Colm Keaveney
Ceist:444. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on an application for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12817/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (444)
Freagraí scríofa
The 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.
Departmental Meetings
Ceisteanna (445)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:445. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the interaction and support that may be offered to an organisation (details supplied); if he will arrange a meeting with officials from his Department to discuss issues arising concerning childhood cancer survivors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12820/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm that I am happy to facilitate a meeting between the organisation referred to and officials from my Department.
General Medical Services Scheme Data
Ceisteanna (446, 449)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:446. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health in view of the reported difficulty in filling vacant rural General Medical Services practice panels in recent times, the number of general practitioner contract holders who were or are in receipt of the rural practice allowance in each of the past ten years and in 2015 to date; the average annual payment to these in each of the past ten years and in 2015 to date; and the percentage reduction in payments over the past five and ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12821/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMichael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:449. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health in view of the reported difficulty in filling vacant rural General Medical Services practice panels in recent times, the number of general practitioner contract holders who were not or are not in receipt of the rural practice allowance for each of the past ten years and in 2015 to date; the average annual payment to these for each of the past ten years and in 2015 to date; the percentage payment reduction to these over the past five and ten years, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12825/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 446 and 449 together.
As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive 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.
Hospital Procedures
Ceisteanna (447)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:447. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if statistics are collected on colonoscopies performed in public and private hospitals; if they adhere fully to guidelines as per the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland; the way compliance is ensured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12822/15]
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (448)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:448. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the situation at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, where availability of theatres for surgical procedures is severely curtailed due to budgetary measures, which results in longer waiting lists, hardship for patients and frustration for staff who cannot provide the quality of service they wish for patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12823/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The management of surgical activity requires the facilitation of emergency, trauma, or urgent care whilst addressing the competing requirement for theatre availability for non-urgent elective procedures. Particular problems arise in hospitals providing tertiary and national specialist services, where it is necessary to prioritise not only emergency and trauma surgery, but also cancer and complex non-urgent cases. Inevitably this will affect waiting lists: the challenge is to manage that impact within the hospital and in collaboration with other hospitals.
In respect of the specific issue raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not receive a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
Question No. 449 answered with Question No. 446.
Hospital Groups
Ceisteanna (450)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:450. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will seek an independent review of all contracts awarded without a competitive process by the Saolta-Galway Roscommon University Hospital Group since its establishment, in view of two separate Health Service Executive probes into contracts awarded to companies associated with both the then chief executive officer and chairman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12826/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has assured my Department that when issues, actual or perceived, are brought to its attention, objective action is undertaken: in the cases referred to by the Deputy, all appropriate personnel have cooperated fully with HSE Internal Audit reviews. The recommendations of the first review have been implemented by the Saolta University Healthcare Group. The report of the second review is currently under consideration by the Director General of the HSE and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on this matter at present.
Symphysiotomy Reports
Ceisteanna (451, 452, 453)
Clare Daly
Ceist:451. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health regarding the Government symphysiotomy payment scheme, the total number of offers made and accepted to date at €50,000, €100,000 and €150,000. [12861/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraClare Daly
Ceist:452. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the amount of remuneration, including the fees and expenses paid, in total in respect of persons (details supplied) for reports and reviews undertaken. [12862/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraClare Daly
Ceist:453. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the total remuneration, including fees and expenses, paid to persons and organisations (details supplied) in respect of their acknowledged contribution to the independent review of issues relating to symphysiotomy, which was authored by a former judge. [12863/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 451 to 453, inclusive, together.
One hundred and fifty three offers have been made by the Symphysiotomy Payment Scheme and accepted by the applicants to date, as follows:
|
Amount of award |
Number of offers made to and accepted by the by the applicants to the scheme |
|
€50,000 |
97 |
|
€100,000 |
51 |
|
€150,000 |
5 |
The Department commissioned Professor Oonagh Walsh to undertake an independent academic research report in relation to the practice of symphysiotomy in Ireland from 1944-1984. The research also included a public consultation process to offer an opportunity to the women affected by this procedure, their families and health professionals to give their views. The fee for this research and report submitted to the Department in May 2013 was a total of €47,500. Prof Walsh was not paid additional travel and subsistence expenses for her work.
The fee paid to Judge Murphy for the "Independent Review of Issues relating to Symphysiotomy" was €15,000 inclusive of taxes. Judge Murphy also contributed time and expertise pro bono in carrying out this Review. Amounts of €112.66 and £129.77 stg were paid to Professor Oonagh Walsh for travel and subsistence expenses when she travelled to meet Judge Murphy in the course of this Review. €750 was paid to Niamh Moloney for research carried out in the U.K. to assist Judge Murphy in the Review. No payments were made to any of the others listed by the Deputy in respect of their contribution to Judge Murphy's review.
My officials are validating the total amount paid to Judge Clark in respect of the Lourdes Hospital Inquiry: an inquiry into peripartum hysterectomy at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda. I will revert to the Deputy with this figure as soon as possible. Judge Clark contributed her time and expertise pro bono as Chairperson of the Lourdes Hospital Redress Board. Judge Clark did not receive fees or expenses in relation to the Walsh Report or the Murphy Review.
The Symphysiotomy Payments Scheme was approved by Government in July 2014 and the Scheme commenced in November 2014. Judge Clark contributed time and expertise pro bono in devising of the Symphysiotomy Payment Scheme and her payment did not commence until the establishment of the Scheme in November, 2014. Judge Clark is receiving a gross salary equating to €155,062 per annum for work on the Scheme, which is apportioned fortnightly.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (454, 482, 503)
Willie Penrose
Ceist:454. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the introduction of the meningitis B vaccine into the primary childhood immunisation schedule as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12866/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDenis Naughten
Ceist:482. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will recommend the introduction of the meningitis B vaccine into the primary childhood immunisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13047/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Michael Creed
Ceist:503. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he is considering the introduction of a meningitis B vaccine into the primary childhood immunisation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13240/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 454, 482 and 503 together.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice, international best practice, and a cost effective analysis conducted by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics.
My Department recently received a letter from the Chairman of NIAC regarding the introduction of the Meningitis B vaccine into the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule. In this letter the committee recommends the inclusion of Meningococcal B vaccine in the primary immunisation programme, if the vaccine can be made available at a cost-effective price.
NIAC has issued guidance in relation to the use of the Meningococcal B vaccine in the control of clusters or outbreaks of the disease. The vaccine has been used in accordance with the NIAC guidance, along with other measures, to control outbreaks of the disease.
The recommendation from NIAC is being considered by my Department.
Health Services Staff Remuneration
Ceisteanna (455)
Michael P. Kitt
Ceist:455. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health when a payment known as twilight premium will be made to social care workers and leaders in Brothers of Charity Services and Ability West; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that €7.5 million is owed in unpaid wages and that arrears were paid to agencies in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12872/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The issue raised in this particular case relates to the payment of a premium of Time + 1/6th in respect of hours worked post 8 p.m. in the evening, until the end of shift. The matter has been the subject of conciliation conferences under the aegis of the LRC in October and November 2014 and most recently on March 3 2015.
The staff concerned are employed by Brothers of Charity in Galway and Roscommon, and the Ability West Organisation, which is primarily based in Galway.
At the LRC conciliation conference, held on November 27 2014, the HSE gave a commitment to actively pursue the matter of providing resources to the agencies concerned, in the context of the 2015 estimates process, to enable payment of the premium to be commenced from 1 January 2015. This has occurred and payment of the “twilight premium” has been commenced since 1 January in the agencies concerned.
There remains a continuing issue of retrospective payment which is being pursued by IMPACT and was the subject matter of the latest LRC engagement on March 3. The HSE indicated that it was not in a position to consider any retrospective payments at this time and advised that it has engaged in a broader national process to determine the overall extent of issues relating to non application of “Twilight Premiums” in section 38 and 39 agencies throughout the country.
It is expected that this process will be finalised by April 17 and the HSE, together with the employers directly involved in Galway and Roscommon, have indicated a willingness to return to the LRC at that stage.
Palliative Care Services
Ceisteanna (456)
Gabrielle McFadden
Ceist:456. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Health his plans to develop a comprehensive service plan for palliative care in the midlands region; if budget provisions are being allocated for same, and for what exactly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12877/15]
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.
Medical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (457)
Tom Fleming
Ceist:457. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine and expedite an application for a medical card for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, in view of the fact that all relevant documents have been submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12882/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Ambulance Service Provision
Ceisteanna (458)
James Bannon
Ceist:458. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances serving County Longford from its department adjoining St. Joseph's Care Centre, County Longford, at any given time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12900/15]
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.
Hospital Equipment
Ceisteanna (459)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:459. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on the technical difficulties with a piece of equipment at Louth County Hospital, with regard to cataract surgeries; when the issue is expected to be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12906/15]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (460)
Ciaran Lynch
Ceist:460. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive an appointment in the ophthalmology department in Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12910/15]
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 should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, 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.
Hospital Appointments Delays
Ceisteanna (461)
Colm Keaveney
Ceist:461. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive follow-up medical treatment following a recent procedure in view of the fact the person was assured of being called back within three weeks, and it has now been almost five weeks since the initial procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12911/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular patient query raised by you, 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.
Medical Card Eligibility
Ceisteanna (462)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:462. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Meath will be granted a medical card in view of comorbid conditions. [12918/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.