Written Answers Nos. 503-21
503. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will re-instate medical cards for persons who have sought a review on refusals, as is done for appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28635/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe responsibility for the provision of services is a matter for the Health Service Executive. I have asked the HSE for a report on the issue raised by the Deputy and will revert to the Deputy on the matter as soon as possible.
504. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28637/13]
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.
505. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28646/13]
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.
506. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that services for young adults, 13 in all, from Stewarts Hospital Dublin 20 will cease at the end of the education calendar year and their day services will not be available to them; if he will intervene directly with the Health Service Executive to examine these cases and give it due attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28651/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlthough the 2013 allocation for disability services has been reduced by 1.2%, the Health Service Executive (HSE) National Service Plan includes an additional €4m to provide training places and day services for school-leavers and Rehabilitative / Lifeskills Training (RT) graduates in 2013. This funding is being allocated to each HSE Region based on its percentage of population. Both the voluntary sector and the HSE are committed to the best use of the funding in a creative and flexible manner so as to secure as many places as possible for this cohort.
The demand for services for school leavers continues to grow. The HSE expects that approximately 700 young people who have finished their education or life-skills training will require services in 2013. Providing the level of services required within the additional funding provided will continue to be a challenge. Work in this area will be progressed largely in line with the HSE guidance document developed in 2012, which led to the successful placement of 99% of RT graduates and 96% of school leavers last year.
It is envisaged that plans will be completed for each region shortly and submitted to Area Managers, Regional Specialists and Regional Director of Operations for agreement. Arising from completed and approved plans, a communication process will be agreed with service providers to inform families of the services that will be available from September 2013.
In respect of the specific question asked by the Deputy, as it relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
507. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on a medical card renewal application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28676/13]
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.
508. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the long waiting times for occupational therapy in Dublin 15; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current waiting time for occupational therapy in Dublin 15 is sixteen months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28728/13]
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.
509. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health when an assessment of a medical card appeal will be carried out in respect of a persons (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28731/13]
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.
510. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the decision not to award a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28742/13]
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.
511. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will set up a forum on long term residential care to bring together all of the relevant stakeholders involved in the provision of such care for older persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28755/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question Number 674 of 28 May 2013.
512. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason the parents of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin were informed that the Health Service Executive funding for their child's adult service's had been allocated to Prosper Fingal instead of St. Michael's House and the implications of same. [28756/13]
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.
513. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of persons (details supplied). [28769/13]
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.
514. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the Minister of State for Primary Care's recent engagements at the EU-CELAC Co-Operation and Co-Ordination Mechanism on Drugs, that took place Quito, Ecuador between 11 - 14 June; if he will outline other engagements he had on the visit; the person who accompanied the Minister on the trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28782/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI advise the Deputy that the main purpose of the visit to Quito by the Minister of State for Primary Care was to represent the Presidency of the EU at the 15th High Level Meeting of the EU CELAC Co-ordination and Co-operation Mechanism on Drugs that took place in the Ecuadorian capital on 13-14 June. Presidency of the Mechanism is shared by the EU and CELAC (Communities of Latin America and the Caribbean). Ecuador is the current CELAC President. The location of the High Level Meeting alternates between each region and thus Quito was the location this year.
The Minister of State co-chaired the High Level Meeting. This included delivering the opening address to the meeting on behalf of the EU, as well as co-ordinating the overall input of the EU delegation to the event. The meeting was also attended by the Ecuadorian Ministers of the Interior and Foreign Affairs, the Vice Minister of Health and the General Attorney, each of whom the Minister of State had the opportunity to meet.
A range of topics relating to the world drug problem were discussed at the meeting. Particular focus was placed on four thematic debates on alternative development; drug prevention programmes for vulnerable groups; the effectiveness of drug policies; and links between illicit drug trafficking and other criminal activities. It also included a presentation by Ireland on the EU Drugs Strategy 2013-2020 and the EU Action Plan on Drugs 2013-2016, which was negotiated under the Irish Presidency and agreed by the EU Council at its meeting of 6 June. The substantive outcome from the High Level Meeting was agreement between the EU and CELAC on the Quito Declaration on Drugs.
Having arrived in Quito the previous evening, the Minister of State represented the EU Presidency at the final day of the 3rd COPOLAD Conference on 12 June (COPOLAD is a partnership programme between the EU and Latin America aimed at improving the coherence, balance and impact of drugs policies). The Minister of State delivered the closing statement, on behalf of the EU, at this conference.
During his stay in Quito, the Minister of State took the opportunity to hold a valuable bilateral discussion with the Ecuadorean Minister for Health, as well as meeting with the Vice Minister of the Interior. He also had the benefit of lengthy briefings from the National Council for the Control of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances (CONSEP). During these meetings a range of issues pertaining to the global drug problem were discussed and national approaches were outlined. The Minister also discussed broader health policy challenges at his meeting with the Ecuadorean Minister for Health, Ms. Carina Vance Mafla.
The Minister of State was accompanied on the visit by his private secretary. Two officials from the Department of Health and one from the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade attended the EU CELAC High Level and the COPOLAD meetings in fulfilment of duties of the Irish Presidency of the EU.
515. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will review the decision to refuse a full medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28791/13]
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.
516. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the decision not to award a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28794/13]
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.
517. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on concerns regarding the provision of ambulance services in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28798/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraA significant reform programme is underway in the HSE to reconfigure the management and delivery of pre-hospital emergency care services. Under Future Health: A Strategic Framework for Health Reform in Ireland 2012-2015, this will ensure a clinically driven, nationally coordinated system to support all pre-hospital emergency care activity in the State.
The National Ambulance Service (NAS) is taking steps to improve response times where possible, by addressing challenges such as reliance on on-call rostering, geography, resourcing and the use of emergency ambulances for routine patient transport.
The NAS is moving its emergency ambulance services from on-call to on-duty rostering. This means highly trained paramedic crews are in their stations or vehicles to respond immediately to 112/999 dispatches, and they can move to optimal locations at any time during a shift.
The national control centre reconfiguration project will produce one national control and dispatching system. With improved technology, this will allow the NAS to deploy emergency resources more effectively and efficiently, on a regional and national basis rather than within small geographic areas. The project, endorsed by HIQA, is a key element of Future Health.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy regarding provision of ambulance services in Co.Kerry, as this is a service issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
518. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28799/13]
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.
519. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health when payment will issue under the fair deal scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28803/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
520. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will detail in tabular form, the names of all external public relations, communications consultants and organisations used by his Department since 9 March 2011; the details of the services supplied by each; the expenditure on each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28813/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the year 2011 my Department did not spend any money on public relations advisors. The Press and Communications Office of my Department liaise with the media on behalf of the Department as well as all Ministers and do not use the services of a PR company.
No money was spent on public relations between January 2012 and July 2012. Information in respect of the period from August 2012 to date is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
Information on spending in respect of consultancy services during the period referred to by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
No |
Consultant/Organisation |
Consultancy Purpose |
Amount paid since March 2011(€) |
|
1. |
Advertising Standards Authority Ireland |
- Oversee and monitor the implementation of and adherence to alcohol advertising Voluntary Codes of Practice re U-18s (€29,320). - Secretarial and executive services for the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body (€20,000). |
49,320 |
|
2. |
Create Consultancy Ltd. |
Suboxone Feasibility Study. |
10,863 |
|
3. |
Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation |
Contribution to D/JEI led project to Reduce the Administrative Burden. |
14,000 |
|
4. |
Dr. Hubert Curran |
Expert Clinical Advice to the Special Delivery Unit. |
10,008 |
|
5. |
Dr. Oonagh Walsh |
Report on the practice of Symphysiotomy in Ireland. |
37,500 |
|
6. |
Goodbody Stockbrokers |
Advice in relation to the structure of the Private Health Insurance market. |
368,825 |
|
7. |
Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI |
Health Behaviours in School-aged Children Survey. |
100,641 |
|
8. |
Irish Heart Foundation |
Advice in relation to Nutrition Policy. |
35,832 |
|
9. |
Lis Nixon Associates |
Advice in relation to Performance Improvement in Unscheduled Care. |
253,166 |
|
10. |
Mr. Mark Morgan |
European Schools Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) 2011. |
22,688 |
|
11. |
Michael Collins Associates |
- Evaluation of Costings for National Children's Hospital (€6,150) - Further analysis iro the assessment of planning issues in relation to proposed sites for new Children’s Hospital and follow-up workshop (€6,273) |
12,423 |
|
12. |
Milliman |
Actuarial Advisory Services/Health Insurance. |
264,683 |
|
13. |
Mr. Dermot Smyth |
Payment in respect of membership of Evaluation Committee for the award of tender for actuarial/insurance advisory services. |
1,200 |
|
14. |
Mr. Gerard Mullally |
Organisation and Financing Options for Chronic Care. |
12,785 |
|
15. |
Mr. Peter Smyth |
1. Process Auditor to oversee procurement process of actuarial/ insurance services (€2,541) 2. Provision of a procurement process audit service for legal research and advisory services to the Minister on the design and implementation of an insurance based health system providing universal coverage in Ireland (€2,152) |
4,693 |
|
16. |
Mr. Seamus McGirr |
Specialist statistical advice and analysis. |
3,073 |
|
17. |
Ms. Carole Devaney |
- Editing and proofing of the VFM Report on the Review of Disability Services (€3,060) - Editing and proofing services for the report "National Policy and Strategy for the Provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011-2015" (€1,530). |
4,590 |
|
18. |
PA Consulting |
1. Advice in relation to Performance Improvement in Scheduled Care. (€429,241) 2. Review of HSE Financial Management Systems required against background of emerging recommendations of the Ogden Review. (€182,980) |
612,221 |
|
19. |
Peter Cassells Consultants Ltd. |
Chairperson of the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body. |
16,698 |
|
21. |
The Centre for Diagnostic Management |
- Expert advice regarding elective treatment waiting lists (€37,856). - Performance Improvement in Scheduled Care (€184,520). |
222,376 |
|
22. |
Trinity College Dublin |
Model of Demand for the supply of GP and Practice Nurse Services. |
30,552 |
|
23. |
University College Dublin |
All Ireland Travellers Health Study. |
139,000 |
|
24. |
Value Based Health Solutions |
- Setup and operationalise the Special Delivery Unit (€250,000). - Strategy support to the SDU and expert advice to the DoH (€294,520) |
544,520 |
|
25. |
Clondalkin Pharma & Healthcare |
Review of Nursing Degree Programme – Printing of Report |
1,950 |
|
26. |
Ann McGee Consulting Ltd. |
Expert Report to accompany Affidavit in Judicial Review - Labelling of Medicinal Products in Ireland |
13,644 |
|
27. |
University College Cork |
Cost Evaluation of the BreastCheck Programme. |
71,270 |
|
28. |
Mr Finian Matthews |
For preliminary work done as Chair of the VFM - Review of Immunisation Programme. |
1,800 |
|
29. |
Matheson Ormsby Prentice |
Analysis to feed into an options appraisal of multi-payer models as recommended by the Universal Health Insurance Implementation Group. |
6,150 |
|
30. |
Mr Mark Odgen |
Management system in the Irish Health Service - consider whether or not the processes in place within the HSE to implement effective financial control are fit for purpose |
15,851 |
|
31. |
Simon Clear & Associates €(9,475)/ Mr John H Martin (€6,000) |
Further assessment of planning issues for the new Children's Hospital - at the request of the Minister, a detailed assessment of each of the possible sites required |
15,475 |
|
32. |
Southern Health & Social Care Trust |
Cross Border Initiative - Specialist role to advise and support performance improvement in hospitals outpatient service delivery aligned with the goals and strategies of the Special Delivery Unit OP Performance Improvement Programme |
4,998 |
|
33. |
Matheson |
Specialised legal research on Universal Health Insurance multi-payer models |
98,400 |
521. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the filling of the five sanctioned integrated diabetes nursing posts. [28827/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. To date 15 posts have been offered or accepted, subject to Garda clearance, etc. It is anticipated that all 17 positions will be filled soon.
