Tuesday, 17 Jan 2017

Written Answers Nos. 1126-1153

Respite Care Grant Applications

Ceisteanna (1126)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1126. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a respite care grant for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1082/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

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.

As the Deputy's 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.

Long-Term Illness Scheme

Ceisteanna (1127)

Danny Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1127. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position of the HSE review regarding the addition of new and improved products being added to the long-term illness scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1090/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (1128)

Joe Carey

Ceist:

1128. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will initiate a review of health services in the mid-west region to consider the possible extension of opening hours and services available at Ennis, Nenagh and St. John's hospitals with a view to relieving the pressure on University Hospital Limerick, maximising the use of existing facilities and delivering better outcomes for patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1098/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Autism Support Services

Ceisteanna (1129)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1129. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans regarding autism services in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1105/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

However, as the Deputy's 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.

Addiction Treatment Services

Ceisteanna (1130)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

1130. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to develop a specialised treatment centre for addiction services in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1106/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1131)

John Brassil

Ceist:

1131. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1112/17]

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.

Departmental Records

Ceisteanna (1132)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

1132. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the cost per year for the past three years for the storage and archiving of his Department's files and records at off-site locations by third party companies and at State-owned storage facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1122/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

My Department has a contract with a records management company for storage of the Department’s inactive files along with retrieval services for these files. The cost of the storage of Departmental records is met by the Office of Public Works.

The contract is due for renewal now and my Department is engaged with the Office of Government Procurement in seeking tenders from suitable providers. This process is expected to be completed within the next few weeks. As such it would not be appropriate at this point, to release the details requested. However, as soon as the new contract is signed, I will arrange for the information to be provided directly to the Deputy.

Community Development Projects

Ceisteanna (1133)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

1133. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding awarded to a cycling club (details supplied) in each of the years 2014 to 2016, inclusive, broken down by year and the amount awarded; the fund that was used to draw the funding from and the rationale for the decision to award funding to the club; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1130/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In 2016 my Department administered a National Lottery Discretionary Fund from which once-off grants were paid to community and voluntary organisations providing a range of health related services. Total funding amounted to €3.286m. The funding was used to support over 120 organisations across Ireland.

Islandeady Cycling Club was approved for a grant of €20,000 in 2016 to fund exercise equipment to help provide quality health and wellbeing programmes for members and the wider community. The Department recommended the application for funding based on the fact that there is strong evidence to support the multiple benefits of physical activity to health and wellbeing. Being physically active is one of the most significant improvements people and communities can make to improve physical and mental health.

Islandeady Cycling Club did not receive lottery funding in 2014 or 2015.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (1134)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

1134. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will set up a clinical review of scoliosis services here; if he will consider appointing one of the following persons (details supplied) to conduct the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1133/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Long waiting times for scoliosis surgery are not acceptable, and my Department has been working closely with the HSE to address services pressures, particularly in Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, which is the largest provider of scoliosis surgery for children and young people.

Additional funding of €1.042m was allocated under the 2015 Service Plan to increase capacity at Crumlin, and further resources of €0.987m have been allocated under the 2016 Service Plan for Orthopaedics and Trauma to address service needs in Crumlin which will have a positive effect on access for scoliosis patients. The HSE Winter Initiative 2016/2017 includes €2m provided specifically for scoliosis patients to provide for scoliosis surgeries. 78 scoliosis patients were reviewed under this initiative. To date, 54 have been treated and 4 have received appointments for treatment in February, due to clinical age restrictions for procedures.

The construction of a new orthopaedic theatre in Crumlin has been completed and is commissioned. This will provide for additional scoliosis activity in 2017 but is dependent on the recruitment of additional theatre nurses. The Children's Hospital Group is proactively working on nurse recruitment to support the opening of the new theatre. I met a number of scoliosis advocacy groups to discuss their concerns following which the Children’s Hospital Group has begun a process of engagement with advocacy groups on developing a partnership approach to the design and planning of services for children with scoliosis. Therefore, a clinical review of scoliosis services is not required at this time.

My Department will continue to work with the HSE and the relevant hospitals to ensure improvements in access to spinal surgery.

HSE Expenditure

Ceisteanna (1135)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

1135. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the cost of production of the HSE magazine, Health Matters; the cost to date from the first publication; the circulation details and cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1136/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have requested the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Respite Care Grant Applications

Ceisteanna (1136)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1136. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for respite care in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1137/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

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.

As the Deputy's 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.

Respite Care Grant

Ceisteanna (1137)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

1137. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange to have respite care made available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [1138/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (1138)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

1138. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he has received a business proposal from the HSE in regard to the designation of part of St. Joseph's campus in County Longford as an acquired brain injury unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1140/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Programme for Partnership Government includes a commitment to publish a "plan for advancing neuro-rehabilitation services in the community". A National Steering Group, chaired by the Head of the Health Service Executive's (HSE's) Disability Reform Team, has completed an implementation framework in respect of the recommendations from the National Policy and Strategy for the Provision of Neuro-rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011-2015. The Group is currently considering feedback on the framework, which was circulated to wider stakeholder interest groups. The HSE intends to finalise and progress implementation of the framework for the Neuro-rehabilitation Strategy in 2017.

Under the Health Act 2004, the HSE is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. I understand that the HSE is obliged to consider proposals for specialised residential services for people with acquired brain injury, such as that referred to by the Deputy, in the broader context of the finalisation of the implementation framework and available resources.

Hospital Beds Data

Ceisteanna (1139)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1139. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of wards and beds which are closed in hospitals in counties Cork and Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1142/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this particular query relates to a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (1140)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

1140. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be given a date to undergo surgery in St. James's Hospital; if, in the event of a delay in providing a date for their surgery, it can be arranged to take place in a private hospital; and the reason they were not offered this surgery to take place in a private hospital after waiting over six months in chronic pain [1146/17]

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.

Home Care Packages

Ceisteanna (1141)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

1141. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the details of the way in which the measures contained in the home care packages funding initiative will impact South Tipperary General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1151/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (1142)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1142. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 482 of 13 December 2016, if he will provide the location and lease details of the premises providing this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1158/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Respite Care Grant

Ceisteanna (1143)

Eamon Scanlon

Ceist:

1143. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE respite facilities for families with children with disabilities in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Cavan; the number of beds available in each facility in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1164/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

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.

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.

Medicinal Products Availability

Ceisteanna (1144, 1159)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

1144. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of a drug awaiting approval by the NCPE (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1167/17]

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

1159. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if a drug (details supplied) for those persons with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 will be made available through the public health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1211/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1144 and 1159 together.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds by the HSE.

Prior to a medicine being marketed, made available to patients and/or submitted for assessment under the 2013 Act, it must have a market authorisation from the European Medicine Agency (EMA).

The European Medicines Agency provides independent recommendations on medicines for human and veterinary use, based on a comprehensive scientific evaluation of data.

The EMA’s evaluations of marketing-authorisation applications provide the basis for the authorisation of medicines in Europe. This is separate to the Statutory Assessment process conducted by the HSE.

I understand from the HSE that Biogen have applied to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for market authorisation in the EU for the drug Nusinersen (Spinraza). The application to the EMA was submitted in Autumn 2016. The EMA assessment process generally takes around one year.

Should Nusinersen receive European marketing authorisation, the manufacturer would then be open to make an application to the HSE to have the product reimbursed under the community drug schemes.

Medicinal Products Prices

Ceisteanna (1145)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

1145. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of drugs which, following the NCPE assessment of the manufacturer's economic dossier on the cost effectiveness of a drug, the NCPE found not to be cost effective; if this information will be provided for each of the past two years with a breakdown of whether additional price reductions were successfully negotiated and agreed upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1168/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The 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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1146)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

1146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when orthopaedic treatment and surgery will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1169/17]

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.

HSE Expenditure

Ceisteanna (1147)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1147. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the amount of money spent by the HSE on electronic devices (details supplied) in each of the years 2014 to 2016 for HSE staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1170/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

HSE Staff

Ceisteanna (1148)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1148. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE staff employed nationwide; the number of these who do not have an official HSE e-mail address; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1171/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Hospital Groups

Ceisteanna (1149)

Joe Carey

Ceist:

1149. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will make the necessary funding available to the University Limerick hospital group to enable the new 96-bed unit at University Hospital Limerick to come into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1175/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

There is a project to develop a ward block to provide 96 replacement in-patient bed at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) and some funding is available to advance its development. This ward block is to be located over the renal dialysis unit which was completed in 2016 and the new Emergency Department (ED) which is projected to be completed in Q1 2017.

It is important to note that a number of construction projects are underway and are being completed at UHL. Acute hospital campuses are complex sites and all construction must be carefully scheduled to ensure that health care services are not impeded. In its 2017 National Service Plan, the HSE states that the following projects are expected to be completed and become operational in 2017/early 2018:

- The new ED will be completed in Q1 2017 and is projected to be operational in Q2 2017. The total estimated capital cost of this significant project is €24m and a current allocation of €1.4m has been allocated to facilitate its opening;

- The acute medical assessment unit and out-patients department are being refurbished and reconfigured to provide 8 additional assessment places and 12 replacement assessment spaces. It has an estimated capital cost of €1.4m;

- A surgical and pre-operative assessment unit is projected to open in Q3 2017 and it will provide 14 additional assessment spaces. It has an estimated capital cost of €0.79m;

- The clinical education and research centre, which is co-funded with the University of Limerick, is projected to be operational from Q4 2017. It has an estimated capital cost of €12.9m.

These projects demonstrate the considerable infrastructure investment underway on the UHL campus. The HSE is concentrating on applying the limited funding available for infrastructure development in the most effective way possible to meet current and future needs.

There is limited funding available for new projects over the next multi-annual period 2016-2021 given the level of commitments and the costs to completion already in place. Future investment at University Hospital Limerick must be considered within the overall acute hospital sector infrastructure programme and within the overall capital envelope available to the health service. It is proposed that there will be a mid-term review of the State’s capital envelope, which will assess progress and review emerging pressures and demands. It is expected that this mid-term review will be completed in 2017.

Question No. 1150 answered with Question No. 884.

Ambulance Service Staff

Ceisteanna (1151)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

1151. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of paramedic personnel fully trained to work in the neonatal ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1184/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Ambulance Service Data

Ceisteanna (1152)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

1152. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of neonatal ambulances currently in service; his plans to increase the number of available neonatal transport vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1185/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Departmental Records

Ceisteanna (1153)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

1153. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the cost per year for the past three years for the storage and archiving of HSE files and records at off-site locations by third party companies and at State owned storage facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1187/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The maintenance and preservation of its own records is a matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.