Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1050. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [20274/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1050)
Freagraí scríofa
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Disability Support Services
Ceisteanna (1051)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Ceist:1051. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children’s disability network teams established; the number currently in place in each CHO; and the number expected to be in place in each CHO at the end of 2017. [20276/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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 a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Drug and Alcohol Task Forces
Ceisteanna (1052, 1065)
John Curran
Ceist:1052. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the progress being made regarding the development of a new national drugs and alcohol strategy; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20297/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:1065. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the date on which the national drugs strategy will be published. [20469/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1052 and 1065 together.
Government is committed to putting a new National Drugs Strategy in place from 2017 onwards, when the current policy expires. A Steering Committee with an independent chair has been established to advise me on the new Strategy. This committee has been mandated to develop an integrated public health approach to substance misuse, which is defined as the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illegal drugs. It is envisaged that the new Strategy will be based on a health-led approach to the drug problem and build on progress achieved under previous drug strategies.
I understand that the Steering Committee is continuing with its deliberations with a view to presenting its final report to me shortly. I hope to bring my proposals to Government thereafter. Once approved by Government, the new strategy will then be published by the Department of Health.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (1053)
John Curran
Ceist:1053. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if the four vacancies in a clinic (details supplied) have been filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20298/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for reply to the Deputy.
Primary Care Centres Provision
Ceisteanna (1054)
John Curran
Ceist:1054. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the progress being made in providing a primary care centre in Rowlagh, Clondalkin, Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20299/17]
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.
Primary Care Centres Provision
Ceisteanna (1055)
John Curran
Ceist:1055. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the progress being made in providing a primary care centre in Clondalkin village, Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20300/17]
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.
Primary Care Centres Provision
Ceisteanna (1056)
John Curran
Ceist:1056. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the progress being made in providing a primary care centre in Lucan, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20301/17]
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.
Disability Services Provision
Ceisteanna (1057)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Ceist:1057. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of new home supports and in home respite supports for emergency cases in place for persons with disabilities in each LHO, in tabular form [20308/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
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.
Disabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (1058)
Michael McGrath
Ceist:1058. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork can expect to have his or her assessment of need carried out under the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20338/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Home Care Packages Provision
Ceisteanna (1059)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:1059. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the HSE providing home care support to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20342/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (1060)
Clare Daly
Ceist:1060. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that a group (details supplied) has lodged a complaint with the EU Ombudsman on the poor quality of EMA research into HPV vaccines. [20384/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Immunisation is regarded as one of the safest and most cost-effective of health care interventions and the importance of vaccination is acknowledged by all the major international health organisations. The World Health Organisation estimates that up to 3 million lives are saved each year as a result of vaccination and the scientific evidence is clear that benefits of vaccines outweigh the known side effects
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice and international best practice. All relevant and appropriate information is taken into account when deciding to make changes to the State's immunisation programmes.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is responsible for monitoring the safety and quality of all medicines that are licensed in Ireland. While no medicine is entirely without risk, the safety of vaccines, as with all medicines, is carefully monitored and any new evidence concerning side-effects is taken into account. The HPRA and the European Medicines Agency continually monitor adverse events to vaccination.
Unfounded, false claims have been made of an association between HPV vaccination and a number of conditions experienced by a group of young women. It appears that they first suffered symptoms around the time they received the HPV vaccine and a false connection is being made between the HPV vaccine and the onset of these symptoms. There is no scientific evidence that the HPV vaccine causes any long term illness. However, this misinformation has led to a significant drop in uptake rates of the HPV vaccine. This means that a large cohort of girls is now at risk of developing cervical cancer later in their lives.
Misinformation is causing real harm to those unvaccinated children and adults who develop vaccine preventable diseases, and to people who seek inappropriate treatments for real conditions that are not caused by vaccines. Any parent who has doubts or questions about vaccination should talk to their family doctor, or alternatively to visit the National Immunisation office website. These sources of information are clear and accurate and will answer any queries you may have about the benefits or risks of vaccination. Vaccination is the best way for parents to make sure their children are healthy and protected from preventable diseases.
In relation to the issue referred to by the Deputy it concerns a complaint made by the Nordic Cochrane Centre concerning the EMA. The EMA is a decentralised agency of the European Union (EU) responsible for the scientific evaluation, supervision and safety monitoring of medicines developed by pharmaceutical companies for use in the EU. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on any complaint made by a third party concerning an EU agency.
Drugs Payment Scheme
Ceisteanna (1061)
Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:1061. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the position regarding making the immunotherapy drug nivolumab available to cancer patients on the reimbursement scheme; the costs associated with treating each person on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20390/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1062)
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:1062. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if his Department will establish a forum for persons with myalgic encephalomyelitis and their organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20391/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1063)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:1063. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). [20422/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (1064)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:1064. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). [20460/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Question No. 1065 answered with Question No. 1052
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1066)
Robert Troy
Ceist:1066. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an operation for a person (details supplied) can be expedited. [20482/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1067)
Pat Breen
Ceist:1067. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health if entry to a hospital for a person (details supplied) can be arranged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20498/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.