Wednesday, 17 Oct 2012

Written Answers Nos. 282-293

Home Help Service Provision

Ceisteanna (282)

Arthur Spring

Ceist:

282. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive budget for home help services in County Kerry is on target. [45049/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (283)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

283. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the measures, if any, he will put in place to ensure that all young adults with an intellectual disability and or autism, finishing second level education, may have further education, training or day service payments and a personal input into same in 2013 [45053/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I understand that the Deputy is enquiring about placements for school leavers in 2013.

Day services for adults with disabilities and mental health issues provide a network of support for over 25,000 people who have a wide spectrum of need, ranging from those with severe and profound disabilities who are likely to need long-term specialist service provision to people with lower support needs and greater potential for community participation and inclusion. The HSE, through its Occupational Guidance Service, works with schools, service providers, service users and families to identify the needs of young people with disabilities who are due to complete their second level education. The aim is to address the needs of individuals in the following ways:

- Health-funded rehabilitative (life skills) training;

- Health-funded day services;

- FÁS-funded vocational training;

- Approval to extend education placement for a specified time.

The demand for services for school-leavers continues to grow. In 2012, the number of school-leavers who require services is almost 700, and the position in 2013 is expected to be similar. Budgetary constraints and the moratorium on staff recruitment give rise to challenges in service provision. In addition the physical capacity to provide further services may not be present in all agencies. However both the voluntary sector and the HSE are committed to the best use of available resources in a creative and flexible manner to be as responsive as possible to the needs that present. While the HSE makes every effort to provide day services to people over 18 on leaving school, this has always been dependant on the availability and location of appropriate places coupled with the needs of the individual school-leaver. The HSE is currently reviewing the outcomes for 2012 school leavers in terms of placements achieved and scoping out the likely requirements for 2013.

There is evidence that an accelerated move towards a new model of individualised, person-centred service provision in the community can help to achieve efficiencies, particularly in relation to services for those with mild or moderate intellectual disability. The HSE has established an implementation project team to oversee the implementation of the recommendations in the report of the national working group for the review of HSE funded adult day services. The report, published in February 2012, titled 'New Directions' proposes that day services in the future take the form of a menu of 12 individualised, outcome-focussed supports which will provide adults with disabilities with the support necessary to live a life of their choosing in accordance with their own wishes, aspirations and needs. The guiding principle for the future is that supports will be tailored to individual need and will be flexible, responsive and person-centred.

Nursing Home Services

Ceisteanna (284)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

284. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the plans that have been put in place to ensure Saorview will be available in all Health Service Executive residences and public nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45071/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Departmental Reports

Ceisteanna (285)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

285. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he has received the expert group report regarding the abc case; if not, when he expects to receive the report and respond to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45078/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Expert Group has met nine times and is making good progress towards finalising its report. They expect their report will be completed and submitted to me shortly and I will subsequently submit it to Government for its consideration.

General Practitioner Services

Ceisteanna (286)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

286. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an application for a primary medical certificate in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45083/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the matter to be referred to the Health Service Executive for a direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services Staff Issues

Ceisteanna (287)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

287. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the Health Service Executive to recruit a replacement dentist to provide services at Athy Health Centre, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45084/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

National Drugs Strategy Publication

Ceisteanna (288, 292, 293)

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

288. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will update Dáil Éireann on the support he will provide in 2013 to an organisation (details supplied); if he will advise Dáil Éireann on his Department's commitment to supporting young parents who are overcoming addiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45086/12]

Clare Daly

Ceist:

292. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that there are no cuts to the Coolmine Therapeutic Community. [45216/12]

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

293. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided to a project to employ specialist staff (details supplied) in Dublin 15; if this request will be given urgent consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45219/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 288, 292 and 293 together.

In line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Government is committed to continuing support for initiatives to tackle the drug problem, including programmes to help young parents overcome addiction. Coolmine Therapeutic Community (CTC) receives funding from my Department and the HSE to provide a range of services, including a specific residential programme targeting women, many of whom are mothers.

CTC has recently submitted an application to my Department under the National Lottery Fund Programme for additional funding for two full time creche workers for the women's residential centre. This application is currently under consideration.

Funding in relation to 2013 for community drugs initiatives, such as CTC, will be determined in the context of the estimates process, taking into account the need to protect front line service provision.

Nursing Home Services

Ceisteanna (289)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

289. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a nursing home place in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [45104/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services Expenditure

Ceisteanna (290)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

290. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of works paid for by the Health Service Executive on behalf of the Brothers of Charity Southern Services between 2009 and to date in 2012 [45153/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The management and delivery of the health capital programme is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Lourdes Hospital Redress Scheme Extension

Ceisteanna (291)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

291. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the current status of the Programme for Government commitment to extend the Lourdes Hospital Scheme to include those 36 women who were excluded; when he intends to give effect to that commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45158/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

A commitment was given in the Programme for Government to seek a mechanism to compensate those women who were excluded on age grounds alone from the Lourdes Hospital Redress Scheme. The Scheme of Redress approved by Government was a non-statutory, ex-gratia scheme. Awards were determined by an independent Redress Board in 2007 and 2008.

My Department has been engaged in a review to identify the most appropriate mechanism to compensate those women excluded from the scheme on age grounds alone. This review has included taking instructions and legal advice, including advice from the Office of the Attorney General, with a view to bringing proposals to Government for decision. This process has not yet been completed.

Questions Nos. 292 and 293 answered with Question No. 288.