Written Answers Nos. 362-381
362. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health when the FreeStyle Libre system will be made available under the long-term illness scheme for persons with diabetes; if availability will not be restricted only to persons with type one diabetes but will be made available to every person on multi daily insulin injections based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41463/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
363. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if a permanent residential place can be provided for a person (details supplied). [41470/17]
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
364. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) trying to access child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41474/17]
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.
365. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if funding will be made available in the upcoming budget for a further podiatrist in County Donegal; if his attention has been drawn to the sudden increase in the number of foot complications experienced by persons with diabetes in County Donegal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41479/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the issues raised refer to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy.
366. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lengthy delays for allied health professionals returning from abroad registering with the Health and Social Care Professional Council, CORU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41483/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra367. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the process necessary for registration with the Health and Social Care Professional Council, CORU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41484/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 366 and 367 together.
As this is matter relating to the registration of healthcare professionals, the Health and Social Care Professional Council, CORU, which is the competent authority in this regard has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
368. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant posts while allied health professionals are awaiting registration with the Health and Social Care Professional Council, CORU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41485/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to the number of vacant posts. CORU has requested to respond separately on numbers awaiting registration.
369. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if funding for a further podiatrist to provide diabetes podiatry services to persons living in County Donegal will be made available; if so, when it is likely that this post will be available to persons; if his attention has been drawn to the increase in the number of persons with diabetes in the county requiring lower limb amputations owing to complications associated with the disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41486/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the issues raised refer to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy.
370. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a decision from the medical card department regarding an application for a discretionary medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41487/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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 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.
371. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of centre-based respite nights provided to persons with disabilities to date in 2017; the way in which this compares against target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41488/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of respite services has come under additional pressure in the past number of years. More children and adults are now seeking access to respite and the “changing needs” of people with a disability are also having an impact, as they, along with the rest of the population, live longer lives. The Programme for Partnership Government recognises the need for respite services to be developed further and I am committed to ensuring that this happens.
There are a number of factors impacting on respite capacity. A significant number of respite beds are regularly utilised to allow unplanned emergency admissions, leading to the number of available respite nights being down against planned activity. The regulatory and policy context has also changed the manner in which residential and respite services is provided, as Agencies comply with regulatory standards. Capacity has generally decreased with requirements for personal and appropriate space. Beds can no longer be used for respite where residents go home at weekends or for holidays. Implementation of the national policy on congregated settings is also reducing available capacity.
In the HSE's Social Care Operational Plan for 2017, 6,320 people with a disability are expected to avail of centre based respite services totalling 182,506 overnights. Based on existing levels of service and in addition to the centre-based respite service, it’s planned that between 2,000 and 2,500 persons will avail of respite services such as holiday respite or occasional respite with a host family. Furthermore, the HSE has been funded to provide 185 new emergency residential placements and new home support and in-home respite for 210 additional people who require emergency supports has been allocated. This marks a significant change in the way that respite services are delivered.
The most recent available data from the HSE indicates that 81,836 overnight respite sessions were accessed in the first six months of this year, compared to 90,861 in the first six months of 2016. The HSE is also developing an e-Health case management system which will facilitate tracking of all residential and home support/emergency respite services across all Community Health Organisations.
The HSE Social Care Division has also committed to further developing home sharing as a person centred and community inclusive type of support for people with disabilities involving the development of an Implementation Plan in 2017. This will address the priority recommendations of the National Expert Group Report on Home Sharing published in 2016. It will be led by the national designated disability lead in this area.
The HSE continues to work with agencies to explore various ways of responding to this need in line with the budget available.
372. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on the new HSE policy on manual handling (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41490/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
373. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if funding for a further podiatrist in County Meath will be made available in view of the fact that County Meath has had the largest year-on-year increase in the number of persons with diabetes hospitalised for foot ulceration treatment in 2016; and the reason for the sudden increase in persons seeking this treatment. [41500/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the issues raised refer to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy.
374. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect the delivery of a special cushion which was ordered in July 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41501/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
375. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a bed for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath can be expedited. [41503/17]
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.
376. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the number of podiatrists in County Limerick due to the increasing number of persons needing treatment for diabetic foot ulceration in County Limerick. [41508/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
377. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the HSE's position regarding the promotion of vaping as a means to achieve the State's goal of becoming smoke free (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41513/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra379. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the reason vaping and vaping products are classified in the same category as cigarette and tobacco products; his plans to amend the way in which vaping is classified in order to remove some of the expense associated with the practice (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41528/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 377 and 379 together.
The EU Tobacco Products Directive 2014/14/EU introduced new rules for tobacco products and for nicotine-containing e-cigarettes and refill containers. The European Commission indicated that as nicotine is an addictive and toxic substance, safety and quality requirements for nicotine-containing e-cigarettes were necessary. Reporting obligations were also included so that public authorities could monitor and learn more about these products.
As a member of the EU, Ireland was obliged to transpose the Directive into Irish law. The new rules were transposed by the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 271 of 2016), came into effect 20 May 2016. The European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 252 of 2017) amended the Principal Regulations and gave effect to a number of Commission Implementing Acts.
My Department, in pursuing the recommendations of Tobacco Free Ireland requested the Health Information and Quality Authority to carry out a health technology assessment, HTA, of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical smoking cessation products and service.
The HTA found that pharmacological therapies are generally safe and well-tolerated in those for whom these treatments are medically indicated for use. It is important to note that no e-cigarette product is currently licensed as a medicinal product in Ireland. The safety of e-cigarettes is an evolving area of research; while potentially safer than smoking, evidence on long-term safety has yet to be established. The results of the HTA will inform the development of national clinical guidelines which are currently being developed by the Health Service Executive in conjunction with the National Clinical Effectiveness Committee.
My Department will continue to monitor the emerging research on these products, so as to inform decisions around any future additional regulation in this area.
378. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase funding in Budget 2018 for a facility (details supplied) to ensure it can open on a full-time basis from spring 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41523/17]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
Funding of €1.69 billion has been allocated by the Health Service Executive, HSE, for disability services in 2017. This represents an increased allocation of €130 million compared to the previous year.
My Department is currently engaged in discussions with the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as part of the Estimates Process for Budget 2018. Pending the conclusion of these discussions, I am not in a position to comment on the level of funding that will be available in 2018 for disability services generally and specifically for respite care services.
As the Deputy's question refers to a specific respite service provider, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
380. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41529/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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 the Deputy directly.
381. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for persons that have been approved for counselling under the counselling in primary care, CIPC, service in County Meath; and the number of persons on the waiting list in County Meath. [41530/17]
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.
