Mick Wallace
Ceist:215. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the specific factors involved in determining priority for patient waiting lists for organ transplants. [6242/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (215)
Freagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Health Service Executive that the specific factors involved in determining priority for patients on an organ transplant waiting list is a clinical decision made by the transplant clinicians in each of the national transplant centres.
Allocation policies for kidney, heart, lung and liver are available on the website of HSE's Organ Donation and Transplant Ireland, www.odti.ie. When an organ becomes available for transplant the decision on allocation is made by the relevant national transplant centre in accordance with these policies.
Hospital Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (216)
Seán Fleming
Ceist:216. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a replacement consultant will be appointed in the eye clinic in Portlaoise hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6244/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospital Transfers
Ceisteanna (217)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:217. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the transport service that is available to those persons that require transport from their homes to their hospital appointments when public transport is not available or not suitable; the option available to them when they cannot get their GP to refer them to the transfer services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6259/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (218)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:218. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the details of waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery in each hospital group area for outpatient appointments, inpatient procedures and other lists, that have been waiting for six months, 12 months, one year, two years and more than two years, by specialty and hospital, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6261/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The NTPF publishes waiting list data by speciality and hospital each month. This data can be viewed on its website at NTPF.ie.
Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (219)
Anne Rabbitte
Ceist:219. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health when fibromyalgia will be included on the lifelong limiting illness list (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6263/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The LTI Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the LTI are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.
There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Scheme.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (220)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:220. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6264/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Hospital Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (221)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:221. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to parliamentary question No. 238 of 25 January 2017, when the national Health Service Executive office will approve the post (details supplied); the reason for the delay in approving this position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6267/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Community Care Provision
Ceisteanna (222)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:222. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the population of each community health care organisation with a breakdown by age categories (details supplied). [6275/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Electronic Cigarettes
Ceisteanna (223)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:223. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if his Department will acknowledge the impact that vaping products are having for those that are looking for a viable alternative to smoking in the context of the recently published Healthy Ireland survey in October 2016; his plans for quit.ie to provide adult smokers with information regarding vaping; if evidence suggests an increase in vaping corresponds to a reduction in smoking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6283/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Vaping is a relatively new occurrence. While the market share for electronic cigarettes and refill containers is growing, the long-term effects of vaping on public health are not yet known. Electronic cigarettes are regulated by the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016. These Regulations transposed the European Tobacco Products Directive and came into effect on 20 May 2016.
The Department, in pursuing the recommendations of Tobacco Free Ireland requested the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to carry out a health technology assessment (HTA) of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical smoking cessation products and services. By conducting this HTA, HIQA will be in a position to provide impartial, expert advice on the value (clinical and economic) of a range of smoking cessation therapies to ensure the best outcome for the public and a prudent use of resources. Interested parties were invited to submit feedback via a public consultation on a draft HIQA report before it is finalised and submitted as advice to Minister Harris and the HSE.
The results of the health technology assessment will inform health policy decisions about potential improvements to the provision of smoking cessation services within Ireland’s public health service.
Medical Products
Ceisteanna (224)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:224. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the status of a meeting which was scheduled to take place between the manufacturer and the HSE (details supplied) following the HSE's assessment of the drug Respreeza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6291/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.