Written Answers Nos. 614-634
614. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Health the plans that have been put in place to replace the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant; when it will be put in place in view of the fact that the dissolution is due to take place in July 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25357/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra627. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date of the project group established to seek an alternative method for the priority transport needs of persons following the abolition of the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant; if he will indicate when the group's recommendations will be presented to him; and if he will confirm that those currently in receipt of State support under both of the schemes that have been abolished will continue to receive State support pending a resolution of the difficulties posed by the abolition of both schemes. [25130/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra670. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if he has received an interim report from the group reviewing the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant as payments under both of these heads terminate in June; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25661/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra686. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that following his decision to abolish the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant, disabled persons in Dublin Central are no longer able to attend rehabilitative training services, access to the wider community has been severely limited increasing social isolation and their independence and dignity has been severely reduced; the corrective action he will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25847/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra694. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health when the review group report into the mobility allowance and motorised grant schemes will be finalised; the steps being taken to put in place an appropriate scheme to implement the principles of the said schemes which are essential for advanced participation by persons with disabilities in society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25929/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 614, 627, 670, 686 and 694 together.
The Government is very conscious of the needs of people with a disability. The payment of Mobility Allowance will continue until June. A Project Review Group has been working to seek solutions which do not run counter to the Equal Status Acts. An interim report regarding the immediate issue of the closure of the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant schemes has now been submitted to both Minister Reilly and myself and is under consideration with a view to bringing it to Government in the near future. A final report, looking at the wider issue of general transport for people with disabilities will be submitted in June. At this stage, it is not possible to pre-empt the outcome of the review or the decision of the Government. Announcements will be made following a Government decision on the matter.
615. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health with reference to envisaged amalgamations within education, specifically with reference to children who have special educational needs, if he will respond to the concerns expressed in a submission from a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25406/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI will have the matter looked into and I will respond to the Deputy directly.
616. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [25563/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
617. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if additional home care hours and a personal assistance service will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25033/13]
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.
618. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of unborn children that have been brought to a pre-term birth in Irish hospitals as a result of a mother who experienced suicidal tendancies due to the fact that she was pregnant in each year since 1992; if any health or disability complications were experienced by each of these children; if there were any health or disabilities caused to these children by the induced pre term births and the steps that have been taken to support these children. [25054/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that no official statistics to answer his specific query are currently available. As the Deputy may be aware, Hospital In-patient Enquiry (HIPE) and National Perinatal Reporting System (NPRS) data is used in Ireland to capture information on diagnoses and procedures of patients treated in a hospital setting. However, it is not possible to use HIPE or NPRS data to determine the underlying reason behind specific treatments. This means, for example, that while a particular obstetric case may include preterm delivery and a diagnosis of depression, it is not possible to make a causal link between the psychiatric diagnosis and the preterm delivery.
619. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive will fill sanctioned posts (details supplied) in County Cork in critical areas of diabetes care; the reason for the delay in filling these posts despite funding being sanctioned in the HSE’s 2012 Service Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25066/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra634. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a post for an integrated diabetes nursing post to serve the new County Mayo integrated care area will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25188/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra636. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when an integrated diabetes nursing post will be filled to serve the new County Donegal integrated care area. [25251/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra637. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the establishment of an integrated diabetes service for County Kildare with the recruitment of a specialist diabetes nurse; when the recruitment process for all new posts for this service will be completed; the reason for the delays in the issuing of letters of appointment for these posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25252/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra642. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding diabetes care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25316/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra645. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health if he will enquire from the Health Service Executive the reason an integrated diabetes nursing post position in the integrated care area of Dublin south west, Kildare and Wicklow west has not been filled despite the fact that the recruitment process for identification of suitable employees is complete. [25329/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra649. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive will fill the sanctioned posts in relation to areas of diabetes care in County Donegal; the reason for the delay in filling these post to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25352/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra654. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive authorities will fill sanctioned posts in areas of diabetes care that is a nursing post in integrated diabetes care covering all of County Kerry and a footcare/podiatry post at Kerry General hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25443/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra659. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the following matter regarding the Diabetes Services servicing the mid-west: if he will address the issues raised by the 17,800 persons who are suffering from diabetes in the mid-west region in view of the fact that they are concerned at the slow pace of development of local diabetes health services (details supplied); when the Health Service Executive will make insulin pumps available outside of the Dublin hospitals, at Cork University Hospital, University College Hospital, Galway, and the Mid-West Regional Hospital Limerick; and when the nursing and diabetic posts required to resource the development of these services will be put in place, namely, 0.75 dietician posts for Limerick and 1.2 diabetic nurse specialist posts shared between Limerick and Galway. [25547/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra662. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date with the establishment of an integrated care centre for persons with Type 2 diabetes in Cork; if recruitment has commenced for 1.0 integrated diabetes nurse to work in this centre; when this position will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25590/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 619, 634, 636, 637, 642, 645, 649, 654, 659 and 662 together.
The National Integrated Care Diabetes Programme is being implemented on a phased basis. The programme will improve patient access and manage patient care in an integrated manner across service settings, resulting in better outcomes, enhanced clinical decision making and the most effective use of resources.
The Government has approved funding for the appointment of 17 Integrated Care Diabetes Nurse Specialists (one per HSE Integrated Service Area) to support the phased roll out of the programme. These Diabetes Nurse Specialists will work 1 day per week in a hospital setting and 4 days per week in primary care. They will play a key role in the development of clinically sound collaborative links between primary care and secondary care providers and will also be an essential resource in empowering patients to achieve optimum diabetes control. It is anticipated that all 17 positions will be filled soon. Funding has also been secured to appoint 16 podiatrists and a number of these posts have been filled. Recruitment for the remaining posts is underway and the aim is to have them filled as soon as possible in 2013. In relation to the other issues raised by the Deputies, including the filling of Diabetes posts in specific areas, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputies in these matters.
620. Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will receive an appointment for surgery. [25098/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has recently been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. In relation to this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the situation and respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
621. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect an appointment at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly. [25101/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving access to outpatient services is a key priority for the Government. Building on work already undertaken by the HSE, the National Treatment Purchase Fund has now taken over the reporting of outpatient waiting time data. For the first time data is available on www.ntpf.ie. The collation and analysis of outpatient waiting time data in a standardised format will reveal the distribution of long waiters across all hospitals. For 2013, a maximum waiting time target has now been set of 12 months for a first time outpatient appointment. In parallel with reducing the numbers of longest waiters, the SDU will also work with the HSE Clinical Programmes to reform the structure, organisation and delivery of outpatient services to ensure that the right patient is seen and assessed by the right health professional at the right time. In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
622. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time and full-time equivalent environmental health officers covering the Dublin region employed by the Health Service Executive for each year from 2006 to 2013, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25106/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, your question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
623. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify, as of 18 May 2013, the number of relevant mental health staff who have commenced employment; the number who will commence employment by the end of 2013; the projection of the payroll of the newly employed mental health staff to year end 2013; and the way the remainder of the budgeted €35 million will be spent to further mental health services. [25110/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2012, a special allocation of €35m was provided for mental health to be used primarily to further strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both adult and children’s mental health services, to advance activities in the area of suicide prevention, to initiate the provision of psychological and counselling services in primary care, and to facilitate the transfer of mental health service users from institutional to community based care. 414 posts were approved to implement the €35m package of special measures. The most recent information available indicates that as of 30th April, 2013, 383 posts have either been filled, are under offer or awaiting clearance. The National Recruitment Service (NRS) of the HSE creates national panels in anticipation of vacancies. On occasion however, it is difficult to fill some posts for various reasons including geographical location, international shortage of some grades, most notably clinical Psychologists etc. The NRS is currently working to ensure that the remaining posts will be filled as soon as possible, subject to appropriately qualified candidates being available.
A further €35m was provided in Budget 2013 for the continued development of mental health services across a range of headings, including the further ongoing development of community services and 477 posts have been approved to implement these measures. In March, each of the four HSE regions were asked to submit a business case against each of the identified objectives detailing how the funding is to be spent and the type and number of WTE to be recruited. The business cases have been received and examined and approval has issued to three of the Regions, HSE Dublin North East, HSE South and HSE West and it is expected that approval will issue to the remaining HSE Region shortly. When the Approval Letters issue, the Regional Directors of Operations will ensure that the necessary paperwork is submitted to the NRS and the recruitment process will commence. I have received assurances from the HSE that the recruitment process for the new posts being funded in 2013, and any outstanding posts from the 414 approved in 2012, is being given priority within the HSE.
The specific details asked by the Deputy in the question are operational matters for the HSE. Accordingly, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.
624. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if it is the case that there is no ambulance cover in Dunshaughlin, County Meath, on Tuesdays due to recent rostering changes; the circumstances in relation to a call out in the Ashbourne area, County Meath, on 14 May 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25113/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Ambulance Service (NAS) is not a static service. The Service deploys its resources in a dynamic manner and works on an area and national, rather than a local, basis. The dynamic deployment of ambulance resources ensures that the nearest appropriate resource is mobilised to the location of any incident. For dynamic deployment of emergency resources within a region to be effective, those resources must be available to be used as efficiently as possible. Following a referral to the Labour Court under the Public Service Agreement, the NAS is currently progressing a number of efficiencies arising from the Court's ruling, including more efficient rostering and the removal of overtime built in to rosters. New rosters are now in place, including in the greater Dublin area, and are operating successfully. In relation to the particular queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in these matters.
625. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health his view of Landau-Kleffner syndrome; if he will outline pertinent familial supports which are recognised by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25121/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that Landau-Kleffner syndrome (LKS) is a rare, childhood neurological disorder characterized by the sudden or gradual development of a language disorder and sometimes seizures. LKS affects the parts of the brain that control comprehension and speech. The disorder usually occurs in children between the ages of 3 and 7 years. Typically, children with LKS develop normally but then lose their language skills for no apparent reason. Its cause is unknown. The disorder is difficult to diagnose and may be mis-diagnosed as autism/or a developmental disorder.
I understand that treatment for LKS may include medications, such as anticonvulsants and corticosteroids, and speech therapy. The management of children with this syndrome is a service matter for the Health Service Executive and treatment options will vary depending on the particular presentation of the child in question. My Department has referred this question to the Health Service Executive and asked that the Executive respond directly to the Deputy in relation to this aspect of the matter raised.
626. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the staff and financial resources provided for ambulance services in County Meath for each of the past five years. [25123/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraA significant reform programme has been underway in recent years in pre-hospital care services nationally, to ensure a clinically driven, nationally co-ordinated system, supported by improved technology. The HSE Operational Plan 2013 sets out proposals to invest in ambulance services in 2013 including funding of the National Ambulance Service Control Centre Reconfiguration Project, the Aeromedical Service, implementation of Neonatal/Paediatric Retrieval Services and further development of the intermediate care service and adult retrieval services.
In relation to staffing generally, the Government has decided that the numbers employed across the public service must be reduced in order to meet its fiscal and budgetary targets. The Health Sector must make its contribution to that reduction. However, the HSE can make staff appointments once it remains within its overall employment ceiling and has the financial resources to do so. In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy regarding ambulance services in County Meath, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
Question No. 627 answered with Question No. 614.
628. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the home help hours allocation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25135/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
629. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the waiting time for treatment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25136/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has recently been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. In relation to this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the situation and respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
630. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding braces in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25175/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
631. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health if an operation will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25176/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has recently been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. In relation to this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the situation and respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
632. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will commit to include the Happy New Ear campaign's business proposal for a cochlear implant for both ears for deaf children in the 2014 Estimates process; if he will ensure that this is viewed as a necessary and basic right for our children in line with recognised international best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25178/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the national cochlear implant programme commenced seventeen years ago, over 700 patients have received cochlear implants. I am advised that, in 2012, ninety cochlear implants were carried out with 42 children receiving implants and 48 adults. In addition to providing the surgical services, the programme provides a comprehensive assessment service to potential candidates and a rehabilitative service to those actually implanted.
The report of the National Audiology Review Group, published by the HSE in 2011, provides the blueprint for the planning, development and delivery of HSE audiology services, including cochlear implantation. It includes a recommendation that continued ring-fenced financial support be provided for the cochlear implant programme but at levels which allow for simultaneous bilateral implantation for children. It is estimated that there are approximately 200 children in Ireland today who may be suitable for a second implant.
The HSE has advised that it is working closely with Beaumont Hospital to progress plans for both simultaneous and sequential bilateral implantation, and that it has obtained the services of an international expert in the implementation of cochlear implant programmes to advise on how best to progress the proposal. The development of the service will require additional resources for Beaumont and these plans will be progressed through the HSE 2014 Estimates Process.
Minister Kathleen Lynch, with officials from my Department and the HSE, met with Happy New Ear on 22 May last in relation to the provision of bilateral cochlear implantation, and has outlined to them the progress being made in this regard. I understand that this was a very positive meeting and the group welcomed the proposed plan and approach to developing a bilateral cochlear implant programme.
633. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly can expect an appointment at St. James's Hospital, Dublin. [25179/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving access to outpatient services is a key priority for the Government. Building on work already undertaken by the HSE, the National Treatment Purchase Fund has now taken over the reporting of outpatient waiting time data. For the first time data is available on www.ntpf.ie. The collation and analysis of outpatient waiting time data in a standardised format will reveal the distribution of long waiters across all hospitals. For 2013, a maximum waiting time target has now been set of 12 months for a first time outpatient appointment. In parallel with reducing the numbers of longest waiters, the SDU will also work with the HSE Clinical Programmes to reform the structure, organisation and delivery of outpatient services to ensure that the right patient is seen and assessed by the right health professional at the right time.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
