Written Answers Nos. 1496-1512
1496. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if any weaknesses in the child and adolescent mental health services have been identified over recent years; the extent to which new demands are not being met on time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37890/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraA special allocation of €35 million for mental health was provided in Budget 2012 in line with commitments in the Programme for Government. Funding from this special allocation will be used primarily to strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both Adult and Children’s mental health services by ensuring, at a minimum, that at least one of each mental health professional discipline is represented on every team.
In terms of in-patient facilities, psychiatric bed capacity for children and adolescents has increased from 12 beds in 2007 to 44 at present - 12 in Dublin, 12 in Cork and 20 in Galway. Work has been completed on the second phase of the Child and Adolescent Unit at St. Vincent's Hospital, Fairview, and pending approval from the Mental Health Commission this will increase capacity from 12 to 18 beds in Dublin. The increase in bed capacity is reflected in an almost 50% decrease in admissions of children to adult units since 2008.
In terms of new developments it is proposed to construct a 22 bed in-patient facility in Dublin which, it is anticipated, will be completed by the end of 2013 / early 2014. It is also proposed to provide a 10 bed Child and Adolescent Forensic Mental Health Unit as part of the National Forensic Mental Health Project. The Unit will be based in Portrane, co-terminus with the new Central Mental Hospital.
Despite a significant increase in demand for child and adolescent mental health services the number of children on the waiting list for an appointment has reduced over the last 12 months. At the end of June 2012 there were 2,198 children waiting for an appointment representing a decrease of 12%.
1497. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter relating to the bowel cancer screening programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38155/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1512. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if bowel cancer screening will commence before the end of 2012 as committed and if necessary funding and facilities are available to ensure its success. [37050/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1520. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the national bowel cancer screening programme will be sufficiently funded and available to all who need it by the end of 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37060/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1606. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that adequate capacity is in place to facilitate the roll-out of the national cancer screening programme in 2012; that the bowel cancer screening programme is extended to people aged 55 to 74 years; that multi-annual funding is in place to support the programme by the end of 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37146/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1607. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that multi-annual, long-term funding is in place in order that the bowel cancer screening programme will be delivered to all who need it by the end of 2012; if he will ensure that the introduction of screening does not jeopardise endoscopy services for symptomatic patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37147/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1701. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he will prioritise bowel cancer screening post-2012; if he will confirm that this screening programme will be extended to cover people in the 55 to 74 age group and if he will confirm a timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38100/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1702. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support bowel cancer screening as a matter of priority. [38116/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1728. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the funding available in 2012 for the bowel cancer screening programme; if this is sufficient to meet the targets of the programme; if funding will continue to be available to ensure screening is available for all persons aged 55 to 74 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38279/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1757. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the numbers of persons who die annually from bowel related illnesses including cancer; his plans to introduce a national bowel cancer screening programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38458/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1770. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health his plans in relation to the introduction of the first phase of the bowel cancer screening programme; and if plans exist to make the screening available to all persons aged 55 to 74; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38625/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1497, 1512, 1520, 1606, 1607, 1701, 1702, 1728, 1757 and 1770 together.
Colorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among both men and women in Ireland. Approximately 2,200 new cases are diagnosed each year, and it is cause of death in around 950 people each year. Colorectal screening works on two fronts: it provides early detection and therefore earlier and more effective treatment, and it helps to prevent cancer in the first place by detecting pre-cancerous growths such as polyps. It is therefore imperative that the programme commences and continues on a sustainable basis.
Plans for the implementation of a national colorectal screening programme are at an advanced stage within the HSE-National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) and the programme will be introduced on a phased basis in quarter four 2012, as stated in the HSE Service Plan 2012. When fully implemented the programme will offer free screening to men and women aged 55-74 every two years. As 50% of cancers within this age group are found in people aged 60-69 the programme will begin with this age cohort (a population of approximately 500,000).
The screening programme is the first call/ recall screening programme in Ireland to be offered to men as well as women. Organised population-based call, re-call screening for colorectal cancer is complex and to ensure quality and safety it is imperative that it is introduced in a carefully managed and monitored way to ensure that risks to patients are minimised and best clinical outcomes are maximised. Over time the phasing of the programme will allow development of colonoscopy capacity to cater for the full 55-74 year old population.
The HSE-NCSS and the Special Delivery Unit in my Department have been working together to develop the appropriate capacity in colonoscopy services nationwide to support the introduction, sustainability and growth of the screening programme, while maintaining and enhancing the capability of the symptomatic endoscopy service. The focus is on improving quality and access at all publicly-funded screening colonoscopy units, not just for those referred for colonoscopy as part of the screening programme, but for all men and women who require a colonoscopy or any other diagnostic endoscopic procedure. This will be achieved by building sufficient capacity in endoscopy services nationwide to sustain the implementation of the national screening programme, while maintaining and enhancing the symptomatic service.
Fifteen candidate colonoscopy units have been identified around the country to support the screening programme and these must achieve accreditation in order to provide colonoscopy services on behalf of the programme.
An academic partner has been identified to provide an educational programme for clinical nurse specialists to train with the aim of becoming registered as Advanced Nurse Practitioners with An Bord Altranais. Interviews have been completed and a panel has been established. A Clinical Advisory Group has recently been established to support the ongoing development of the programme and to provide ongoing clinical advice to the HSE-NCSS.
1498. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to ensure that all agency staff in hospital settings are receiving EU agency worker directive pay and that all back moneys due have been paid; if he will confirm that there will be no further withholding of pay due to staff, either Health Service Executive directly employed or agency recruited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38166/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1508. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if, as a result of budget constraints, some Health Service Executive staff are no longer rostered to work on weekends and that instead agency staff are hired to plug these gaps; and the cost or saving implications of measures such as these. [37045/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1551. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he expects agency costs to be reduced by 50% this year; the revised saving to be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37091/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1552. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he expects agency costs to be reduced by 50% this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37092/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1672. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will review the use of agency staff within the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37785/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1498, 1508, 1551, 1552 and 1672 together.
The HSE’s National Service Plan 2012 set a target reduction of up to 50% in expenditure on agency staffing. On the basis of the pattern of expenditure to July 2012, it is not expected that this level of reduction will be achieved. In the light of the current serious budgetary situation in the HSE, senior management have issued strict instructions on the use of agency staffing. Agency staff may be used only in the most exceptional of circumstances and when all alternative avenues have been exhausted. Such staff may only be engaged when signed off by identified senior management.
Following the enactment of the Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act this year, the HSE provided guidance to public service employers on the Act, including the fact that the equal pay provisions of the Act have retrospective effect to 5th December 2011. All agency staff employed through agencies contracted by the HSE have now had their basic pay adjusted in accordance with the Act. The HSE and the contracted agencies are currently making arrangements for the calculation and payment of back money due to agency staff.
1499. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if there is a scheme available to compensate community representatives for attending drugs task force meetings which are often held during working hours and which many community representatives have to take time off work to attend; and, if so, which drugs task forces operate it and the fee payable to those attending meetings on behalf of their community. [38195/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local and Regional Drugs Task Force Handbook, which is available on my Department's website, outlines the supports available for Community Sector representatives on Drugs Task Forces. The operational or administrative budgets of Drugs Task Forces include provision for the travel, subsistence expenses and family care costs of Community Sector representatives who attend regional, national and network meetings as part of their Task Force role. In relation to fees payable, the underlying principle governing the membership of the Drugs Task Forces by community representatives is that they do so on a voluntary basis. Therefore, payments by way of salary, fee payments or loss of earnings or for giving up their own time to attend meetings are ineligible for funding.
1500. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the cut in funding of the day service and transport service in Cheeverstown, Airton Road, Tallaght, Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38420/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1501. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide extra supports or increased capitation for children with Down's Syndrome during the preschool year. [38565/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1502. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if there is funding available in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford whose child has a number of disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38692/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Revenue Commissioners operate a Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Tax Concessions Scheme, whereby a family member of a disabled passenger can qualify for tax relief linked to the purchase of vehicles, provided he/she is living with and is responsible for the transport of the disabled person in question, has acquired the vehicle for that purpose and the disabled passenger is the holder of a Primary Medical Certificate. Applications for Primary Medical Certificates are processed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) through local health offices. With regard to the other circumstances raised by the Deputy which are related to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE, for a direct reply to the Deputy
1503. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 168 of 30 June 2011, if the Labour Court recommendation in relation to the inclusion of senior staff nursing increments under the moratorium has been considered by his Department. [37036/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing consideration of this matter, officials of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, my Department and the HSE have met the nursing unions and confirmed that Senior Staff Nurse appointments are considered promotions and are therefore prohibited by the public service moratorium introduced in March 2009.
1504. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of insulin pumps now in operation at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. [37041/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1505. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for children to be fitted with insulin pumps at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth. [37042/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1504 and 1505 together.
As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1506. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Louth will be fitted with an insulin pump. [37043/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1507. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if a care provider (details supplied) in County Louth was engaged by the Health Service Executive to train staff; the reason the training was outsourced; its cost; and his views on whether such practices are cost effective considering that most HSE training takes place within HSE facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37044/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1509. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health his plans regarding the appointment of occupational therapists to serve the Galway/ Roscommon area as there has been no meaningful occupational therapy service in the region for three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37047/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1510. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37048/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1511. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when persons with long-term illnesses will receive their medical cards as announced in budget 2012. [37049/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1718. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will extend free general practitioner visits to long-term illness card holders this year. [38202/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1796. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the policy to provide free general practitioner care to citizens; when the first phase of this plan, which will involve free GP care being provided to patients with long-term illnesses, will be progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38843/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1812. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when free general practitioner visits will be extended to long-term illness card holders; and if he will expedite the measure. [38942/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1823. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health further to the announcement in budget 2012, the current status of the extension of free general practitioner care to all claimants of medicines under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39077/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1511, 1718, 1796, 1812 and 1823 together.
The Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, GP care without fees within its first term of office. Primary legislation is required to give effect to Government commitment to introduce a universal GP service without fees. Legislation to allow the Minister for Health to make regulations to extend access to GP services without fees to persons with prescribed illnesses is currently being drafted by this Department and the Office of the Attorney General and will be published shortly. Implementation dates and application details will be announced in due course.
