Written Answers Nos. 1316-1333
1316. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a cardiac catheterisation laboratory at Sligo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1699/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSligo University Hospital is currently served by a mobile Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory which provides services one day per week for elective procedures.
In addition, a Cross Border Cardiology Service was established in 2016 between Letterkenny University Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital providing primary PCI services for Donegal patients at Altnagelvin. Following treatment, patients are repatriated to either Sligo or Letterkenny University Hospitals.
In 2017 consideration will be given to a wider cardiology waiting list initiative. Any proposal for the development of catheterisation lab services at Sligo University Hospital must first be considered from a hospital group perspective and in relation to the planning for the cardiology needs of the Group population. The development must then be considered in a national context, and in the light of competing demands for scarce resources.
1317. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early date for an operation will be arranged at St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, for a person (details supplied). [1703/17]
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.
1319. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1774/17]
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.
1320. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1781/17]
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.
1321. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health when the decision support service within the Mental Health Commission will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1787/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015, which is the responsibility of the Department of Justice and Equality, provides for the establishment of the Decision Support Service within the Mental Health Commission to support decision-making by and for adults with capacity difficulties and to regulate individuals who are providing support to people with capacity difficulties. The commencement of the 2015 Act is a matter for the Department of Justice and Equality. A Steering Group chaired by the Department of Justice and Equality has been set up to progress the establishment of the Decision Support Service and this work is ongoing.
Approval to advertise and recruit a person for the post of Director of the Decision Support Service has now been received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and it is expected that this post will be advertised shortly.
1322. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health when the outstanding substantive sections of Part 8 of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 will be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1788/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act was signed into law on 30 December 2015. Part 8 of the Act provides a legislative framework for advance healthcare directives (AHDs). An AHD is a statement made by a person with capacity setting out his or her will and preferences regarding treatment decisions that may arise in the future when he or she no longer has capacity.
Under section 91 of the Act, the Minister for Health is responsible for the establishment of a multidisciplinary working group to assist in the development and preparation of the Code of Practice for the AHD provisions. The role of the working group will be to prepare a detailed series of recommendations for the Director of the Decision Support Service, in relation to the interpretation and operation of the AHD provisions contained in the Act. The Director will prepare and publish a Code of Practice based on those recommendations.
The establishment of the working group required commencement of section 91(2) of the Act and related definitions. This section was commenced on 17th October 2016 and the working was subsequently established. Additional information about the working group is available from the following link: http://www.hse.ie/eng/about/Who/qualityandpatientsafety/nau/AssistedDecisionMaking/advance-healthcare-directives.html.
Upon the completion of its work, the multidisciplinary working group will submit its recommendations to the Director of the Decision Support Service. The Director shall publish a Code of Practice, with the consent of the Minister for Health. The preparation of this Code of Practice will facilitate the subsequent commencement of Part 8 of the Act, pertaining to AHDs, in its entirety.
1323. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a drug (details supplied) will be included for use on the health system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1791/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines 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.
1324. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the alternative scheme which has been devised to replace the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant; when it will be available to applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1792/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraConscious of the reports of the Ombudsman in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Scheme in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes in February 2013. However, the Government is aware of the continuing needs of people with a disability who rely on individual payments that support choice and independence. In this regard, monthly payments of up to €208.50 have continued to be made by the Health Service Executive to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance.
The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Programme for Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme.
I can confirm that work on the policy proposals for the new scheme is at an advanced stage and I anticipate that this will be brought to Government shortly. The proposals seek to ensure that:
- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;
- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility critieria attaching to the Scheme;
- Resources are targeted at those with greatest needs; and
- The Scheme is capable of being costed and is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.
1325. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1793/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal devices 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.
1326. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if assessments (details supplied) are being carried out; the total number of children across the State in the category who received an assessment during the academic year 2015-16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1795/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
1327. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if the required reports from the north Kildare network disability team can be furnished in respect of a person (details supplied) who urgently requires reports to complete an application for a special needs assistant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1796/17]
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.
1328. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 383 on 6 December 2016, subsequently referred to the HSE for direct reply, the reason the post to which the question referred is still vacant and is once again at pre-advertising stage, as disclosed in the HSE reply; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that funding and approval for this position were first announced almost two years ago as part of the HSE service plan for 2015; the way in which the funding assigned for this post has been utilised to date in view of the delays which have been experienced in successfully recruiting for this position, if the recruitment process will now be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1801/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
1329. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a dispute (details supplied); if there is any indication of a resolution; the number of beds affected in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1803/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE admitted two residents from Acute Services on the 12 January increasing the number of residents to 28. INMO and SIPTU members are not co-operating with the provision of care for these two additional residents, except in the case of critical or emergency care on the basis that there is an agreement in place in relation to the unit not exceeding 26 residents.
The INMO had given notice last week of their intention to commence industrial action on Wednesday 18 January. A meeting between HSE Management and the INMO was held yesterday to discuss contingency measures for the duration of the work to rule. The INMO has confirmed that the work to rule will commence at 8am on the morning of the 18 January with the withdrawal of services for any residents that exceed 26. In addition to this the INMO members will not perform any non-nursing duties e.g. Porter duties, answering telephones, cleaning, clerical duties etc.
The Labour Court has confirmed receipt of a submission from the WRC in respect of the outcome of the WRC Conciliation Conference that was held last week. The dispute is now subject of an urgent referral to the Labour Court by the HSE and it is intended to put the dispute on the agenda of the next meeting of the Implementation Body. The timeframe for hearing is in the region of 10 days with a date for recommendation of 17 days.
It is unfortunate that a resolution could not have been agreed and we will await the determination of the Labour Court.
1330. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when replacement staff will be put in place to deal with the staff losses in the dental clinic in Roscommon county clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1820/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
1331. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who was to be seen in a clinic cannot be seen in another clinic when they are in urgent need of treatment in the absence of the dentist at their normal clinic. [1821/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
1332. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1822/17]
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 Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
Budget 2017 includes an increased allocation to the Disability Services Programme to address a number of key priorities in the Programme for Partnership Government. The allocation for disability services will rise to over €1.654bn in 2017, an increase of €92 million on the Budget 2016 allocation.
Eligibility criteria for the Carer's Support Grant, formerly called Respite Care Grant, is a matter for the Department of Social Protection.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
1333. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the reason for the ongoing delay in arranging a new appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Cork whose previous appointment was cancelled by the hospital nearly two years ago. [1826/17]
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.
