Tuesday, 7 Jul 2015

Written Answers Nos. 317-339

Health Services

Ceisteanna (317, 325)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

317. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when additional beds will be opened in a facility (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27105/15]

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

325. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when additional beds will open in a hospital (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27170/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 325 together.

As 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.

Primary Care Centres

Ceisteanna (318)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

318. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress report on the provision of each of the 35 primary health centres prioritised for investment in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27108/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

Primary care infrastructure at the following locations will be delivered using the public private partnership (PPP) mechanism. These are Coolock/Darndale - Dublin north city; Summerhill, north inner city Dublin; Kilcock; Wexford Town; Waterford City; Dungarvan; Carrick-on-Suir; Limerick City - Ballinacurra/Weston; Tuam; Boyle; Ballymote; Claremorris, and Westport. The HSE included Ballinrobe as a suitable substitute for PPP for locations in the west which could not be progressed. Considerable progress has been made in developing this project. Following a detailed tender evaluation process the National Development Finance Agency announced the Prime-Balfour Beatty consortium as the preferred tenderer in May 2015. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2016 and it is expected that the primary care centres will be delivered by early 2017. In the meantime work is continuing on the financial and legal provisions of the project contract. Additional detail on the project is available on this website: www.ndfa.ie/TenderCompetitions/PrimaryCareCentresPPPProgramme.htm.

Awards of planning have been obtained for Crumlin/Drimnagh and Knocklyon/Rathfarnham but unfortunately this was not within the timeframe for inclusion in the PPP project.

As regards the remaining locations, the mechanism and timescale for delivery of primary care infrastructure is dependent on a number of factors. Regardless of the delivery mechanism, all potential primary care infrastructure is subject to suitable locations being offered/provided/available, to successful planning processes and GP commitment to sharing accommodation and delivering health care services with HSE staff. In addition the operational lease mechanism is subject to market pressures such as the developers' access to adequate financing. Delivery of primary care infrastructure is a dynamic process, constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances including the feasibility of implementation. To date it has not been possible to satisfactorily progress Donegal town.

The following locations have been included in the HSE's multi-annual Capital Plans to be delivered by direct/own-build - Dungloe; Tullow/Rathvilly/Hacketstown; and Rowlagh/North Clondalkin. It had been intended to delivery Laytown/Bettystown and Rathdrum by means of the direct-build mechanism. However, the proposal is to deliver both by operational lease.

Kells is to be delivered by the operational lease mechanism; its construction will be completed later this year as set out in the HSE's NSP 2015. The operational lease mechanism is also the preferred delivery option for the following locations - Balbriggan which is under construction, Drogheda north, Swords and Tralee. In its November 2014 advertisement for primary care infrastructure to be delivered by the operational lease mechanism the HSE advertised, in addition to others, the following locations - Kilkenny city; Cork city for Togher; Clonmel; Thurles; Ennis; Gort and Ballaghadereen. The closing date for receipt of Expressions of Interest was mid-January 2015, following which the HSE began reviewing the submissions received to determine which are suitable for more detailed consideration and progression to the next stage of the process. Locations are at various stages in the process and a more comprehensive update on this process will be available by end Q3 2015. Although Carrickmacross was included in the November 2014 advertisement no expression of interest was received.

Primary Medical Certificates Applications

Ceisteanna (319)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

319. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an application for a primary medical certificate will be granted on appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [27123/15]

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.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Ceisteanna (320)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

320. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a motorised wheelchair in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27125/15]

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.

Medicinal Products Supply

Ceisteanna (321, 353, 369)

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

321. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the availability of the drug, Fampyra under the drugs payment scheme and community drugs schemes; if the Government will approve this drug under these schemes, given that the Health Service Executive has successfully negotiated with the manufacturer, Biogen, to get the drug at a significantly reduced price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27130/15]

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

353. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the status of the revised application submitted on 25 July 2014 to the Health Service Executive by Biogen IDEC, to add Fampyra to the list of re-imbursable items supplied under the general medical services or community drug schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27270/15]

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

369. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update regarding the provision of the multiple sclerosis drug Fampyra; when it will be made available to the numerous sufferers, including those in financial hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27382/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 321, 353 and 369 together.

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. Prior to reimbursing any medicine, the HSE considers a range of statutory criteria including clinical need, cost-effectiveness and the resources available to the HSE.

The decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds by the HSE on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics. They are not political or Ministerial decisions.

In May 2013 the HSE decided that it could not approve the reimbursement of Fampridine (Fampyra) under the GMS or other schemes as the manufacturer had failed to demonstrate or provide any formal justification for the prices proposed. The HSE decision was in line with many other European countries who have also, to date, not provided for the drug under their public health systems.

The HSE re-engaged with the company in July 2014 (and again in October 2014) seeking improved commercial offerings. The outputs of those commercial engagements were re-considered by the HSE Drugs Committee at its November 2014 meeting.

The Committee decided to seek additional detailed information from clinical experts as to how a responder only reimbursement scheme (i.e. patients confirmed as positive responders to the medication) would operate for this product. The feasibility of this option is currently under consideration.

Hospital Appointments Delays

Ceisteanna (322)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

322. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) will not be considered for a cataract procedure until the person is a year on the list, and it will be up to 18 months before the person gets the procedure done in the Mater hospital. [27136/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under 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 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.

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.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (323)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

323. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when the embargo will be lifted on the hiring of speech and language therapists; the number of jobs currently vacant in this field; of those, the number that are permanent positions or contract positions; in respect of speech and language courses that are run in our universities, the number of this year's graduates who will be employed by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27142/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Following the downturn in the economy, there was a requirement to reduce staff numbers and maximise savings in the public service. The HSE introduced an embargo on recruitment in 2007, and this was followed by the moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public sector in 2008. However, the HSE has had the capacity to recruit where it is necessary to deliver front-line services and to fund development posts, including speech and language therapists.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced in Budget 2014 that he intends to delegate greater autonomy to Departments and Agencies to manage their own staffing levels. The change from the application of a rigid employment control framework, with its particular focus on a moratorium on recruitment and compliance with employment ceilings and targets, to one operating strictly within allocated pay frameworks will allow for recruitment where it is determined that this can achieve more economical service delivery.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has advised that the HSE and Department of Health will be required to submit a Pay and Numbers Strategy as part of the revised arrangements. The HSE are currently finalising this submission. Pending approval by DPER, the existing arrangements will continue to apply.

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the other aspects of his question. 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 Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (324)

Colm Keaveney

Ceist:

324. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive an appointment for a magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, scan at University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27158/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under 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. I understand that the HSE wrote to you on 22 June 2015 in relation to your previous PQ in this matter. In relation to your further query, 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. 325 answered with Question No. 317.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (326)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

326. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27171/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under 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 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.

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.

Social Workers Recruitment

Ceisteanna (327)

Seán Kenny

Ceist:

327. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the full cost of hiring an additional 200 social workers on the basis of average pay grades currently paid to social workers and starting pay grades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27177/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I 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.

Early Childhood Care and Education

Ceisteanna (328)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

328. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason the personal assistant service for children with special needs to allow them to attend preschool is not filling the hours awarded in the North Lee in Cork, while in the South Lee in Cork personal assistant hours are being fully filled, leaving children in the North Lee unable to attend their full early childhood care and education preschool year; the action the Health Service Executive is taking to resolve this disparity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27180/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, provides for a free pre-school year to eligible children in the year before they commence primary school. The objective of this scheme is to support early learning in a formal setting in advance of starting school. I understand that certain flexibilities are built into the scheme in an effort to accommodate children with special needs, such as an overage exemption, or waiver, for children with special needs who do not meet the age criteria and the option to avail of the free pre-school year over two years.

The Health Service Executive has no statutory obligation to provide assistant supports for children with special needs wishing to avail of the free pre-school year. However, the HSE does work at local level and in partnership with the relevant disability service providers to address individual needs as they arise. This is done, for example, by funding special pre-schools that cater specifically for children with disabilities. In some limited cases at local level, disability services have also facilitated children with disabilities to attend mainstream pre-schools by providing assistant supports where possible and where resources are available. The provision of such pre-school assistant supports should not be confused with Special Needs Assistants who are funded by the Department of Education and Skills to support children with special educational needs in primary and post-primary school settings.

The Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures children and young people's policy framework that has been developed by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs contains a commitment to develop a plan for the inclusion of children with a disability in mainstream pre-school and early years settings. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has lead responsibility for the implementation of this commitment and over the summer months will coordinate an intensive process of deliberation and appropriate consultation in conjunction with my Department and the Department of Education and Skills to develop a cross-Departmentally supported proposal for an appropriate model for supports to pre-school children with special needs.

Within this context, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the operational information he has requested insofar as this is available. 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.

Early Childhood Care and Education

Ceisteanna (329)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

329. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive will ensure that a child (details supplied) in County Cork will have her full personal assistant hours filled to allow the child to attend the early childhood care and education preschool year, as is the child's entitlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27182/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, provides for a free pre-school year to eligible children in the year before they commence primary school. The objective of this scheme is to support early learning in a formal setting in advance of starting school. I understand that certain flexibilities are built into the scheme in an effort to accommodate children with special needs, such as an overage exemption, or waiver, for children with special needs who do not meet the age criteria and the option to avail of the free pre-school year over two years.

The Health Service Executive has no statutory obligation to provide assistant supports for children with special needs wishing to avail of the free pre-school year. However, the HSE does work at local level and in partnership with the relevant disability service providers to address individual needs as they arise. This is done, for example, by funding special pre-schools that cater specifically for children with disabilities. In some limited cases at local level, disability services have also facilitated children with disabilities to attend mainstream pre-schools by providing assistant supports where possible and where resources are available. The provision of such pre-school assistant supports should not be confused with Special Needs Assistants who are funded by the Department of Education and Skills to support children with special educational needs in primary and post-primary school settings.

The Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures children and young people's policy framework that has been developed by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs contains a commitment to develop a plan for the inclusion of children with a disability in mainstream pre-school and early years settings. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has lead responsibility for the implementation of this commitment and over the summer months will coordinate an intensive process of deliberation and appropriate consultation in conjunction with my Department and the Department of Education and Skills to develop a cross-Departmentally supported proposal for an appropriate model for supports to pre-school children with special needs.

As the issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. I have asked the HSE to look into the particular matter raised and to reply directly 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 Appointments Delays

Ceisteanna (330)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

330. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (detailed supplies) in County Dublin has to wait for 12 months for an appointment to attend the Delanty Norman neurology outpatient clinic at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9. [27186/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under 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.

Psychological Services

Ceisteanna (331)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

331. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that there is currently no child psychologist in County Meath, leaving children and families without the necessary assessments they require; the action that will be taken to rectify this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27189/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within the next 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Abortion Services Provision

Ceisteanna (332, 345, 379, 432, 433)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

332. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health based on the report published on 29 June 2015, the number of terminations carried out under the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act that resulted in a live birth in 2014 broken down between terminations arising out of suicidal ideation and by a direct medical risk to the life of the mother; the number of these children who are still alive; the gestation period at which all the terminations reported were carried out; the main medical conditions that caused the terminations to be carried out in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27190/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

345. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health in relation to the report on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013, the number of pregnancies that were delivered by caesarean section, the mother having requested a termination; the gestation period of the pregnancies terminated in the report; the way the real and substantial risk to the life level of risk was assessed; if this will be made aware to clinicians so that this information may be fed into clinical decision-making; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27240/15]

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

379. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the gestational age for each of the 26 terminations which were carried out under the Act in 2014 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27422/15]

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

432. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27677/15]

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

433. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27678/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 332, 345, 379, 432 and 433 together.

As the Deputies will be aware, the first annual report on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act has been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, as required under Section 20 of the Act. The report covers the period from 1 January 2014 until 31 December 2014.

The Act does not provide for the publication of any further details regarding terminations of pregnancy carried out. The information published on these procedures is restricted in order to limit the risk of identification in what is a private, confidential matter between women and their doctors.

Cancer Screening Programmes

Ceisteanna (333)

Derek Nolan

Ceist:

333. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health when the extension of the BreastCheck programme for those between 65 and 69 years of age will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27191/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Planning for the age extension of BreastCheck to 65 - 69 year olds is underway and screening of the extended cohort will commence in Quarter 4 of 2015. The additional eligible population is approximately 100,000 and, when fully implemented, 540,000 women will be included in the BreastCheck Programme.

The age extension will be implemented on an incremental basis in line with the capacity of the system to manage the additional screening and follow up workload. BreastCheck will need to recruit and train additional radiographers, medical consultants and administration support to accommodate the increased demand. Funding for this, and for additional mobile units and medical equipment will be made available across the implementation period. The age extension will be fully rolled out by 2021.

Women of any age who have concerns about breast cancer should seek the advice of their GP who will, if appropriate, refer them to the symptomatic breast services in one of the eight designated cancer centres.

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (334)

Jerry Buttimer

Ceist:

334. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive is recruiting speech and language therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27211/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I 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.

Patient Safety

Ceisteanna (335, 336)

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

335. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if individual health identifiers have been provided to patients accessing health and social care services; and the services that are using individual health identifiers. [27213/15]

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

336. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if individual health identifiers will be used by Health Service Executive staff based in community health centres. [27214/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 335 and 336 together.

The Health Identifiers Act 2014, which is primarily a patient safety initiative but also an important foundation step for the development of eHealth system, provides for the establishment of systems of identifiers for patients and healthcare providers, both professionals and organisations.

The Act provides that operational responsibility for the identifiers may be assigned to the HSE. It is intended that the register of Individual Health Identifiers will be implemented first, only after commencement of the Act, and this will allow for identifiers to be assigned to individual patients. The identifiers will be used in both the public and private healthcare settings, including community health centres managed by HSE staff.

Preparations for the implementation of the Individual Health Identifier are at an advanced stage by the HSE. The necessary management and organisational structures to enable the establishment of the register are currently being put in place. A development plan is being drafted along with a Privacy Impact Assessment which is nearing completion.

With the initial completion of the register the next phase will be to allow for other health care ICT systems in both primary and acute care to access the register and make it available as the Act permits. The work will be done on a phased basis over a number of years. Access to the register of individual health identifiers and the use to which the identifier can be put is strictly controlled by the Act. It is intended to be widely used in health and social care settings throughout the health services to enhance patient safety and underpin efficiency. The Commencement Order which is necessary for the formal commencement of the relevant provisions in the Act for this stage of the implementation process, and which is drafted by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel in conjunction with my Department, is currently being finalised.

HIQA have recently engaged in a public consultation exercise on "Draft Governance and Management Standards for Health Identifiers Operator in Ireland" which will assist in underpinning a governance framework for the operation of the system of identifiers to ensure trust and confidence of the health identifiers system in the country. It is important to point out that the roll out of a system of health identifiers for patients, professionals and organisations has no linkage with any eligibility for any type of health service or benefit.

Medical Card Eligibility

Ceisteanna (337)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

337. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in respect of the renewal of a medical card in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare who have provided additional information and who are awaiting a decision since the beginning of June 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27218/15]

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.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Ceisteanna (338, 340)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

338. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the terms of reference of the emergency department task force set up in December 2014; the frequency with which it has met; and the frequency with which it expects to continue to meet. [27219/15]

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

340. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the time-defined actions recommended by the emergency department task force in its action plan to address the crisis in emergency departments; and the actions that have already been implemented. [27221/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 340 together.

I convened the ED Taskforce in December 2014 to provide focus and momentum, and to develop sustainable long-term solutions to ED overcrowding. The Taskforce met on a monthly basis and published an action plan on 2 April 2015 which sets out a range of time defined actions to (i) optimise existing hospital and community capacity; (ii) develop internal capability and process improvement and (iii) improve leadership, governance, planning and oversight.

Based on the Task Force's Action Plan, additional funds of €74 million were provided in 2015 to increase the number of long term nursing home care places and reduce the waiting time for the funding of such places, as well as providing additional transitional care beds and home care packages to provide viable supports for those no longer needing acute hospital care. This additional funding came on top of measures already taken in Budget 2015, when the Government provided €25 million to support services that provide alternatives to, and relieve pressure on, acute hospitals.

In June, I convened an ED Taskforce Implementation Oversight Group. The Group met on 15 and 29 June and is scheduled to meet again on 20 July. The HSE is engaged in a focussed programme of work to ensure immediate actions are being taken to effect a reduction in delayed discharges and to drive improved performance in EDs. Overall the emphasis in implementing the ED Taskforce Action Plan is on driving a more integrated approach between primary care, acute hospitals and community care. Progress against the various actions in the plan, including the €74 million Delayed Discharges Initiative will be reported on a monthly basis to the ED Taskforce Implementation Oversight Group.

In relation to the specific question raised on the actions which have already been implemented, 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.

Nursing Home Services

Ceisteanna (339)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

339. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health in addition to the €74 million provided in 2015 to increase the number of long-term nursing home care places, as well as providing additional transitional care beds and home care packages for those no longer needing hospital care, the amount of money that has been directly provided to hospitals to alleviate the crisis in emergency departments. [27220/15]

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.