Written Answers Nos. 271-281
271. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that no further cuts to funding or services be applied to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44993/12]
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.
272. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health the names of the members of the Irish Expert Group on Fluoridation; the qualifications of each Member of that Group; the cost of the Group to the Exchequer in 2011 and how often the Group meets. [45103/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraA range of information, including details of its membership, is available on the website of the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, www.fluoridesandhealth.ie. The total funding allocated to the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health's Secretariat in 2011 was approximately €284,000. Members of the Expert Body provide their expertise on a voluntary basis. This year to date there has been one plenary meeting of the Expert Body, 4 meetings of the Executive Committee, 2 meetings of the Quality Assurance Sub-Committee and 4 meetings of the New and Emerging Issues Sub-Committee. In addition, the Expert Committee provides advice to my Department on an ongoing basis.
273. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made regarding the review into the statute of limitations for the survivors of symphysiotomy. [45370/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE provides a range of services to women who continue to suffer the effects of having undergone this procedure. These services include the provision of medical cards, the availability of independent clinical advice and the organisation of individual pathways of care and the arrangement of appropriate follow-up.
My Department has commissioned an independent research report in relation to the practice of symphysiotomy on Ireland. The Research included a consultation process involving patient groups, health professionals and in particular the women who have undergone symphysiotomy. It is expected that this report will be presented to the Department in the near future.
It is intended that the awaited report will inform the Government’s overall consideration of this matter, including the consideration of any actions or legal implications that may be required. It would be premature for me to make any other comments at this stage on what actions might be taken, prior to giving full consideration to the recommendations of the report.
274. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health with regard to the application of fluoride to drinking water here, if he will confirm that the contract to supply fluoride is due for renewal soon; if he will confirm that a company (details supplied) is the supplier; if he will provide the contract date and the duration of the new contract; the cost to the State of the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45000/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraChemifloc Ltd. is the company contracted by the HSE for the supply and delivery of hydrofluosilicic acid for the purpose of water fluoridation. The current contract with the HSE came into effect on 1st October 2009. The initial contract was for a period of 3 years with an option for an extension of two years. Following renegotiation with the supplier, the contract has been extended until 30th September 2014. The cost in 2011 was approximately €1.7m. This includes VAT and supply of the acid to water treatment plants operated by and on behalf of local authorities.
275. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the date on which the Health Service Executive commenced using silicofluoride chemicals for water fluoridation instead of sodium fluoride; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45005/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe use of liquid fluosilicilic acid in water fluoridation commenced in the 1970s. Sodium fluoride had been used when fluoridation of public water supplies commenced in the 1960s but was replaced as there was a tendency for the powder to become solid.
276. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the exact dates on which the Health Service Executive started using hydrofluorosilicic/hexafluorisilicic acid that was sourced from industrial scrubbers from a supplier in the Netherlands; if he will confirm the date on which this contract was terminated and replaced with a supplier in Spain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45008/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
277. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the financial costs associated with capital infrastructure for the installation of over 250 fluoridation systems in water treatment facilities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45010/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently over 250 water treatment plants with fluoridation systems. The estimated financial costs associated with capital infrastructure over the last three years are as follows:
|
Year |
Estimated cost (excluding VAT) |
|
2009 |
€1.65 million |
|
2010 |
€1.41 million |
|
2011 |
€86,000 |
278. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form, in respect of 2011, the number of payments issued by his Department and each agency within the remit of his Department to suppliers in respect of the supply of goods and services; splitting the payments between those issued within 30 days of receipt of the invoice; between 30 and 60 days of receipt of the invoice; between 60 and 90 days of receipt of the invoice; between 90 and 120 days of receipt of the invoice; and in excess of 120 days of receipt of the invoice. [45020/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is not routinely collected by my Department. However, I can assure the Deputy that both my Department and the agencies under its aegis make every effort to comply with the terms set out in the Prompt Payments of Accounts Act, 1997.
My Department is committed to making every effort to pay its suppliers promptly. In line with Government Decision No. S29296 of 19 May 2009, every effort, consistent with proper financial procedures, is being made to ensure that all suppliers are paid within 15 calendar days of receipt of a valid invoice. My Department publishes quarterly reports on prompt payments on our website and the reports for 2011 can be viewed at www.doh.ie.
In relation to the HSE, I can assure the Deputy that the Executive is committed to standard payment terms of 30 days. However, given the multitude of processing centres across the HSE, and indeed within its individual units, in order to meet a 15 day period, it would require the introduction of a single financial and procurement system. Whilst there are plans in this regard, it will be some time before this is in place. Taking into account that over 7,000 invoices are received daily by the Executive across a multiplicity of service delivery units, it has consistently been my Department's view that it is not logistically possible to apply the 15 day payment rule to the HSE at this time.
Notwithstanding this, the introduction of Prompt Payments legislation and the refinancing arrangements introduced and overseen by this Department have seen the HSE comprehensively address the issue of late payment. It should be noted that as a result of the improvement in payments, the HSE only paid €324,000 in prompt payment interest in 2011, which was just one third of 1% of its non-pay budget for that year.
As regards the other agencies under the aegis of my Department, work is underway to redesign their IT systems to capture the appropriate data in order to publish this information on their websites in line with the Government Decision. It should be acknowledged that many of these agencies receive either minimal or no funding from my Department, and in all cases, the vast majority of invoices are paid within the terms of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act.
279. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of pollution incidences that have occurred from fluoride facilities that have resulted in the uncontrolled discharge of fluoride chemicals into the environment since 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45029/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no responsibility in regard to the incidence of pollution at water treatment plants.
280. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be arranged at Waterford Regional Hospital in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [45042/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
281. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if either he or management within the Health Service Executive have read the history of fluoridation provided by BBC Journalist Christopher Byson's in his book The Fluoride Deception; in view of the fact that the Fluoride Deception was published in 2005, his views on whether the continued practice of water fluoridation here constitutes negligence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45046/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, which was established in 2004, monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects on health and related matters. The Expert Body is satisfied, having studied current peer reviewed scientific evidence worldwide, that water fluoridation causes no ill effects to the health of adults or children. The publication to which the Deputy refers is not a peer reviewed scientific study and has not been considered by the Expert Body as such. There are no plans to discontinue the policy of fluoridation of public water supplies, which continues to make an effective contribution to oral health in Ireland.
