Written Answers Nos. 506-530
506. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to recognise a life-threatening allergy as a long-term illness; if so, if it will be included on the long-term illness scheme; if such a condition will be recognised under the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4200/20]
View answerThe Long Term Illness Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the LTI are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. Under the scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.
There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the scheme at this time.
The Disability Act 2005, which comes under the remit of the Department of Justice and Equality, is designed to advance and underpin the participation of people with disabilities in society by supporting the provision of disability specific services and improving access to mainstream public services. It places significant obligations on public bodies to make buildings and services accessible to people with disabilities, provides for sectorial plans in key service areas, requires public bodies to take positive actions to employ people with disabilities and provides for the establishment of a Centre for Excellence in Universal Design rather than the provision of services based on a specific diagnosis or condition.
507. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive medical records from a hospital which they requested in early January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4202/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
508. 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. [4205/20]
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.
509. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the plans that can be put in place to assist persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4206/20]
View answer511. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans regarding the appointment of much needed additional Parkinson’s nurse specialists in view of the fact there are only two such nurse specialists in the 25 counties outside Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4210/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 509 and 511 together.
The HSE Model of Care for Neurology was developed by the National Clinical Programme for Neurology in collaboration with consultants, nurses, health and social care professionals and patient support groups. It provides a framework for neurology services, including for Parkinson's Disease patients, using international best practice, and it sets out care provision using an integrated service approach. The model, which is fully aligned with the objectives of Slaintecare, proposes a hub and spoke approach, with services provided as close to home as possible but with access to specialist services where required.
The roles performed by Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialists include identifying patients' needs, coordinating their care, monitoring symptoms, helping with drug management and providing emotional and lifestyle support.
The particular query raised is a service matter and I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
510. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the number of persons availing of support under the long-term illness scheme by county; the conditions for which the scheme has been granted (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4207/20]
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.
512. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the reason the dietician service in Ballincollig, County Cork, was withdrawn from the chronic disease management programme; when the service will be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4211/20]
View answerAs the question relates to service matters, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
513. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the acute medical assessment unit in University Hospital Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4212/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
514. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Cork with ASD will be offered services such as speech and language therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4213/20]
View answer515. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Cork with DCD will receive services such as speech and language and occupational therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4214/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 514 and 515 together.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
516. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on the closure of a facility (details supplied) in County Cork which offered services to children with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4215/20]
View answerThe Health and Social Care Professionals Council (CORU) was established by the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 to protect the public by ensuring that members of the professions regulated under the Act are suitably qualified, commit to continuing professional development and are subject to robust fitness to practise. The professions of occupational therapist and speech and language therapist are amongst the professions CORU regulates. It is a criminal offence for a person who is not registered with CORU to use a professional title protected under the Act.
Having received complaints from members of the public, CORU conducted an investigation of the directors of a facility (details supplied). This facility was not a HSE centre but was a centre offering certain health services in a private capacity.
Following its investigations, CORU was satisfied that certain persons working in the facility were not registered with CORU but were using protected titles. CORU sought a High Court injunction requiring the individuals in question to cease and desist from using the titles while unregistered with CORU. The Directors provided undertakings to the High Court, including that they would cease and desist from using the titles in contravention of the Act and would inform all previous and existing clients that at no time while providing services in the State were they entitled to use the titles. CORU has also instituted criminal proceedings against the individuals involved; these proceedings are due to take place in Cork District Court later this year.
Since 2016, there has been a sizeable investment in the reform and improvement of children’s disability services in Ireland. As part of Transforming Lives, the HSE is currently implementing the “Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People Programme (2009)”. This programme requires a reconfiguration of all current HSE and HSE funded children’s disability services into geographically-based children’s disability network teams. The overall aim is to achieve a national equitable approach to service provision for all children based on their individual need - regardless of their disability, where they live or where they go to school. Services will be provided through the children’s disability networks across each of nine Community Healthcare Organisations, comprising of specialist multi-disciplinary teams to work with complex disability needs.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
517. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure a person (details supplied) with additional needs has an appropriate adult day service placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4220/20]
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.
518. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason the health protection surveillance centre website section on notifiable diseases outlining the circumstances under which the disclosure of patient information is required by law including in circumstances (details supplied) is not available; and the further reason the link is not working. [4224/20]
View answerThe Minister for Health signed the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 53 of 2020) on Thursday 20th February 2020 in order to make provision for Covid-19 to be added to the list of notifiable diseases so that the doctors who are at the frontline of our response to the virus will be obliged to notify the HSE when a case is suspected or diagnosed and will be able to take appropriate action to respond to the very serious public health threat posed by the Covid-19 virus.
Comprehensive information explaining the policies on infectious disease notifications is available on the website of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre at:
https://www.hpsc.ie/notifiablediseases/notifyinginfectiousdiseases/
519. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position on the provision of home support for a family of a child (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4225/20]
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.
520. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the number of children who aged out of and off the waiting lists for early intervention team assessments by HSE area in 2018 and 2019. [4229/20]
View answer521. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the waiting time for new applicants for early intervention team assessments in each HSE area [4230/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 520 and 521 together.
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.
522. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the introduction of minimum unit pricing for alcohol; and the timeline to which he is working. [4232/20]
View answerAs the administration in Northern Ireland is now operative, both jurisdictions can introduce this measure simultaneously and this will ensure that its effectiveness cannot be diminished by the availability of cheaper alcohol across the border. I have already written to my counterpart in Northern Ireland to set out the importance of minimum unit pricing and to request that its introduction be prioritised there. I am willing to wait for simultaneous introduction but I will keep this under constant review as neither I nor the Government are willing to wait forever to implement this important public health measure.
523. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the waiting time for the early intervention team for Dublin 9; when a child (details supplied) will be given an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4233/20]
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.
524. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if local authorities have powers under the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act 1919 to take action in cases in which the build-up of an accumulation of rubbish and litter in the back garden of a privately owned house is causing a rodent infestation in adjoining dwellings; if the authorities have the power to inspect such a property and to order the removal of the rubbish and litter on public health grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4235/20]
View answerResponsibility for local authorities comes under the remit of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. However, the HSE also has a role under the Act insofar as it relates to rodent infestation.
Section 1 of the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act 1919 states that any person who shall fail to take such steps as may from time to time be necessary and reasonably practicable for the destruction of rats and mice on or in any land of which he is the occupier, or for preventing such land from becoming infested with rats or mice, shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine.
I have been informed by the HSE that, if an authorised officer of the HSE is of the opinion that the occupier of any land has failed to take such steps as are required under the Act, a notice may be served on the occupier requiring him to take such steps as are prescribed in the notice within a time specified therein or enter upon the land and take such steps as are necessary and reasonably practicable for the purpose of destroying the rats and mice on the land or of preventing the land from becoming infested with rats and mice, and may recover any reasonable expenses so incurred from the occupier of the land summarily as a civil debt.
525. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the staffing numbers for the Health Service Executive pest control service for north Dublin city and county; if there are vacancies awaiting to be filled; if contact details for the team will be provided; if this section of the website of the HSE will be updated to include contact details (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4236/20]
View answerThis is a matter for the HSE, therefore I have referred the question to the HSE for attention and direct reply.
526. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the laboratories and companies that will conduct the new HPV testing for cervical cancer screening; if more than one company is involved; the expected percentage of the overall testing to be done by each laboratory concerned; the location of the laboratories and institutions concerned; his plans to repatriate the service fully here; and the criteria and the weight given to costs in awarding the contracts to the laboratories and companies. [4239/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
527. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if surgery will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4240/20]
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.
528. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding mental health facilities under the National Development Plan 2018-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4244/20]
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.
529. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an angiogram for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4247/20]
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.
530. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a scan will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4249/20]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
