Written Answers Nos. 462-475
462. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children that received the meningococcal B vaccine for free in 2016 and to date in 2017 respectively; the cost to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32705/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra463. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the cost to the State of administering the meningococcal B vaccine; the amount the State pays for each vaccine to the producer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32706/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra464. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 12 years of age and under five years of age respectively that have not received the meningococcal B vaccine. [32707/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra465. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the cost of providing the meningococcal B vaccine to every child here under 12 years of age and under five years of age respectively. [32708/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 462 to 465, inclusive, together.
The HSE Service Plan included additional funding of €2.5 million for the expansion of the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule in 2016. Two changes to the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule were introduced on 1st December 2016 with the introduction of Meningococcal B (Men B) and Rotavirus for all babies born on or after 1st October, 2016. All vaccines administered through the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule are provided free of charge. The Men B immunisation programme makes Ireland the second country in Europe to make the vaccine available free of charge as part of its national immunisation programme.
The introduction of the vaccine to the childhood immunisation programmes means that all children born on or after 1 October 2016, will automatically receive the vaccine. However, there are no plans to introduce a catch-up programme for older children. No recommendation has been made concerning extension of the programme to other age groups.
As these questions relate to service matters, I have referred them to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
466. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of primary care centres that have been built or opened each year since 2011; the locations of each; the capital and current expenditure associated with each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32709/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
467. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his plans for primary care centres; the areas in the country that have and have not primary care centres, respectively; the centres planned for opening in 2017; the centres opened to date in 2017, the centres planned for 2018, and those for which no opening date is known; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32710/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
468. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of reducing the prescription charge to €1 with a monthly cap of €10; his future plans for this charge and the cap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32711/17]
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.
This Government is commitment to reducing the cost of medicines for patients. The prescription charge for medical card holders aged 70 and over was reduced earlier in 2017. I will continue to examine opportunities to address the cost of the prescription charge to patients, having regard to the funding available for health services.
469. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the funding required to address every case in which a need for a home care package has been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32712/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
470. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the cost of fully staffing early intervention teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32713/17]
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.
471. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of new drugs approved for use here in 2016 and to date in 2017 respectively; the number of these that qualify as high tech drugs; the detail of the recommendation of the NCPE for each; the annual cost of provision for each; the unit cost of each drug; the company supplying it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32714/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
472. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on drugs by the HSE in 2016 and to date in 2017; the savings which have been made in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32715/17]
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.
473. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the cost of the treatment abroad scheme in 2016 and to date in 2017; the projected full-year cost; the number of persons treated; the age breakdown of those treated; the treatment time, location and travel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32716/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE operates the Treatment Abroad Scheme, for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland under EU Regulation 883/04, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulation 987/09, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines.
The HSE hold and record statistics on the Treatment Abroad Scheme and I have asked them to reply to the Deputy directly.
474. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposed refurbishment of Youghal community hospital under the residential care centres capital plan 2016 to 2021; and the amount of the €2.67 million proposed that has been allocated and drawn down. [32718/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Capital Programme announced in January 2016 provides for the replacement and refurbishment of 90 public nursing homes across the country over the next five years including Youghal Community Hospital. Under this Programme it is proposed to deliver 38 beds by refurbishing and extending the existing community nursing home by 2020. This will replace existing beds where the physical environment requires substantial improvement.
Significant work has been undertaken by the HSE in determining the most appropriate scheduling of projects over the multi-annual period from 2016 to 2021, within the phased provision of funding, to achieve compliance and registration with HIQA. All healthcare infrastructure developments, including this development, must comply with DPER guidelines and EU directives and will require a lead-in time to complete the various stages. These stages include appraisal, project brief, design feasibility, detailed design, some of which may overlap, the review of costing estimates and finalisation of financing.
475. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposed construction of Midleton community hospital and long-stay unit under the residential care centres capital plan 2016 to 2021; and the amount of the €10.3 million proposed that has been allocated and drawn down. [32719/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Capital Programme announced in January 2016 provides for the replacement and refurbishment of 90 public nursing homes across the country over the next five years including Midleton Community Hospital. Under this Programme it is proposed to deliver a new build 50 bed community nursing home by 2021. This will replace existing beds where the physical environment requires substantial improvement.
Significant work has been undertaken by the HSE in determining the most appropriate scheduling of projects over the multi-annual period from 2016 to 2021, within the phased provision of funding, to achieve compliance and registration with HIQA. All healthcare infrastructure developments, including this development, must comply with DPER guidelines and EU directives and will require a lead-in time to complete the various stages. These stages include appraisal, project brief, design feasibility, detailed design, some of which may overlap, the review of costing estimates and finalisation of financing.
