Tuesday, 20 Jun 2017

Written Answers Nos. 1028-1047

Home Care Packages Provision

Ceisteanna (1028)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

1028. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has had home care hours taken from them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26589/17]

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.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (1029, 1175)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

1029. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 799 of 2 May 2017, the position regarding this situation in view of the fact that there are now 20 vehicles lying idle while a service (details supplied) does its best to cope with a taxi service to fill the gaps that is not covering the shortages. [26607/17]

Brendan Ryan

Ceist:

1175. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the status of the dispute which has resulted in transport vehicles lying idle due to being untaxed at a location (details supplied); if there is a resolution in sight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27173/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1029 and 1175 together.

The HSE is the responsible State body in relation to motor tax arrangements for any vehicles under its remit. Recently, the relevant policy unit in the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government requested further clarification in relation to whether HSE vehicles can continue to avail of the "state owned" exemption from motor tax.

Discussions are continuing between the HSE and the relevant motor tax policy division, with a view to concluding at the earliest opportunity.

Garda Vetting Applications

Ceisteanna (1030)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

1030. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if the issue of Garda vetting and the associated assessment of applications is the reason for the delay in filling vacancies at a community hospital (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26616/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Medicinal Products Supply

Ceisteanna (1031)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

1031. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the HSE's deliberations on the provision of a drug (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26619/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Nursing Staff Data

Ceisteanna (1032)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

1032. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses and midwives who sought proof of registration from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland in order to allow them to practice abroad in each of the past six years; his views on the large number of nurses and midwives who are travelling abroad to work after qualifying; his plans to retain them here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26620/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I would like to advise the Deputy of the number of Certificates of Current Professional Status (CCPS) issued for each year from 2012 to 2016 and to 13 June 2017 - these are set out in the table below:

- 2012 - 2,059;

- 2013 - 1,591;

- 2014 - 1,173;

- 2015 - 977;

- 2016 - 1,059;

- 2017 - 491 (up to 13 June).

It should be noted that nurses and midwives request this Certificate when they are intending to work abroad. However, it should be noted that nurses and midwives who receive this Certificate do not in all cases actually travel abroad - some of them may for a variety of reasons decide to stay in Ireland instead of travelling.

Under proposals agreed at the WRC between this Department, DPER, the HSE, the INMO and SIPTU management have committed to increases in the HSE’s National Workforce Plan for nurses and midwives in 2017. Management are to increase the nursing and midwifery workforce in 2017, through a broad range of initiatives that will result in the delivery of 1,208 additional permanent posts; including the conversion of agency employed staff into HSE direct employees, and offering all graduating nurses and midwives full time contracts.

Other key measures agreed include improved maternity leave cover; a career break scheme; 130 additional undergraduate places in 2017; and offering nurses and midwives improved educational opportunities and career pathways which will support recruitment and retention in the medium and long term.

A Section 10 Direction was placed before the Houses of Oireachtas in respect of the agreement. The HSE will have to report to the Minister for Health on the performance and implementation of these arrangements as part of the 2017 National Service Plan. The HSE will also have to provide special reports by June, September and December 2017 on the recruitment of the posts provided in the workforce plan.

A HSE Circular has issued that allows delegation of recruitment to Directors of Nursing. A High Level Group with an independent chair has been established to oversee implementation of this agreement.

The above is in addition to the many other initiatives currently underway to improve nursing and midwifery staffing levels throughout the country. The number of nursing and midwifery staff increased by 113 WTEs from the end of March to the end of April and by 714 WTEs since the end of 2016. Overall nursing WTEs are at the highest levels since 2011 with numbers increasing since 2015 notwithstanding intense global competition for our nurses and midwives.

Dental Services Staff

Ceisteanna (1033)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

1033. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the actions he is taking to recruit a dentist for a health centre (details supplied); the way in which the fourth and sixth class dental check at schools will be undertaken while the position remains vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26623/17]

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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (1034)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

1034. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health his plans to fund works at a location (details supplied) in order to assist the home to comply with the latest HIQA report; if his Department's officials will assist with all of the persons involved who are deeply distressed by the HSE's actions and press release on the matter. [26624/17]

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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1035)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

1035. Deputy Robert Troy 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. [26645/17]

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.

National Drugs Strategy Publication

Ceisteanna (1036, 1210, 1211)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

1036. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the reason the publication of the national drugs and alcohol strategy has been delayed; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26646/17]

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

1210. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the extent to which additional resources will be allocated for alcohol treatment and rehabilitation in the new national drug strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27361/17]

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

1211. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the resources which will be allocated to community action on alcohol in the new national drug strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27362/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1036, 1210 and 1211 together.

The Government is committed to putting a new drugs strategy in place this year.

The Strategy will be based on a health-led approach to the drug problem and build on progress achieved under previous drug strategies. A Steering Committee has been established to advise me on a new strategy with a view to developing 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.

The Steering Committee last met on 25 May to discuss some outstanding issues. I understand that the final report will be submitted to me shortly. I hope to be in a position to bring my proposals to Government on the new Strategy thereafter. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on resources until the Strategy has been approved by Government.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (1037)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

1037. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the status of a full-time care application for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [26661/17]

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 Provision

Ceisteanna (1038)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1038. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for practice support subsidies by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26663/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Prescriptions Charges

Ceisteanna (1039)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

1039. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 205 and 207 of 25 May 2017, which were referred to the HSE and in view of the fact that the HSE was unable to provide an answer, if he will refer the questions to the relevant body for answer. [26664/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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, however the information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. It is being collated by the HSE and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospital Staff Data

Ceisteanna (1040)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

1040. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the number of staff vacancies in Tallaght hospital; the categories of vacancy; the length of time each post has been vacant; the impact each category of vacancy is having on waiting lists and service delivery; and the measures being taken by the hospital and the HSE to address these vacancies. [26666/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In relation to the queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1041)

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

1041. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment for a person (details supplied) in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. [26667/17]

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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1042)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

1042. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be called for surgery at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26669/17]

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 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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1043)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

1043. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be called for an operation at Letterkenny university hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26670/17]

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 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.

Health Research Board Expenditure

Ceisteanna (1044)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

1044. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the annual expenditure on health-care-related research; the annual expenditure into the components of Science Foundation Ireland, the Health Research Board, the National Cancer Registry, the hospital payment enquiry scheme system and its successor and all other recipients combined; and the overall expenditure in terms of finance between the largest ten institutions or beneficiaries in each of the years 2007 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [26674/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

My Department supports health research primarily through the Health Research Board (HRB). The HRB is a statutory body under the aegis of my Department and is the lead agency in Ireland supporting and funding health research. For 2017 the HRB's funding from my Department is €42.054 million.

The HRB has provided details on its spending on research awards for the period 2007 to 2017. This information setting out overall annual total expenditure and a breakdown of the top ten beneficiaries for each year, except for 2017 which only covers the period from January to May, is set out in tabular form below:

2007	€	2008	€
Total Health Award Payments	40,416,328	Total Health Award Payments	43,281,118
TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	7,331,132	TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	9,992,971
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	5,794,109	UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	7,520,123
ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN IRELAND	5,399,467	ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN IRELAND	5,242,720
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK	5,031,067	UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK	5,134,340
NUI GALWAY	3,808,019	NUI GALWAY	3,207,512
ST JAMES'S HOSPITAL	1,766,394	MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY	1,588,119
DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY	1,136,403	ST JAMES'S HOSPITAL	1,561,175
BEAUMONT HOSPITAL	1,029,116	BEAUMONT HOSPITAL	894,697
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL GALWAY	1,019,692	MATER MISERICORDIAE HOSPITAL	879,825
MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY	1,017,606	UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL GALWAY	857,756
2009		2010
Total Health Award Payments	40,126,940	Total Health Award Payments	37,534,829
TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	10,253,037	TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	9,027,563
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	6,116,916	ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN IRELAND	5,566,426
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK	5,125,816	UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK	5,338,616
ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN IRELAND	4,996,974	NUI GALWAY	4,272,677
NUI GALWAY	3,293,945	UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	4,023,454
MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY	1,603,713	MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY	1,676,317
MATER MISERICORDIAE HOSPITAL	1,486,271	DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY	989,250
BEAUMONT HOSPITAL	1,053,667	MATER MISERICORDIAE HOSPITAL	875,776
ST JAMES'S HOSPITAL	1,048,873	IRISH CLINICAL ONCOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP	759,349
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL GALWAY	893,312	BEAUMONT HOSPITAL	588,149
2011		2012
Total Health Award Payments	32,581,716	Total Health Award Payments	33,205,244
TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	6,744,555	TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	7,400,266
ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN IRELAND	5,820,594	ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN IRELAND	5,203,800
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK	5,219,973	UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK	4,726,462
NUI GALWAY	3,636,726	UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	4,007,254
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	2,133,477	NUI GALWAY	3,707,955
MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY	1,439,309	IRISH CLINICAL ONCOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP	2,082,000
ST VINCENT'S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL	1,248,862	MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY	1,475,762
IRISH CLINICAL ONCOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP	803,653	DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY	923,078
ST JAMES'S HOSPITAL	621,106	NATIONAL CANCER REGISTRY	581,445
OUR LADY'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CRUMLIN	558,114	UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK	530,678
2013		2014
Total Health Award Payments	35,930,708	Total Health Award Payments	38,242,121
TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	8,452,618	NUI GALWAY	13,108,905
NUI GALWAY	7,276,886	TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	6,985,105
ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN IRELAND	5,588,585	UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK	4,158,880
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	4,051,912	ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN IRELAND	3,854,761
IRISH CLINICAL ONCOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP	3,748,000	IRISH CLINICAL ONCOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP	3,748,000
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK	3,584,829	UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	2,655,846
UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK	993,088	UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK	601,092
MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY	716,193	DUBLIN DENTAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL	421,874
OUR LADY'S HOSPICE AND CARE SERVICES	353,919	MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY	409,822
DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY	349,205	OUR LADY'S HOSPICE AND CARE SERVICES	353,919
2015		2016
Total Health Award Payments	35,731,721	Total Health Award Payments	35,940,798
TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	6,939,112	TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	8,409,616
ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN IRELAND	6,051,408	ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN IRELAND	7,180,020
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK	5,566,707	NUI GALWAY	5,199,377
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	4,395,612	IRISH CLINICAL ONCOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP	3,201,011
NUI GALWAY	4,173,034	UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK	2,972,889
IRISH CLINICAL ONCOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP	3,808,000	UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	2,878,704
UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK	728,809	UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK	1,258,882
MOLECULAR MEDICINE IRELAND	558,000	MOLECULAR MEDICINE IRELAND	785,000
DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY	519,915	DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY	710,324
MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY	490,571	MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY	702,120
2017 - January to May
Total Health Award Payments	12,423,345
IRISH CLINICAL ONCOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP	2,998,400
TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	2,649,448
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN	1,755,375
NUI GALWAY	1,105,724
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK	1,099,389
MOLECULAR MEDICINE IRELAND	750,000
ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN IRELAND	559,828
UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK	265,672
ECONOMIC & SOCIAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE	228,959
DUBLIN DENTAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL	117,393

The National Cancer Registry is a public body, established in 1991, to collect and classify information on all cancer cases which occur in Ireland. So far this year (Jan-May 2017) it has received a total of €1.020m funding from my Department. Additionally set out below in tabular form is the funding the National Cancer Registry received from my Department over the past ten years.

Year	-
2007	€2.115
2008	€3.037
2009	€2.477
2010	€2.367
2011	€2.530
2012	€2.475
2013	€2.444
2014	€2.498
2015	€2.440
2016	€2.614

The funding of Science Foundation Ireland is a matter for my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Innovation.

Health research projects in Ireland can also take place in many other fora including universities and hospitals. Information on these research projects and their expenditure levels would not be routinely collected by my Department.

Finally, the Deputy also enquires about the "hospital payment enquiry scheme system". I understand that the Deputy may be referring to the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) scheme. HIPE, which is operated by the Healthcare Pricing Office in the HSE, is a health information system designed to collect demographic, clinical and administrative information on discharges and deaths from public acute hospitals nationally. HIPE is the only source of morbidity statistics available nationally for public acute hospital services in Ireland. All acute public hospitals participating in HIPE report over 1.5 million discharges annually. HIPE information is used by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive in the planning, provision and measurement of acute hospital services. In addition, HIPE data in aggregated form, thus ensuring patient confidentiality, can be used by researchers in conducting health research.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (1045)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

1045. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the options open to the parents of a child (details supplied) under six years of age who needs behavioural intervention. [26675/17]

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 (1046)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

1046. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans to make Entresto (details supplied) available to persons here; if so, the date it will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26679/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

The HSE has completed its review of Entresto for the treatment of symptomatic chronic heart failure in adult patients.

Under the 2016 Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines, in a situation where the HSE wishes to reimburse a medicine but cannot do so from within existing resources, it may inform my Department of its decision in this respect. The Minister for Health, may as he deems appropriate, bring a Memorandum to Government in relation to the funding implications and requesting consideration of same.

The HSE has advised my Department that Entresto cannot be funded from within existing resources. This matter is currently under consideration by my Department.

It should be noted that the final decision on the reimbursement of medicines remains the statutory responsibility of the HSE.

Medical Products Supply

Ceisteanna (1047)

John Brassil

Ceist:

1047. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for a hearing aid test and hearing aid replacement for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26680/17]

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.