Written Answers Nos. 649 - 675
649. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the total remuneration of the interim director of facilities who is currently responsible for the non-clinical aspects of the chief operations office at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31049/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
650. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when the national immunisation advisory committee will make a decision regarding immunisation against meningitis B; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31054/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has not made any recommendation in relation to the use of Meningitis B vaccine in the primary childhood immunisation programme in Ireland. However NIAC has issued guidance in relation to the use of the Meningitis B vaccine in the control of clusters or outbreaks of Meningococcal B disease.
651. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when the vacant geriatrician post will be filled at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31055/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
652. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will allocate an appropriate level of funding to provide a seven-day respite service for children with autism at 16 College Gardens, Callan Road, County Kilkenny, a unit operated by St. Patrick's, Kilkenny; if he will confirm what funding was allocated to this service at this location for the past three years; if funding will be allocated for the month of August to extend the current levels of the service provided; if the autism team in Kilkenny has been consulted on the level of service required to meet the request of parents; if the level of care has been costed; his plans to fund this service for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31083/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSt Patrick's Kilkenny is funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply directly to the Deputy.
653. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health on the back of the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014, if he has considered removing the maximum price on a packet of cigarettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31096/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that there is no maximum price applied to a packet of cigarettes in this jurisdiction. Tobacco Free Ireland, our latest policy document in the area, sets a target of lowering smoking prevalence to below 5% by 2025. It notes that research has found that pricing is a key tool in the efforts to control smoking and in particular preventing children and adolescents from taking up the habit. Higher prices have been found to induce current smokers to quit and to lower consumption among those continuing to smoke. Taking this into account, Tobacco Free Ireland recommends increasing annual excise duty on tobacco products price over a continuous five year period. In Budgets 2012, 2013 and 2014 increases in the price of cigarette and roll your own tobacco, in the amounts of 25 cent, 10 cent and 10 cent respectively, were both sought and received.
654. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health on the back of research that shows plain tobacco packaging has led to smokers in other jurisdictions choosing cheaper brands, if any research has been undertaken to discover if there are health implications for such substitution among the smoking population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31097/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlthough I am aware that the tobacco industry has argued that standardised packaging will lead to smokers choosing cheaper brands, I have not seen any research that conclusively demonstrates that cheaper cigarettes have a greater impact on a person’s health, or that cheaper tobacco causes more disease than so-called “premium brands”.
On the contrary, I would like to point out to the Deputy that tobacco consumption, regardless of the price of the product chosen, is today the greatest single cause of preventable illness and premature death in Ireland, killing over 5,200 people a year; that smokers die on average 10 years sooner than non-smokers; that one in every two children who experiment with cigarettes goes on to become a smoker, and that one in every two of them will die from a tobacco related disease. In this context, my priority is to reduce the consumption of tobacco across the board, to meet our policy target of making Ireland tobacco free (i.e. with a smoking prevalence rate of less than 5%) by 2025.
655. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health on the back of the (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014, if he will consider introducing a minimum weight at which rolling tobacco may be sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31098/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe revised EU Tobacco Products Directive, which has been in force since 20 May 2014, states that “A unit packet of roll-your-own tobacco shall contain tobacco weighing not less than 30g.” Member States have two years to transpose the new rules into national law and Ireland will be introducing appropriate legislation in due course.
657. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if teenagers under 16 years of age with a medical card are entitled to free dental care such as fillings under the medical card system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31109/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDental services for children up to 16 years of age and persons of all ages with special needs are provided by the Public Dental Service of the HSE through its dental clinics. All HSE dental clinics prioritise emergency care for children up to 16 years of age, treatment for special needs patients and screening of children aged from 11 to 13 years, including referral for orthodontic services where necessary. Other services, including screening of children 6 to 8 years, are provided but may be deferred in clinics where there is pressure on resources.
658. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when his Department will publish its annual report for 2013. [31129/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Annual Report for 2013 is at final draft stage and will be published on the Department's website shortly.
659. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health in view of the precedent set by the agreement between the Irish Medical Organisation and Competition Authority, the procedures that have been put in place for engagement with the National Association of General Practitioners by his Department; the rationale behind the procedures or lack thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31142/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the then Minister of State for Primary Care, Alex White T.D., met with the National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP) on January 31 and invited them to revert with any and all issues they may wish to raise concerning the draft contract published that day.
The NAGP did not make a submission to the HSE on the draft contract but instead wrote to the Minister of State on 20 February stating, inter alia, " the NAGP does not propose to waste any further time considering this document and respectfully suggests that a full re-write is undertaken with the proper and meaningful negotiations with all key stakeholders. Then, and only then, are we prepared to give your proposals further consideration". In these circumstances, there is little point in a meeting with the NAGP at this time.
The Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2014, however, expressly allows the Minister for Health consult with representatives of GPs. The question of consultation with the NAGP can be considered in that context once the legislation is enacted and commenced.
660. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the funding reduction that has been applied to a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; the way this will impact on the service; the basis for the cut; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31175/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra667. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31278/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra671. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding cuts to core funding in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; the decision to cut funding needs to be reversed as a matter of urgency as this will impact on the vital services provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31407/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 660, 667 and 671 together.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
662. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health in the context of a significant change effected in October 2013 whereby a person who held a medical card could also be awarded a long-term illness scheme card, if he will ensure that such persons who were not notified of this change until February 2014 will be reimbursed any moneys they expended on qualifying drugs in the interim period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31180/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
663. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form, on a county basis, the number of children who have requested a special needs assessment for 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the number of children over those periods whose assessment commenced within three months of receipt of application; and the number of children whose assessments were completed within six months of receipt of application. [31181/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart 2 of the Disability Act 2005 was commenced on 1 June 2007 in respect of children aged under 5. In 2008, the then Government decided, in the light of financial circumstances, to defer further implementation of the Disability Act 2005 and the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. However, in light of legal advice following on a ruling of the High Court, children born after 1 June 2002 are being treated by the HSE as eligible to apply for an assessment under the Act. Part 2 of the 2005 Act provides for an assessment of the needs of eligible applicants, occasioned by their disability, to be commenced within three months of receipt of an application and completed within a further three months.
Although the HSE recognises that it faces significant challenges in respect of meeting the statutory time-frames which apply to the assessment of need process given the number and complexity of cases, it has taken a number of measures to address the issue. While any delay in assessment or intervention for any child is not desirable, the assessment process under the Disability Act can take place in parallel with any intervention which is identified as necessary. The HSE has issued guidance to its staff that where there is a delay in the assessment process, this should not affect the delivery of necessary and appropriate interventions identified for a particular child.
Following the publication of a report commissioned from the National Disability Authority by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive, a major emphasis is being placed on reconfiguring disability services for children into integrated multidisciplinary geographically-based early-intervention and school-aged teams as part of the implementation of the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People Programme. This involves the roll-out of a new model of service, the objective of which is to bring about equity and consistency, with a clear pathway for children with disabilities and their families to services, regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of their difficulty. The Programme is a key priority for the HSE in 2014 with an additional €4m allocated to assist in its implementation.
My Department has requested the HSE to provide the Deputy with the detailed operational information that he has sought.
664. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if there was an arrangement in place between Waterford Regional Hospital and Cappagh Hospital that meant orthopaedic patients on waiting lists in Waterford were transferred to Cappagh for treatment and that they were transferred off the Waterford waiting list; if this arrangement is still in place; if not, if all patients have been notified that the hospitals no longer have this agreement in place; if patients previously removed from the Waterford waiting list have retained their position as priority patients there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31194/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
665. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to eradicate the problems with accessing the community ophthalmologist service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31201/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA review of primary care ophthalmic services is due to get underway in the HSE. This will provide recommendations for the service, which will address current inadequacies and inconsistencies including access and identify priorities to be addressed in the short term.
666. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if financial assistance with living costs will be provided to Irish citizens when receiving a treatment abroad if the same treatment is not available here. [31202/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) as provided for in EU Regulations and Department of Health Guidelines does not include a provision for travel and or subsistence expenses for patients or their relatives travelling abroad to avail of approved treatments. However, the HSE and specifically the TAS may provide assistance towards reasonable economic air or sea travel fares for patients, and a travelling companion where appropriate. The HSE Treatment Abroad Scheme National Travel Policy was implemented in November 2009 to standardise and provide equity to the provision of entitlements relating to travel expenses.
668. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive hearing aids; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31348/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive Community Audiology service administers and monitors hearing tests for adults who are at risk for hearing loss. Appointments for the audiology service are sent in a strict chronology according to clinical priorities and date of receipt of referral. The HSE has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible
669. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the grounds on which a medical card was withdrawn and a GP only visit card issued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if he will review this decision as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31352/14]
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.
670. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange for payment without further delay to allow a person (details supplied) to be included in the nursing support scheme. [31355/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
672. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Health when a decision on a medical card application will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31415/14]
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.
673. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the licensing fee for retailers to sell tobacco products from a once-off charge of €50 to an annual charge of €500; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31416/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under current Irish tobacco control legislation, a retailer wishing to sell tobacco products, whether over the counter or from a self-service vending machine, must register with the HSE National Tobacco Control Office and be placed on the Retail Register for the sale of tobacco products. Under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002, as amended, the HSE may charge a fee as may be determined by the Minister for Health. To date this has been a once off fee of €50.
The Government proposes to increase the Retail Register fee in the context of legislation to provide for the licensing of the sale of tobacco products as outlined in Tobacco Free Ireland, Ireland’s tobacco control policy. On Tuesday 24 June 2014, Cabinet approved a memo to proceed with the drafting of Heads of a Bill in relation to licensing tobacco products and non-medicinal nicotine delivery systems (including e-cigarettes). The new system will replace the existing tobacco Retail Register. Work is ongoing in relation to this legislation and as such details, including fees, are not yet available.
674. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the reason he is unable to publish the regulatory impact analysis carried out in connection with the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 since under the Department of the Taoiseach guidelines it should have been prepared in parallel with the Bill and submitted to government at the same time; if all relevant Department of Taoiseach guidelines were followed in preparing the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31417/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) has been completed for the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014. It is my intention that the RIA will be published shortly. All relevant legal requirements were followed in preparing this legislation.
