Written Answers Nos. 306 - 324
306. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide information on the number of State agencies or organisations under the remit of his Department which are paid up members of IBEC; the names of each agency or organisation; the amount which each agency or organisation paid to IBEC in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38722/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that the State bodies that come under the remit of my Department are the Child and Family Agency, the Adoption Authority of Ireland and the Ombudsman for Children. None of these are members of IBEC and have not paid any money to IBEC in the period in question.
307. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if a targeted measure will be put in place to deal with alcohol misuse such as addressing discounted alcohol prices, banning price-based promotions and the introduction of a statutory code in the area of alcohol merchandising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38195/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing the price of alcohol is an important component of any long-term strategic approach to tackling alcohol misuse. There is a link between consumption and harm and evidence that affordability is one of the drivers of increased consumption. The Government has approved an extensive package of measures to deal with alcohol misuse, to be incorporated in a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. The package of measures to be implemented will include provision for minimum unit pricing, regulation of the marketing and advertising of alcohol, regulation of sports sponsorship, structural separation of alcohol from other products in mixed trading outlets and labelling of alcohol products.
The Government has decided that minimum unit pricing is the most effective policy measure to deal with the sale of alcohol at cheap prices. Minimum unit pricing is a mechanism of imposing a statutory floor in price levels per gram of alcohol that must be legally observed by retailers in both the on and off trade sector. This is a targeted measure, designed to prevent the sale of alcohol at very cheap prices. It is mainly aimed at those who are higher risk, such as adolescents and people who have a harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption pattern. It should therefore only have a marginal effect on moderate drinkers.
The other matters referred to by the Deputy, i.e. the banning of price-based promotions and the introduction of a statutory code in the area of alcohol merchandising, are a matter for my colleague, Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald who has responsibility for the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2008.
Section 16 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2008 contains provisions for the making of regulations concerning conditions for the sale, supply and consumption of intoxicating liquor. The Government has agreed that the forthcoming Public Health (Alcohol) Bill will give Environmental Health Officers statutory enforcement powers in relation to regulations made under Section 16 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2008. The Department of Justice and Equality has advised that they will consider how best to proceed with the making of these regulations following enactment of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill.
The Government has agreed to replace the current Responsible Retailers of Alcohol in Ireland (RRAI) voluntary code of practice on the sale and display of alcohol products in mixed trading outlets with a statutory code of practice under Section 17 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act, 2011. It is intended that the statutory code will operate for a 2 year period, after which its effectiveness will be jointly evaluated by my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality. The Department of Justice and Equality has advised that preparatory work on the statutory code of practice is currently under way and it is hoped to launch a consultation process on the contents of the code in the coming weeks.
Work on developing a framework for the necessary Department of Health legislation is continuing and it is hoped to publish a General Scheme of a Bill before the Dáil recess.
308. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding a decision by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland to increase the annual retention fee for 2015; the action that will be taken to address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37660/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra315. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will reverse the fee hikes imposed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland which are placing severe pressure on nurses and midwifes to practice against the backdrop of falling pay. [37729/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra389. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38252/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra395. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will not increase the annual retention fee by 50% from January 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38283/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 308, 315, 389 and 395 together.
A new Nurses and Midwives Act was passed into legislation in 2011. The Act provides, inter alia, for the protection of the public in its dealings with nurses and midwives and the enhancement of their high standards of professional education and competencies. The Department of Health is responsible for oversight of the governance of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). The Department has no role in setting or approving registration fees.
The Board is an independent body, answerable to the Oireachtas, with the responsibility to ensure that it has the financial capacity to undertake all its legal obligations. The cost of enacting the additional requirements under the Nurses and Midwives Act 20141 was set out in the Regulatory Impact Analysis that was carried out prior to the enactment of the legislation. These costs include an enhanced regulatory process with supporting systems for continued professional development and certain education and training requirements for the professions.
It was also made clear at the time of the legislation that the Board would continue to be self-funding and needed to plan and cost how it would fulfil its legal obligations. Following detailed negotiations with the Executive and Board members in 2013 it was agreed in October 2013 that an initial once-off sum of €1.6m would be granted by the Department to the Board to cover 2013/2014 costs, but that the Board would have to increase its income in 2015 to undertake its commitments in the legislation. The Board of the NMBI made the decision to increase the annual registration fee at its meeting on 17th September, 2014. A helpline, email address and website information page have been made available by the NMBI to provide clarification for registrants who may have queries on this matter.
309. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the cost of restoring the motorised transport grant or an equivalent scheme of equal value. [37671/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra312. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health his plans to honour previous commitments made to develop an appropriate scheme to replace the mobility allowance scheme and motorised transport grant which were discontinued almost two years ago; if his attention has been drawn to the importance of these schemes to those who cannot access public transport, the fact that many persons would benefit hugely from the assistance afforded by those schemes; the progress made in the development of new schemes; if he will provide a timeframe for the introduction of a new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37696/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra314. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the motorised transport grant and the mobility allowance; his plans on reintroducing these schemes or replacing them with alternatives; if so, when will they be introduced; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37704/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra375. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of recipients of the motorised transport grant and mobility allowance for September 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will provide the cost for each of those allowance and grants for same periods [38107/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 309, 312, 314 and 375 together.
Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance schemes, in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes on 26th February, 2013. On 26th November 2013, the Government decided that the preparatory work required for a new travel subsidy scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health.
Work is ongoing on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme. Once approved by Government, the time frame for the introduction of a new scheme will become clearer.
At the time the schemes were closed there were 4,700 recipients of Mobility Allowance at an annual cost of €9.3m and in excess of 300 people received the Motorised Transport Grant each year at an estimated cost of €1.3m per annum.
310. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive operates a travel scheme for patients who require to travel to Dublin hospitals from County Cork on a regular basis to attend appointments; and if he will provide details of such scheme [37674/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
311. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide figures by county for persons currently being considered for reinstatement of discretionary medical cards; if he will provide figures by county for discretionary medical cards returned to date; the eligibility criteria and guidelines used in assessing eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37677/14]
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.
313. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend powers to the Health Information and Quality Authority to undertake inspections of sheltered homes for the elderly; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37697/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Information and Quality Authority is the independent authority established under the Health Act 2007 to drive continuous improvement and to monitor safety and quality in Ireland’s health and personal social care services. With effect from 2009 nursing homes for older people have been registered and inspected by HIQA and during the course of this Government this function has extended to residential services for those with disabilities and child protection services. There are no plans to extend the remit of HIQA to undertake inspections of sheltered housing.
The Health Service Executive provides health and personal services to tenants in sheltered housing in the same way that they are provided to older people living in their own homes in the community. In this respect the Government for National Recovery, 2011-2016 commits to developing and implementing national standards for home support services which will be subject to HIQA inspection. Primary legislation and resources will be required for the introduction of a statutory regulation system for home care services. This will be considered by Government on a prioritised and phased basis as resources, legislative and planning processes allow.
316. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding dental services (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37757/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDental services to children up to 16 years are provided by the Public Dental Service of the HSE. The service is targeted at children at key stages in their development. Children are given dental examinations and any follow-up treatment required at these stages. When required, emergency dental treatment is available to all children up to 16 years. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
317. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the autism team in County Kilkenny; the number of qualified professionals available to children with autism in County Kilkenny; the number of autistic children being serviced by the team; if there is a backlog for the service; if there is a plan to extend the numbers delivering the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37777/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe particular issues raised by the Deputy are service matters for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
318. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a report drawn up by a private forensic psychology service in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow has been completed; if his Department or the Health Service Executive now have a final decision on to long-term care; the costs associated with this care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37778/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
319. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the criteria for setting prices on nursing home beds through the national treatment purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37779/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra320. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason there is such a wide discrepancy in the nursing home support scheme prices with private and voluntary nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37780/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 319 and 320 together.
The legislation underpinning the Nursing Homes Support Scheme requires each private nursing home to negotiate and agree a price for long-term residential care services with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) should they wish to be an approved nursing home for the purposes of the Scheme.
The NTPF is independent in the performance of this function and, in carrying it out, it must ensure value for money for both the individual and the State. It negotiates with each nursing home individually and may examine the records and accounts of nursing homes as part of the process. This is to ensure that the State obtains the best value for each individual in a nursing home and to comply with competition law.
In negotiating with nursing homes, the NTPF has regard to:
- costs reasonably and prudently incurred by the nursing home and evidence of value for money,
- price(s) previously charged,
- local market price, and
- budgetary constraints and the obligation on the State to use available resources in the most beneficial, effective and efficient manner to improve, promote and protect the health and welfare of the public.
The cost of long-term nursing home care in public nursing homes is determined by the HSE. It is acknowledged that there are variations in the cost of care between public, private and voluntary nursing homes and this is due to a range of factors, including nursing and overall staffing ratios, tenure and other conditions of employment, and the overall dependency levels and care needs of residents.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme is currently the subject of a Review. The review is examining the overall cost of long-term residential care in public and private nursing homes and the current methods of negotiating and setting prices. It is expected that the Review will be completed in the coming months and the Report will then be made publicly available.
321. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a child (details supplied) in County Louth who was issued a temporary medical card in July 2013 which was withdrawn in November 2013 and replaced with a GP visit card; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that a resubmitted application, following the birth of a sibling was also refused; if he will review this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37783/14]
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.
322. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on the local drug and alcohol task force. [37785/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 14 Local Drugs and Alcohol Task Forces which cover areas where there is the highest concentration of drugs of activity - 12 in Dublin, 1 in Bray and 1 in Cork. Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces cover the remainder of the country. Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem in their areas and coordinating action at local level so that there is a targeted response to the drug problem in local communities. Arising from the review of Drugs Task Forces which concluded in December 2012, a National Coordinating Committee has been established to guide the work of the Task Forces and drive implementation of the National Drugs Strategy at the local level.
The Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2014 includes provision of €1.2m for a specific substance misuse prevention measure. The Task Forces have been identified as the appropriate structures through which the measure will be implemented and funding of up to €50,000 will be available to each Task Force in 2015 for this purpose.
323. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37786/14]
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.
324. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will provide full time Health Service Executive residential carer in respect of a person (details supplied); his views on the lack of respite care provided to their family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37787/14]
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.
