Written Answers Nos 1228-1247
1228. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will allocate additional home help hours to counties Longford and Westmeath in view of recent reports which have outlined a substantial drop in the number of hours within this area. [27428/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1229. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 482 of 23 May 2017, the delays that exist in accessing timely home care packages within CHOs for persons wishing to avail of ESD; the number of persons that have not been able to access ESD due to a lack of or delay in accessing home care packages in each CHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27429/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1230. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 482 of 23 May 2017, the number and value of home help and home care packages provided for those eligible for ESD in 2015 and 2016, in tabular form; the number of requests for home help and home care packages for those eligible for ESD in 2015 and 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27430/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1231. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27434/17]
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 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.
1232. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he is considering proposals from an agency other than the HSE regarding the provision of respite services for persons with disabilities in County Louth; the nature of these proposals; the monetary value of such proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27441/17]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
1233. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) per annum since March 2011, in tabular form, by his Department or agency or body under the aegis of his Department; the cost per contract; the basis for each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27453/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not made any payments made to the company in question since 2011. I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy regarding any contracts it may have with this company. Details for other bodies under the aegis of the Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
1234. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of children with diabetes attending Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, diabetes service in 2015 and 2016; the amount of whole-time equivalent consultant time that was dedicated to this service in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27479/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1235. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the waiting time in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, to put children with type 1 diabetes of five years of age and under on insulin pump treatment; the waiting time to put children with type 1 diabetes between six and 16 years of age on insulin pump treatment; the number of children on the waiting list for insulin pump treatment; the age of these children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27480/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1236. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of new referrals of children with diabetes by county which were received by the diabetes service in Our Lady’s Children Hospital, Crumlin, in 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27481/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1237. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the ratio of whole-time equivalent dietitians per patient in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, and Temple Street diabetes services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27482/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1238. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the whole-time equivalent psychology professional time dedicated to the diabetes service in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin; the number of patients who have availed of this service in 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27483/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1234 to 1238, inclusive, together.
In relation to the queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
1239. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the agreed retirement date of a person (details supplied) at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin; the date on which their replacement will take up the post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27484/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
1240. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 894 of 2 May 2017, the agencies to which the disability capital programme funding has been allocated in County Louth in 2016 and 2017; and the amount of funding allocated to each agency. [27485/17]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
1242. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied). [27489/17]
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 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.
1243. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the progress to date regarding the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27491/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their income and assets while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
When the NHSS 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. Arising out of the Review, a number of key issues have been identified for more detailed consideration across Departments and Agencies.
An Interdepartmental/Agency Working Group has been established to oversee the implementation of certain recommendations contained in the Review. This Group is chaired by the Department of Health and includes representatives from the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, the Revenue Commissioners, and when required, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). These recommendations include:
- The implementation of administrative reforms to the Scheme;
- A review by the NTPF of present pricing arrangements in private residential facilities; and
- A Value For Money and Policy Review of the differences in the comparative cost of public and private long-term residential care.
This work is currently underway. The Value for Money and Policy Review will commence in 2017 and will assess reasons for and components of current cost differentials.
Separately, the 2015 Review recommended further examination of the position of family farms and businesses. Subsequently a commitment was included in the Programme for a Partnership Government to deal with this issue. This examination is ongoing and at an advanced stage.
An initial report on the progress of the NHSS Review recommendations was submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Health in September 2016.
It is important to remember that the NHSS is largely underpinned by primary legislation, and as such any changes to the Scheme will require legislative implementation. I have committed to prioritising and fast tracking this examination of family farms and businesses and bringing forward changes to the legislation to deal with the uncertainty that is being felt by farming and business families in line with the Programme for a Partnership Government.
1244. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the application for the addition of the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to the long-term illness reimbursement list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27492/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1245. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the whole-time equivalent allocation of occupational therapists for County Louth; if all positions and hours are currently filled; the number of County Louth-based occupational therapists currently on maternity leave; if any County Louth-based occupational therapists are due to commence maternity leave; the current staffing complement actually in position; the recruitment which has taken place to fill vacant posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27522/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
1246. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health when the orthodontic procedure for a person (details supplied) will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27529/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
