Written Answers Nos. 218 - 225
218. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the amount of the €3 million funding for autism services that he announced in January 2012 that has been spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49937/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE National Review of Autism Services: Past, Present and Way Forward Report (2012) and the Progressing Disabilities Services for Children and Young People (0-18s) Programme set out the policy context for the provision of autism services to children and young people. The objective of the Progressing Disabilities Programme is to achieve a national, unified approach to delivering disability health services so that there is a clear pathway to the services for all children, regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of their disability. This Programme aims to remedy the variations in service provision that currently persist around the country.
To assist in addressing some of these variations, I announced the allocation of €1m in funding for autism and early intervention services in 2012. Based on a report prepared by the HSE, I approved €300,000 of this funding, which equates to five therapists posts, for Beechpark services in Dublin, north of the Liffey, to address the pressing needs of its catchment area, with a particular emphasis on reducing waiting times.
Following ongoing discussions on the best way forward in relation to Beechpark Autism Services, the HSE confirmed that this approved funding would be allocated to HSE Dublin North East in 2013 for Beechpark in order to address the waiting list for services in Dublin North East. This provides, in the first instance, for the recruitment of the necessary five therapy staff. This process is under way. The HSE has also assigned a Disability Manager in Dublin North East to oversee the re-configuration of early intervention services for children and young people with disabilities in the region, in line with the national Progressing Disabilities Programme.
I separately established an Independent Review Group in 2012, to look at the Beechpark model of services and how resources could be used in the best and most effective way, in light of the HSE Review of Autism Services and the re-organisation of services under way in line with the 0-18's Programme. Further funding in relation to Beechpark and other regions of the country, was put on hold, pending the outcome of this Review. This Review is expected to be concluded shortly. The issue of service levels and funding to be provided for the disability sector is being considered in the context of the development of the HSE's National Service Plan for 2014.
219. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if capital works have been stalled or ceased in the three children's hospitals in Dublin in view of the plans for the new hospital that have been announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49941/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe requirement for capital investment in the children's hospitals in Dublin, to sustain and improve patient services in advance of the move to the new children's hospital, will continue to be considered in the context of the priorities in the Capital Programme. The HSE’s National Capital & Property Steering Committee appraises all projects to be included in the Capital Plan. Project applications must be accompanied by detailed project briefs. The project brief includes a needs assessment, a detailed capital appraisal or a cost benefit analysis, life cycle costs, projected capital budget and revenue and staffing implications.
220. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the current status of the primary care centre projects announced on 17 July 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49942/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of primary care is central to the Government's objective to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost effective health system. The development of primary care centres, through a combination of public and private investment, will facilitate the delivery of multi-disciplinary primary health care. The delivery of primary care infrastructure is a dynamic process and must take account of changing circumstances including the feasibility of implementing the delivery of the centres by means of lease, direct- build or PPP.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) is working with the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) to progress Primary Care Centre Public Private Partnership. The NDFA as a centre of expertise will be responsible for the delivery of the Primary Care PPP programme on behalf of the HSE, including the management of the procurement phase and the provision of financial advice including a Value for Money assessment. It has been reviewing the processes involved in procurement of PPP projects with a view to streamlining the process and delivering projects more quickly.
The HSE and NDFA have completed an indicative Public Sector Benchmark (PSB) for the overall project. Considerable work on the project has been completed by the HSE and its appointed design teams and technical advisors. The HSE is in the process of lodging planning applications, details of which will be available on the relevant planning website.
It is expected that the NDFA will proceed to market with the PPP projects very shortly.
221. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that amputees who are awaiting prosthesis are encountering up to a two year wait for health service approval, the proposals he has to end these long delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49989/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrent prosthetic, orthotic and limb absence rehabilitation services available include acute hospital services, the National Rehabilitation Hospital and multi-disciplinary community services. These services are provided directly by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and several non-statutory organisations. Assessments are carried out by a range of multi-disciplinary staff. Approval is prioritised to ensure that people with the most urgent assessed needs have their needs met first. As with all health services, approvals must remain within the annual budget for prosthetics and orthotics. I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in response to his specific questions concerning waiting lists for prosthetic services.
222. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49990/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
223. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the legislative and regulatory controls that exist to cover the sale, advertising and promotion of electronic cigarettes. [49995/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe report of the Tobacco Policy Review Group 'Tobacco Free Ireland' was launched on 3 October 2013. The report recommends the establishment of a regulatory framework for nicotine products in the context of discussions at European Union level. Last December, the Commission published a proposal for a new EU Tobacco Products Directive, the ultimate purpose of which is to reduce the numbers of people smoking. The proposal is being discussed in the European Parliament and Council of Ministers and the Commission hope that it will be adopted in 2014. Nicotine containing products such as e-cigarettes are being considered in the context of this proposed tobacco products directive.
224. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason Crohn's disease is not on the long-term illness list; if he will consider adding same in view of the costs of the associated medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50004/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Long Term Illness scheme. Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines. In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of GP consultations.
225. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of appointments to State boards under his Department's remit made since March 2011 to date in 2013; the number of vacancies in State boards under his Department's remit since March 2011 to date in 2013; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit publicly advertised since March 2011 to date in 2013; and the number of appointments to State boards under his remit drawn directly from the public advertisement process. [50015/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with Government Decision S180/20/10/1424 of 2011, relating to the advertising for expressions of interest in vacancies on State Boards, my Department, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service, currently advertises for board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister for Health, have nominating rights. Appointments may not necessarily be from the applications received through the advertising process, which is also in line with the Government Decisions. The first advertising campaign was launched in January 2012. The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available, but I will forward a detailed reply as soon as possible.
