Finian McGrath
Ceist:345. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on complaints from nine member states regarding the plain packaging Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44049/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraTobacco Control Measures
Ceisteanna (345)
Freagraí scríofa
The Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 was formally notified to the Commission and to Member States under the EU Technical Standards Directive (98/34/EC) and the Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) on 17 June 2014. The Commission and Member States had until 18 September to comment or provide detailed opinions on the proposed measures. As the Deputy has noted, detailed opinions on the proposed measures have been received from a number of Member States - initially nine, but one opinion has since been formally withdrawn. Once detailed opinions were received the standstill period on the legislation has increased by three months, i.e. until 18 December 2014. Officials in my Department are currently drafting a response to the detailed opinions.
Legislative Measures
Ceisteanna (346)
Finian McGrath
Ceist:346. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the regulatory impact assessment adheres to the criteria set down in RIA guidelines (details supplied) in respect of the tobacco industry and the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44145/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) Guidelines are intended to provide assistance to government officials conducting RIAs in respect of legislative proposals. The RIA carried out in connection with the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 is available on the Department of Health’s website at http://health.gov.ie/blog/uncategorized/regulatory-impact-assessment/. Officials in my Department consulted the Cabinet Handbook and the Revised 2009 RIA Guidelines in carrying out the Regulatory Impact Analysis for this legislation.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Heads of Bill for this legislation were considered by the Joint Committee on Health and Children. Written and oral submissions were made to the Joint Committee and the subsequent report of the Committee was taken into consideration in the RIA document and in the drafting of the legislation.
National Drugs Strategy Implementation
Ceisteanna (347)
Eoghan Murphy
Ceist:347. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views that the Government is doing enough to address the drug addiction and the drug abuse problem in Dublin city centre, including with discrepancies in the law (details supplied). [44300/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has developed a national treatment and rehabilitation service that provides drug free and harm reduction approaches for problem substance users. The HSE provide a variety of drug treatment interventions to reduce drug-related harm and which encourage problem substance users to engage with, and avail of such services. These services include needle exchange provision, together with evidence-based treatment options such as methadone maintenance treatment, counselling and community and residential rehabilitation.
In an effort to respond to the problem of drug-related anti-social behaviour in Dublin city centre, the HSE, in partnership with a local voluntary service provider, Dublin City Council and an Garda Síochána have set up an assertive case management programme to engage with the cohort who are involved in public drug use. The pilot programme, which will be monitored and evaluated, is designed to provide best possible outcomes for these individuals and address their issues of homelessness and addiction using shared resources. The HSE also cooperate with the local community representatives of the North and South Inner City and with local Gardaí to minimise any negative public order issues that may arise in the vicinity of its treatment centres.
The National Drugs Strategy is a high priority in Government and I work closely with my cabinet colleagues, including the Minister for Justice, to ensure its full implementation. The Oversight Forum on Drugs, which I chair, monitors progress on the delivery of frontline services and addresses operational difficulties and blockages in implementing the Strategy. This forum brings together the key Government departments and agencies involved in the implementation of the Strategy.
In relation to the particular matter raised, the Deputy will appreciate that judges are independent in the matter of sentencing, as in other matters concerning the exercise of judicial functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law.
Home Care Packages
Ceisteanna (348)
Eoghan Murphy
Ceist:348. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in processing a home care package in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4. [44303/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
Medicinal Products Licensing
Ceisteanna (349)
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:349. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health in order to honour Ireland's human rights obligations not to interfere with the right to obtain the highest possible standard of health, his views that the appropriate changes be made to the law to allow Mifepristone and Misoprostol to be available here for use in safe, early abortions. [43955/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Minister for Health has no proposals to amend the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act or to revisit the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the competent authority for the regulation of medicines in Ireland. Medicinal products can be placed on the market in Ireland only after a marketing authorisation is granted by the HPRA following an application from the manufacturer. Medicines may also be authorised for use across Europe by virtue of a centralised marketing authorisation issued by the European Commission on behalf of the EU.
Under the medicines legislation a prescriber may prescribe a medicine which is not authorised in Ireland, or may prescribe a medicine authorised in Ireland for one indication to treat a different indication if this is considered to be medically necessary. However the use of the medicine must be consistent with the relevant legislative provisions and requirements, including the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act.
Drugs Payment Scheme
Ceisteanna (350)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:350. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was refused individual patient reimbursement payment. [43741/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
Medical Card Administration
Ceisteanna (351)
Terence Flanagan
Ceist:351. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding general practitioner visit cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43750/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to the introduction of a universal GP service for the entire population in line with the Programme for Government. As announced in Budget 2014, it was decided to commence the roll-out of a universal GP service for the entire population by initially providing all children under 6 years with access to a GP service without fees. The Health (General Practitioner Service) Act 2014, which provides an entitlement for all children aged under 6 to a GP service without fees, was passed by the Oireachtas in July 2014.
On 4 June 2014, a Framework Agreement was concluded between the Department of Health, the HSE and the IMO. The Framework Agreement sets out a process for engagement concerning the GMS/GP contract and other publicly funded contracts involving GPs. Discussions are underway between the Department, the HSE and the IMO under the Agreement in relation to the provision of free GP care to children under 6 years. A number of meetings have taken place and further meetings have been scheduled.
The Government has decided to prioritise the over 70’s in the next phase of the roll-out of universal GP care. The Government has approved the drafting of a Bill to provide a GP service without fees for all persons aged 70 years and over. Drafting of the Bill is the subject on ongoing interaction between the Department and the Attorney-General’s Office. The expectation is that the Health (General Practitioner Service) (No. 2) Bill 2014 will be published shortly. The aim is to have the over 70s phase implemented early next year, subject to the conclusion of discussions between the Department of Health, the HSE and the IMO.
Hospitals Data
Ceisteanna (352)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:352. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the number of persons who suffered attacks of anaphylaxis during the past year; the number of these attacks that have resulted in hospitalisation; the average duration of hospital stay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43753/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
Medicinal Products Availability
Ceisteanna (353)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:353. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information regarding the number of persons prescribed Epipen; the figure for Epipen out of stocks; and the number of product recalls over the past year [43754/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Epipen is one of three brands of adrenaline auto-injectors on the Irish market. These are Anapen, Epipen and Jext. Each product range includes two different strengths: a 300mcg/ml adrenaline solution for treatment of adults and a 150mcg/ml adrenaline solution for treatment of children.
There are currently no supply issues regarding Apapen or Anapen Junior, Epipen or Jext 300mcg and Jext 150mcg.
There is however no supply of the Epipen Junior product due to a manufacturing issue. This product is expected to come back into stock on 19 November 2014.
There have been no recalls of the Anapen or Anapen Junior products or the Epipen or Epipen Junior products in Ireland in the last year. In February 2014 there was a recall of three batches of Jext 150mcg and four batches of Jext 300mcg as a result of a quality defect issue. Unaffected stock became available at the time making it possible to replace the recalled pens.
There is no information available on the number of persons prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors. The only information available relates to the number of adrenaline auto-injectors reimbursed under the HSE’s community drugs schemes. This information is currently being collated and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (354)
Michael Colreavy
Ceist:354. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will undergo hip replacement surgery. [43777/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, 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 been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
Primary Care Centre Provision
Ceisteanna (355)
Pat Deering
Ceist:355. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the progress to date on the proposed primary care centre for Tullow, County Carlow. [43833/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Delivery of primary care infrastructure is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office who will follow up on the matter.
Orthodontic Service Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (356)
John McGuinness
Ceist:356. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if orthodontic treatment will be arranged in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, in view of the fact that both parents are not working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43843/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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. I have asked the HSE to investigate this matter and respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
HSE Staff Remuneration
Ceisteanna (357)
Seán Fleming
Ceist:357. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for approval of individual pay levels in excess of agreed salary scales that have been received by his Department; the number that have been approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43844/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A total of 85 business cases have been received from the HSE seeking the approval for individual pay levels in excess of the salary scales on a red circle personal to post holder basis. Further information was sought on a number of these cases and my Department is in the process of reviewing all the information received. No decisions have been made to date.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (358)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:358. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive an appointment to attend at the asthmatic clinic at Tallaght Hospital; if the appointment can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43848/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.