Written Answers Nos. 176 - 200
176. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the opening hours of a health facility (details supplied); the proposals there are to increase these opening hours and provide additional services at this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36443/16]
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.
177. 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. [36444/16]
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.
178. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment with the orthodontic treatment section, midlands Health Service Executive. [36447/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when required treatment will be accommodated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36453/16]
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.
180. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the total cost to the taxpayer of the land being made available for the national children's hospital at the St James's site; if compensation or a payment has been paid to the consultants in the private outpatient clinic building at St. James's which is currently being demolished; if such moneys came from St. James's Hospital or the national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36460/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe site for the new children’s hospital is owned by the HSE and is being made available to the new children’s hospital at no charge. The HSE has advised that in order to make the site available to the children’s hospital, the HSE acquired the freehold interest in a portion of the site at a cost of €110,000 plus legal fees, and land from Dublin City Council and CIE at a cost of €10,000 and €7,500 respectively.
The Deputy’s question regarding the issue of compensation or payment to consultants for the private outpatient building has been forwarded to the HSE for direct response.
181. 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. [36462/16]
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.
182. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the existing drug addiction facilities in County Carlow, specifically around support and follow-up care for addicts who have recently completed rehabilitation programmes. [36468/16]
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.
183. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health if his Department, or a body under its aegis, has considered any proposals for improving pricing transparency for private health insurance; and his views on whether the opacity of pricing in the sector has a negative impact on the cost of health insurance for households. [36490/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraInsurance companies operate as commercial providers and as Minister for Health, I have no legal power to intervene in relation to any insurer’s prices. We have a highly competitive health insurance market. Many consumers can make savings on their health insurance premiums by reviewing their level of cover to ensure that their needs are being met, without being over-insured.
The independent regulator the Health Insurance Authority provides information to consumers regarding their rights and also on health insurance plans and benefits. The Authority’s website has a plan comparison tool and it can be accessed at www.hia.ie. It allows people to view and compare the benefits and prices of all private health insurance plans available on the market. All of the health insurers provide a number of lower cost plans, affording consumers the opportunity to find value in the market and to access the level of cover appropriate to their individual or family needs.
The number of inpatient plans on sale in the market by the four open membership insurers has decreased in the last year with 352 inpatient private health insurance plans on the Product Register on 1 October 2016 (excluding restricted undertakings). This is a decrease of 52 plans since 4 December 2015. The Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2016 clarifies the circumstances when an insurer can withdraw a product and seeks to ensure that people are offered a replacement product with at least the same level of benefits.
The Central Bank has consumer protection oversight of all open market insurers. Earlier this year it conducted a thematic inspection resulting in new requirements for providers to enhance the content and presentation of the information contained in policy renewal notices. Insurers are required to clearly explain to consumers that their policy will auto-renew on to the same policy if they do not contact their insurer prior to their renewal date. Secondly they are required to encourage consumers to make contact during the renewal process to ensure the provider assesses if there are more suitable policies available.
184. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if additional home help hours will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36502/16]
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.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
185. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his plans for the health centre located at Derrygreenagh, Rochfortbridge, County Westmeath. [36512/16]
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.
186. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a significant financial contribution is directed towards the costs of a new build (details supplied) from the HSE's capital estate fund; when a final, beneficial decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36516/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this matter falls within the remit of the Health Service Executive, it has been referred to the Executive for consideration and direct reply.
187. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied) for a rheumatology clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36517/16]
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.
188. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 16 November 2016, if he will address the issues raised and expedite an appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36528/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. I understand that the HSE has responded directly on this matter on 17 November 2016 in relation to the patient's appointment.
189. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 211 of 17 November 2016, if he will provide a timeframe regarding when the HSE will enter into further negotiations with the manufacturer in an effort to secure significant price reductions for the drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36534/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra190. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36535/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 190 together.
As outlined in previous reply, the 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.
In line with the 2013 Act, if a Company would like a medicine to be reimbursed by the HSE pursuant to the Community Drug Schemes or as a hospital medicine, the Company must first submit an application to the HSE to have the new medicine added to the Reimbursement List or to be priced as a hospital medicine. The Company must submit a separate application to extend a treatment to a new cohort of patients. Each application is considered separately on its merits and in line with the 2013 Act.
In reaching its decision, the HSE examines all the evidence which may be relevant in its view for the decision (including the information /dossier submitted by the Company) and will take into account such expert opinions and recommendations which may have been sought by the HSE at its sole discretion (for example, from the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics).
In considering an application, the HSE will also have regard to Part 1 and Part 3 of Schedule 3 of the 2013 Act. Part 3 requires the HSE to have regard to the following criteria:
1. the health needs of the public;
2. the cost-effectiveness of meeting health needs by supplying the item concerned rather than providing other health services;
3. the availability and suitability of items for supply or reimbursement;
4. the proposed costs, benefits and risks of the item or listed item relative to therapeutically similar items or listed items provided in other health service settings and the level of certainty in relation to the evidence of those costs, benefits and risks;
5. the potential or actual budget impact of the item or listed item;
6. the clinical need for the item or listed item;
7. the appropriate level of clinical supervision required in relation to the item to ensure patient safety;
8. the efficacy (performance in trial), effectiveness (performance in real situations) and added therapeutic benefit against existing standards of treatment (how much better it treats a condition than existing therapies); and
9. the resources available to the HSE.
I am informed that the HSE received a request and economic dossier from the manufacturer of Ivacaftor, brand name Kalydeco, for the treatment of cystic fibrosis patients aged 2 years and older weighing less than 25kg. In March of this year the HSE asked the NCPE to carry out a health technology assessment of the applicant’s economic dossier on the cost effectiveness of this treatment.
The NCPE completed its assessment and made a recommendation in October 2016. The NCPE determined that the manufacturer failed to demonstrate cost-effectiveness of the drug for its intended cohort of patients and did not recommend that it should be reimbursed for this indication at the submitted price.
A summary of the health technology assessment has been published on the NCPE website and is available at: www.ncpe.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Ivacaftor-2-5-years-web-summary.pdf.
The HSE will enter into negotiations with the manufacturer in an effort to secure significant price reductions for Kalydeco.
The HSE will consider the outcome of these engagements together with the NCPE recommendation, in making a final decision on reimbursement. This decision will be made on objective, scientific and economic grounds by the HSE in line with the 2013 Act. This remains the position.
As the HSE is responsible for the negotiations with manufacturers I have asked them to reply to the Deputy directly in relation to their engagements with the manufacturer.
191. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he will request SouthDoc to provide a standard landline contact number that is not a low cost number as at present visitors here with foreign mobile phones cannot access the low cost number and therefore have no way of contacting South Doc in times of medical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36536/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
192. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress in discussions between the PKU - phenylketonuria - Association of Ireland, the HSE and the clinical nutritional expert group on the need to approve additional suitable products for inclusion on the reimbursement list as compliance with a very low protein diet is essential for persons with phenylketonuria, and the availability of such products is very limited at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36569/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of products under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
193. 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. [36583/16]
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.
194. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when GLAS payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36395/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under Tranche 1 of GLAS was received by the Department on the 26 May 2015 and the person named was approved into 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 cross checks with the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) issues were identified that required further examination. Following the resolution of the BPS issues the necessary prepayment validations on the GLAS application will be carried out with a view to issuing payment.
195. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ban circus animals here. [36449/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe conditions under which all species of animals in circuses are kept and managed come under the scope of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which contains rules relating to the welfare of all animals, including wild animals in circuses. Section 25 of the Act provides for the adoption of codes of practice in relation to, inter alia, matters concerning the welfare of animals, and this is being kept under review in the context of use of animals in circuses. My Department continues to engage with stakeholders, including circus groups, animal welfare organisations, in relation to the welfare of wild animals in circuses. According to the information available to my Department, there are in fact very few wild animals currently performing in Irish circuses. I have no plans at this juncture to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.
196. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36467/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme /Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 10 May 2016.
Processing of the application is currently ongoing with a view to completion and payment issuing to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible date.
197. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will intervene in the case of persons (details supplied) and allow for a meeting between them and his Department in order that they might discuss their case in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36482/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials from my Department will be in contact with the persons named with a view to arranging a meeting with them to discuss their case.
198. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a request to his Department for an oral hearing by a person (details supplied) will be held before the end of 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36500/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe query raised relates to the 2014 Single Payment Scheme application received from the person named. Issues were identified in relation to dual claims on some of the parcels declared resulting in penalties having to be applied.
My Department has recently reviewed the case and upheld the original decision. A letter issued to the person named on 18 October 2016 informing him of the outcome of this review and of his right to appeal the decision to the Agricultural Appeals Office.
As an oral hearing has been requested in this case, the Agriculture Appeals Office will be in direct contact with the person named regarding the scheduling and location of the oral hearing.
199. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the new initiatives he will undertake to increase live cattle exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36567/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraLive cattle exports are a means of satisfying market demand for animals and providing alternative market outlets for Irish cattle farmers. My Department, and Bord Bia, have been proactive in encouraging and facilitating such exports.
Earlier this year, my Department worked with Turkish Authorities to reopen the market for live bovines. In recent weeks, over 8,000 head of cattle have been exported to Turkey and I expect further substantial shipments to that country. I also expect live exports to Libya to commence before the year’s end.
The markets currently open to live cattle from Ireland include Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Montenegro, Serbia and Algeria and most recently Turkey, in addition to the other Member States of the European Union. Animal health restrictions and geopolitical instability have impeded previously high volume exports to Belgium and North Africa respectively, though small numbers of breeding cattle have recently been exported to Morocco. My Department has agreed health certificates for the export of live cattle to Turkey, Egypt, Serbia and Algeria this year and is currently investigating the possibility of bilateral health certificates for the export of live cattle to Kazakhstan. I recently lead a successful Trade Mission to Morocco and Algeria, with a strong focus on live cattle exports amongst other things.
The exploitation of market outlets, once opened, is a commercial matter for the live export sector, and demand is determined by the usual variables, including the cost of animals at marts, domestic demand for live cattle, the relative cost of beef at home and in foreign markets, currency exchange rates, transport costs and other factors.
I will continue to work to ensure that Irish meat and livestock producers have the option of exporting to as many global markets as possible for both processed meat and live cattle.
200. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of the recent beef forum meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36568/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast Thursday I chaired my second Beef Forum since taking office. It was a successful meeting with positive engagement from stakeholders. It included presentations from Meat Industry Ireland and the IFA. At the previous meeting in July it had been agreed that stakeholders should be given the opportunity to present their views to the forum and these presentations were the first in a series which will give an opportunity to all stakeholders who wish to present to do so in future meetings .
There was a significant discussion on the measures being taken to mitigate the impact of Brexit on the agri sector. These include a number of measures in Budget 2017, including a 21% in RDP funding, adjustments to the income averaging system to allow farmers to opt out in an exceptional year, increased PRSI benefits for the self employed and an increase in the farmers' flat rate VAT addition.
Stakeholders were also provided with further information on the €150 million Agri Cash flow Support loan fund announced in Budget 2017. There was particular interest in this and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, who attended the meeting for this item, committed to making themselves available for further discussions with stakeholders if required.
In addition, stakeholders were briefed on efforts to open new markets for beef, including recent trade missions to Asia and North Africa, and on recent engagement with supermarkets in the UK who purchase Irish Beef.
Bord Bia also gave a presentation on the market outlook for 2017 noting the expected increase in supply of cattle next year, as well as updating the Forum on the work being carried out by Bord Bia in the promotion of Irish beef which is delivering substantial success in markets such as the Netherlands and Germany. This is very important especially in the context of the impact of the fluctuations in the sterling/euro exchange rate on the value of beef exports to the UK in recent months.
Brexit will undoubtedly present substantial challenges to the beef sector. Against this background the actions outlined in Food Wise 2025 are all the more important, and in that context, I announced the appointment of Michael Dowling as chairperson of a Meat Implementation Group to monitor the implementation of sectoral actions.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to continue with the Beef Forum as a means of facilitating constructive dialogue between Beef Industry stakeholders. I intend to meet that commitment.
