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Tuesday, 7 Mar 2017

Written Answers Nos. 443-457

Census of Population Data

Ceisteanna (445)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

445. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the 1926 census figures will be made available for the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12178/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Current legislative provisions, as contained in the Statistics Act 1993, require that census data must be withheld for 100 years. Accordingly, it is not possible at this time to release 1926 Census returns before the statutory period has elapsed in 2026. If the records were to be released before the expiry of 100 years, a major change in legislation and policy would be required to allow for such an early release. This is not currently being proposed.

Brexit Issues

Ceisteanna (446)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

446. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he has raised the future status of the UK as a member of the European Food Safety Authority with his UK and EU counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11353/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have not had specific contact with my UK or EU counterparts about the future status of the UK as a member of the European Food Safety Authority post-Brexit. Work is ongoing to deepen analysis of the potential implications of Brexit. However, this is challenging as it is not yet known what new arrangements may emerge as regards the UK’s future relationship with the EU. It is also important to state that until the UK formally withdraws from the European Union, it remains a full member, with all of its existing rights and obligations.

Hospitals Building Programme

Ceisteanna (447)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

447. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the details of any analysis of the national paediatric hospital project that has been carried out by his Department as per its guidelines for the appraisal and management of capital expenditure proposals in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11457/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) was appointed in 2013 to design, build and equip the new children’s hospital. An internationally recognised design team supported by an experienced Board and Project Team are in place, and have followed best international design, planning and procurement process at each stage of the project. The Definitive Business Case for the new children’s hospital has been prepared in accordance with the Public Spending Code which requires that projects are properly appraised, including the requirement for a Cost Benefit Analysis.

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (448)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

448. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the resources that continue to be made available to children or their families at risk through self-harm or symptoms of suicidality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11511/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The HSE Mental Health Division has a multifaceted response to people at risk of self-harm or who have had a self-harm episode. This includes referral by GP to Community Mental Health Teams for the appropriate service; liaison psychiatry services onsite in Model 3 and 4 and acute hospitals; a comprehensive mental health on-call service in Emergency Departments in the acute hospitals for people presenting in crisis during the on-call period; and self-harm clinical specialist nurses in a number of Emergency Departments. In addition, the Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) initiative enables GPs to refer directly to SCAN Nurses for assessment and advice on management of their patients who attend their surgeries with suicidal ideation.

In each of these settings, a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment is carried out together with an assessment of mental state and a risk assessment for suicide. On the basis of this, a care plan is drawn up and the next steps depend on the psychosocial stresses identified together with the presence or absence of a mental illness such as depression. The progression of the development of a clinical programme for the assessment and management of self-harm presentations in Emergency Departments is one of the HSE's National Service Plan priorities for 2017.

Community Child and Adolescent Mental Health teams are the first line of specialist mental health services for children and young people. There are currently 67 Child and Adolescent Community Mental Health Teams and 3 liaison services nationally. The multidisciplinary team, under the clinical direction of a Consultant Child & Adolescent psychiatrist, includes junior medical staff, psychologists, social workers, nurses, speech & language therapist, occupational therapist and child care workers. The assessment and intervention provided by such teams is determined by the severity and complexity of the presenting problem(s). This range of disciplines and skills offer a care and treatment package geared to individual needs.

The HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) helps to support a wide array of work in communities, in partnership with the voluntary sector, across the country that focus on promoting positive mental health and reducing suicide and self-harm by providing significant grant funding each year, as well as by assisting in coordinating and giving strategic direction to the work undertaken in this area. NOSP supports a range of services for teenagers and young people including Pieta House, SpunOut.ie, ReachOut.com/Inspire Ireland, and BeLongTo. The 24-hour call services provided by the Samaritans and Childline are available to any young person in distress and are also funded by the NOSP. In addition, NOSP also worked closely with the Department of Education and Skills in the development of Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion and Well-Being in Primary and Post-Primary Schools.

Mental Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (449)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

449. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children availing of beds in adult residential settings; the number in receipt of CAMHS-related services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11512/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Food Safety Authority of Ireland Reports

Ceisteanna (450)

Noel Rock

Ceist:

450. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health his views on the report published by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland that showed an increase in the number of food alerts for 2016 which was the highest in a decade; the actions his department will take to tackle the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11944/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is responsible for the enforcement of food laws and the protection of consumers’ health and interests. It monitors food incidents – that is events when food or food contact materials may pose a risk to human health – with other official agencies with which it holds contracts. These include the Health Service Executive; the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority; and the National Standards Authority of Ireland.

Food business operators, when they are aware of foods posing such risks which are no longer under their control, are obliged by law to notify the FSAI or the other relevant official agencies. The central objective is to ensure that foods, food ingredients or food contact materials which pose a danger to health are identified, traced, removed from sale and that, where appropriate, the public and/or the relevant business are informed without delay.

The FSAI and the contracted official agencies have protocols in place to deal with food incidents. The identification of a food incident can arise for a number of reasons such as checks by a food inspector; a complaint from a consumer; the food business informing the FSAI that it has identified a potential risk with a particular food; laboratory results; or notifications from other Member States through the European Commission’s network – known as the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).

In 2016, the FSAI dealt with 554 food incidents which resulted in 67 food alerts and food allergen alerts being issued. The growth in incidents is the result of improving vigilance and co-operation on the part of the food control authorities within Ireland and the EU and a responsible attitude on the part of food business operators in informing the authorities of potential risks.

Managing food incidents and quickly informing all relevant stakeholders, including the public, is vital. It is reassuring to know that Ireland has systems in place to identify, manage and deal with such food incidents and resulting food alerts when they arise.

General Practitioner Services Provision

Ceisteanna (451)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

451. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will address the lack of out-of-hours general practitioner cover for an area (details supplied) in County Cork. [11179/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (452)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

452. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who is awaiting full-time residential care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11180/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

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.

General Medical Services Scheme

Ceisteanna (453)

Michael Harty

Ceist:

453. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the commitment required of a GMS doctor to fulfil a full GMS contract in regard to surgery hours and availability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11189/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The terms and conditions in relation to the availability requirements for GPs under the current GMS contract are set out in paragraph 10 of that contract.

Paragraph 10 states: "The medical practitioner shall be routinely available for consultation by eligible persons at his approved surgery or surgeries and for domiciliary visiting for a total of 40 hours each week on five days or more in the week by agreement with the Health Service Executive. His/her hours of availability shall have regard to his/her patients' needs in the locality and he/she shall not amend them without the agreement of the Health Service Executive."

GPs contracted under the GMS scheme must also make suitable arrangements to enable contact to be made with them, or a locum/deputy, outside normal practice hours for urgent cases.

Medicinal Products Prices

Ceisteanna (454)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

454. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has removed the subsidy for blood test strips; if so, the reason; and the way it is expected that diabetics will be able to afford the strips without subsidisation. [11192/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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.

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Ceisteanna (455, 456, 457, 507)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

455. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for a final decision on the reimbursement of Translarna in view of the fact that it was originally submitted for health technology assessment in October 2015 and is now available in most European countries; if its reimbursement will require approval from his Department or the Cabinet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11193/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

456. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the status of the drug Translarna for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which is currently available to 80% of eligible persons across the EU, including in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales and the Isle of Man; the details of the engagement between the HSE and the manufacturer to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11194/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

457. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the way in which a decision on the reimbursement of Translarna will be communicated to families (details supplied). [11195/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

507. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health his plans to reimburse persons for a treatment (details supplied); the reason for the delay in making a determination in regard to this treatment to date; when a decision will be made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11373/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 455 to 457, inclusive, and 507 together.

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines in the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

I am informed that HSE Leadership has taken a proposed decision not to reimburse Translarna and informed the company of this decision by letter in January of this year. Under the HSE statutory assessment process, the HSE is legally required to provide at least a 28 day period (from the formal written notice of proposal), to enable the pharmaceutical company to consider any such proposal not to reimburse and to make representations to the HSE if it wishes to do so. The HSE is required to consider any such representations in advance of a formal decision.

As HSE Leadership has taken a proposed decision not to reimburse Translarna, there is no requirement for the reimbursement of the drug to be considered by the Department of Health or Cabinet.

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputies on the matters raised regarding communication to the families, engagement between the HSE and the company to date and timeframes around the decision-making process.

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