Tuesday, 20 Jun 2017

Written Answers Nos. 1268-1291

Competition and Consumer Protection Commission

Ceisteanna (1268)

James Lawless

Ceist:

1268. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the UK’s competition and markets authority decision to investigate the manufacturers of the medicine Remicade as a result of the latter’s alleged abuse of a dominant market position arising from its use of an anti-competitive discount scheme intended, it is alleged, to prevent the use of more affordable biosimilar medicines; if his attention has been further drawn to similar practices in the market in Ireland; his views on whether a similar investigation is required in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27675/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is an independent statutory body with a dual mandate to enforce competition and consumer protection law in Ireland. If the Deputy or any other individual or business has evidence which suggests that anti-competitive behaviour is occurring in Ireland, I would strongly encourage them to take the matter up with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

I am not aware of issues having been raised in Ireland in relation to the subject matter of the Deputy's question. However, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply regarding the position in the public health service.

As the Deputy may be aware, my Department is in the process of developing a National Biosimilar Medicines Policy, to promote the use of biosimilar medicines in Ireland. A key objective of this strategy is to encourage biosimilar manufacturers to enter the market in Ireland and to compete with manufactures of the biologic medicines.

Questions Nos. 1269 and 1270 answered with Question No. 1059.

Mental Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (1271)

Tony McLoughlin

Ceist:

1271. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health further to the announcement of two new appointments to counties Sligo and Leitrim CAMHS, his views on whether this will be enough to cater for the backlog of over 400 children needing access to the service in the region; if further appointments will be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27683/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Ceisteanna (1272)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

1272. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding for the appointment of one extra full-time consultant ophthalmic surgeon for Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27690/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Medical Aids and Appliances Applications Data

Ceisteanna (1273)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

1273. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for aids and appliances in CHO area 9; the length of time persons have been on the list; the details of the waiting list for each of the items under aids and appliances such as orthopaedic footwear, wheelchairs and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27691/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (1274)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

1274. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department or a body under its aegis has paid to a company (details supplied) for advice, the use of intellectual property and other services. [27711/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

My Department has paid €125,706 in total to the company in question in relation to two projects, the development of an evidence based National Oral Health policy and the development of a performance measurement framework for drug and alcohol task forces.

The use of the HP Deprivation Index in the context of the National Oral Health Policy development was confined to a small sampling exercise at an early stage of policy development.

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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (1275)

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

1275. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for assessment for autism by the early intervention teams by area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27720/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1276)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

1276. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27724/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Disability Services Funding

Ceisteanna (1277)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

1277. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated for the HSE preschool support worker grant in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the number of applications which have been received for the grant in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the number of grants that have been allocated for same; his plans to increase funds to this grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27726/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Disability Support Services

Ceisteanna (1278)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

1278. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a situation in which a person (details supplied) has been denied 4.5 hours per week preschool support despite having a number of developmental issues that early services have highlighted as requiring immediate attention; his views on whether it is acceptable that this person is being denied the support they need in order to develop to their full ability; if this decision will be reversed in order that this person will have access to the necessary supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27727/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Health Services Funding

Ceisteanna (1279)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

1279. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide resources at a unit (details supplied) for the provision of non-talk therapy such as art, music and drama, in view of the fact that its patients are children under 18 years of age; the steps the HSE plans to take regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27743/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Respite Care Services Provision

Ceisteanna (1280)

Eamon Scanlon

Ceist:

1280. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health if the tendering process has begun further to the outsourcing of respite services to external service providers and non-statutory agencies in counties Sligo and Leitrim; if so, the way in which it was advertised; the timeframe for when planned and consistent respite services will be available in counties Sligo and Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27744/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Question No. 1281 answered with Question No. 1008.

Home Care Packages Provision

Ceisteanna (1282)

Noel Rock

Ceist:

1282. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the status of a home care package payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27752/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (1283)

Noel Rock

Ceist:

1283. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the services available for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 who suffers from ASD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27754/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Medicinal Products Supply

Ceisteanna (1284)

Noel Rock

Ceist:

1284. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health if a clinic (details supplied) is licensed to supply methadone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27755/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Disability Services Provision

Ceisteanna (1285)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

1285. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of transport for a person (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application was made to the HSE in January 2017 and that no response has issued to date in 2017; and if he will liaise with the HSE regarding same. [27756/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The provision of transport of adults with a disability attending HSE funded day services is not a core health service. When a person cannot avail of a day service because they do not have transport to attend, some transport may be provided by disability service providers on a case by case basis as resources allow.

The HSE Social Care Division are committed to establishing a working group to rationalise the provision of transport and to maximise equitable access and efficiencies and are working with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and voluntary providers to progress this issue. The NTA have 17 transport co-ordinating units called Local Link. Local Link provides safe secure and reliable public transport services in local and rural areas of Ireland.

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.

Mental Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (1286)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1286. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of mental health nurses on a HSE panel waiting to be offered full-time positions. [27757/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Mental Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (1287, 1288, 1289, 1290, 1291)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1287. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the amount the HSE has paid to date in 2017 to agencies for mental health nurses. [27758/17]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1288. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the staff bill for mental health nurses paid directly by the HSE as opposed to that for mental health nurses employed by agencies. [27759/17]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1289. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of general nurses on a HSE panel waiting to be offered a fulltime position. [27760/17]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1290. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the amount the HSE paid to date in 2017 to agencies for general nurses. [27761/17]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1291. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the expenditure for general nurses paid directly by the HSE as opposed to the expenditure for general nurses from agencies. [27762/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1287 to 1291, inclusive, together.

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.