Written Answers Nos. 409-31
409. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if technical aids and appliances grants for vibrating pagers provided by DeafHear are available to deaf persons in counties Louth, Cavan and Monaghan, but not to those in County Meath; if he will ensure funding is extended to County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27539/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra410. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason funding for equipment, such as vibrating pager systems, for deaf persons under the age of 65 years is not provided for by the Health Service Executive in County Meath under the technical aids and appliances grant for the past four to five years, given that funding was available from the executive in counties Louth, Cavan and Monaghan this year. [27541/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 409 and 410 together.
As the Deputies' questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputies. If the Deputies have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, they can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
411. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the total annual spend on oncology services, by location, for each year from 2011 to 2014, inclusive, and for 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27542/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra412. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the current provision for oncology services available, and all related services and treatments, by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27543/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra413. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the current number of oncology consultant posts, and oncology service posts, currently vacant; when they will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27544/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra415. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adults currently waiting for oncology services, including a breakdown, in tabular form, of location and times for specific services and treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27546/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra416. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of the average waiting time from referral to consultation and treatment, respectively, in the case of persons attending oncology services, from 2011 to 2015, inclusive. [27547/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra417. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the details of all public hospitals from 2011 to 2015, inclusive, using private facilities to provide treatment for oncology services; the number of public health patients who have been treated using private facilities; the cost of same; and the locations where it has taken place. [27548/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra418. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, by location, a breakdown of the use of beds in public and voluntary hospitals for oncology services by persons covered by private insurance operators; and the costs of same from 2011 to date in 2015. [27549/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 411 to 413, inclusive, and 415 to 418, inclusive, together.
The Deputy's questions relate to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
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.
414. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the staff numbers employed in the public oncology service, including their principal roles, for example, consultant and radiologist, from 2011 to 2015, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27545/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
419. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the additional revenue which would be raised if all private patients in public hospitals were charged in full for oncology services provided rather than being charged a fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27550/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is Government policy to move towards charging the full economic cost for the provision of private acute in-patient services. All persons who opt to be treated on a private basis on admission to hospital are liable for the fees of all consultants involved in his or her care and for hospital charges under Section 55 for that episode of care. Those charges are a per diem rate set out in the 2013 legislation and were informed by overall cost of the provision of the private in-patient services and the policy of moving towards the recovery of full economic cost, but they are not directly related to the cost of specific treatments provided to individual private patients, the level of complexity of a case or the costs of individual hospitals.
The issue of hospital financing has been the subject of recent Departmental reports. In the case of public acute hospital care, a prospective, casemix-adjusted activity based system was recommended. It has been recommended that the existing ‘per diem’ charging regime for private activity in public hospitals be replaced by a case-based charge using DRGs. Taking account of international evidence and of the detailed analysis already undertaken in the context of the above reports it was advised that the Programme for Government commitment on ‘Money Follows the Patient’ should be realised through the introduction of a prospective Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) case-based payment system. Since January, 2014 the Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) grouping system has been used to facilitate the introduction of a new prospective, case-based funding model for public hospital care called Activity Based Funding (ABF - also known as Money Follows the Patient).
Activity Based Funding is being rolled-out on a phased basis and full implementation will take a number of years. The ABF approach is initially being applied to in-patient and day-case activity in public hospitals. It is the Government’s intention to develop policy proposals for the introduction of a case-based charging system for private patients in public hospitals. However, it must be acknowledged that given the complexity and breadth of the issues to be examined and addressed, significant preparatory policy work must be undertaken. This work must take full account of eligibility and legal issues, private income issues and the need for a sustainable mechanism for meeting the cost of private patients in public hospitals. It would require substantial technical work and analysis on the financial impact on public hospitals. The focus for the short to medium term is on implementing ABF in the public system, as outlined in the recently launched HSE ABF Implementation Plan 2015 – 2017. Until this further work has been completed it will not be possible to present the Deputy with the figure requested.
420. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health his plans to hold a referendum on Article 40.3.3° of Bunreacht na hÉireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21328/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraArticle 40.3.3° of the Irish Constitution states that:
'The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.'
The Government does not intend to propose any amendments to Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution at present.
421. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of business cases he has been asked to approve in respect of sections 38 and 39 agencies for payment of salaries over and above approved pay scales; the number approved; the number still being assessed; if he has issued any updated policy directives on the subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26389/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has submitted proposals to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the business cases submitted by the HSE to red-circle the remuneration of a number of senior managers in Section 38 agencies. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is currently considering those proposals.
On 27 September 2013, my Department issued Circular 11/2013 - Compliance with Health Sector Pay Policy. This circular stated that Section 38 funded agencies may not supplement approved rates of remuneration with Exchequer funding or non-Exchequer sources of funding. The policy statement instructed the HSE to ensure that any non-standard allowances which were being paid in the absence of written sanction from my Department, with the consent of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform should cease immediately.
In addition, on foot of the HSE's Internal Audit Report, the HSE has strengthened governance arrangements with the Section 38 agencies. The Boards of all Section 38 agencies are now required. as part of the Annual Service Agreement process with the HSE to:
- Submit a formal Annual Compliance Statement which confirms that all pay and remuneration of employees in the agency are in line with Government pay policy;
- Adopt and implement core governance standards.
This requirement was put in place for the 2014 Annual Service Agreement process.
Employees of Section 39 organisations are not public servants. They are not included in the HSE employment control ceiling, are not bound by the Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales and are not members of a public service pension scheme. The Government, however is determined to ensure that public pay policy is respected across the health service and to that end, at my request, the Director General of the HSE has written to 353 Section 39 funded organisations in receipt of HSE funding of more than €250,000, requesting that they have due regard to public pay policy, particularly in respect of senior managers.
422. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Health if he will consider providing funding for suicide prevention professional training programmes for all students' union officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27582/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment policy on suicide prevention will be guided over the next number of years by the recently published Connecting for Life - Ireland's National Strategy to reduce Suicide 2015-2020, the successor to the Reach Out Strategy. The new Strategy sets out a vision where fewer lives are lost through suicide, and where communities and individuals are empowered to improve their mental health and well-being. This includes a greater focus on the important area of support for families and communities in suicide prevention, and will include providing community-based organisations with guidelines, protocols and training on effective suicide prevention.
Training in suicide prevention is one aspect of the work of the HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention and its partners in the statutory and voluntary sector. A wide range of awareness and training programmes are available including ASIST and SafeTALK which train participants to become more alert to the possibility of suicide in their community. I have, therefore, referred the question to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a response within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
423. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive an appointment for surgery in St. Luke's Hospital in County Kilkenny. [27590/15]
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 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.
424. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a date for a procedure in Waterford Regional Hospital, given that the person is on the waiting list since December 2013 [27591/15]
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 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.
425. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if the national hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia centre is operational at Mercy University Hospital in Cork; if it treats patients with pulmonary arteriovenous malformations which occur in patients with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27592/15]
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.
426. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 3 has been told there are no more funds and resources to support persons with a disability following a meeting with parents; if he will take action on this urgent matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27606/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding of €12 million was announced in the HSE’s National Service Plan 2015 to meet the full year costs of school leavers and those graduating from rehabilitative training programmes. €6 million of this funding is available in 2015 and is being allocated to Community Healthcare Organisation areas, in line with needs identified and according to the HSE’s New Directions policy on day services for adults with a disability. An additional €1.5 million has since been added by the HSE to the overall allocation making a total of €13.5 million full year costs available to meet the needs of this cohort of young people. The HSE has assured me that Gheel Autism Services has recently been informed of their funding allocation to provide placements for 24 individuals from September.
The HSE is very aware of the challenges faced by some service providers and has been engaging locally and nationally with all providers, including Gheel Autism Services, who may not have the physical capacity within their existing services to accommodate the new intake of school leavers in 2015 but are actively seeking appropriate accommodation to enable a service to commence for these young people this year. In this context, a further €1.5 million once-off capital funding is to be allocated to organisations to provide suitable buildings, premises and accommodation. The HSE has invited applications from all service providers to avail of this funding and capital allocations will be notified to providers in the coming days.
The HSE will continue to work with Gheel Autism Services to resolve issues relating to accommodation.
427. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health the terms of reference for the review and assessment of needs at South Tipperary General Hospital being undertaken by a person (details supplied); the nature and extent of the review; the timeframe for the completion of the report; the persons and organisations being consulted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27629/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter the question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
If no reply has been received from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with the Executive.
428. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will receive a medical appointment. [27631/15]
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.
429. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when a health centre (details supplied) in County Cavan will re-open; if there are particular issues delaying the re-opening of this much-needed health facility in an area where there has been a huge growth in population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27645/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has responsibility for the provision, maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and 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.
430. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health if he will reimburse a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary for medication and general practitioner charges for the period 1 November 2013 to 25 June 2014, inclusive, when the person's medical card was restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27673/15]
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.
431. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of cases where general practitioners are not registering for the under sixes medical card scheme, their patients feel the need to register with an alternative general practitioner in order to obtain cover for their children and the patients are being charged upwards of €15 for the privilege of having their files transferred to the new general practitioner; his views as to whether this is an opportunistic charge; if he will raise the issue with the Irish Medical Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27675/15]
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.
