Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:336. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49229/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Services Provision
Ceisteanna (336)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (337, 346)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:337. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide finance for the setting up of a Huntington's disease clinic here that would include the appointment of a neurologist, a HD specialist nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech and language therapist, social worker and neurophysiologist in view of the devastating effect of this illness and the fact that it is an inherited neurological disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49234/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Denis Naughten
Ceist:346. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans for the establishment of a Huntington's disease clinic at UCHG Galway in view of the fact that there are no Huntington's disease clinics here; his plans for the development of services for persons with Huntington's disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49322/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 337 and 346 together.
Huntington's Disease (HD) is a genetic, neurological disorder and is classified as a rare disease. The supports provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to people with HD involve a multi-disciplinary team approach to the provision of health and personal supports and incorporate assisted living services, including Personal Assistant Services, Aids & Appliances and hospital, primary care and community services.
The Huntington's Disease Association of Ireland (HDAI), provides consultation, information and individualised support to those diagnosed with Huntington's Disease, their families and their health care team. The HSE is committed to working in partnership with voluntary disability service providers, including HDAI, to ensure that all of the resources available for people with disabilities are used in the most effective manner possible. The HSE recognises the valuable contribution of the HDAI and approved a grant of just over €68,000 for 2012 to support the work of the organisation. The HDAI is a member of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland and the Disability Federation of Ireland. Both umbrella organisations provide support to the HDAI and are supported by the State through funding from the Health Service Executive.
I established a National Steering Group to develop a policy framework for the prevention, detection and treatment of rare diseases based on the principles of high quality care, equity and a patient centred approach. The policy will operate over a five year period, take account of the EU Council Recommendations on Rare Diseases (2009) and define priority actions subject to resource availability. It is envisaged that the main added value of European Reference Networks and therefore of the Centres of Expertise will be to facilitate improvements in access to diagnosis and delivery of high-quality, accessible and cost-effective healthcare in the case of patients who have a medical condition requiring a particular concentration of expertise or resources, particularly in medical domains where expertise is rare. Work is ongoing on at EU level on the development of criteria, structures and governance arrangements for such networks and the Department of Health is participating in the relevant Expert Groups.
My Department is asking the HSE to inform the Deputies in relation to the provision of services for people with Huntington’s Disease in the Western region.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (338)
Seán Fleming
Ceist:338. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the gross and net additional expenditure savings that his Department is seeking to achieve in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49244/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The level of funding available for the health budget and the extent of the savings required in the health sector are being considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2013 which is currently underway. Deliberations by the Government on the expenditure allocations for next year are likely to continue up until Budget time and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of those deliberations. The very difficult financial position facing the Exchequer will obviously require very careful management across all areas of expenditure.
HSE Properties
Ceisteanna (339)
John McGuinness
Ceist:339. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the delay since 2010 in the completion of a lease between the Health Service Executive and a childcare centre (details supplied) in County Waterford; if the written commitment to the lease part of the building will be honoured and paid for prior to a threatened court case in November 2012; if the payment to the building contractor will be made by the HSE prior to the end of November in view of the fact that this was part of the written commitment given by the HSE; if he will instruct the HSE to honour its commitments and formally sign the lease as all matters relevant to the lease have been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49249/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The delivery of health care services is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Services Executive for direct reply.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (340)
John McGuinness
Ceist:340. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the plans of the Health Service Executives to provide four to five clients of the HSE with a high support unit in Kilkenny City; if the families of those concerned have been informed of the progress and the likely date that the project will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49250/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (341)
John McGuinness
Ceist:341. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the long-term care plan that is being put in place in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if approval will be given for such a plan to be provided in the setting of a private nursing home in view of the exceptional circumstances of their case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49251/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Drugs Payment Scheme Threshold
Ceisteanna (342)
Seán Fleming
Ceist:342. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the approximate cost of reducing the monthly threshold for the drug payment scheme from €132 a month to €120 a month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49252/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is estimated that the cost of reducing the threshold for the Drug Payment Scheme from €132 to 120 per month per family would be about €12m per annum.