Denise Mitchell
Ceist:137. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for funding made to the HSE from a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32325/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraHSE Funding
Ceisteanna (137)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (138)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:138. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the HPV vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32326/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HPV vaccine, which was introduced in 2010, protects girls from cervical cancer when they are adults. It is available free of charge from the HSE for all girls in the first year of secondary school. Each year in Ireland around 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and there are approximately 70 deaths per year. The HPV vaccine protects against two high risk types of HPV that cause 73% of all cervical cancers.
I am aware of claims of an association between HPV vaccination and a number of conditions experienced by a group of young women. I want to provide assurances to these young women and their families that they are eligible to seek medical attention and to access appropriate health and social care services, irrespective of the cause of their symptoms. The HSE are currently developing a care pathway for young people who are experiencing these types of symptoms and will be in a position to facilitate access to specialist services tailored to the needs of each individual.
It appears that some girls first suffered symptoms around the same time that they received the HPV vaccine, and understandably some parents have connected the vaccine to their daughter's condition.
The vaccine used in the school immunisation programme is Gardasil and over 220,000 girls have received this vaccine since its introduction. Gardasil is a fully tested vaccine which was licensed by the European Medicines Agency in 2006.
While no medicine, including vaccines, is entirely without risk, the safety profile of Gardasil has been continuously monitored since it was first authorised nationally and at EU level.
In November 2015 the European Medicines Agency (EMA) completed a detailed scientific review of the HPV vaccine. The review, in which the Health Products Regulatory Authority participated, focused on two conditions, complex regional pain syndrome and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. The review found no evidence of a causal link between the vaccine and the two conditions. On 12 January 2016 the European Commission endorsed the conclusion of the EMA stating that there is no need to change the way HPV vaccines are used or to amend the product information which is now binding in all member states.
Healthcare professionals are advised to continue using HPV vaccines in accordance with the current product information and I would encourage all young women to receive this important cancer preventing vaccine.
Congregated Settings Report
Ceisteanna (139)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:139. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding congregated settings for persons with special needs and disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32333/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
In June 2011 the Report “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings” was published by the Health Service Executive (HSE), which identified that in 2008 approximately 4000 individuals with disabilities lived in congregated type settings. These are places where ten or more people reside in a single living unit or are campus based. It found that, notwithstanding the commitment and initiative of dedicated staff and management, there were a significant number of people still experiencing institutional living conditions where they lacked basic privacy and dignity, and lived their lives apart from any community and family.
Currently, 2725 people live in congregated settings and our objective is to reduce this figure by one-third by 2021 and ultimately, to eliminate all congregated settings.
St John of God Services in Kerry has been identified as one of the priority sites for de-congregation. The HSE is committed to working with St John of God Services to transition 17 residents in ward style accommodation from the current unsuitable accommodation on campus to more appropriate settings in the local community. Comprehensive transition plans will ensure that there is extensive engagement with the person themselves, their families, carers and advocates, as well as the service provider, to ensure successful and sustainable transitions into the community.
Some of the existing residents will benefit from greater opportunities to participate in local communities and will, over time and with proper planning, move to living in the community. The welfare and dignity of residents is absolutely paramount, and the needs of the individual will be the first consideration.
I would particularly like to assure any concerned residents or family members that the process of moving a person with disabilities out of a congregated setting is not something that happens overnight. This process of moving people to more suitable accommodation in the community will take place over a number of years, and will be done in full consultation with all residents, advocates and their families.
As the HSE is responsible for leading out on the recommendations on "Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion", I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
GLAS Payments
Ceisteanna (140)
Michael Ring
Ceist:140. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a GLAS payment; when the issue that arose under the forestry check will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32164/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An application under Tranche 1 of GLAS was received in my Department on the 16 May 2015 and the person named was approved into the GLAS 1 with effect from 1 October 2015.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue.
During the GLAS pre-payment validation checks in respect of the 2015 scheme year an issue was identified in relation to some parcels under the Forestry Check. Department Officials are actively reviewing this issue with a view to resolving it and processing the 2015 payment as soon as possible.
GLAS Payments
Ceisteanna (141)
Michael Ring
Ceist:141. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not been paid a GLAS payment which was due in December 2015; and when this payment will issue. [32247/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An application under Tranche 1 of GLAS was received in my Department on the 24 May 2015 and the person named was approved into the GLAS 1 with effect from 1 October 2015.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue.
During the GLAS pre-payment validation checks in respect of the 2015 scheme year an issue was identified in relation to a parcel on which the Farmland Habitat Private Natura action was selected. Department Officials are currently reviewing this issue with a view to resolving it and processing the 2015 payment as soon as possible.