James Browne
Ceist:125. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with intellectual disabilities under 65 years of age that live in nursing homes in County Wexford. [41395/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisabilities Data
Ceisteanna (125)
Freagraí scríofa
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 (126)
Willie Penrose
Ceist:126. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be admitted to hospital for a procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41996/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 the Deputy directly.
Hospitals Capital Programme
Ceisteanna (127)
Niall Collins
Ceist:127. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he held discussions with a hospital (details supplied) in respect of proposals to help build capacity at the facility into the future; the schedule being followed in respect of consideration of the matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42000/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tallaght Hospital recently provided my Department with an overview of the major capital projects that are in progress and the major capital projects that are planned at the hospital.
Future capital investment in hospitals must be considered within the overall acute hospital sector infrastructure programme, the prioritised needs of the hospital groups and within the overall capital envelope available to the health service. The HSE will continue to apply the available funding for infrastructure development in the most effective way possible to meet current and future needs, having regard to the level of commitments and the costs to completion already in place.
Hospital Consultant Contracts
Ceisteanna (128)
Anne Rabbitte
Ceist:128. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that one of the three surgeons in Portiuncula Hospital is possibly seeking an official transfer to University Hospital Galway (details supplied); the person that signed off on same; and his views on whether this is a downgrading of services at Portiuncula Hospital. [42009/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Overcrowding
Ceisteanna (129)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:129. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to reopen the 20 closed beds in St. John’s Hospital, Limerick, to help alleviate the overcrowding problem in University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42023/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Occupational Therapy
Ceisteanna (130)
James Lawless
Ceist:130. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if an occupational therapist report for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42033/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive, HSE, for direct reply.
Medicinal Products Availability
Ceisteanna (131, 132, 142)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:131. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a re-evaluation will be carried out on the drug Kuvan for persons with PKU under the reimbursement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42039/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Mick Wallace
Ceist:132. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health if he will make the drug Kuvan, also known as sapropterin, for the treatment of those effected by phenylketonuria here; and when persons may avail of this treatment. [42040/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Pat Deering
Ceist:142. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if the drug Kuvan will be made available for the treatment of PKU (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42076/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 132 and 142 together.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In reaching its decision, the HSE examines all the evidence which may be relevant in its view for the decision and will take into account such expert opinions and recommendations which may have been sought by the HSE, including, for example, advice from the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, NCPE.
Sapropterin (Kuvan) was previously considered under the national pricing and reimbursement processes in 2009. At that time insufficient evidence was available to support the pricing and reimbursement application submitted by Merck Serono for Kuvan.
In December 2015, Merck Serono advised the HSE that the market authorisation for Kuvan was transferring to Biomarin in 2016. The HSE met with the new market authorisation holder Biomarin in May 2016 and was advised that it would be submitting a health technology assessment dossier in relation to Kuvan.
The NCPE assessment of the Biomarin dossier was completed on 15 September 2017 and the NCPE did not recommend Kuvan for reimbursement as it was not deemed cost-effective.
The HSE assessment process is ongoing and the HSE will take into account the expert advice of the NCPE when making its decision, in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Ceisteanna (133)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:133. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42047/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Early Childhood Care and Education, ECCE, Programme, is the responsibility of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs introduced the AIM model of supports to facilitate the full participation of children with a disability in the ECCE Programme. The Access and Inclusion Model, AIM, provides supports including enhanced continuing professional development for early years practitioners; grants for equipment, appliances and minor alterations; and access to therapeutic intervention.
It is the AIM policy that requests for equipment or appliances will only be accepted from healthcare professionals (such as an occupational therapist or physiotherapist) working for or on behalf of the HSE. This reflects the holistic, integrated approach recommended in the Report of the Interdepartmental Group, whereby services and supports would be prescribed and provided in a joined-up, child-centered way by a multi-disciplinary HSE team, i.e. it should support a situation where the same team is assessing and considering the child's needs across the home, pre-school and other settings. This approach also takes account of important guiding principles of equity and "needs-driven" which underpin the model, i.e. access to supports under the model should not be affected by ability to pay.
However I understand that an application was requested under AIM Level 7 - requesting funding for additional support, and this was approved. DCYA have also requested that the application should be diverted to the HSE under AIM Level 6 - HSE Therapy Supports, in order that this child may be assessed for any equipment that may be deemed essential for his participation in the ECCE pre-school room.
Within this context, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the individual case he has raised. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and it will follow up the matter.
General Medical Services Scheme
Ceisteanna (134)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:134. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42048/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 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.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (135)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:135. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the family are in the process of seeking medical attention in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42049/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Health Service Capacity Review
Ceisteanna (136)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:136. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited with an organisation for a person (details supplied) that has been on the waiting list for two years. [42052/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (137)
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:137. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the number of business cases in County Clare being held for persons with intellectual disabilities that require emergency residential placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42056/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Road Traffic Accidents Data
Ceisteanna (138)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:138. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his plans to combine the data on road traffic collision casualties held by hospitals and general practitioners; the status of the reporting of serious injuries from road traffic collisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42062/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As data on road traffic collisions is not routinely maintained by General Practitioners it would not be possible to combine the data as suggested by the Deputy. I understand that officials from my Department have contacted the Deputy's office seeking additional information regarding the second part of his question.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (139)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:139. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the commitment in the programme for Government to develop services and specialties to support persons with mental health difficulties; and if he will further report on the commitment to implement the national dementia strategy. [41862/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Partnership Government gives a clear commitment to increasing the mental health budget annually, as resources allow, to expand existing services. Since 2012, the overall gross non-capital health budget for the HSE has been increased from €711 million to over €850 million in 2017. This is an increase of €140 million over this period.
Key priorities to be addressed in the HSE's 2017 Service Plan include youth mental health, further improvement to child & adolescent, CAMHS, and adult services, older people's services and further enhanced out of hours response for those in need of urgent services.
The increased investment in mental health services over the last number of years has helped to facilitate an increase in the number and staffing levels of both Adult and Children & Adolescent Community Mental Health Teams. Of the additional 1,550 new mental health posts approved since 2012, some 1,150 have been, or are in the process of being recruited.
Construction has started on the new 120-bed hospital to replace the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum, along with a new 10-bed forensic CAMHS unit and a new 10-bed Mental Health Intellectual Disability Unit. The new National Forensic Mental Health facility is due to become operational in early 2020.
Counselling services across both primary and secondary care have also been developed, including the provision of three new Jigsaw youth mental health services in Cork (two sites), Dublin (two sites) and Limerick (one site). In addition, funding has been provided for the recruitment of an additional 22 psychologist posts and 114 assistant psychology posts in primary care. These posts were advertised recently.
The Irish National Dementia Strategy was launched in December 2014, with the objective of increasing awareness, ensuring early diagnosis and intervention and developing enhanced community based services.
In parallel with the Strategy, the Department of Health and the HSE have agreed a joint initiative with the Atlantic Philanthropies to implement significant elements of the Strategy over the period 2014-2017. This Implementation Programme represents a combined investment of €27.5 million, with the Atlantic Philanthropies contributing €12 million and the HSE €15.5 million.
Funding of €1.23 million has recently been secured under the 2017 Dormant Accounts Action Plan to support a number of dementia projects. These include post-diagnostic supports, dementia friendly communities, assistive technology libraries and further exploratory work on the development of a national dementia registry. These measures will help people with dementia to live well in their communities for as long as possible.
The Department and the HSE are working on a mid-term review of the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy which will identify the achievements so far and set out the further work that is required to implement the Strategy over the next 12 months and beyond. The resources required for the ongoing implementation of the Strategy can only be considered in the context of the Estimates and Budget process. The mid-term review will assist in identifying further actions required and will be helpful in the context of budgetary considerations.
Referendum Campaigns
Ceisteanna (140)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:140. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the commitment the Government has given on holding a referendum on the Eighth Amendment. [41643/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government established a Citizens’ Assembly, in line with its Programme for Partnership Government commitment, to consider a number of matters including constitutional reform. The Assembly first considered the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Article 40.3.3), and submitted its final report, setting out its recommendations, to the Oireachtas on 29 June 2017.
The Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution is now considering the report of the Citizens’ Assembly in order to recommend to the Oireachtas the policy direction it should consider on the issue. The first public meeting of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, chaired by Senator Catherine Noone, was on 20 September. The Committee is to report its conclusions and recommendations to both Houses of the Oireachtas within three months of its first public meeting, which would therefore be due on or before 20 December 2017. The Joint Committee’s report will then be debated in the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The Government has agreed to hold a referendum on the Eighth Amendment in May or June 2018 subject to the timely passage of a Constitutional Amendment Bill on the matter by the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Home Care Packages
Ceisteanna (141)
Seán Fleming
Ceist:141. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if the homecare package for a person (details supplied) can be improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42074/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Question No. 142 answered with Question No. 131.
Maternity Services
Ceisteanna (143)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Ceist:143. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing foetal anomaly scans to all pregnant women in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42084/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Maternity Strategy is very clear that all women must have equal access to standardised ultrasound services. The Strategy will be implemented on a phased basis and this work will be led by the HSE National Women & Infants Health Programme. Indeed, the issue of anomaly scanning is a priority issue for the Programme and, accordingly, it will develop clinical guidance regarding routine detailed scans. In the meantime, the Programme will continue to work with the six Hospital Groups to assist in increasing access to anomaly scans for those units with limited availability.
One of the current challenges to increase access to anomaly scans is the recruitment of ultrasonographers who are skilled in using these machines. In this context, it is expected that the establishment of Maternity Networks across Hospital Groups will assist in developing a sustainable model that ensures that all women within each Hospital Group can access anomaly scans.
In relation to the specific query, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly.
Mental Health Services Expenditure
Ceisteanna (144)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Ceist:144. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the agency spend by CAMHS in each of the years 2012 to 2016 by CHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42085/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.