Tuesday, 11 Jul 2017

Written Answers Nos. 446-461

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (446)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

446. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect a hospital appointment. [32616/17]

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

Ceisteanna (447)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

447. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the advocacy services that are available to a person resident in a State institution (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32618/17]

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.

Health Services Funding

Ceisteanna (448)

James Lawless

Ceist:

448. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will award funding for a day care centre place to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32621/17]

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 direct reply.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (449)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

449. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made in respect of a medical card application submitted by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in making a decision on this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32640/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (450)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

450. 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. [32641/17]

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.

Ministerial Meetings

Ceisteanna (451)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

451. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he has received a request from a group (details supplied) seeking a meeting; his plans to meet the group in order to discuss the matters raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32642/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Requests to meet my colleague Minister Harris are normally arranged through his Office. As a request has been made, I have no doubt that the Minister's Office will reply in due course.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (452)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

452. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on a medical card application by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32643/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (453)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

453. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the level of expenditure by his Department or organisations under the aegis of his Department for each of the past five years on photography, advertising, communications advice, public relations, website development, media interview training and preparation; the events, campaigns or policies to which this expenditure related; the company or person to which such payments were made, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32653/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Department does not collect data in a manner to allow the Deputy's question to be answered in full. As much information as we have to hand is included here. The following tables are in respect of photography expenditure (table 1), advertising expenditure (table 2) and PR expenditure (table 3). Details of to whom payments were made or the campaign to which the expenditure related are provided where that information is available.

Table 1 Photography

Year	Event	Photographer	Cost €
2016	Photo services for the 1st National Patient Safety Conference	Conor McCabe Photography Ltd	1,968
2016	Photo services for the launch of the Healthy Cities and Counties Network of Ireland	Marc O’Sullivan Photography	707
2016	Photo services for the launch of the Healthy Ireland Survey Wave 2	Marc O’Sullivan Photography	553
2016	Launch of the National Drugs Strategy Public Consultation	JCP Photography	492
2016	Photo services for the launch of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan	Conor McCabe Photography Ltd	430
2016	Photo services for the launch of the National Physical Activity Plan	Conor McCabe Photography Ltd	553
2016	Reaffirming the Values of Nursing and Midwifery	Stephen Wall Morris	301
2015	Department of Health Consultation Event 2015	Robbie Reynolds Photography	600
2015	Photography for the launch of National Sexual Health Strategy	Mark Stedman	450
2015	Photography for launch of the Healthy Ireland Survey 2015	Marc O'Sullivan	450
2015	Photography for new Healthy Ireland website and social media	Conor O'Mearain	150
2015	Purchase of stock photography for Healthy Ireland website	Shutterstock	39
2014	All Ireland Chief Nursing Officers' Conference	Conor McCabe Photography Ltd	369
2014	HSE Aviva Stakeholder Consultation	Conor McCabe Photography Ltd	308
2014	All Ireland Chief Nursing Officers' Conference	Robbie Reynolds Photography Ltd	308
2014	Portrait of Council Members - Healthy Ireland	Conor McCabe Photography Ltd	1,046
2014	Launch of the National Rare Disease Plan for Ireland	Conor McCabe Photography Ltd	431
2014	A Ministerial Meeting of the British Irish Council – Misuse of Substances Sectoral Group, Dublin Castle	Robbie Reynolds Photography Ltd	246
2013	Symposium for Senior Pharmaceutical Policy-makers on 29-30 August 2013	Robbie Reynolds Photography Ltd	738
2013	Joint Meeting of Chief Medical Officers and Chief Nursing Officers	Fennells	105
2013	National Drugs Coordinators Meeting April 2013	Fennells	117
2013	NPHDB /CHGB Joint Induction Day Photo Session 1/10/13	1Image Photography	314
2013	Photography Costs for John Higgins Chair of the Strategic Board on Hospital Groups	Donagh Glavin Photography	234
2013	Tobacco Free Ireland Launch	Conor McCabe Photography Ltd	554
2013	First National Clinical Effectiveness Symposium	Derek Speirs	437
2013	Launch of the Healthy Ireland Report	Photocall Ireland	559
2013	Launch of Healthy Ireland Report	Robbie Reynolds Photography Ltd	615
2012	2nd National Patient Safety Conference	Derek Speirs	317
2012	Consultation Day on Rare Disease Plan for Ireland	Conor McCabe Photography Ltd	430
2012	Closing Conference to mark the end of the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012 in Ireland (in which the Department of Health was co-ordinating)	Tommy Clancy Photography	584

Table 2 Advertising Annual Expenditure

Year	Advertising Expenditure	Companies
2015	€101,334	Carat Ireland, Iris Oifigiuil, KICK Communications, Media Vest Ireland
2014	€38,533	Iris Oifigiuil, Media Vest Ireland
2013	€46,881	Brindley, Iris Oifigiuil, Media Vest Ireland
2012	€62,535	Brindley, Iris Oifigiuil

Table 3 Public Relations Annual Expenditure

Year	Amount €	Companies
2016	€50,572	RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd (1)
2015	€47,355	DHR Communications (2)
2014	0
2013	0
2012	0

(1) contract for public consultation process to inform the Development of the National Drugs Strategy. This has been included here because it has a public relations dimension as it involves a range of public activities and events to publicise the consultation process to optimise public participation

(2) contract for Development of Strategy to support communication for the Healthy Ireland Framework and toolkit for Healthy Ireland Council

I will revert to the Deputy with information regarding advertising expenditure for 2016 and communications advice, website development, media interview training and preparation expenditure for 2012-2016. In the meantime should the Deputy have any particular year, category or company from the tables provided that he wishes further information on please let me know and I will seek further detail.

I have referred the question to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy in relation to its expenditure. 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.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (454)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

454. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an application for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [32664/17]

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 direct reply.

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Ceisteanna (455)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

455. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the implementation progress on each of the 15 recommendations included within the 2012 report on the review of drugs task forces and the national structures under which they operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32666/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The National Coordinating Committee for Drug and Alcohol Task Forces is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the recommendations of the Report on the Review of Drugs Task Forces and the National Structures Under Which They Operate. I have set out the progress on each of the 15 recommendations in the following table:

-	Recommendation	Achieved
1	The Drugs Advisory Group should be reconstituted as the National Co-ordinating Committee for Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (NCC-DATF).	Yes
2	The NCC-DATF should be chaired by the Department of Health with membership to include two representatives from each of the four DTF Networks, and representatives from key Departments and Agencies as well as the two community and voluntary sector representatives.	Yes
3	The roles and responsibilities of members of the NCC-DATF should be clearly set out in guidelines for membership of the committee.	Yes
4	The NCC- DATF should meet at least six times a year.	Yes
5	Drugs and Alcohol Task Forces should have updated terms of reference as stated in the report.	Yes
6	The NCC-DATF should develop a common evidence based assessment tool incorporating key performance indicators to measure the impact of the Drugs Task Forces, having regard to best practice internationally.	Yes
7	The representatives of the respective networks representing the Local Co-ordinators and the Regional Co-ordinators should be responsible for briefing the NCC-DATF on local implementation of the NDS, on models of best practice, and lessons learned in relation to those initiatives which did not work or were found not to be effective.	Yes
8	Each DATF coordinator should provide the Drugs Programmes Unit of the Department of Health with a quarterly report on progress which should address any significant operational issues in relation to funded projects including but not limited to financial control and governance issues and outline, where applicable, details of blockages or barriers to the work of the DATF.	Yes
9	The DATF coordinator shall apply to the Drugs Programmes Unit for approval prior to any proposal to make a material change to the purpose of a funded project or to recruit staff to support the work of the DATF whether employed directly by the DATF or another body.	Yes
10	In the interests of good governance, Drug and Alcohol Task Forces should comply with the provisions set out in the report.	Ongoing
11	Local members of the Oireachtas and members of relevant Local Authorities should have automatic entitlement to become members of DATF and should be notified of this when elected, and given a specific time frame to take up their membership. An upper limit of 5 seats on the Task Force should be applied (2 for members of the Oireachtas and 3 members of the local authority). These seats should be filled on an agreed rotational basis by the relevant local authorities and by local members of the Oireachtas.	Ongoing
12	The Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy should meet with both the Chairs and Coordinators of the Local and Regional DATF Networks at least once a year.	Yes
13	The membership of the Oversight Forum on Drugs should include a representative of each of the Networks representing the Local and Regional Chairs of the DATFs.	Yes
14	The Oversight Forum on Drugs should meet on a quarterly basis.	Yes
15	The Minister will consult with Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces in relation to implementing proposed boundary changes.	No

I will shortly be publishing a new National Drugs Strategy, which will outline the new structures required to oversee implementation of the Strategy into the future.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (456)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

456. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the number of residential detox and rehabilitation beds available; his plans to implement the recommendations of the 2007 Health Service Executive report on residential treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32667/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Crisis Pregnancy Services

Ceisteanna (457)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

457. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the progress which has been made in relation to the regulation of counsellors and psychotherapists; the steps he will take to tackle the continuing operation of crisis pregnancy agencies which provide false and misleading information to women in crisis pregnancy situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32668/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I recently concluded a public consultation on my proposal to regulate counsellors generally under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. Pregnancy counselling (other than that provided by doctors, nurses or social workers) will be taken into account in the context of this proposal.

On foot of the consultation process, I decided last month to proceed with the designation of two distinct professions under the Act, that of counsellor and psychotherapist. Each will have its own register under one registration board. This decision has now been communicated to the Health and Social Care Professionals Council, the relevant professional bodies and all the respondents to the public consultation process.

The Department is now preparing the necessary regulations to designate the professions. These regulations, when drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, will require the prior approval of this House and that of the Seanad. These will be the first in a suite of regulations that will need to be made over a period of time. It is hoped that the draft regulations will be ready for submission to the Oireachtas in the autumn.

In relation to crisis pregnancy counselling, a primary concern of government is the protection of the public when availing of health or social care services. A crisis pregnancy is perhaps one of the most stressful events in a woman’s life and therefore places her in a very vulnerable position. Positive Options, a crisis pregnancy service which is funded and overseen by the Health Service Executive, provides counselling in 50 locations nationwide and provides women with free, non-judgemental counselling.

I am aware, however, that some other bodies providing counselling may not adhere to the same standards. There have been media reports of such bodies providing information that is not truthful or objective and this is a cause of concern. The Regulation of Information (Services Outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Act, 1995 defines the conditions under which information relating to abortion services lawfully available in another state might be made available in Ireland. That Act provides that where information is provided that would assist a woman in obtaining a termination abroad, that information must be truthful and objective and that a breach of this provision would be an offence. If an individual considers that information provided under the Act is not truthful and objective the matter may be referred to an Garda Síochána for investigation.

The Department of Health is reviewing this legislation to establish if its provisions need to be strengthened and legal advice has been received. One possibility would be to amend the 1995 Information Act, when counsellors are regulated under the 2005 Act, to prevent professionals who are not regulated by the State from providing crisis pregnancy counselling services.

Ambulance Service Staff

Ceisteanna (458)

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

458. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if the ambulance service in County Kildare has a full complement of staff and no shifts are lost due to staffing issues. [32698/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

General Practitioner Services Provision

Ceisteanna (459, 460, 461)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

459. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the status of progress towards the roll-out of free general practitioners care for those between the ages of six and 11; if he is still committed to this policy; the position regarding the money allocated for this initiative in budget 2016; the use to which the money allocated for in 2016 and 2017 was put; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32702/17]

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

460. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the cost of providing free GP care to all children between the ages of six and 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32703/17]

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

461. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing free GP care to all children between 12 and 17 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32704/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 459 to 461, inclusive, together.

The Programme for Government commits to extend in phases, and subject to negotiation with GPs, free GP care to all children under 18 years of age. Legislative changes will be required for any such extension of free GP care to further cohorts of the population. The timetable will be subject to the outcome of discussions with GP representatives on this and other contractual matters currently being discussed.

The Revised Estimates for 2016 included additional funding for Primary Care initiatives including GP contract developments. Funding of €13.5 million was held back by my Department for specific initiatives under this heading. Of this, just over €7.7 million was spent in 2016 on the introduction of the new Rural Practice Support Framework for GPs, revision of the list of Special Items of Services that can be provided by GPs to GMS patients and initiatives to enhance GP access to diagnostics. The balance of these held back monies was released to the HSE and used to fund deficits in various service areas on a once-off basis. This funding is however available in 2017.

The cost of GP visit and medical cards varies significantly with the age of the cardholder. The following table outlines the current indicative annual cost for medical card eligibility and GP visit card eligibility, by age group.

	Indicative Annual Cost per Card
Age Group	GP Visit Card	Medical Card
0 - 4 Yrs	€243	€392
5 – 15 Yrs	€163	€214
16 – 44 Yrs	€149	€595
45 – 64 Yrs	€221	€1,217
65 – 69 Yrs	€250	€1,602
Aged 70 and over	€500	€2,092

Note: Data is compiled by the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service, based on available information for the 6 month period to February 2017 and by extrapolation to full year costs.

The extension of free GP care to all children aged over 6 and under 18 years, not currently covered by medical or GP visit card, would encompass approximately a further 451,000 people. The estimated cost of extending free GP care to specific cohorts of the population will vary depending on the outcome of the current GP contract negotiations and any implications they may have for the future scope and content of the general practitioner service, and the relevant fees and payments to GPs. As with any negotiation-type process, and given the range and complexity of the issues to be discussed, the engagement may take some time.