Written Answers Nos. 130 - 149
130. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that buses which have been specifically obtained to ferry patients from St. Luke's Hospital to Beaumont Hospital are not in service; the reason for that; and when a service will be provided. [43131/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSt Luke’s Hospital has for ten years operated a minibus to transport patients to and from treatment. This minibus was supplied by the Friends of St Luke’s, though the staffing and running costs are provided by St Luke’s Hospital. The minibus remains in use, and has been continually in use other than in cases of servicing or breakdowns.
Recently the Friends of St Luke’s agreed to fund the purchase of two minibuses. The replacement minibus is due for delivery by the end of the year and the second is expected in the new year, after which both will operate to provide an improved service.
131. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he has made a final decision regarding his proposal to prescribe the title of physical therapist as a variant of the specified title of physiotherapist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43133/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Physiotherapists Registration Board will soon make the necessary bye-laws under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 to allow it to establish its register early next year. The title of physiotherapist will, as a consequence, be protected for the exclusive use of the board's registrants when the register's 2 year transitional period ends in 2018.
I am currently examining the issue of also protecting the title of physical therapist under the Act. In the rest of the English speaking world the titles of physical therapist and physiotherapist are interchangeable and their users are qualified physiotherapists. In Ireland, however, the title is used by a number of practitioners who are not physiotherapists but who are competing with physiotherapists in the private sector in the provision of musculoskeletal therapies.
Earlier this year, having consulted with the Health and Social Care Professionals Council, I wrote to a number of relevant organisations regarding my proposal to protect the title of physical therapist as a variant of the title of physiotherapist and invited them to submit their views. The submissions are now being examined and I expect that I will make a decision on the matter before the end of the year that ensures public protection and appropriately addresses the legitimate concerns of all parties.
132. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a date for a procedure will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry following a further urgent referral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43151/15]
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.
133. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding orthodontic treatment for children in the midlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43164/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. Patients are assessed by the HSE Orthodontic Service under the modified Index of Treatment Need. Patients with the greatest level of need i.e. Grade 5 or Grade 4 are provided with treatment by the HSE. Under EU Directive 201/24/EU, now commonly referred to as the Cross Border Directive (CBH), it is open to persons entitled to public patient healthcare in Ireland to choose to avail of that healthcare in another EU or EEA country or Switzerland. Access to orthodontic care under the CBD may be availed of by patients who have been assessed as eligible under the modified Index of Treatment Need.
The pilot scheme in the Dublin North East area (DNE), which involves up-skilling staff to work as orthodontic therapists is currently underway. One member of the dental hygienist staff and one member of the dental nursing staff completed a one-year training course in September 2015. They are now working in the HSE under the supervision of specialist orthodontists. The scheme is currently undergoing an evaluation, which includes consideration of how the scheme is affecting waiting lists. Figures are currently being collated and early indications are positive. It is planned to extend the scheme nationally after the evaluation has been completed.
As recruitment of staff in the Midlands is a service matter, this part of the question 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.
134. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his commitment to maintaining health administration services in a town (details supplied) in County Meath. [43167/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra135. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the departments of the Health Service Executive administration health business services that will relocate from a town (details supplied) in County Meath; the reason; the level of staff consultation that has or will take place; the criteria that have been used in the selection process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43168/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra136. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has considered replacement posts or a replacement unit for the staff, where it has been proposed to relocate an administrative unit of the executive from a town (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43169/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 134 to 136, inclusive, together.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on these matters. 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 matters with them.
137. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the status of the application to include the drug Kuvan Sapropterin in the drug re-imbursement programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43172/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
Sapropterin (Kuvan®) was previously considered under the national pricing and reimbursement processes in 2009. At that time, insufficient evidence was available to support the pricing and reimbursement application submitted by the manufacturer.
The manufacturer recently submitted a new application for pricing and reimbursement of Kuvan; this application will now be considered in line with criteria set out in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 and using the processes outlined in national pricing framework agreements.
As the application process is ongoing, it is not possible to discuss potential outcomes or comment further at this time.
138. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for orthopaedic hip replacement surgery in Letterkenny University Hospital in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43173/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, 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.
139. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health why the outpatients clinic at the Sheil Hospital in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, has been cancelled on a number of occasions in the past number of months (details supplied); his plans to have it re-instated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43174/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, 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.
140. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment in Galway University Hospital. [43175/15]
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.
141. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43176/15]
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.
142. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the inpatient and outpatient care services provided at St. Joseph's Community Hospital in County Donegal in each year from 2005 to 2015 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43188/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra143. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient beds at St. Jospeh's Community Hospital in County Donegal in each year from 2005 to 2015 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43189/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra144. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels, including details of positions and job titles, at Saint Joseph's Community Hospital in County Donegal, in each year from 2005 to 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43190/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 142 to 144, inclusive, 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.
145. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a family income supplement is taken into consideration when assessing an application for a discretionary medical card (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43195/15]
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.
146. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the status of an application (details supplied) under the capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43199/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recently announced an additional €300m capital allocation for refurbishment or replacement of social care facilities for older persons’ units and disability units to allow such facilities to comply with relevant National Standards by 2021. The HSE is formulating its plans for the application of this funding, and once these plans are ready they will be discussed in detail with the Health Information and Quality Authority. In advance of that process it is not possible to comment on any individual facility.
147. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions he is taking to secure the release from prison of a person (details supplied), particularly given the concerns expressed by a wide range of human rights watchdogs, such as Amnesty International, that this person will not receive a fair trial; if he is pursuing the most effective policies in this regard in order to secure this person's release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43064/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra148. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on correspondence regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43075/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 148 together.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a clear strategy in this case which is focused on achieving a positive outcome at the earliest time possible for this citizen. That strategy is based on two key objectives: first, to see this citizen released by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland and secondly to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention.
In furtherance of these objectives, I have intensively engaged with the Egyptian authorities, including the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Egypt’s Ambassador to Ireland, and with EU and international partners, including High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Federica Mogherini. The Taoiseach also raised the case in person on two occasions with Egyptian President al-Sisi. The information we receive from all of these contacts is carefully considered and used in reviewing our approach to this case on a constant basis.
Significant resources in Cairo and in Dublin continue to be deployed in the provision of comprehensive consular assistance to both the citizen and their family. I would also note that Embassy officials visited this citizen in detention for the forty-eighth time on 23 November. Irrespective of any views regarding the fairness or appropriateness of any arrest abroad, the reality is that where an Irish citizen is charged with an offence under the law of a foreign country, it is the foreign law that applies and it is the relevant foreign court which decides matters such as bail and release.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to review its approach and retains the flexibility to adjust it as and when that may be required, but the Government’s approach is guided at all times by the two key objectives set out above.
149. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will contact the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick concerning the position of a retired caretaker; if she will resolve this issue in conjunction with the board of management given that the caretaker would have been prepared to continue to work if made aware of the full facts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43194/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the employer .i.e. the Board of Management of the school concerned.
