Written Answers Nos. 974-993
974. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health when FreeStyle Libre will be made available on the general medical scheme, GMS, and the long-term illness card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35965/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medical devices in the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Where a supplier wishes to have a product reimbursed in the community drugs schemes, it must first submit an application to the HSE to have the product added to the reimbursement list.
The HSE has advised that it has received a formal application to add FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System to the reimbursement list. This application will be considered in compliance with the requirements of the 2013 Act.
975. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans to establish the facts behind the increase in registration fees set by the Health Products Regulatory Authority that came into effect as of 1 January 2017; the consultation that took place in advance of these increases; the persons or groups consulted and the date of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35966/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the competent authority for the regulation of medicines and medical devices in Ireland.
Fees relating to activities and services provided by the Health Products Regulatory Authority are set out on a legislative basis and are subject to annual public consultation. Statutory Instrument No. 602 of 2016 details fees applicable for 2017.
I understand that the ‘increase in registration fees’ referred to in the Deputy’s question relates to the introduction of a new fee model to cover the cost of the HPRA’s regulatory activities for medical devices. This fee model, which is incorporated in S.I. No. 602 of 2016, was subject to a specific public consultation during July and August of 2015 to allow affected stakeholders to provide comments and proposals on the model. All of the details and the outcome of this consultation is publicly available on the HPRA’s website.
The HPRA have been engaging with industry, trade associations and others on the introduction of medical device fees since 2013 and on the basis of responses to the 2015 consultation. During 2016 the fee model was amended and clarified based on the consultation responses and ongoing dialogue with stakeholders who engaged in the process.
The HPRA has committed to review the fee model on an annual basis. Further engagement is possible through a public consultation on this process where all stakeholders are encouraged to engage in the consultation and submit feedback.
976. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Products Regulatory Authority has and continues to ignore those unqualified practitioners who provide dentures directly to unsuspecting persons, that is, dental technicians who should respond only to the requests of trained and qualified dentists; his plans to challenge and prevent this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35967/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dental Council, established by the Dentists Act 1985, is the relevant body in this case. The Dental Council takes the matter of illegal practice very seriously and will continue to work with the relevant authorities in addressing this issue.
977. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the prevalence of endometriosis here and across the European Union, if known; the extent of knowledge and the skill set regarding endometriosis among consultants here; the location of same; the way in which treatment for the disease here compares with the excision surgery performed by a professor (details supplied) in Austria; his plans to train and upskill specialists here regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35968/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to this particular query, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
978. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of additional posts by job title recruited and appointed in 2015, 2016 and 2017 for the development of the DeafHear national services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35971/17]
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.
979. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time from referral to assessment for opioid substitution treatment by community health care organisation, CHO, area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35972/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
980. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the funding allocation in 2015, 2016 and 2017 to address the service gap for low secure acute care and rehabilitation services for mental health service users with complex needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35973/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
981. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); his plans to address the delays in regular dental developmental checks for primary school children here, in particular in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35989/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
982. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the services available for children with autism spectrum disorder who are of preschool age in the Knocklyon area of Dublin south west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35992/17]
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 a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
983. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to address an issue (details supplied); if he will ensure appropriate access to this essential service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35999/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBased upon this country's population, only a limited number of primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, PCI, centres can be operated in order to ensure that the services provided achieve the required standards. Where primary PCI cannot be delivered within an acceptable timeframe, thrombolysis is recommended with early transfer to a primary PCI centre for angiography.
As Minister for Health, my aim is to ensure that as many patients as possible have access on a 24/7 basis to safe and sustainable emergency interventions following a heart attack and, accordingly, I have asked my Department to commence preparatory work on a national review of all primary PCI services.
This review, which will be undertaken based on independent clinical expertise, will examine the issue and make recommendations regarding the future configuration of Primary PCI services, including number and location of centres required to serve our population needs. The review will devise a plan for the achievement of the best patient outcomes possible, reflecting patient safety as paramount. The guiding principle for the review will be to strive to provide a primary PCI service that can deliver clinical outcomes on par with international standards.
984. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the reasons for the marked disparity between community health care organisations, CHOs, in the numbers waiting for a first appointment with child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, (details supplied); and the details for each CHO and the numbers assessed for referral for a first appointment in March 2017. [36018/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
985. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the waiting times involved from when a person in care requiring psychological assessment is referred from Tusla to the Health Service Executive, HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36022/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
986. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of the reimbursement of the drugs Respreeza and Zemaira; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36028/17]
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.
987. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided for service users by the Health Service Executive, HSE, for day services for persons with disabilities on a county basis, including the name of the service providers to whom the funding is being provided, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36043/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra988. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if there is means by which a person who suffers from a disability and who has been allocated funding for day services with a service provider can have the funding allocated to a separate service provider or receive a direct payment in lieu; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36044/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 987 and 988 together.
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 a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
989. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36046/17]
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.
990. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that have applied for the fair deal scheme in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017 in counties Cavan and Monaghan, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36053/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra991. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in counties Cavan and Monaghan who were granted a place under the fair deal scheme in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36056/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 990 and 991 together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
992. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the average number of home help hours the Health Service Executive, HSE, provided to persons in each county, in particular counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36057/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
993. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 401 of 16 May 2017, the number of children's disability network teams in community health care organisation, CHO, area 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36069/17]
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 a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
