Wednesday, 28 Sep 2016

Written Answers Nos. 185-192

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (185)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

185. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment. [27585/16]

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.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (186)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for assistance under the fair deal scheme in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27588/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (187)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

187. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment. [27596/16]

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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (188)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

188. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding physiotherapy and speech therapy for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27605/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

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.

Drug Treatment Programmes

Ceisteanna (189)

John Curran

Ceist:

189. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who are on methadone treatment for each year of the past five years in tabular form; if he will provide for each year the number of these on methadone treatment for one, two, three, five and ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27609/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

General Medical Services Scheme

Ceisteanna (190)

John Curran

Ceist:

190. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the process and the timeframe to introduce a new GMS contract which would facilitate the expansion of general practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27613/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

There have been significant developments in the general practice service recently, with more services being made available to our citizens and additional support provided by the HSE. Under a Framework Agreement, signed in 2014, the HSE, my Department and the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) are currently engaged in a comprehensive review of the General Medical Services (GMS) and other publicly funded health sector contracts involving GPs.

To date, agreements have been reached in relation to universal GP care without fees for all children under the age of 6 years, universal GP care without fees for all people aged 70 years and over, a specific Diabetes Cycle of Care for adult patients with Type 2 diabetes who hold a medical card or GP visit card, a new Rural Practice Support Framework and a revised list of special items of service that can be provided by GPs.

I have recently met with GP representative bodies to discuss the future development of general practice and I have assured them of the Government's commitment to developing primary healthcare services for all our citizens and the key role of general practice in that context. In order to ensure that primary healthcare will be enhanced for our citizens by a new contract for general practice services, I am currently considering a number of options around the next phase of this process, including the most appropriate arrangements for GP and other primary healthcare providers' engagement. This will help to determine the time lines for the next formal engagement with GP representatives.

General Practitioner Services

Ceisteanna (191)

John Curran

Ceist:

191. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health his plans to start unwinding the FEMPI cuts introduced in previous years to general practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27614/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As a consequence of the severe difficulties arising from the economic and fiscal crisis of recent years, it was necessary between 2009 and 2013 to reduce certain payments to health professions, including GPs under the GMS contract. These changes were given effect under the terms of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2009.

The Government has provided for the gradual unwinding of FEMPI measures under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2015 and I recognise that action has been taken in relation to public service pay levels in this regard. I am examining the avenues that could be taken in relation to private contractors, including GPs and pharmacists, having regard for the need to ensure best value for public spending and the Government's commitment to continue to develop and strengthen primary care services.

Primary Care Centres Data

Ceisteanna (192)

John Curran

Ceist:

192. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number and location of primary care centres opened for each year from 2012, in tabular form; the centres directly funded and were public private partnerships; if approval was granted for new primary care centres that have not opened yet; the location of these centres; the timeframe for each to become operational for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27615/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a decisive shift towards primary care so that we can provide better care close to home for communities around the country. Primary Care Centres are an integral part of this because of the range of multi-disciplinary services they can provide and the role they can play in keeping people who don't need to be in an acute setting out of hospital.

I can advise the Deputy that 93 Primary Care Centres (PCCs) are already operational, of which 42 were opened from 2012 to date in 2016. In 2012, 18 PCCs were opened, 9 in 2013, 7 in 2014, 5 in 2015 and 3 to date in 2016. At present, there are 48 locations where primary care infrastructure is under construction or at an advanced planning stage under the three different methods of delivery: direct build -14, Public Private Partnership (PPP) - 14 and operational lease - 20. The information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the tables.

The HSE is currently furthering the development of Primary Care Centres by Operational Lease for a number additional locations, including those for which expressions of interest were sought. I have asked the Executive to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to progress thereunder.

Primary Care Centres Operational 2012 -2016 to date

County	Location/PCT Name	Delivery Method	Year opened
Cavan	Cootehill	Direct Build	2012
Cavan	Bailieborough	Direct Build	2012
Cavan	Cavan Town	Operational Lease	2012
Cavan	Kingscourt	Operational Lease	2012
Cork	Macroom (North Lee)	Operational Lease	2012
Donegal	Glenties	Direct Build	2012
Dublin	Ballyfermot	Direct Build	2012
Dublin	Rathfarnham	Lease	2012
Dublin	Churchtown	Operational Lease	2012
Dublin	Dublin City at James's St / Pimlico / Liberties	Operational Lease	2012
Kerry	Kenmare / Sneem	Operational Lease	2012
Limerick	Limerick City - Abbey / St Mary's / King's Island	Operational Lease	2012
Louth	Carlingford	Existing health centre - refurbished	2012
Louth	Ardee	Direct Build	2012
Meath	Dunshaughlin	Existing health centre - refurbished	2012
Roscommon	Castlerea (includes accommodation for mental health services)	Operational Lease	2012
Roscommon	Monksland / South Roscommon (includes accommodation for mental health services)	Operational Lease	2012
Wexford	Gorey  (Canal House)	Operational Lease	2012
Kildare	Newbridge (includes accommodation for mental health services)	Operational Lease	2013
Cavan	Cavan Town at Connolly Court	Operational Lease	2013
Cork	Schull / Mizen (includes accommodation for mental health services)	Operational Lease	2013
Dublin	Blanchardstown / Grove Court / Blakestown / Mountain View  (includes accommodation for mental health services)	Operational Lease	2013
Galway	Athenry (includes accommodation for mental health services)	Operational Lease	2013
Kerry	Dingle / West Kerry	Existing health centre - refurbished	2013
Longford	Longford Town	Operational Lease	2013
Meath	Ashbourne	Operational Lease	2013
Meath	Enfield	Existing health centre - refurbished	2013
Cork	Kinsale	Operational Lease	2014
Dublin	Bride St / Liberties (Old Meath Hospital Campus)	Operational Lease	2014
Galway	Loughrea	Direct Build	2014
Kildare	Clane / Kilmeague	Operational Lease	2014
Leitrim	North Leitrim / West Cavan at Manorhamilton	Direct Build	2014
Meath	Summerhill	Operational Lease	2014
Westmeath	Athlone at Clonbrusk (includes accommodation for mental health services)	Operational Lease	2014
Donegal	Ballyshannon (includes Bundoran)	Direct Build	2015
Dublin	Ashtown / Navan Road and Cabra West	Operational Lease	2015
Kildare	Rathangan / Monasterevin	Operational Lease	2015
Leitrim	Ballinamore (south Leitrim)	Direct Build	2015
Wicklow	Wicklow Town (includes accommodation for mental health services)	Operational Lease	2015
Cork	Charleville, north Cork (includes accommodation for mental health services)	Operational Lease	2016
Dublin	Corduff	Direct Build	2016
Meath	Kells	Operational Lease	2016

Primary Care Centres under Development

County	Location/PCT Name	Delivery Method	Projected Open Date
Carlow	Tullow / Rathvilly / Hacketstown	Direct build	Options being reviewed.
Cavan	Killeshandra	Operational Lease	Due to go in for planning by Q4 2016
Cork	Cork City NW Knocknaheeny / Fairhill / Gurranebraher / City Centre at St Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital campus	Direct build	2017 Q4
Cork	Carrigaline/Passage West	Operational Lease	Construction due to commence in September 2016
Donegal	Derrybeg/Bunbeg	Operational Lease	Projected opening date to be confirmed when construction start date is known.
Donegal	Dungloe	Direct build	The existing health centre is located in the same building complex as the Community Nursing Unit. There is pressure on space. The HSE is looking to co-locate more services as part of an integrated PCC and is in discussion with various stakeholders.
Donegal	Newtowncunningham / Lagan valley PCT	Direct build	Projected opening date to be confirmed when construction start date is known.
Dublin	Kilnamanagh /Tymon	Operational Lease	2017 Q3
Dublin	Rowlagh / North Clondalkin	Direct build	Purchase agreement is subject to planning permission being granted for the development.
Dublin	Cashel Road, Walkinstown / Crumlin	Operational Lease	2017 Q2
Dublin	Springfield Tallaght	Operational Lease	2016 Q3
Dublin	Grangegorman	Direct build	2016 Q3
Dublin	Coolock / Darndale	PPP	2018 Q1
Dublin	Summerhill, north inner city Dublin	PPP	2018 Q2
Dublin	Rialto/The Coombe	Operational Lease	Construction due to start Q4 2016
Dublin	Shankill	Operational Lease	Construction due to commence by Q1 2017
Dublin	Finglas (south and west)	Direct build	ABP refused planning permission on original site in February 2015.  HSE reviewing alternative site options.
County	Location / PCT Name	Delivery Method	Projected Open Date
Dublin	Balbriggan	Operational Lease	2017 Q1
Galway	Tuam	PPP	2017 Q4
Galway	Inisbofin	Direct build	Existing site is low lying and a coastal flood risk.  Discussions to take place with Galway Co Co to see if it has a suitable site.
Galway	Mountbellew	Operational Lease	2016 Q3
Kerry	Ballyheigue	Direct build - extension	2016 Q2
Kildare	Kildare Town - Tús Nua - includes child, adolescent and adult mental health services and network disability services)	Operational Lease	2016 Q4
Kildare	Celbridge	Operational Lease	2017 Q1
Kildare	Kilcock	PPP	2018 Q1
Limerick	Limerick City - Ballinacurra / Weston	PPP	2017 Q4
Longford	Edgeworthstown	Direct build	Projected opening date to be confirmed when construction start date is known.
Longford	Ballymahon	Operational Lease	Projected opening date to be confirmed when construction start date is known.
Mayo	Ballinrobe	PPP	2017 Q3
Mayo	Westport	PPP	2018 Q1
Mayo	Castlebar	Operational Lease	2016 Q3
Mayo	Claremorris	PPP	2017 Q4
Monaghan	Monaghan town (Monaghan Hospital campus)	Direct build	Design team appointed and compiling Feasibility Study
Offaly	Tullamore	Operational Lease	2017 Q3
Roscommon	Boyle	PPP	2017 Q3
Sligo	Ballymote / east Sligo	PPP	2017 Q4
Sligo	Sligo Town at Nazareth House	Direct build	Projected opening date to be confirmed when construction start date is known.
Sligo	Drumcliffe and Grange / north Sligo	Direct build	Projected opening date to be confirmed when construction start date is known.
Tipperary	Carrick-on-Suir	PPP	2018 Q1
Tipperary	Borrisokane	Direct build	2016 Q4
Tipperary	Tipperary Town	Operational Lease	2016 Q3
Waterford	Dungarvan	PPP	2018 Q1
Waterford	Waterford City	PPP	2018 Q2
Westmeath	Mullingar	Operational Lease	2017 Q1
Wexford	Wexford Town	PPP	2018 Q2
Wicklow	Carnew / South Wicklow	Operational Lease	2016 Q3
Wicklow	Blessington	Operational Lease	2016 Q3
Wicklow	Bray	Operational Lease	Projected opening date to be confirmed when construction start date is known.