Written Answers Nos. 545 - 560
545. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the issues discussed with persons (details supplied) regarding treatment for their child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20894/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI met with the family concerned last month. Since then my officials have remained in regular contact with the family. This has involved ongoing work on the issues involved in the case, but since these relate to a family's personal circumstances I don't propose to go into further detail.
546. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health why respite care for persons over 18 years of age ceased, despite the needs of the caring families being the same as previously; his plans to reintroduce respite for carers of adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20902/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra547. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the supports or resources made available for the provision of respite for persons over 18 years of age in each of the years 2012 to 2016 to date, in tabular form. [20903/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 547 together.
The 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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
As the Deputy's 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 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.
548. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will liaise with the Minister responsible for community affairs, in the interests of the health and welfare of children and young persons, to achieve the reinstatement of the Oasis youth outreach project for vulnerable teenagers in the disadvantaged Monkstown Farm area of Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, which recently had its funding cut; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14825/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
551. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to address the low rate of breastfeeding here. [20972/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2013 National Perinatal Report (HSE, 2014) reported breast-feeding rates of 55.7% on discharge from hospital, an increase from 53% in 2009 and 46% in 2004. Rates of exclusive breast-feeding (babies receiving only breast milk) were 46.3%.
Health and Wellbeing is a theme throughout the new National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026; Creating a Better Future Together (DoH, 2016). Breast-feeding is considered important for the health of both mother an baby. A number of initiatives are highlighted within the report to support the improvement of Ireland's breast-feeding initiation and duration rates.
The National Maternity Strategy outlines the responsibilities of the Department to Health, HSE and the National Women and Infants Health Programme in relation to the promotion and support of breast-feeding. The Strategy actions include improvements in support for breast-feeding both within the hospital and in the community; compliance of all maternity units with the Baby Friendly Health Initiative; implementation of the WHO Code; and breast-feeding promotion campaigns.
Consultation is almost finalised in regard to the HSE Breast-feeding Action Plan 2016-2021. It sets out the priority areas to be addressed over the next 5 years to improve breast-feeding supports, to enable more Irish mothers to breast-feed and to improve health outcomes for mothers and children in Ireland. The actions include the implementation of policies at hospital and community level; investment in breast-feeding training and skills development for healthcare staff; the provision of additional lactation specialist posts (Clinical Midwife Specialist / Clinical Nurse Specialist Lactation); and partnership working to promote a culture that accepts and supports breast-feeding.
553. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the reason for the substantial increase between December 2015 and May 2016 in the number of outpatients waiting more than a year for a consultation in Connolly Hospital. [20966/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key challenge for our health system is ensuring timely access to health services. This Government recognises that a sustained commitment to improving waiting times is required, with a particular focus on those waiting longest.
While waiting list numbers have increased nationally in the first half of the year, this must be seen in the context of increased demand for care in our health system. There has been a 4% increase in inpatient and day-case activity in acute hospitals and an almost 6% increase in attendances at EDs in comparison with last year. The key issue for patients is how long they wait. Approximately 60% of patients wait less than 6 months for a required outpatient appointment or inpatient/day-case procedure.
My Department has asked the HSE to implement an action plan addressing waiting times with hospitals and Hospital Groups. This will focus on improving chronological scheduling, clinical and administrative validation of lists and optimising existing capacity.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to €15m funding for the NTPF in 2017 to address waiting lists for those waiting longest, as part of a continued investment of €50m per year to reduce waiting times. My Department is currently engaging with the NTPF and the HSE to deliver on the Programme's waiting list commitments.
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.
554. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the status of replacing the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant scheme which was closed to new applicants in 2013; when he will introduce a replacement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18708/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraConscious of reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes. Both schemes remain closed.
However, the Government also decided that monthly payments will continue to be made by the Health Service Executive to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance at the time the scheme closed, on the basis that this would prevent hardship and, on an interim basis, alleviate stress, anxiety and uncertainty among a vulnerable group in society.
The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. The Department is seeking a solution which would best meet the aim of supporting people with severe disabilities who require additional income to contribute towards the cost of their mobility needs, while remaining within the available budget and satisfying all legal and equality concerns.
Work is ongoing on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme. The proposals seek to ensure that:
- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;
- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;
- Resources are targeted at those with the greatest needs; and
- The Scheme is capable of being costed and it is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Programme for Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme.
555. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the consideration which has been given to the effect of the Health Service Executive recruitment embargo on workforce planning for front-line services; if those services will be in a position to replace existing staff if necessary; if they will have the ability to hire required personnel as needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19556/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn easing of restrictions on the employment of additional staff was announced in Budget 2015. Under this new approach public sector organisations can obtain delegated sanction to recruit within the parameters of their pay budget once they obtain approval for their Pay and Numbers Strategy from their parent Department and from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
This change allows for greater autonomy to be delegated to Departments and Agencies to manage their own staffing levels within allocated pay frameworks. It also provides for further recruitment flexibility, for example where it is determined that offering permanent contracts can achieve more economical service delivery than agency usage.
Recent measures taken in relation to service areas in the HSE remaining within budget have been portrayed, incorrectly, as a recruitment freeze. The HSE is currently working with the Department of Health on the finalisation of its 2016 Pay and Numbers Strategy. This has involved the development of detailed workforce plans at hospital and community service level.
These measures do not impact on a hospital’s ability to recruit where funding exists to facilitate that recruitment, for example in the case of funded replacement posts or where additional funding has been allocated for new positions under the HSE service plan. Recruitment can also take place in areas of critical care and emergency services. All posts are being actively monitored at Group level and National level to ensure that clinical risks are appropriately managed.
It is this government’s intention to continue to grow the health budget as the economy improves and to obtain further resources to deliver the level of service that we all want to provide to our patients.
556. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health to report on discussions he has had with the management of the Central Remedial Clinic and the Health Service Executive regarding the wind-up of a pension scheme for CRC workers; and if he is in favour of the affected workers having their pension entitlements transferred to the scheme other CRC workers are in. [20456/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) is funded by the Health Service Executive under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004. Therefore the CRC is accountable, in the first instance, to the HSE in relation to pay and superannuation matters. The decision taken by the CRC to cease contributions to the pension scheme without first consulting with the HSE in relation to scheme solvency and without having a viable alternative for the employees is of concern to me.
The CRC was requested to prepare viable alternative proposals in conjunction with the HSE in relation to the 44 employees that were members of the CRC pension plan. I understand that the CRC has submitted proposals to the HSE which the HSE is currently evaluating.
It would not be appropriate for me to have discussions with the management of the CRC, but I have requested that the HSE work with the CRC to resolve this matter. Any solution proposed must be in line with government policy in relation to pay and pensions.
557. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his progress in drafting the national action plan on antimicrobial resistance; if this plan will be subject to public and industry stakeholder consultation and if not, why not; if he is satisfied that with less than one year to go before the completion of the plan the interdepartmental group established to examine and draft this report has not consulted with wider expert stakeholders outside of the Health Service Executive and his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21013/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rise in antimicrobial resistance is universally recognised at global, European and national levels, including Ireland, as one of the greatest potential threats to human and animal health with possible serious consequences for public health, animal welfare and the agriculture and food sectors.
There is international consensus through the ‘One Health’ Initiative to which the WHO (World Health Organisation), FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) and the OIE (World Health Organisation for Animal Health) are signatories, that tackling the global public health threat of AMR requires action across human and animal health sectors, agriculture and the wider environment.
The 'One Health' concept is a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment. Recognising that human health, animal health and ecosystem health are inextricably linked, ‘One Health’ seeks to promote, improve and defend the health and well-being of all species by enhancing cooperation and collaboration between physicians, veterinarians, other scientific health and environmental professionals and by promoting strengths in leadership and management to achieve these goals.
The European Union at both Council and European Parliament levels supports a Community Strategy against AMR having regard to the 'One Health' concept. The Commission's 2012 AMR 5-year action plan has recently been revised through Council Conclusions on the next steps under a ‘One Health’ approach to combat AMR, adopted at the Council's Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) meeting on 17th June last. Ireland has continued to support the EU drive to combat AMR and contributed to discussions on the new Council Conclusions. The Council calls on Member States to have in place before mid-2017 'a national action plan against Antimicrobial resistance based on the One Health approach and in line with the objectives of the WHO Global Action Plan'.
In recognition of the serious and increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance and the requirement for a ‘whole of Government’ approach to health issues, the Department of Health’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) established a high level National Interdepartmental AMR Consultative Committee in 2014 to address this issue. The Committee meets Ireland’s requirements to have an Intersectoral co-ordinating mechanism for addressing AMR at European level, including the development of a national action plan against AMR as required of Member States in the WHO's Global Action Plan against AMR (2015).
The Committee has a clear role and mandate across the human and animal health sectors. Committee membership consists of representatives of both Departments and of the relevant HSE and veterinary specialist agencies, including other relevant bodies with a remit across the two sectors; membership is representative of major stakeholders. The Committee meets biannually and its last meeting was in April 2016. The Committee's work plan for 2016 includes development of a national action plan against AMR and work, which includes ongoing engagement with all relevant stakeholders, both Committee member and others. This work is continuing and the Committee is scheduled to meet again in late 2016 to assess progress on this major agenda item.
The prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and AMR has been a significant patient safety and public health priority for the Department of Health Ireland for numerous years. Ireland as a whole is fully committed to and engaged in addressing resolution of the problem of AMR and will continue to collaborate at international, EU and national levels to this end.
558. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views that the new medicines pricing agreement will act as a biosimilars blocker, due to a clause which states that biologics will only be reimbursed at a price 30% less than the current level, and only when competitor biosimilar medicines enter the market; his further views that this cannot occur, as biosimilars will financially be prevented from entering the market, as it would be unsustainable to lower their price further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21014/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra559. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views that the new medicines pricing agreement will lead to cost savings in respect of existing biologic, high-technology medicines, given that a lower reimbursement price for biologics will not be possible due to an inability for biosimilars to enter the market; the reason for introducing a clause into the agreement which links the reimbursement price of biologics to the biosimilars entering the market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21015/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra560. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views that the price of two of the largest medicines supplied by the Health Service Executive, Humira and Enbrel, at a cost of €160 million per year, will not experience significant price reduction when their patents fall in 2017, as a direct result of the terms of the forthcoming medicine pricing agreement with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, because the terms in this agreement will prevent effective post-patent competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21016/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 558 to 560, inclusive, together.
A negotiating team representing the State has reached agreement in principle with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association on a new drug pricing and supply agreement. As work is still continuing between the parties to finalise the terms of the agreement, I am not in position at this time to comment on specific details of the agreement.
Negotiations and agreements with industry represent just one element of the Government’s strategy to reduce expenditure on medicines; other initiatives will continue to be pursued in the coming months and years to ensure that we achieve affordable prices for medicines for both patients and the State.
