Written Answers Nos. 251-267
251. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to remedy the fact that south Tipperary is in breach of the statutory entitlement regarding assessment of needs for children under the Disability Act 2005 and to ensure that the matter is resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5045/17]
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 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.
252. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when the group clinical director for women and child health will be appointed for the South-South West Hospitals Group, SSWHG; if that person will have a separate budget line from the Cork University Hospital for the provision of maternity and gynaecology services; if there will be a clear governance protocol relating to that appointment; and if that person will be directly answerable to the CEO of the SSWHG. [5053/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, governance structures for our maternity services are currently being remodelled with the establishment of the National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) and maternity networks across hospital groups. The NWIHP will lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services, ensure the consistent delivery of high quality care in these services and oversee the development of maternity networks. Governance arrangements for the networks will be agreed between the NWIHP and the hospital group CEOs.
The Maternity Strategy provides that all development funding for maternity services will be ring-fenced and allocated through the NWIHP. Thus the Programme will facilitate greater oversight and support for service providers and ensure the appropriate allocation and targeting of new resources. I am hopeful that the new maternity network which is currently being established in the South/South West Hospital Group (SSWHG) will ensure better coordination and utilisation of maternity and gynaecological resources across the group. In that regard, I am pleased to note the very recent appointment of Professor John Higgins as Group Clinical Director Women and Children Services for the SSWHG. I am advised that Prof. Higgins will assume clinical and executive responsibility for maternity services in the Group's four maternity hospitals viz Cork University Maternity Hospital, University Hospital Kerry, University Hospital Waterford and South Tipperary General Hospital on the 28 of February next.
I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly on the specific questions concerning the SSWHG Maternity Network.
253. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he has met with an organisation (details supplied); and if he will outline their needs in respect of their budgetary requirements. [5054/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was pleased to visit COPE Foundation on 12 January 2017. My itinerary included a walk through of the Montenotte Complex followed by a meeting with the Chairperson of COPE, the Chief Executive, the Head of Homes and Community and the Director of Nursing.
The main item discussed at our meeting related to funding for COPE Foundation. As this is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE), I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
254. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if all pregnant women here have access to a foetal anomaly scan; and the number of foetal anomaly scans relative to actual births for every individual maternity unit in the State for the years 2015 and 2016, in tabular form [5055/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnomaly scans are available in all Hospital Groups. The hospitals/maternity units currently providing anomaly scans accept referrals from other maternity units, if requested. This occurs where the medical team in the referring maternity unit consider that an anomaly scan is clinically indicated.
The National Maternity Strategy is very clear that all women must have equal access to standardised ultrasound services and, consequently, the issue of anomaly scanning is a priority issue for the newly established HSE National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP). A Programme Director was seconded into position on the 3 January last. A Clinical Director has recently been appointed and takes up position on the 1 March 2017. An early priority for the Programme will be to develop clinical guidance regarding routine detailed scans at 20 weeks. In the meantime, the NWIHP will continue to work with the six Hospital Groups to assist in increasing access to anomaly scans for those units with limited availability.
One of the current challenges to increase access to anomaly scans is the recruitment of ultra-sonographers. In this context it is expected that the establishment of maternity networks across hospital groups will assist in developing a sustainable model that ensures that all women within each hospital group can access anomaly scans.
In relation to the query concerning the number of scans provided, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a spinal bed or a wide bed can be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5061/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
256. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the annual budget allocated to Letterkenny University Hospital for each of the years 2007 to 2016, in tabular form; and the amounts of money returned and reported as unspent for each of the years 2007 to 2016 [5068/17]
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.
257. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide an additional full endocrinologist team at Letterkenny University Hospital to support patients with type 1 diabetes and to complement the work of existing service personnel; if he has considered the benefits which additional staffing may yield with regard to the provision of pump therapy and ensuring optimum diabetes control and better health outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5073/17]
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.
258. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the waiting times at Letterkenny University Hospital for recall and review appointments for type 1 diabetes patients in a number of categories (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5074/17]
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.
259. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the additional clinical nurse specialist posts in diabetes care for adults approved for recruitment at Letterkenny University Hospital; if the posts have yet been advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5075/17]
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.
260. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health his plans to recruit a second clinical nurse specialist in paediatric diabetes care at Letterkenny University Hospital; if his attention has been drawn to the benefits which such a post may yield in terms of improving proactive clinics and further minimising the risk of complications associated with the disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5076/17]
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.
261. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the funding that will be provided in the 2017 HSE capital programme in respect of a project (details supplied) which requires additional facilities due to increased attendances over recent years at this health facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5079/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, future investment in Cavan General Hospital must be considered within the overall acute hospital sector infrastructure programme, the prioritised needs of the hospital groups and within the overall capital envelope available to the health service.
During 2017, my Department will work with the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to conduct a mid-term review of the capital programme. My Department will also conduct a Bed Capacity Review which will assess projected health care needs over the next decade and the associated infrastructural requirements to meet these needs.
262. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the status of a medical card application by a person (details supplied) [5084/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.
263. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the status of the introduction of a new motorised transport grant; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5097/17]
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.
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 criteria 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.
The Deputy may be interested to note that people who previously benefitted from the now-closed Motorised Transport Grant, may, if they satisfy the criteria under that scheme, be eligible for tax relief under the Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities Tax Relief Scheme. This scheme is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Finance and is operated by the Revenue Commissioners. Details of the scheme can be found on www.revenue.ie.
264. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if Ireland can now reassess its position with regard to supplying Ampligen for patients suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis, ME, due to the distribution of Ampligen by countries in Europe (details supplied) under the early access programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5111/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraRintatolimod (brand name Ampligen) is an experimental medicine in development for the treatment of a variety of chronic diseases and viral disorders, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).
The medicine is not currently authorised by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of ME in the European Union. Should the medicine receive marketing authorisation in Ireland, it would then be open to the marketing authorisation holder to make the medicine available for prescribing, and to apply to the HSE to have the product reimbursed under the community drugs schemes.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority has advised that is not aware of an early access programme for this medicine in Ireland.
Where a medicine is unauthorised the possible routes by which patients can access such medicines in Ireland are through the ‘exempt medicines scheme’ or participation in an authorised clinical trial.
With regard to the ‘exempt medicines scheme’, Irish law provides that a registered medical practitioner can prescribe medicines which are not authorised in Ireland for the treatment of a patient under his/her personal responsibility and in order to meet the special needs of that patient.
There are no authorised clinical trials with rintatolimod in Ireland.
265. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5141/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.
266. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has reviewed the asset calculation methodology for the fair deal scheme relating to property by allowing applicants to use the local property tax bands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5164/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for those assessed as needing long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. A care needs assessment is carried out to determine if a person requires long term care, followed by a financial assessment to determine how much a person will contribute to their cost of care.
Participants in the Scheme contribute up to 80% of their assessable income and a maximum of 7.5% per annum of the value of assets held. In the case of a couple, the applicant’s means are assessed as 50% of the couple’s combined income and assets. The first €36,000 of an individual’s assets, or €72,000 in the case of a couple, is not counted at all in the financial assessment. The capital value of an individual’s principal private residence is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of their time in care.
In assessing a person's non-cash assets e.g. principal private residence, property etc., the asset must be valued on the basis of the estimated market value which is defined in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act, 2009 as the price the asset would fetch on the open market on the date on which the application for financial support is made to the HSE. Section 44(4) of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act, 2009 provides for applications for financial support to be accompanied by valuations of assets. In line with the Scheme's national guidelines, persons applying for financial support must submit valuations of assets with their application form. However, under Section 10 of the legislation, the HSE does not have to accept a valuation submitted by an applicant and may seek its own independent valuation of a particular asset.
On the commencement of the Local Property Tax in 2013, the use of the Revenue Commissioners valuations for the purposes of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme was considered by the Department of Health and the HSE. It was decided at that stage not to use the Revenue Commissioners information as it was based on valuation bands and deemed not to be an accurate assessment of the amount that an asset would fetch on the open market on the date on which the application for financial support is made to the HSE.
When the Nursing Homes Support Scheme commenced in 2009, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. The Report of the Review was published in July 2015 and contained a number of recommendations in relation to improvements to the administration of the Scheme, including reviewing the financial validation processes. An Interdepartmental/Agency Working Group has been established to progress certain Review recommendations, and work on implementing these improvements is well underway by the HSE.
267. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the status of his meetings and discussions with the European Medicines Agency and his EU colleagues with regard to its possible relocation to Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5166/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Medicines Agency plays a vital role in the protection and promotion of public health through the evaluation and supervision of medicines for human and veterinary use. The result of the Brexit vote has caused considerable uncertainty for the Agency and its staff as it will have to be relocated to a country remaining within the European Union. This scenario creates real risks for the EMA and its stakeholders – foremost, European citizens and the industries which the Agency regulates.
The Government believes that it will be important to address the question of the Agency’s future location relatively early in the Brexit process. It is important that the selection of a new host country is informed by clear and careful consideration of the requirements which will need to be met in order to ensure continuity of the EMA’s activities and a sustainable future for the Agency. It will be particularly important to maximise the retention of the EMA staff whose expertise and skills have been key to Agency’s development over the last 20 years and to the standing which it enjoys as a regulator at a global level.
In October the Government decided to propose Dublin as a new home for the EMA. An interdepartmental/interagency working group led by my Department was established to prepare a proposal.
Last week I visited the EMA in London in order to better understand the workings of the Agency and the challenges it will face as a result of Brexit. I met the Executive Director, Professor Guido Rasi, and key members of his team. It was agreed that we would not speak publicly about the content of those discussions.
Work is continuing on Ireland’s proposal to host the EMA and I will travel to Brussels next week for discussions with a range of stakeholders.
Ultimately the decision on the new location for the EMA will be made by the European Council at heads of state or government level. I have not discussed Ireland's bid for the EMA with fellow health ministers, many of whom are also actively campaigning to host the Agency.
