Written Answers Nos. 717-738
717. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the moneys spent on tax reliefs on the costs of fertility treatment and for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13243/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe tax relief for medical expenses scheme is operated by Revenue. Under the scheme a person can claim tax relief on medical expenses he or she pays for himself or herself and on behalf of any other person.
A person can claim tax relief at the standard rate on qualifying health expenses including costs of doctors and consultants fees, items or treatments prescribed by a doctor or consultant, routine maternity care, IVF and, where prescribed by a doctor, diagnostic procedures, drugs and medicines.
This scheme is administered on an individual basis and a person can apply for a range of different medical expenses as part of a single claim, which or may not include the costs of fertility treatment. This data is not available to my Department.
718. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health when the acquired brain injury unit on St. Joseph's campus in County Longford will be open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13246/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
With regard to Neuro-rehabilitation services, the Programme for Partnership Government places a particular focus on publishing a plan for advancing Neuro-rehabilitation services in the community. Currently a steering group led by the Health Service Executive Social Care Division with representation from the National Clinical Programmes for Rehabilitation Medicine and Neurology, Department of Health, Primary Care, Therapy Professions and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, has drafted an implementation framework for the National Policy & Strategy for Neuro-rehabilitation services, which has been circulated to members of the steering group and stakeholder agencies. Any proposals for the provision of neuro-rehabilitation services will have to be considered in the context of the implementation framework.
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.
719. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list in the Mater hospital awaiting cardiothoracic surgery with a clinical priority of urgent; the average expected waiting time for persons on such a waiting list with a clinical priority of urgent; the reason for the delay in carrying out these essential lifesaving procedures, particularly when individual patients have been identified as urgent; if persons who have been given a clinical priority as urgent, can be considered as candidates for the National Treatment Purchase Fund, such as a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13360/16]
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 HSE, 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.
720. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the waiting times on processing of primary medical certificate applications in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13362/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities Tax Relief Scheme is operated by the Revenue Commissioners and provides tax relief for vehicles purchased for use by people with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities. In order to qualify for tax relief under the scheme, the person with a disability must have a valid Primary Medical Certificate, applications for which are processed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) Local Health Offices.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for a 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.
721. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if physiotherapy will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13363/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this 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.
722. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a home care package recently approved in the case of a person (details supplied) will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13365/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
723. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the objectives of the national task force on youth mental health as provided for in the programme for Government; when he will establish this task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13413/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe broad objectives of the new National Taskforce on Youth Mental Health reflected in the recently agreed Programme for Government aims to improve policies and services overall, relating to areas such as resilience, and better access, supports, and greater awareness coupled with coping skills generally surrounding youth mental health. The Department of Health, is at present considering in appropriate detail how best to progress this important commitment, including the need to dovetail this with existing policy and service priorities, and to improve inter-agency linkages such as that relating to the education and youth sectors. I intend that the Task Force will be established as quickly as possible, and the Deputy may rest assured that I will continue to closely pursue developments in this regard.
724. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the funding required to provide the staffing levels for child and adolescent mental health services to the level recommended in A Vision for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13414/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe additional ring-fenced mental health funding of €160 million provided over 2012-16 inclusive, has contributed significantly to implementation of A Vision for Change. Implementation of this policy takes place in the context of annual HSE Service Plans and in line with evolving service priorities and resource availability overall each year. Funding for mental health in 2016 will increase from the 2015 outturn of €785m, to a projected budget of €826m in the 2016 National Service Plan, an increase of €41m or 5.2%, including €35m ring-fenced for new developments this year.
AVFC recommends the provision of 80 additional child and adolescent psychiatric in-patient beds nationally. The HSE Operational Plan for Mental Health 2016 indicates that there are 76 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) beds in the system, of which 66 are operational at present. In the context of expanding CAMHS bed capacity, the HSE is endeavouring at present to address staff recruitment or retention difficulties in certain CAMHS facilities, such as the Eist Linn unit in Cork. As these staffing issues are resolved, the potential exists to increase capacity, whether for in-patient or community based CAMHS care, in line with AVFC.
The issue raised by the Deputy is kept under review by the Department of Health and the HSE. In relation to the costing of existing or planned staffing provisions raised by the Deputy, as this is service specific, this has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
725. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the funding required to end the inappropriate admission of children and adolescents with mental health difficulties to adult wards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13415/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe reduction in the numbers of children admitted to adult psychiatric units has been a priority for the HSE Mental Health Services over recent years. Progress in this area has been significant, as evidenced by the fact that the number of such admissions to adult units in 2008 was 247, declining to 89 at the end of 2014. The trend was reversed slightly, with a increase of 6 such admissions in 2015, against the background of increasing demands on CAMHS services overall.
In March 2016, 98.7% of bed days used were in Child and Adolescent Acute Inpatient Units, an improvement on 97.2% in February. Performance continues to be above the HSE Service Plan target of 95%, indicating that where a child has been admitted to an adult acute inpatient unit, the length of stay has been kept to a minimum.
It is important to note, that while figures for 2015 show 95 admissions of children to adult psychiatric units, the number of admissions does not necessarily equate to the actual number of children admitted, as a child may be admitted on more than one occasion in any given year. In 2015, there were a total of 356 CAMHS admissions, of which 261 (73%) were to age-appropriate units and 95 (27%) to Adult Units. The HSE National Service Plan 2016 allows for some operational flexibility surrounding emergency placements in Adult Units, particularly where very short-term placements take place, taking account of the preferences of all those involved and geographical factors relating to access or visiting. In this context, the HSE continues to monitor all CAMHS admissions to adult units, with a view to minimising admissions to Adult Units as much as possible.
726. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if proposed new arrangements to improve engagement among stakeholders and the relevant Departments and agencies have been submitted to the senior officials group and the Cabinet committee on social policy and public sector reform on the national positive ageing strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13427/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware my Department has developed a new implementation proposal for the National Positive Ageing Strategy. This plan proposes on-going structured engagement between relevant Government Departments and State Agencies and relevant stakeholders with the aim of developing clear channels of communications and regular more direct engagements on specific issues.
The Senior Officials Group has already been given an outline of the new approach proposed, but a detailed and formal presentation is still to be made. This will be done in the near future after which the matter will be referred to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Sector Reform.
727. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health to review the decision made by the Health Service Executive not to grant a discretionary medical card to a person (details supplied). [13444/16]
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 recently 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.
728. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he will extend a medical card for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13446/16]
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 recently 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.
729. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) who is awaiting a knee replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13454/16]
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 HSE, 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.
730. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health when the drug ibrutinib, Imbruvica, produced by a company (details supplied) will be available on the market for patients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, CLL. [13455/16]
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 Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Prior to reimbursing any item, the HSE considers a range of statutory criteria, including clinical need, cost-effectiveness and the resources available.
In line with the conditions of the 2016 budget sanction for the HSE, as set down by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, any drugs to be reimbursed over the quality-adjusted life year threshold of €45,000, including new indications, should be subject to a Government memorandum.
Reimbursement of ibrutinib remains under consideration in the context of the budgetary control process, which requires the financial implications of very expensive new drugs to be considered by Government before reimbursement can proceed.
732. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13473/16]
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.
733. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health when a person with special needs (details supplied) who will be leaving school in June 2016 will be given details of their post-school services; his plans for the setting up of a hub for school leavers with special needs in June 2016 in Dundalk; why no premises or details are available for the families of school leavers four weeks before their children will leave school; and the amount of funding that has been allocated for a person with special needs for post-school services. [13475/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. The commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. With regard to the provision of day services for school-leavers with disabilities, the Programme for Partnership Government says that the Government is committed to ensuring that all 18 year old school leavers with intellectual and physical disabilities have continued education or training opportunities.
The process of planning for the needs of around 1,500 young people with disabilities and autism who will require continuing health-funded supports on leaving school or rehabilitative (life-skills) training this year commenced in September 2015. To ensure these needs are met, funding of €7.25m is being allocated by the HSE to provide appropriate services and supports. Once off funding of €2 million is also being provided for the refurbishment and fit-out of buildings to provide suitable service locations by September, based on an assessment of the physical capacity within existing services to accommodate the additional numbers. A standardised process for the identification of support needs has been put in place and a profiling exercise has now been completed with each individual in order to ascertain their needs and preferences.
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.
734. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if respite care will be arranged for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13481/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
735. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing vacancies by acute hospital and Health Service Executive nursing homes on 1 September 2015; the number recruited since then; the present number of such vacancies; the number of nurses recruited from abroad during this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13490/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this 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.
736. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a medical device will be provided to a person (details supplied) under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13491/16]
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.
737. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to publish an updated action plan on Traveller health with agreed actions by voluntary and statutory agencies, agreed budget and timelines; to update the all-Ireland Traveller health survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13498/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not currently have plans to update the All Ireland Traveller Health survey. The Deputy will be aware that the Department of Justice and Equality is leading on the development of a new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy. The Strategy aims to provide a set of specific actions that need to be taken to bring about a real improvement in quality of life for Travellers and Roma. A number of cross-cutting themes have emerged in the consultation process for the Strategy such as accommodation, employment, health and education. It is intended that the Strategy will include agreed actions in relation to improving the health of travellers. The Strategy is expected to be completed in 2016 and will cover the period up to 2020.
738. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the waiting list nationally for the insertion of spinal cord stimulators by hospital location (details supplied); the patient waiting times for each such hospital; the funding provided for each hospital for each of the past three years; his plans to significantly reduce these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13500/16]
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.
