Tuesday, 9 Jun 2015

Written Answers Nos. 760-779

Ambulance Service Provision

Ceisteanna (760)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

760. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the latest details of integration of ambulance services in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21788/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Question No. 761 answered with Question No. 662.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Ceisteanna (762)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

762. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to extending the fair deal scheme to cover access by Border area residents of this State to available beds in nursing homes north of the Border, most often the closest such facility to their homes and community, to which support previously applied; the reason this support for cross-Border access ceased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21811/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme does not extend to nursing homes in Northern Ireland. This issue was given careful consideration before the Scheme was introduced in 2009. The decision not to extend the Scheme to Northern Ireland was taken by the Government of the day on the basis of legal advice received from the Attorney General's Office.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (763)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

763. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for a medical card, submitted in January 2015, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo [21825/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (764)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

764. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21830/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Cross-Border Health Initiatives

Ceisteanna (765)

Dan Neville

Ceist:

765. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the extent of North-South co-operation, in relation to the issues of mental health and suicide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21831/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

There are many areas where the North and South jurisdictions collaborate to mutual benefit in relation to the issues of mental health and suicide prevention; in research, evaluation, awareness raising, piloting new approaches, shared learning and good practice. In response to the high number of suicides and self-harm presentation in recent years, both jurisdictions have separately agreed national strategies for action: Reach Out – Ireland’s National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention (2005), and Protect Life - A Shared Vision - The Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy (2006). Both jurisdictions are currently finalising work on the development of two new Suicide Prevention Strategies, and these will be published in June (Ireland) and September (Northern Ireland).

An All-Island Action Plan on suicide prevention has been developed between the Department of Health, the Department of Health, Social Services, and Public Safety, the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP). Particular actions arising from this approach have included, understanding risk issues particularly for young men, the roll-out of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), the extension of the National Registry of Deliberate Self-Harm into Northern Ireland, and the sharing of training resources. There has been significant cooperation between the PHA and the NOSP in relation to these measures.

The NOSP, as part of its programme of work, will in partnership with the Department of Health and the health authorities in Northern Ireland further develop and implement the All-Island Action Plan focusing on knowledge transfer, sharing of resources and information of programmes that are exemplars of good practice. Officials from the both departments and agencies meet on an annual basis to share information and to consider further areas for collaboration.

Midwifery Services

Ceisteanna (766, 767)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

766. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to develop more free-standing birth centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21838/15]

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

767. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to open more midwifery-led birth centres attached to hospitals, in addition to those already at Drogheda in County Louth and in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21839/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 766 and 767 together.

My Department is currently developing a National Maternity Strategy which will set out policy direction for maternity services. As a first step, a review of national and international literature on the organisation and delivery of maternity services, which was commissioned by the Department, examined models of maternity care in other jurisdictions, including midwifery-led care. The literature review is currently informing the work of the Steering Group which has been established to advise on the development of the Strategy. I have identified the publication of the Strategy as one of my priorities for 2015.

The Deputy can be assured that my Department is committed to the principle of choice for women in child birth. In that regard, the Strategy will develop the principles which should underpin integrated models of care and appropriate care pathways. The need for any further midwifery led units will be considered in that context.

Midwifery Services

Ceisteanna (768)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

768. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on the number of midwives necessary to meet demand for home birth services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21840/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I wish to thank the Deputy for the matter raised.

Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the HSE. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for attention and 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.

Health Promotion

Ceisteanna (769)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

769. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on the breast-feeding rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21841/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Breastfeeding has been found to contribute to better health and well-being from birth for both mother and infant. The HSE's current figures are that 56% of babies in Ireland are breastfeeding on discharge from maternity hospitals.

In 2005 the Department of Health’s Breastfeeding Strategic Action Plan was developed to provide for more effective promotion, support and protection for breastfeeding in Ireland. In order to achieve this the HSE appointed a National Breastfeeding Co-ordinator and a multi-disciplinary National Breastfeeding Strategy Implementation Committee to oversee the implementation of breastfeeding strategy and initiatives.

In 2013, the Institute of Public Health in Ireland was engaged to conduct a Review and Evaluation of the Strategic Action Plan. The Review concluded that the most significant achievements of implementation related to:

- the development of standardised policy to guide consistent service development and monitoring within HSE maternity services;

- enhancements in training for nurses and midwives;

- the expansion of appropriately trained community-led peer support programmes;

- the development of continually refined media messages to promote breastfeeding;

- the development of more consistent and readily available information including the national breastfeeding website.

The review highlighted areas where more work needs to be done. A core issue related to fostering greater engagement with the issue across a variety of sectors and investing in community level as well as health service-led approaches. The other priority themes proposed for future action related to enhancements in messaging, training, community support, maternity service staffing, antenatal care and education, managing commercial interests and breastfeeding education in schools.

All 19 maternity units participate in the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative as organised by the World Health Organisation. The HSE also promotes an annual National Breastfeeding Week and provides the website www.breastfeeding.ie as a resource for supporting women in breastfeeding. The HSE is developing a Breastfeeding Action Plan 2015 - 2020 in response to the review and there will be a national consultation day.

HSE Staff

Ceisteanna (770)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

770. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of pancreas transplant surgeons operating in Beaumont hospital in Dublin 9; and his view on the operation of transplants procedures in this area. [21848/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

At the end of 2014, two consultant transplant surgeons left the renal and pancreas transplant programme at Beaumont Hospital, one on retirement and the second on leave of absence for professional development purposes. Four consultant transplant surgeons remain. Given the limited number of surgeons who specialise in transplantation, the filling of any vacancies poses a challenge. Every effort is currently being made to fill the two vacancies.

Beaumont Hospital is collaborating with St Vincent’s University Hospital in relation to a combined approach to kidney/pancreas transplants, as well as the development of an intra-abdominal organ retrieval service. It is proposed that pancreatic transplants, of which 6 were performed in 2014, will move to St Vincent’s University Hospital this year. While the transfer of such transplants to St Vincent’s has been agreed in principle, it will take some time to make the detailed arrangements to facilitate the commencement of this work. Most pancreas transplants are combined with a kidney transplant. The arrangements being put in place for such cases will involve transplant surgeons from both St Vincent’s Hospital and Beaumont Hospital working together on the St Vincent’s campus.

Health Services Access

Ceisteanna (771)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

771. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding occupational therapy in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21852/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As 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.

Maternity Services

Ceisteanna (772)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

772. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the maternity steering group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21888/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Last month I announced the establishment of a Steering Group to advise on the development of a National Maternity Strategy. The Strategy will provide strategic direction for the optimal development of maternity services, to ensure that women have access to safe, high quality maternity care in a setting most appropriate to their needs. The Steering Group has wide representation across stakeholder groups, including service users and representatives of a range of specialties relating to maternity services.

HSE Staff

Ceisteanna (773)

Colm Keaveney

Ceist:

773. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the number of mental health posts due under the budget 2015 allocation of €35 million that had been advertised as at the end of quarter 1, 2015; the number that have been advertised as at the end of quarter 2, 2015. [21899/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Following discussions between the Department of Health and the HSE around the allocation of the €35 million provided for mental health in 2015 which concluded last week, I have agreed and approved the priority areas to be further enhanced and developed this year. The HSE is now progressing more detailed proposals and processes with local services, including the number of posts that may be recruited. It should be noted however, that not all the funding for 2015 will be used for posts. Priorities will also include a number of non-pay initiatives including the funding of external providers, including enhanced access to local counselling services.

In the meantime, recruitment of the 2014 posts is continuing. Of the 251 posts allocated, 52 have been hired of which 31 have started by 31st March 2015, and a further 70.5 are at various stages of the recruitment process.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (774)

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

774. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend, or mainstream, the CARE programme of alcohol treatment service, which is piloting in Finglas, Ballymun, Dublin 11 and North County Dublin, and has proved to be very successful and cost efficient, but is set to conclude in June 2015 [21903/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The provision of services to prevent and treat addiction to alcohol is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive and as such, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply. 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.

As the Deputy may recall, on 3 February 2015, the Government approved the General Scheme of a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. The aim is to reduce alcohol consumption to the OECD average by 2020 (i.e. 9.1 litres of pure alcohol per capita) and the harms caused by alcohol. The Bill is part of a suite of measures agreed by the Government in 2013 on foot of the recommendations in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy. The other measures (eg for the HSE, professional bodies etc) set out in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, were endorsed by Government and are to be progressed by the relevant departments and organisations. The HSE has responsibility for implementing a number of recommendations and some of these measures are reflected in the HSE Service Plan for 2015. The remit of the Drugs Task Forces was extended to include the problem of alcohol misuse last year, in view of the key they play in co-ordinating the response to substance misuse at local level.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (775, 827)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

775. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the details of side effects of Gardasil vaccination; if he is aware of particular concerns with this vaccine; if he or the Health Service Executive is concerned with the side-effect profile of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21904/15]

Robert Troy

Ceist:

827. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his views on a recently formed group called regret.ie, a support group for parents whose children have suffered serious health complications following the administering of the HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccination; if he will consider meeting this group with a view to putting in place the necessary supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22154/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 775 and 827 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 and international best practice.

Immunisation is regarded as one of the safest and most cost-effective of health care interventions. International studies and scientific assessments suggest that the best way to prevent most disease due to human papillomavirus (HPV) is to vaccinate as many girls and women as possible. The HPV vaccine protects girls from developing cervical cancer when they are adults. It is available free of charge from the HSE for all girls in 1st year of secondary school. This is in accordance with the recommendation received from NIAC which indicated that the HPV vaccine should be offered on an annual basis to all girls aged 12. The advice, based on public health considerations and supported by the cost-effectiveness analysis, is that HPV vaccines confer maximum benefit both individually and on a population basis if administered prior to HPV exposure.

Gardasil vaccine has been authorised for use across the European Union since September 2006. It was first introduced into the national immunisation programme in Ireland in 2010 and it is estimated that over 55 million girls and women have been vaccinated worldwide since it was first authorised.

While no medicine (including vaccines) is entirely without risk, the safety profile of Gardasil has been continuously monitored since it was first authorised both nationally and at EU level. This is done by both monitoring of individual adverse reaction reports received by competent authorities across Europe (including the HPRA) and Periodic Safety Update Reports (PSURs) submitted by the Marketing Authorisation Holder (i.e. license holder) for the vaccine on a regular basis. The most recent EU review of cumulative global safety update data completed in December 2014 concluded that the benefit/risk profile for Gardasil remains positive and concluded that no updates to the product information (Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and Package Leaflet (PL)) were considered necessary.

Up to the 31/05/2015, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has received 861 reports of suspected adverse drug reactions in association with Gardasil. National monitoring experience has been consistent with the expected pattern of adverse effects known to occur with the vaccine, as outlined in the approved product information (Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and Package Leaflet (PL)) for Gardasil. The majority of the reports received to date involved events/reactions related to injection site reactions, malaise, headache, myalgia, fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms and skin reactions. Vaccination related events such as dizziness and syncope (fainting) was also reported and would not be unexpected in this patient population.

The HPRA published updates relating to national monitoring experience on its website during the first year of the HPV schools immunisation programme, with additional updates on national monitoring experience included in several editions of its Drug Safety Newsletter.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (776)

Pat Deering

Ceist:

776. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on an overdue medical card application [21908/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

General Practitioner Services Provision

Ceisteanna (777)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

777. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the level of service provided by the general practitioner out of hours service in the north east region, Counties Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath; the number of doctors who participate, by county of practice; the centres where the service is located in the region; the days and times of attendance at each location; the service adjustments that have been under consideration by the Health Service Executive, and the changes that are now being contemplated or planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21910/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive (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.

HSE Funding

Ceisteanna (778)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

778. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will restore the €2.5 million in funding to addiction services, in view of the fact the cuts in funding are having a negative effect on recovery programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21917/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days she should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

HSE Funding

Ceisteanna (779)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

779. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide Health Service Executive funding in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 9, in view of the fact it is providing a vital service to persons suffering with addiction, and is operating on a very limited budget; his views that services such as this are not only of huge help and comfort to persons suffering with addiction, but are also a worthwhile investment in keeping persons free from addiction and the knock-on effects. [21918/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The provision of services to prevent and treat addiction to alcohol is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive and as such, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply. 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.

As the Deputy may recall, on 3 February 2015, the Government approved the General Scheme of a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. The aim is to reduce alcohol consumption to the OECD average by 2020 (i.e. 9.1 litres of pure alcohol per capita) and the harms caused by alcohol. The Bill is part of a suite of measures agreed by the Government in 2013 on foot of the recommendations in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy. The other measures (eg for the HSE, professional bodies etc) set out in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, were endorsed by Government and are to be progressed by the relevant departments and organisations. The HSE has responsibility for implementing a number of recommendations and some of these measures are reflected in the HSE Service Plan for 2015. The remit of the Drugs Task Forces was extended to include the problem of alcohol misuse last year, in view of the key they play in co-ordinating the response to substance misuse at local level.