Written Answers Nos. 491-505
491. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) is on a waiting list for surgery; the reason for the delay; the average waiting time for this procedure; and the person's approximate waiting time for surgery. [22034/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
492. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the reason a fictional character (details supplied) is being made title sponsor for the new national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22035/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ronald McDonald House Charity (RMHC) is a charitable organisation that provides accommodation for families whose children are seriously ill in hospital. RMHC currently provides accommodation on the campus at Crumlin Hospital in the main house and in an adjacent house. The development of a new 53-bed family accommodation, to be built adjacent to the new children’s hospital, was included in the new children’s hospital planning permission granted in April 2016. The HSE and National Paediatric Hospital Development Board are liaising with the RMHC in relation to this development.
493. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the percentage of referrals to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, CAMHS, by general practitioners that are returned to general practitioners and not followed up on. [22046/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
494. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health if an assessment for disability home support can be expedited for a person (details supplied). [22050/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
495. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22053/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
496. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his policy in relation to the use of electronic cigarettes in enclosed public spaces; the research that is being done in relation to electronic cigarettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22054/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe use of e-cigarettes also known as 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 introduction of the workplace smoking ban was based on clear and unequivocal evidence that second hand smoke is harmful to non-smokers. That evidence base does not exist for the aerosol generated from e-cigarettes. However individual organisations/companies are free to introduce an e-cigarette free policy if they so choose to prevent people vaping where they would not be free to smoke.
My Department will continue to monitor the emerging research on these products, so as to inform decisions around any future additional regulation in this area.
497. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for the treatment abroad scheme by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22055/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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 HSE operates the Treatment Abroad Scheme for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland under EU Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulations (EC) No. 987/2009, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines.
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
498. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Health the number of schools and sports clubs that have registered with the Health Products Regulatory Authority to administer salbutamol in emergency situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22058/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Thursday 15 October 2015, my predecessor Minister Leo Varadkar T.D., signed regulations which allow certain prescription-only medicines, including salbutamol, to be administered by trained members of the public in emergency situations.
In order for an organisation to avail of an emergency medicine without the need for a prescription, they must first register with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and undergo a training course accredited by the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council.
This register is publicly available through the Emergency Medicines Portal on the HPRA website and can be found at www.hpra.ie/homepage/medicines/emergency-medicines/emergency-medicines-search/results.
There are seven organisations registered, none of which appear to be schools or sports clubs.
A decision to undergo training on the use and administration of an emergency medicine rests with individual schools and sports organisations.
499. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1016 of 2 May 2017, the steps he will take to ensure passenger safety and protection against abuse by unsupervised persons operating transport services; and the measures in place to ensure that disabled persons are being protected against such criminal behaviour. [22081/17]
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.
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
500. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if approval has been given to agencies operating under the aegis of his Department or receiving money directly or indirectly from his Department for the purchase of accommodation for the temporary housing of homeless persons with a disability; the number and details of such properties purchased in the Clontarf area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22082/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the provision of accommodation for homeless people is an operational matter for local authorities under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, I do not have a role in this matter.
503. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the total spend on high-tech medicines in the years 2014 to 2016, inclusive, and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22167/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
504. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the total savings achieved each month to date under the framework agreement on the supply of medicines to the health services 2016 to 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22168/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the HSE has responsibility for this matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue.
505. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the total amounts spent on medicines by each public hospital in the years 2014 to 2016, inclusive, and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22169/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
