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Tuesday, 12 Jul 2022

Written Answers Nos. 771-791

Mental Health Services

Questions (771)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

771. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 716 of 17 May 2022 and 1783 and 1784 of 14 June 2022, the reason that a meeting of CHO4 HSE managers on 22 June 2021 involving such a critical decision as the closure of a long-standing mental health service (details supplied) was not minuted; if any record outside of formal minutes of the decisions arrived at in this meeting was maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36984/22]

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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

Health Services

Questions (772)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

772. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1783 and 1784 of 14 June 2022, the CHO4 HSE management staff who attended a meeting on 22 June 2021 during which the closure of a centre (details supplied) was decided; if any record outside of formal minutes of the decisions arrived at in this meeting were maintained; if so, the decisions that were made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36985/22]

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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.

Health Services

Questions (773)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

773. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question 1784 of 14 June 2022, the details associated with subsequent meetings held to give effect to the closure decision (details supplied) referenced in the response; the dates on which the referenced meetings took place; the managers who attended each of the meetings in question; if the meetings were minuted; the decision-making that took place at these meetings;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36986/22]

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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.

Health Services

Questions (774)

Thomas Gould

Question:

774. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the circumstances in which a grant agreement and a service level agreement, respectively are appropriate. [37012/22]

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Written answers

I am assuming the Deputy is referring to Grant Aid Agreements and Service Arrangements entered into by the HSE with service providers.

Under Section 38 of the Health Act, 2004, as amended, the HSE may enter into arrangements with bodies for the provision of services on behalf of the HSE. Section 39 of that same Act provides that the HSE may give assistance to bodies to provide services on behalf of the HSE.

As these arrangements are operational matters for the HSE, I have referred your PQ to the HSE for direct reply.

Medicinal Products

Questions (775, 945)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

775. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the reason that cariban is not covered by the drugs payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37019/22]

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Catherine Connolly

Question:

945. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to include cariban on the drugs payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37694/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 775 and 945 together.

Under 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.

Ambulance Service

Questions (776)

David Cullinane

Question:

776. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the National Ambulance response times for omega, delta and echo callouts for May and June 2022 relative to relevant HIQA standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37022/22]

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Written answers

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

Ambulance Service

Questions (777)

David Cullinane

Question:

777. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of employees who have left the National Ambulance Service in each of the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37024/22]

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Written answers

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

Departmental Staff

Questions (778)

Alan Dillon

Question:

778. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the progress within his Department on the appointment of a Chief Pharmacy Officer. [37049/22]

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Written answers

My Department has professionally qualified pharmacists among its staff and does not have plans to appoint a Chief Pharmacist at the present time. The matter will be kept under review in the context of wider workforce planning considerations.

Medicinal Products

Questions (779)

Alan Dillon

Question:

779. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the reason that it takes on average 116 days more than the European Union average to make new cancer medicines available; and the steps that his Department and the HSE are taking to resolve this delay in making these new cancer medicines available in a more time efficient manner. [37050/22]

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Written answers

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost-effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact.HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).The final decision-making authority in the HSE is the HSE Executive Management Team (EMT). The HSE EMT decides on the basis of all the demands with which it is faced (across all services) whether it can fund a new medicine, or new uses of an existing medicine, from the resources that have been provided to it in line with the 2013 Health Act.

Under the 2013 Act, reimbursement is for licenced indications which have been granted market authorisation either by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or by the Health Products Regulatory Authority.

The majority of new, innovative medicines are evaluated by the EMA and authorised via the European Commission’s centralised procedure in order to be marketed in the EU.

In line with the 2013 Health Act and the national framework agreed with industry, once a new medicine has received marketing authorisation, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have the product added to the reimbursement list.

The timing of company applications for reimbursement in different countries can vary for a number of reasons, not least the available market share in each country. Once a company responsible for the commercialisation of a new medicine receives market authorisation, it can apply for reimbursement in the country (or countries) of its choice. Ireland, by virtue of its size and market share, may not always be prioritised by a company in the first stages of marketing a new product.

As outlined in the Framework Agreement with industry on the pricing and supply of medicines, and in line with the 2013 Act, the HSE will decide, within 180 days of receiving a company’s pricing/reimbursement application (or a longer period if further information is sought from the company), whether to approve a new medicine for reimbursement.

The HSE must ensure that the best possible price is achieved for new medicines as these commitments often represent multimillion-euro investments over several years. This can lead to protracted commercial negotiations.

The fundamental challenge that applies to consideration of almost all new medicines in Ireland is their price and affordability in a budget-limited health service. However, the allocation of dedicated funding for new medicines has had a positive impact on the reimbursement of orphan drugs.

The allocation of €50m for new medicines in 2021 enabled the HSE to approve 52 new medicines/expanded uses of existing medicines in 2021, 27 of which were for the treatment of oncological diseases. Budget 2022 has allocated a further €30m for new medicines this year which will provide access to new innovative medicines for patients, including those with cancer.

Medicinal Products

Questions (780, 982)

Alan Dillon

Question:

780. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the reason that it takes on average 870 days approval in Ireland and 636 days European Union average to make new orphan medicines available; and the steps that his Department and the HSE are taking to resolve this delay in making these orphan medicines available in a more time efficient manner. [37051/22]

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Colm Burke

Question:

982. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the steps that can be taken to expedite the reimbursement process given that it currently takes on average 870 days for a patient to gain access to European Medicines Agency-approved orphan medicine in Ireland; the work that his Department is undertaking in partnership with the HSE to ensure that this delay improves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37818/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 780 and 982 together.

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost-effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact.HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).The final decision-making authority in the HSE is the HSE Executive Management Team (EMT). The HSE EMT decides on the basis of all the demands with which it is faced (across all services) whether it can fund a new medicine, or new uses of an existing medicine, from the resources that have been provided to it in line with the 2013 Health Act.

Under the 2013 Act, reimbursement is for licenced indications which have been granted market authorisation either by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or by the Health Products Regulatory Authority.The majority of new, innovative medicines are evaluated by the EMA and authorised via the European Commission’s centralised procedure in order to be marketed in the EU.

In line with the 2013 Health Act and the national framework agreed with industry, once a new medicine has received marketing authorisation, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have the product added to the reimbursement list.

The timing of company applications for reimbursement in different countries can vary for a number of reasons, not least the available market share in each country. Once a company responsible for the commercialisation of a new medicine receives market authorisation, it can apply for reimbursement in the country (or countries) of its choice. Ireland, by virtue of its size and market share, may not always be prioritised by a company in the first stages of marketing a new product. As outlined in the Framework Agreement with industry on the pricing and supply of medicines, and in line with the 2013 Act, the HSE will decide, within 180 days of receiving a company’s pricing/reimbursement application (or a longer period if further information is sought from the company), whether to approve a new medicine for reimbursement. The HSE must ensure that the best possible price is achieved for new medicines as these commitments often represent multimillion-euro investments over several years. This can lead to protracted commercial negotiations. The fundamental challenge that applies to consideration of almost all new medicines in Ireland is their price and affordability in a budget-limited health service. However, the allocation of dedicated funding for new medicines has had a positive impact on the reimbursement of orphan drugs. The allocation of €50m for new medicines in 2021 enabled the HSE to approve 52 new medicines/expanded uses of existing medicines in 2021, 19 of which were for the treatment of rare diseases. Budget 2022 has allocated a further €30m for new medicines this year which will provide access to new innovative medicines for patients.

Hospital Staff

Questions (781)

Alan Dillon

Question:

781. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if the renal unit at Mayo University Hospital will have a dedicated full-time general practitioner assigned to support patients and nurses to deliver the best in care following reports that the contract of a person (details supplied) is not being renewed. [37052/22]

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Written answers

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

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (782)

Brian Stanley

Question:

782. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when the agency staff in Portlaoise Hospital will receive the Covid bonus payment given that all other staff in the facility that were entitled to it have received it. [37055/22]

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Written answers

Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.

As the deputy is aware, on January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html. Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.

The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/S38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:

1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);

2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;

3. Agency roles working in the HSE;

4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;

5. Redeployed members of the Defence Forces to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;

6. Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.

Rolling out the payment to eligible employees of those specific non-HSE/Section 38 organisations covered by the government decision is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered, but this work is being given priority attention.

Disability Services

Questions (783)

David Cullinane

Question:

783. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of new disability residential places which were funded and provided in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37057/22]

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Written answers

As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I am referring the question to the HSE for a direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Disability Services

Questions (784)

David Cullinane

Question:

784. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated shortfall of disability residential places, taking into account investment since the disability capacity review; the progress made towards the deficit of 2,300; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37058/22]

View answer

Awaiting reply from the Department.

Disability Services

Questions (785)

David Cullinane

Question:

785. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the HSE emergency, urgent and non-urgent disability residential care waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37059/22]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I am referring the question to the HSE for a direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Disability Services

Questions (786)

David Cullinane

Question:

786. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of disability residential places which would be required to meet the disability capacity review’s pre-recession scenario target of 3,900 additional places; the estimated cost of providing these places; the wholetime equivalent staffing requirement of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37060/22]

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Written answers

To meet the target of 3,900 places, 3,900 places would be needed.

The annual revenue cost of a residential place reflects the support needs of the particular individuals involved, and the staffing required. At the beginning of this year, it was estimated that a weighted average annual revenue cost of a new place, reflecting the support needs mix of the individuals awaiting a residential place whose support needs profile had been assessed by the HSE, was circa €173,000. Estimated capital costs at the start of 2022 were in the region of €182,000.

To meet 3900 places, the HSE has estimated a requirement of approximately 14,200 WTEs.

Work is being finalised on the Disability Services Action Plan to provide the first phase, to 2025, of addressing the capacity shortfalls set out in the Disability Capacity Review to 2032.

Disability Services

Questions (787)

David Cullinane

Question:

787. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of additional disability adult day service places which were provided for and funded in Budget 2022; the number of places that are still required to meet the disability capacity review target of 7,400; the cost of same; the wholetime equivalent staffing requirement of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37061/22]

View answer

Written answers

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

Disability Services

Questions (788)

David Cullinane

Question:

788. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of home support, homecare, and personal assistant hours for persons with disabilities which are currently provided; the number required to meet unmet need at present and by 2032; the cost of same; the wholetime equivalent staffing requirement of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37062/22]

View answer

Written answers

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

Disability Services

Questions (789)

David Cullinane

Question:

789. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with disabilities on homecare, home support and personal assistant waiting lists for funding and for a carer or personal assistant in tabular form by CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37063/22]

View answer

Written answers

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

Disability Services

Questions (790)

David Cullinane

Question:

790. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of respite hours and respite houses required to meet unmet need as per the disability capacity review; the number outstanding required by 2032; the estimated cost of same; the wholetime equivalent staffing requirement of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37064/22]

View answer

Written answers

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

Disability Services

Questions (791, 792)

David Cullinane

Question:

791. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of 10,000 additional respite care hours; the wholetime equivalent requirement of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37065/22]

View answer

David Cullinane

Question:

792. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on respite care waiting lists; the estimated unmet need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37066/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 791 and 792 together.

As these questions are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

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