Written Answers Nos. 231 - 248
231. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of early years inspectors currently in place; the number of these on sick leave or maternity leave; and the number of early years facilities they are covering. [16389/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs these are service matters, I have asked the Child and Family Agency to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.
232. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 425 of 15 April 2015, the reason the five children adopted from the United States of America to Ireland in 2014 could not be timely placed with suitable adoptive parents there; and the steps taken to support this finding, considering that 7,092 children were adopted in the United States of America from overseas in 2013. [16493/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt would not be appropriate to provide specific information about individual cases.
However, I raised the matter with the Adoption Authority of Ireland and I was advised by the Authority that all children adopted into Ireland did so under the conditions outlined in the Hague convention, the Adoption Act 2010 and any agreements entered into by each sending and receiving states. The Authority confirmed that the principle of subsidiarity is followed and adhered to at all times in relation to inter country adoption.
233. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide details of grant aid available from his Department, possibly funded through the national lottery, to youth organisations, including musical organisations and bands, towards the establishment of tuition and running costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16652/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Some 30 national and major regional youth services receive funding under the Youth Services Grants Scheme. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund, Rounds 1 and 2, Local Drugs Task Force Projects and certain other programmes including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and Youth Information Centres Scheme. Funding is also provided to Léargas – The Exchange Bureau, Gaisce – the President’s Award, the National Youth Health Programme and the National Youth Arts Programme. The funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 380,000 young people and involve approximately, 1,400 youth work staff in 477 projects and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country. It includes support for the National Youth Arts Programme, amounting to €62,000 in 2015 and the National Association for Youth Drama, amounting to €97,053 in 2015. Funding under the schemes is not provided specifically for musical organisations and bands, but some youth services include music in the range of non-formal learning activities for young people.
In 2015, an allocation of €49.9m has been provided to my Department to support the provision of youth services and in recent years, including 2015, capital funding has been allocated by my Department for capital projects in youth services. My Department will not be administering a National Lottery scheme in 2015.
234. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will restore the blind welfare allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, in view of the fact the unnecessary cut of €5.70 per week is affecting that person's quality of life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16430/15]
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 (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
235. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure a person (details supplied) is provided with out-service occupational therapy from Longford Hospital, as requested by a doctor (details supplied) from Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9. [16244/15]
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.
236. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the reason medical card holders are expected to pay for the use of blood pressure monitoring equipment; the length of time this charge has been in place; his views that many medical card holders are not in a position to pay this fee; and if there is a fixed charge or if it varies. [16253/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current GMS capitation contract is based on a contract agreement first introduced in 1989. It sets out the duties and obligations of the contracted registered medical practitioner in broad terms. While the contract would not have envisaged the deployment of 24 hour blood pressure (BP) monitoring technology as a standard feature of the range of services available in the primary care setting, it did become more commonly available in the years subsequent to the introduction of the capitation contract. Some GPs did not charge for supplying a 24 hour BP monitor to medical card patients whilst others charged a fee of €40-€50. In comparison, the charge for BP monitoring in one of Dublin's private hospitals is €165.
Consultation fees charged by general practitioners outside the terms of the GMS contract are a matter of private contract between the clinicians and the patients. While I have no role in relation to such fees, I would expect clinicians to have regard to the overall economic situation in setting their fees.
A Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2015 commits the Department of Health, the HSE and the IMO to substantive negotiations on a new comprehensive GP contract commencing no later than 31 March with a view to concluding within 12 months. A priority of these discussions, which have commenced, will be the inclusion of chronic disease management for patients. The appropriate arrangements in relation to services such as phlebotomy or blood pressure monitoring will also be considered as part of these discussions.
237. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the restoration of medical cards (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16254/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), the assessment for a medical card is determined primarily by reference to the means, including the income and expenditure, of the applicant and his or her partner and dependants. There is no entitlement to a medical card for a person with a particular illness or medical condition or upon attaining a certain age.
The HSE has discretion to grant a medical card in circumstances where there is undue hardship in the arranging of medical services. For example, if an applicant's means are above the financial thresholds set out in the national guidelines, discretion will be applied automatically by the HSE during the processing of an application where additional information has been provided by the applicant, including medical reports from his/her GP, which can be considered by staff or a medical officer, where appropriate.
A person's GP is kept informed of any review notifications of their patients and they also have full electronic visibility of their medical card panel of patients and have the facility to allow temporary extension of eligibility for expiring cards where a sensitive renewal is appropriate. The temporary extension may also be allowed where they are aware that a person is still availing of services but there may be something that prevents them from carrying out a standard review. All GPs have appropriate electronic access to the medical card eligibility database and they do not have to confirm medical card details by contacting the HSE.
238. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a general practitioner card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16264/15]
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.
239. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a fair deal scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16266/15]
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.
240. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16273/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
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.
241. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided to a group (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16299/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has received an application for funding from the 2015 National Lottery allocation from the organisation in question. This is one of a large number of applications currently being assessed by my Department. The organisation will be informed of the outcome of the application as soon as a decision has been made.
242. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided to a group (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16300/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers a National Lottery Discretionary Fund from which once-off grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations providing a range of health related services. An organisation wishing to apply for National Lottery Funding must complete and submit a formal application. The closing date for receipt of the application form is 1 May 2015 at 12 noon. Following receipt of an application, the relevant Unit in my Department liaises with the appropriate personnel in the Health Service Executive to assess each individual application and consider whether it meets the criteria for recommendation. When the assessment has been completed and a recommendation has been made, I review each application and prioritise them according to their merits before awarding National Lottery funding. Application forms can be found on the Department of Health's website www.health.gov.ie.
243. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if additional home help hours will be provided in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16301/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs these are service matters they have 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.
244. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has met the Irish Aviation Authority to discuss the proposal for the provision of a helipad at Cork University Hospital; if so, the outcome, and the position regarding the provision of the helipad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16314/15]
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.
245. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a date for an operation will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, who is on a waiting list for the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16318/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. 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.
246. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24, is unable to provide surgery in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22, as the hospital does not have the appropriate medical equipment; that the waiting list for the relevant specialist in Tallaght Hospital has increased from 50 patients to 250 patients, due to reduced staff numbers; the length of time the patient has been waiting for the relevant surgery; and when the patient concerned will receive this treatment. [16327/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. In relation to the specific queries 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.
247. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the comprehensive review that took place that led to the decision to cease provision of primary percutaneous coronary intervention in St. Vincent's University Hospital; the evidence upon which this decision and the placement of intervention centres was based; his plans for changes to intervention centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16328/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of 17 April 2015, there are two 24/7 primary percutaneous intervention (PPCI) centres for Dublin, located in the Mater and St James’s Hospitals. These centres accept all ambulance transfers of patients with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). The provision of PPCI from three 24/7 centres in Dublin had proved unsustainable and the decision to consolidate the service into two centres was made following a comprehensive review and reflects the international trend towards the consolidation of such specialised services on smaller number of sites, to allow for the concentration of volume and expertise.
In November 2014, the Acute Hospitals Division of the HSE requested the National Clinical Programme for Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS Programme) to review the current configuration of PPCI services in Dublin, having regard to the requirement to deliver safe, sustainable services on the designated sites. The model of care produced by the ACS Programme was informed by advice from the principals involved in centres in the UK and other European countries. The Programme was also informed by models of care from the US and Australia. Experience at national and international level highlights the importance of having sustainable rotas of clinical staff to support the 24/7 requirements of this service.
The review looked at the number of centres that should be delivering PPCI in Dublin, where these centres should be located and the feasibility of maintaining 9 to 5 PPCI services on any cardiology intervention site. Following consultation with the National Ambulance Service and with all relevant hospitals, the ACS Programme recommended that there should be two 24/7 PPCI centres for Dublin, located in the Mater and St. James’s Hospitals, which would accept all ambulance transfers of patients with STEMI.
The ACS Programme also recommended that there should be a clear definition of the role of the three other cardiology intervention centres in Dublin (Beaumont Hospital, Tallaght Hospital and St Vincent’s University Hospital) in the management of Non ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI). NSTEMI forms an increasing proportion of interventional work which will continue and develop in those cardiology intervention centres which will not be designated 24/7 PPCI centres, including St Vincent’s Hospital.
The designation of PPCI centres outside Dublin is based on the recommendations of the ACS Programme report of 2012 as follows - Cork University hospital (24/7), University Hospital Waterford (9-5) and Galway University hospital (24/7).
248. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive orthodontic treatment. [16329/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has 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.
