Written Answers Nos. 661-680
661. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if statistics for suicide rates in Ireland to date in 2020 can be provided and in which statistics for previous years can be accessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41711/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
662. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the minutes of his last three bi-weekly meetings with the Minister of State with responsibility for public health, well-being and the national drugs strategy [41733/20]
View answerThe meetings which the Deputy is referring to do not have set agendas but rather provide an opportunity to discuss business for the week(s) ahead. As such minutes are not taken at these meetings.
663. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which GP practices have been acquired by venture capital funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41746/20]
View answerGPs are private practitioners and their practices are private businesses. Although I understand that there are a small number of GP practices which are run by private healthcare enterprises, neither my Department nor the HSE is aware of GP practices having been acquired by venture capital funds.
664. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for a homecare package in the case of a person (details supplied); when same will be finalised given the health circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41749/20]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
665. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if approval will be given for a drug (details supplied). [41753/20]
View answerAs this refers to an individual case, I have referred this matter to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
666. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health when the next batch of flu vaccine will be available; the number of persons awaiting the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41767/20]
View answer1.95 million doses of influenza vaccine, including 1.35 million doses of the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (QIV) for administration to all persons in an at-risk group and 600,000 doses of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) for all children aged from 2 to 12 years old inclusive, have been made available for the current influenza vaccination programme. The amount of vaccine made available for this winter is almost double the amount of vaccine administered last winter.
Over 1.33 million of the 1.35 million doses of flu vaccine available this winter have been distributed to GPs, pharmacists and other vaccination sites. Deliveries are continuing and stock is expected to be depleted by the end of the year. In addition, over 460,000 doses of the LAIV for administration to children aged from 2 to 12 have been distributed.
Notwithstanding the large increase in available vaccine this year, the full supply of QIV may be used, representing an increase of 35% in uptake over last year. At that stage, sufficient stock will have been delivered for an uptake in excess of 80% in the targeted groups. Not all persons eligible under the programme avail of vaccination, and so it is not possible to quantify the number of persons who may still be awaiting vaccination.
Given the demand on the international market for influenza vaccine, it is not likely to be possible to procure additional supply. As a consequence, from the fourth round of deliveries which started on 23 October, GPs and pharmacists have been asked that of remaining patients in at-risk groups, priority should be given to the over-65s and healthcare workers with direct patient contact, in line with WHO advice.
As of 3rd December, over 1.1 million claims for reimbursement from GPs and pharmacists for the administration of influenza vaccines have been received by PCERS.
The significant increase in uptake among those in the at-risk groups, combined with the addition of vaccination for children aged from 2 to 12, will help reduce the impact of influenza on the community and the health system.
667. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if a registration will be expedited for a person (details supplied) in view of their pending employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41769/20]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is an operational matter, I have asked CORU (the Health and Social Care Professionals Council) to respond to the Deputy directly.
668. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if medical cannabis is covered under the medical card scheme once a patient has been given approval for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41771/20]
View answerClinicians may submit an application on behalf of their patients to the HSE for reimbursement approval if the patient has a valid medical prescription for medical cannabis and have sourced a cannabis-based product which has been prescribed under a Ministerial license.
The HSE has advised that in the previous situations where it considered reimbursement support appropriate, the following steps were completed:
- The patient’s consultant is satisfied that all therapeutic options have been exhausted and is prepared to accept the responsibility for monitoring the patient’s response to the cannabis product.
- A prescriber applies to the Minister for a Ministerial license and this is granted.
- The consultant completes an Individual Reimbursement Form, setting out the therapeutic benefit for the patient. It is important that this is completed in sufficient detail for therapeutic benefit to be demonstrated.
- The Individual Reimbursement Form is considered by the Medicines Management Programme (MMP).
- On review of the documentation, the MMP makes a recommendation for or against reimbursement support for the patient to the HSE, under the patient's eligibility, and informs the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) of that recommendation.
If approval is given, the PCRS, when authorised to proceed, will make the necessary arrangements to cover the costs involved for the patient.
669. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason the medical card has been removed from a person (details supplied); if the card will be reinstated in early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41772/20]
View answer701. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a review of eligibility for a full medical card will be undertaken in the case of a person (details supplied); if EU eligibility was considered as part of the most recent application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41925/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 669 and 701 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
670. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health his views on the Sligo scheme operating in the north west and the associated reduction in wait times for patients for cataract treatment; the progress on extending the scheme to other parts of the country as part of the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41779/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
671. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review a matter (details supplied); if a similar gesture to front-line workers will be announced here by way of time off in lieu or bonuses; if his Department has discussed this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41781/20]
View answerMy Department and I recognise that our dedicated health care workers have played a key role in our national effort against Covid-19. Their determination and commitment of our staff in assisting our sick and vulnerable to get the medical treatment they need, has, and continues to be, very much appreciated. Others across the public and private sectors also deserve to be commended for their efforts in combatting this pandemic.
Negotiations are currently underway regarding a successor agreement to the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020. It should be noted that the pursuit of cost increasing pay claims is specifically excluded under the terms of the PSSA. This means that any bonuses including additional pay or additional leave are not permitted under the PSSA.
672. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are women who have been informed that they have to wait six months for an appointment at the breast clinic at University Hospital Limerick; his views on whether this delay is inappropriate for a potentially life threatening illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41786/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
673. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with disabilities in receipt of home support hours in each local health office, LHO, area as of 30 November 2020 or the latest date available; the number of persons currently on the waiting list for same in each LHO area; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to 12 and more than 12 months in tabular form. [41810/20]
View answerThe HSE provides a range of assisted living services including Home Support Services to support individuals to maximise their capacity to live full and independent lives.
Home Support Services are provided either directly by the HSE or through a range of voluntary service providers. The majority of specialised disability provision (80%) is delivered through non-statutory sector service providers.
Services are accessed through an application process or through referrals from public health nurses or other community based staff. Individuals’ needs are evaluated against the criteria for prioritisation for the particular services and then decisions are made in relation to the allocation of resources. Resource allocation is determined by the needs of the individual, compliance with prioritisation criteria, and the level of resources available. As with every service there is not a limitless resource available for the provision of home support services and while the resources available are substantial they are finite. In this context, services are discretionary and the number of hours granted is determined by other support services already provided to the person/family.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
674. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with disabilities in receipt of personal assistance hours in each local health office, LHO, area as of 30 November 2020 or latest date available; the number of persons currently on the waiting list for same in each LHO area; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to 12 and more than 12 months, in tabular form. [41811/20]
View answerThe area of disability services is a priority area for this Government. To support people with a disability, significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services, and the Government has ensured that an additional €100 million is being provided for new disability measures next year under Budget 2021. These measures will include an additional 80,000 personal assistant hours. The 2020 national service plan details that the HSE is seeking to deliver 1.67m hours of Personal Assistant Hours to over 2,550 people.
The Government is working to ensure that People with Disabilities be allowed to live an independent life of their own choosing, the same as any other person, and this is consistent with the disability reform policy - “transforming lives”.
The HSE provides a range of assisted living services including Personal Assistant (PA) services to support individuals to maximise their capacity to live full and independent lives.
Personal Assistance Services are accessed through an application process or through referrals from public health nurses or other community based staff. Individual’s needs are evaluated against the criteria for prioritisation for the particular services and then decisions are made in relation to the allocation of resources.
Resource allocation is determined by the needs of the individual, compliance with prioritisation criteria, and the level of resources available. It is important to note that the level of service delivered is varied to ensure that each client’s needs are reflected. Therefore there is no average agreed number of PA hours per person. PA and Home Support Services are provided either directly by the HSE or through a range of voluntary service providers. The majority of specialised disability provision (80%) is delivered through non-statutory sector service providers.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
675. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of residential places for persons with a disability currently being provided as of 30 November 2020 or the latest date available by community healthcare organisation, CHO, in tabular form [41812/20]
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.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
676. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of new emergency places provided to persons with a disability as of 30 November 2020, by local health office, LHO, in tabular form. [41813/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
677. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of children as of 30 November 2020 or the latest date available that were awaiting a first assessment from the HSE under the Disability Act 2005 by local health office, LHO, in tabular form. [41814/20]
View answer679. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the speech and language therapy assessment waiting list as of 30 November 2020 or latest date available; the number waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months; and the number waiting aged zero to 17 and more than 18 years of age for each category by local health office, LHO, in tabular form. [41816/20]
View answer680. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the speech and language therapy initial treatment waiting list as of 30 November 2020 or latest date available; the number waiting less than four, four to 12 months and more than 12 months; and the number waiting for each category aged zero to 17 and more than 18 years of age by each local health office, LHO, in tabular form. [41817/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 677, 679 and 680 together.
The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future,recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.
The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
678. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the physiotherapy waiting list as of 30 November 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months; and the number waiting aged zero to four, five to 17, 18 to 64 and more than 65 years of age for each category by local health office, LHO, in tabular form. [41815/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
