Written Answers Nos. 208-217
208. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health his plans for a bowel cancer screening programme; if he will outline the resources, including the way money is provided for bowel cancer screening measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2150/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra209. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he supports the calls for a bowel cancer screening programme to be introduced here in view of the fact that bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2151/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the national colorectal screening programme, BowelScreen, commenced in November, 2012. The programme has been introduced on a phased basis to men and women between the ages of 60-69 years. 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 has begun with this latter age cohort (a population of approximately 500,000). It is anticipated that the first screening round will take up to three years to complete. Over time the phasing of the programme will allow development of colonoscopy capacity to cater for the full 55-74 year age group. The estimated cost of the programme in 2013, based on an uptake rate of 60% among the target population, is €4.3m with further costs in subsequent years as the programme expands. The programme has been shown through a Health Technology Assessment to be cost effective as it will very quickly reduce mortality among the screened population. While a multi-annual budget has not been set aside for the Programme, it will continue to be prioritised into the future. I regard the colorectal screening programme as a national priority and I am committed to supporting it as it develops.
210. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of submissions made to him by the alcoholic drinks industry and the off licence trade in regard to addressing the problem of underage and binge drinking; if he will provide links to these submissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2152/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group received three submissions from the drinks industry. The submissions were made as part of the Group's consultation process on the misuse of alcohol. I will arrange for copies of these to be sent to the Deputy. In addition, representatives of the drinks industry submitted two minority reports when the National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group report was published; these can be viewed on the Department's website at www.doh.ie: Minority Report by Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society Limited & Minority report by the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland. Since then my Department has received correspondence from various representative organisations of the drinks industry, some of which refer to alcohol misuse in general.
211. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the details of each of the solicitors and barristers who received payments from the Health Service Executive for legal services during each of the past five years; and the amount each individual received for their services. [2162/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Service is a major consumer of legal services in the State. Government Departments and Agencies procure legal services through a variety of mechanisms in support of a diverse range of activities. My Department works closely with the HSE to ensure that the State is achieving maximum value for money for its own expenditure. In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply.
212. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the type of information that employees of the Health Service Executive can and cannot communicate publicly within current HSE policy; the whistleblowing legislation that pertains to the HSE; and the way this affects the rights of employees of the HSE. [2164/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe health service is committed to promoting a culture of openness and accountability so that employees can report any concerns they may have in relation to the safety and quality of care provided in their workplace.
Part 14 of the Health Act 2007 provides for the making of protected disclosures by health service employees. A disclosure made by a health service employee in good faith and on reasonable grounds and in accordance with the provisions of section 103 of the Health Act 2007, is a protected disclosure. Similarly, disclosures made by persons to a professional regulatory body and in certain circumstances to the Health Information and Quality Authority or the Inspector of Mental Health Services are also protected under the Act. The purpose of these provisions is to facilitate employees to disclose matters of concern to them to an authorised person and to provide statutory protection against penalisation in their employment and against civil liability. The Deputy's question, insofar as it relates to public communication by Health Service Executive employees, has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
213. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health when free general practitioner care as outlined in the programme for Government will be introduced; the timeframe for same; the illnesses and disabilities that will be covered under the new provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2169/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 the Office of the Attorney General and the Department and it will be published shortly. Implementation dates and application details will be announced in due course. An annual budget of €15 million was provided for the first phase of the roll out of GP care without fees.
214. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the personal assistant hours provided nationally by the Health Service Executive in 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2170/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra215. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the personal assistant hours provided by the Health Service Executive in County Donegal in 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2171/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 215 together.
This Government currently provides funding of over €1.5 billion to the Disability Services Programme through the Health Service Executive's (HSE) National Service Plan for 2013 and is committed to protecting frontline services for people with disabilities to the greatest possible extent. The Minister for Health is working to ensure that protection is afforded to the disability sector and the Social Care area as a whole. In 2013, the HSE is seeking to maximise the provision of services within available resources and to maintaining a consistent level to that provided in 2012, by providing the following specialist disability services: residential services to over 9,000 people with a disability; day services to over 22,000 people with intellectual and physical disabilities; residential respite support for over 7,500 people with intellectual and physical disabilities; and 1.68m hours of Personal Assistant / Home Support Hours. I have asked the HSE to reply directly to you with regard to your questions on the provision of personal assistant hours both nationally and in Co. Donegal for the years 2010 to 2012.
216. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an analysis of the opening deficit referred to in table 1 page 3 of the Health Service Executive National Service Plan 2013 by method of funding, that is overdraft, medium term bank debt, trade creditor and outstanding taxes; in relation to outstanding balance due to the Revenue Commissioners, if he will provide a time-based breakdown of the amounts outstanding to the Revenue Commissioners (details supplied). [2186/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Supplementary Estimate of €360 million was provided in 2012 to ensure that the HSE would achieve a balanced Vote. This was offset by savings of €70m identified within my Department's Vote, and a once-off Extra Exchequer Receipt of €45m from the Medical Defence Union, resulting in a net supplementary requirement of €245m. Therefore, the underlying deficit was funded by the Exchequer in 2012.The excess expenditure was predominantly in the PCRS and acute hospital sectors.
Table 1 on page 3 of the HSE Service Plan sets out the 2013 Budget Framework as determined by the 2013 Estimate. It acknowledges that a total incoming deficit of €460m is reflected in the rate of expenditure coming into the year - €391m is considered in the context of the gross expenditure level, and €69m is reflected in a reduction in targeted Appropriations-in-Aid. This has been taken into account when considering the savings requirement for health in order to meet its expenditure limit as determined by Government. This level of underlying expenditure, when taken with the unavoidable pressures facing the sector in 2013 and the commitments under the Programme for Government, means that the Health Group of Votes must generate savings in 2013 of €781m as set out in the following table.
|
Measure |
Savings in 2013 |
Full Year Savings |
|
€ million |
€ million |
|
|
Primary Care Schemes |
||
|
Reduction in cost of Drugs and other prescribed items |
160 |
330 |
|
Increase DPS threshold to €144 per month |
10 |
10 |
|
Increase prescription charges for medical card holders |
51 |
51 |
|
Reduced professional fees |
70 |
80 |
|
Other changes to Primary Care schemes |
32 |
44 |
|
Other areas |
||
|
Pay-related savings |
308 |
458 |
|
Increased generation of private income |
65 |
115 |
|
Savings on Department Vote |
60 |
60 |
|
Procurement Measures |
20 |
20 |
|
Other measures |
5 |
5 |
|
Total Net Savings |
781 |
1,173 |
The HSE's National Service Plan provides for a total cost reduction of €721m, the balance being met through a net reduction of €60m on my Department's Vote. The normal activities of any business result in accruals at the end of the year. Details on bank balances, creditors and tax liabilities will be set out in the Appropriation Account and Annual Financial Statements of the HSE, which will be published following their audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
