Written Answers Nos. 382-396
382. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the agency nursing staff provided for care under home care packages; the position regarding cases where agencies lack the required staff; the way suitable replacement staff are provided in such cases; if there is a lack of nursing staff experienced with tracheotomy care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3691/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to thank the Deputy for the question raised.
As this is a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply within 15 days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
383. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health the progress to date on primary care centre projects in County Waterford, including St. Joseph's in Dungarvan, Waterford city and Tramore; the timeframe for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3695/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of primary care is central to the Government's objective to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost effective health care system. Supporting infrastructure, procured through a combination of public and private investment, will facilitate the delivery of multi-disciplinary primary health care.
The primary care centres for Dungarvan and Waterford city are two of the locations included in primary care centre PPP project. Considerable progress has been made in progressing this project. Planning permissions for both locations have been awarded. Tender documentation has been issued to the pre-selected bidders and tenders are due to be returned in February 2015. It is expected that the primary care centres at both locations will be delivered by early 2017.
Your question has been referred to the HSE to provide an update on Tramore and other Waterford locations which the HSE may have at earlier stages of development. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up on the matter.
385. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding accommodation needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3714/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE 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.
386. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will review a pension case in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3716/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the matter. 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.
387. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a fair deal scheme application will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3717/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
388. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the overall health spend here per capita and also as a percentage of GDP and of GNI in tabular form over the past five years and also with estimates of private expenditure on health, including but not limited to private health insurance and out of pocket expenses; the comparison that his Department has made with other European countries or similarly developed countries; Ireland's health spend compared to similar countries; if Ireland has above or below average health spend according to various analyses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3718/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe latest data available for health expenditure in OECD countries are for 2012 and are given in the following table. In 2012, Ireland’s total health expenditure on health was 8.9% of GDP and 10.9% of GNI. This compares with the OECD averages of 9.3% and 9.8% respectively. Comparable data for Ireland for the years 2008-2012 are also provided.
Health Expenditure per capita and as a % of GDP and GNI by financing agent, Ireland 2008-2012
|
Financing Agent |
per capita, Euro |
% gross domestic product |
% gross national income |
|
2008 |
|||
|
General government |
2,721 |
6.8 |
7.8 |
|
Private sector |
889 |
2.2 |
2.6 |
|
Total expenditure |
3,610 |
9.0 |
10.4 |
|
2009 |
|||
|
General government |
2,584 |
7.2 |
8.7 |
|
Private sector |
976 |
2.7 |
3.3 |
|
Total expenditure |
3,560 |
9.9 |
11.9 |
|
2010 |
|||
|
General government |
2,223 |
6.4 |
7.6 |
|
Private sector |
969 |
2.8 |
3.3 |
|
Total expenditure |
3,192 |
9.2 |
11.0 |
|
2011 |
|||
|
General government |
2,100 |
5.9 |
7.3 |
|
Private sector |
995 |
2.8 |
3.5 |
|
Total expenditure |
3,096 |
8.7 |
10.7 |
|
2012 |
|||
|
General government |
2,143 |
6.0 |
7.3 |
|
Private sector |
1,029 |
2.9 |
3.5 |
|
Total expenditure |
3,172 |
8.9 |
10.9 |
Sources: OECD and EUROSTAT.
When expressed in US$ purchasing power parities, Ireland's total health expenditure in 2012 of US$ppp 3,890 per capita was above the OECD average of US$ppp 3,493 per capita. Comparable expenditure data using Euro per capita for Ireland for the years 2008-2012 is also provided.
Total health expenditure per capita (US$PPPs) and as % of GDP and GNI for selected OECD countries, 2012
|
Country |
Per Capita |
Per Capita |
Per Capita |
% GDP |
% GDP |
% GDP |
% GNI |
|
- |
Public |
Private |
Total |
Public |
Private |
Total |
Total |
|
Australia* |
2,733 |
1,264 |
3,997 |
6.2 |
2.9 |
9.1 |
n/a |
|
Austria |
3,716 |
1,180 |
4,896 |
8.4 |
2.7 |
11.1 |
11.2 |
|
Belgium |
3,323 |
1,096 |
4,419 |
8.2 |
2.7 |
10.9 |
10.9 |
|
Canada (e) |
3,224 |
1,378 |
4,602 |
7.7 |
3.3 |
10.9 |
n/a |
|
Chile |
776 |
801 |
1,577 |
3.6 |
3.7 |
7.3 |
n/a |
|
Czech Republic |
1,745 |
332 |
2,077 |
6.3 |
1.2 |
7.5 |
8.2 |
|
Denmark |
4,029 |
669 |
4,698 |
9.4 |
1.6 |
11.0 |
10.7 |
|
Estonia |
1,139 |
286 |
1,447 |
4.6 |
1.2 |
5.9 |
6.2 |
|
Finland (e) |
2,669 |
889 |
3,559 |
6.8 |
2.3 |
9.1 |
9.0 |
|
France |
3,317 |
971 |
4,288 |
9.0 |
2.6 |
11.6 |
11.4 |
|
Germany |
3,691 |
1,120 |
4,811 |
8.6 |
2.6 |
11.3 |
11.0 |
|
Greece |
1,617 |
759 |
2,409 |
6.2 |
2.9 |
9.3 |
9.2 |
|
Hungary |
1,128 |
675 |
1,803 |
5.0 |
3.0 |
8.0 |
8.4 |
|
Iceland (e) |
2,847 |
689 |
3,536 |
7.3 |
1.8 |
9.0 |
10.1 |
|
Ireland |
2,628 |
1,261 |
3,890 |
6.0 |
2.9 |
8.9 |
10.9 |
|
Israel |
1,377 |
890 |
2,304 |
4.4 |
2.8 |
7.3 |
n/a |
|
Italy |
2,481 |
728 |
3,209 |
7.1 |
2.1 |
9.2 |
9.2 |
|
Japan (e) |
2,997 |
652 |
3,649 |
8.4 |
1.8 |
10.3 |
n/a |
|
Korea |
1,248 |
1,043 |
2,291 |
4.2 |
3.5 |
7.6 |
n/a |
|
Luxembourg |
3,846 |
762 |
4,578 |
6.0 |
1.2 |
7.1 |
10.5 |
|
Mexico |
531 |
517 |
1,048 |
3.1 |
3.0 |
6.2 |
n/a |
|
Netherlands* |
n/a |
n/a |
5,219 |
n/a |
n/a |
12.1 |
12.1 |
|
New Zealand* (d) |
2,623 |
549 |
3,172 |
8.3 |
1.7 |
10.0 |
n/a |
|
Norway |
5,222 |
918 |
6,140 |
7.9 |
1.4 |
9.3 |
9.1 |
|
Poland |
1,065 |
467 |
1,540 |
4.7 |
2.0 |
6.8 |
7.1 |
|
Portugal* |
1,718 |
924 |
2,642 |
6.7 |
3.6 |
10.2 |
10.6 |
|
Slovak Republic |
1,468 |
637 |
2,105 |
5.7 |
2.5 |
8.1 |
n/a |
|
Slovenia (e) |
1,907 |
761 |
2,667 |
6.7 |
2.7 |
9.4 |
9.5 |
|
Spain* |
2,190 |
808 |
2,998 |
6.9 |
2.5 |
9.4 |
9.6 |
|
Sweden |
3,336 |
770 |
4,106 |
7.8 |
1.8 |
9.6 |
9.3 |
|
Switzerland (e) |
4,001 |
2,078 |
6,080 |
7.5 |
3.9 |
11.4 |
11.1 |
|
Turkey |
756 |
228 |
984 |
4.1 |
1.3 |
5.4 |
n/a |
|
United Kingdom |
2,762 |
527 |
3,289 |
7.8 |
1.5 |
9.3 |
9.3 |
|
United States |
4,160 |
4,585 |
8,745 |
8.0 |
8.9 |
16.9 |
n/a |
Sources: OECD, EUROSTAT.
Notes:
(i) Per Capita Expenditure is expressed in Purchasing Power Parities (US$PPPs).
(ii) GDP: Gross Domestic Product.
(iii) GNI: Gross National Income.
(iv) n/a: indicates 'Not available'.
(v) * indicates data for 2011.
(vi) e indicates estimated.
(vii) d indicates difference in methodology.
(viii) As PPPs are statistical constructs rather than precise measures, minor differences between countries should be interpreted with caution.
389. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of an application for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3722/15]
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.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
390. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when the parents of an eight year old child (details supplied) in County Clare will be provided with the results of an EEG exam which took place in Crumlin Hospital, Dublin 12, on 13 November 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3726/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
391. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Health the number of homes under the fair deal scheme which are being rented out privately; the number of homes under the fair deal scheme which remain unoccupied once the owner moves to a nursing home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3727/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
392. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the Health Service Executive occupational therapy services in Dublin north; the circumstances under which a child with a lifelong disability would be discharged from these services; his plans to ensure that every child who requires assistance from these services receives treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3742/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for 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.
393. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans for St. Patrick's Hospital, County Waterford. [3746/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
394. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health when the review of the fair deal, or nursing home support scheme, is due to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3766/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen the Nursing Homes Support Scheme commenced, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. The reason for allowing this period to elapse was to ensure that the Scheme had bedded in and that established trends would be available in order to inform the work of the Review. The Review is being carried out by my Department in collaboration with the HSE, with analysis and recommendations provided by an external service provider on specific issues which required specialised expertise.
A call for written submissions to inform the review was made on the 16th June 2012. In total 61 submissions were received from a broad range of individuals, nursing homes, statutory bodies, groups representing the interest of older people, private/commercial bodies and organisations in the community and voluntary sector. A summary report of the submissions was published on the Department's website in December 2012.
The Terms of Reference for the Review are:
Taking account of Government policy, demographic trends and the fiscal situation:-
1. To examine the on-going sustainability of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme,
2. To examine the overall cost of long-term residential care in public and private nursing homes and the effectiveness of the current methods of negotiating/setting prices,
3. Having regard to 1. and 2. above, to consider the balance of funding between long-term residential care and community based services,
4. To consider the extension of the scheme to community based services and to other sectors (Disability and Mental Health),
5. To make recommendations for the future operation and management of the scheme.
The elements of the Review that relate to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme itself are well-defined, but an effective assessment of the Scheme for the future requires consideration of where it fits within the spectrum of services and supports for older people, and of how the make-up of and balances within this spectrum may change over time. This exercise is broader than was first envisaged and the various issues arising are now being systematically considered with a view to completion and publication as early as possible. It is expected that the Review will be completed by the end of this quarter and the report will then be made publicly available.
395. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the situation regarding public nursing homes that are at risk of failing to meet Health Information and Quality Authority national accommodation standards; if the Health Service Executive is working with the 27 homes identified as potentially being unable to meet its standards; if funding is being put aside to ensure the standards are being met and if so, the amount, the plans in place to cater to clients, should any or all of these homes be closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3767/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra416. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on reports that up to 21 of the largest publicly-run nursing homes are at risk of closure due to the State's failure to invest in bringing them up to national accommodation standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3942/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 395 and 416 together.
There are currently 119 public residential units providing a mixture of long-stay and short-stay residential care. All of these are registered with HIQA. Notwithstanding the problems that some facilities face with structures and facilities, the vast majority of their residents receive excellent levels of care. Without these public facilities many older people would simply have nowhere to go, other than our acute hospitals which are already under pressure. It is therefore very important that the services provided by public facilities be maintained.
Demand for capital investment for the Community Nursing Unit programme far exceeds the funding available, and investment must therefore be allocated as effectively as possible based on the HSE's assessment of priorities.
HIQA has indicated that a number of units do not fully meet the standards one would expect to find in a modern nursing home. This is not surprising given the age and structure of many of our public nursing homes. However, there is adequate flexibility available within the terms of existing legislative provisions, and through ongoing discussions between the HSE and HIQA, for solutions to be found. In this context the HSE has been working with HIQA over the past number of months to meet the re-registration requirements of these units, and my Department is closely monitoring the situation.
396. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will receive a hospital appointment with the pain management clinic, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9. [3784/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. In relation to the particular query raised, 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 with them.
