Written Answers Nos. 121-140
121. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve healthy eating habits in view of the recent findings in the Healthy Ireland survey 2016 that 27% of the population reported eating fruit and vegetables daily compared with 60% eating processed and unhealthy snacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32364/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recently launched 'A Healthy Weight for Ireland – Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016 - 2025'. This Obesity Policy and Action Plan is the result of the Government's desire to assist its people to achieve better health and in particular to reduce the levels of overweight and obesity. It also acknowledges that the solutions are multiple and that every sector has a role in reducing the burden of this condition.
The Policy recognises that healthy eating plays a major role in the prevention of overweight and obesity, as well as in other diet related diseases. The Action Plan includes a range of initiatives to encourage healthy eating. The first of these will be the launch of revised Healthy Eating Guidelines next month and the development of a proposal for a Nutrition Policy and Action Plan led by my Department
Other healthy eating priority actions to commence in the coming year include:
- a 'whole of school' approach to healthy lifestyle programmes, including nutrition;
- a levy on sugar-sweetened drinks in 2018;
- agreement on food reformulation targets with the food industry to reduce fat, sugar and salt in foods and drinks;
- a code of practice for food and drinks promotion, marketing, sponsorship and product placement;
- legislation for calorie posting to support people to make healthy choices;
- a communications strategy to increase knowledge about the benefits of being a healthy weight and to stimulate healthy behaviour change; and
- targeting socially disadvantaged high-risk groups through community development programmes that support healthy eating and the prevention and management of overweight and obesity.
122. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours provided by the HSE annually since 2011 in the Dublin West HSE region; the total budget allocated by the HSE for home help hours in the Dublin West HSE region; and the number of home help hours provided by private health companies and paid for by the HSE or his Department since 2011. [32365/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
123. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the amount of the €14.6 billion announced in budget 2017 that will go towards the home care packages scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32366/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to say that overall funding for services for older people has increased to €765 million in 2017 - an increase of €82 million since the HSE's 2016 Service Plan. This has focused on additional funding for homecare in particular and is aimed at allowing people to continue to live in their own homes and at facilitating discharge of older people from acute hospitals.
The overall funding for home care in 2016 is approximately €373 million, this includes Home Help, Home Care Packages, Primary Care funded services within the Home Care Package Scheme and Intensive Home Care Packages. The Government has provided a further €27m for home care services in 2017. Details of how home care funding will be dispersed will be set out in the coming weeks in the HSE 2017 National Service Plan.
124. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Health if his Department will provide epi medication pens to primary and post-primary schools as this is standardised medication that needs to be provided to schools where students who require them are attending (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32369/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no plans to provide Epipens to primary and post-primary schools.
125. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will review a decision on home help in respect of a person (details supplied). [32372/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
126. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for both appointments and assessments in the early intervention and school age psychology services, on a county basis, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32379/16]
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.
The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
127. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health when services will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32388/16]
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.
The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
128. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32389/16]
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.
129. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in receipt of the home oxygen service; the way the service levels are monitored, in view of the importance of equipment maintenance; the frequency with which equipment is being serviced and maintained; if details of checks being carried out will be provided (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32391/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
130. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the action he is taking to address the delay in negotiating a price for the life-saving drug Orkambi; if he will put a cap on the price of newly released drugs in the national interest; the strategy the Government is pursuing to deal with the issue of overcharging for medication here in general, and for newly released drugs for specific conditions in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32394/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
These decisions are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds by the HSE. In reaching its decision, the HSE examines all the evidence which may be relevant in its view for the decision and will take into account such expert opinions and recommendations which may have been sought by the HSE, including, for example, advice from the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics.
I am informed that, following a request from the HSE, the NCPE carried out an assessment of the manufacturer's economic dossier submitted in March 2016 on the cost effectiveness of lumacaftor/ivacaftor (Orkambi). This dossier included details on all relevant costs and relevant cost offsets including hospitalisation, disease management costs, intravenous antibiotics, adverse events and any additional costs arising in patients not taking Orkambi.
The NCPE has completed its HTA and submitted it to the HSE in June 2016. The NCPE determined, following an evaluation of the economic dossier, that the manufacturer failed to demonstrate cost-effectiveness or value for money from using the drug. The NCPE have confirmed that all relevant costs were included in the analysis.
A summary of the HTA has been published on the NCPE website and is available at: http://www.ncpe.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Website-summary-orkambi.pdf.
The HSE has since had further engagements with the manufacturer in an effort to secure significant price reductions for Orkambi. The HSE is considering the outcome of these engagements and any other, together with the NCPE recommendation, in making a final decision on reimbursement.
In relation to the cost of new medicines, the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 sets out the conditions by which new medicines can be added to the reimbursement lists for the community drugs schemes. Before approving reimbursement of a new medicine the HSE is required to consider a number of criteria including: the potential or actual budget impact of a medicine, the cost-effectiveness of the medicine, the health needs of the public and the resources available to the HSE. The HSE therefore undertakes a robust analysis of the pricing points of new medicines and this is factored into negotiations with manufacturers. In the negotiation process the HSE will often seek significant price reductions so that medicines reimbursed are both cost-effective and affordable.
Under the new Framework Agreement on the Pricing and Supply of Medicines agreed between the State and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, medicines are now subject to an annual downward only price realignment. The price realignment is now based on an basket of 14 countries; this has been extended from 9 and also includes more lower cost countries. This will ensure that the State achieves better value for money on the cost of medicines as prices in the other reference countries are adjusted downwards over time. It also ensures that the prices paid by Ireland are not out of line with the other 13 EU Member States.
The issue of affordability and access to new and innovative medicines represents a major challenge to the health service in Ireland and indeed to health systems internationally. I have said previously that I am willing to examine, with the Oireachtas, new ways in which this challenge might be addressed.
131. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of hospitals throughout the country that have been rebranded with a university status in 2015 and in 2016 to date; the cost of that rebranding in terms of moneys spent on marketing, advertising and media consultation fees in the creation of a new corporate identity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32400/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
132. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health if a clinic (details supplied) will continue; his plans to suspend same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32402/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
133. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the full amount of funding in 2017 for mental health services; the reason the €35 million previously committed for improving mental health services has been reversed and significantly reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32414/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2017 I received approval to initiate €35 million in new mental health services next year. From the outset the Government has been clear that it will not be possible to spend all of this revenue in 2017 due to timing factors. However, I have also received approval for very significant additional capital expenditure on mental health services. This has allowed for the award of the contract to construct a new Forensic Mental Health facility at Portrane. The redevelopment of forensic mental health facilities was a key recommendation in "A Vision for Change: The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy" which was published in 2006. Some €50 million will be spent on this capital project next year, with the total cost of the project in excess of €150 million.
Key priorities to be addressed in the HSE's 2017 Service Plan include youth mental health, further improvement to child & adolescent and adult services, older people's services and further enhanced out of hours response for those in need of urgent services. Recognising the time lag in new staff taking up posts and the completion of preparations for the introduction of these services, it is estimated that the revenue spend in 2017 associated with this increased allocation will be some €15 million. There will also be a further additional revenue spend of €9.7 million in mental health associated with increased pay rates. The revenue allocation for Mental Health in 2017 will be €851.3 million, an increase of €24.7 million, or approximately 3%, over 2016. This will be supplemented by a further €50 million in capital funding. Despite significant increase in the cost of the new National Forensic Mental Health facility since it was originally initiated in 2000, due mainly to price inflation in the construction sector, the capital provision made and the award of the construction contract will secure the long overdue modernisation of these services.
134. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adolescents on waiting lists to access mental health services across the country, in tabular form; the numbers waiting for up to three months, between three and six months, between six and nine months, between nine and 12 months, and more than 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32415/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
135. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to upgrade the service provision and service offer out of Johnstown Bridge medical centre; the specific timeline and actions required; the services that are to be provided out of the centre for the district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32423/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this 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.
136. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health his plans for the provision of a psychology service for children in north Kildare, as currently no such service is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32430/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
137. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the total number of hours provided via the home care package and home help scheme in County Donegal for each of the years 2011 to date in 2016, in tabular form; the number of hours provided by the public sector and the numbers provided by private care providers in each case; the overall amount of moneys provided to private care providers and to the public care provider, as well as the total amounts paid to both sectors, for these services during each of these years in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32447/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
138. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32448/16]
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.
139. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 488 of 18 October 2016, the body or person from whom he has sought legal advice in relation to procedural and administrative matters raised regarding the Dignam report; when that advice was sought; and if he has received a preliminary response. [32452/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen submitting his report, Mr. Dignam drew my attention to two legal procedural and administrative matters which he advised should be addressed before the Report is published. Department of Health officials discussed the position in relation to these matters with Mr. Dignam and the Office of the Attorney General, following which actions were put in train to resolve the issues in question. These matters, as I have said, were procedural and administrative and did not, in themselves, necessitate legal advice.
140. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the position regarding supplies of childhood vaccines; if he is satisfied that the HSE has sufficient quantities to administer the BCG, MMR, Hib MenC and 6-in-1, in particular, in a timely manner; his views on whether the situation regarding these vaccines in the past few years has been satisfactory; and the steps taken to overcome shortages where they have existed. [32456/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe procurement of vaccines for the childhood immunisation programmes is a matter for the HSE.
As Deputies are aware, the HSE has had difficulties sourcing supplies of one of the childhood vaccines which has led to a suspension of the programme until new supplies of the vaccine can be obtained. There is currently a worldwide shortage of BCG vaccine and the vaccine has not been available in Ireland since the end of April 2015. The only one licensed supplier of BCG vaccine to Ireland has had difficulties in the production of the BCG vaccine. The manufacturer has informed the HSE there will be no supply of BCG until 2017. Consequently, BCG vaccination clinics in HSE Clinics and Maternity hospitals have been postponed until new stock arrives.
Since this problem became apparent, the HSE National Immunisation Office has been in regular contact with the manufacturer of BCG vaccine to ascertain when the vaccine might be available. The HSE has also asked the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), which licenses and regulates all human medicines in Ireland, to source an alternate supplier of the BCG vaccine. Efforts have been made to find a company who can provide the vaccine for use in Ireland which satisfies all the HPRA requirements on safety and efficacy. To date no suitable alternative BCG product has been found. Therefore the HSE has been unable to procure the BCG vaccine from any other source and still awaits the product from the HPRA licensed supplier of the vaccine. When there is confirmation of the date of new supply a decision will be made, guided by the recommendations of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, on who should be prioritised to receive the vaccine.
I have not been informed of any difficulties in procuring supplies of any of the other vaccines referred to in the question. However, as the procurement of vaccines is a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
