Wednesday, 28 Sep 2016

Written Answers Nos. 217-224

Respite Care Services

Ceisteanna (217)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

217. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if physiotherapy and respite will be provided for a person (details supplied). [27690/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In 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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (218)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

218. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be arranged for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27691/16]

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.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Ceisteanna (219)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

219. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the cost of providing two contact lenses each year will be covered by the HSE in the case of a person (details supplied). [27692/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Alcohol Advertising

Ceisteanna (220, 222, 223)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

220. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the current members of the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body; when this group last met; if and when he has met or corresponded with this group; when the group last published a report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27716/16]

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

222. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the detail of the consultative panel who advise the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body, AMCMB; the persons on the group; the frequency with which they meet with the AMCMB; the stakeholders represented on this panel; if his Department has any oversight of the composition of this panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27724/16]

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

223. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if any independent research has been commissioned by the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body, AMCMB, since its establishment; the research that has been commissioned in respect to adherence to and effectiveness of the provisions of the codes; the research and expenditure by his Department on this research for each of the years since the establishment of the AMCMB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27728/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 220, 222 and 223 together.

The Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body (AMCMB) was established in 2005 to monitor the level of adherence to Alcohol Marketing, Communications and Sponsorship Codes of Practice. A revised Code of Practice on Alcohol Marketing, Communications and Sponsorship has been in place since July 2008. Following a Departmental review of the Codes in 2010 it was agreed that the existing Codes would remain while the Department examined the possibility of the providing a legislative basis for the Codes. The Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, 2012 recommended the development of a statutory framework with respect to the volume, content and placement of all alcohol advertising in all media in Ireland. Regulation of the advertising of alcohol products and sponsorship by alcohol companies is provided for in the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill remains a priority for this Government. The Bill has been restored to the Seanad Order Paper and I expect that it will commence Committee Stage in October.

The AMCMB is comprised of representatives my Department and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, the advertising industry, and the drinks industry. The current members are: Mr Peter Cassells (Chair), Ms Alessandra Fantini, Dr Sean Denyer, Mr Michael O'Keeffe, Mr Ciaran Cunningham and Mr Ross McMathuna. The group meets on a quarterly basis and the last meeting was held on 23 August 2016. The AMCMB has submitted nine annual reports to the Minister for Health. The 7th Annual Report was the last annual report to be published on the Department of Health website.

The AMCMB monitors compliance with the Codes through a review of quarterly reports submitted by the advertising industry, review of complaints received examined by the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland and commissioned research. A number of companies have been commissioned by AMCMB to assess adherence to the Codes including Havas Media, BBN and Poster Audit Bureau. Companies have been commissioned to produce reports to allow the AMCMB to, inter alia, check compliance with the Code by televisions broadcasters, to survey sample films to assess compliance with the Code's provisions and to check compliance with outdoor media advertisers. Approximately €172,800 has been spent on commissioned research to date.

Alcohol Sales Legislation

Ceisteanna (221)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

221. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the Irish response to the objections raised by other EU member states on the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill; the current position with respect to the Irish reply to these objections; the next stage; if he will publish this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27717/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

On 22 January 2016, the European Commission was formally notified of Ireland’s intention to introduce the proposed legislation on minimum unit pricing, labelling and control of marketing and advertising under the Technical Standards and Regulations Directive (Directive 98/34/EC). Nine Member States issued detailed opinions on the proposed legislation. The EU Commission and two other Member States also issued comments. The standstill period was extended until 28 July 2016. Two further Member States issued comments and one Member State issued detailed opinions after the expiry of the standstill period. The issues raised are being considered and a response is being prepared for the Commission. As the standstill period has now ended, the Bill can proceed through the Houses of the Oireachtas.

The Commission has advised that comments and detailed opinions issued under Directive 98/34/EC should not be released.

Questions Nos. 222 and 223 answered with Question No. 220.

HSE Properties

Ceisteanna (224)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

224. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health his plans for a vacant HSE owned property (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27742/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as the management of the healthcare property estate is a service matter.