HSE in running the centre; the position in relation to decongregation; the reason staff are unable to obtain P60s; the further reason increment payments have ceased; the person or body that is the current employer; the steps being taken to resolve the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47870/19]

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.

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