Written Answers Nos. 328-346
328. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of times primary percutaneous coronary intervention emergency procedures were carried out at University Hospital Waterford outside the normal hours of 9 to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 207, by month and year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48792/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
329. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the progress made on the 96 bed extension to University Hospital Limerick and the transfer of the university maternity hospital to the Dooradoyle campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48793/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth capital funding was outlined in the recently published Public Service Estimates for 2018 and the HSE is currently developing its Capital Plan for 2018 - 2021.
The Government is also preparing a new 10 year National Investment Plan for the period 2018-2027, which is expected to be published by the end of the year alongside and in support of the forthcoming new National Planning Framework, to sustain national economic and social progress over the long term.
My Department has asked the HSE to reply directly to you in respect of proposed capital developments at University Hospital Limerick.
330. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the cost of providing external coaching and-or training services for staff development in his Department over the past five years and to date in 2017, by cost per year, in tabular form; the company that delivered the training courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48808/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health supports its staff in their Learning and Development needs.
With regards to the specific query, the detailed information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
331. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce the necessary primary legislation to increase the gross income per week to €1,000 in order for persons over 70 years of age to receive a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48819/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Act 2013, when a person attains the age of 70, the medical card income limits are €500 gross income per week for a single person and €900 gross income per week for a couple.
Persons aged 70 or older, who are assessed as ineligible under the gross income thresholds, may also have their eligibility assessed under the means-tested medical card scheme if they so wish, for example in the event that they face particularly high expenses, e.g. nursing home or medication costs. This scheme is open to all persons, irrespective of their age and assessment is based on net income and assessable outgoing expenses. The general scheme, although having lower income thresholds, provides for income disregards and relevant outgoings to be taken into account in the assessment process.
Furthermore, persons, including those aged over 70 years, may be deemed eligible for a medical card on a discretionary basis, if they are judged to face undue hardship in arranging GP services as a result of medical or social circumstances. In addition, from August 2015, all persons aged 70 or older qualify for a GP Visit Card, regardless of income.
There are no proposals at present to amend the legislation for the granting of eligibility for medical cards for persons aged 70 and over. However, it should be noted that the gross income limits are reviewed annually and considered in the context of the budget.
332. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the range of services provided at primary care centres (details supplied) in County Mayo; if physiotherapy services will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48826/17]
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.
333. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health if kuvan,the only medical treatment available for phenylketonuria, will be made available to persons with this rare genetic disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48828/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In reaching a 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 it may have sought, including, for example, advice from the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).
Sapropterin (Kuvan) was 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.
In 2016, the HSE was advised that a new health technology assessment dossier would be submitted on sapropterin. The NCPE completed its assessment of the new dossier in September 2017 and did not recommend sapropterin for reimbursement, as it was not deemed cost effective at the price sought by the company.
The HSE assessment process is ongoing and the HSE will take into account any relevant expert advice when making its decision, in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
334. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if there are grants available to assist a group (details supplied) in its work. [48829/17]
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 particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
335. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to make urgent repairs to a health centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48854/17]
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.
336. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if all ambulance shifts in the north-east region have been covered for the months of September, October and November 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48859/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra337. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the arrangements in place to cover sick leave or annual leave for ambulance shifts in the north-east region; if there are ambulance shifts currently without cover as a result of sick leave or annual leave in this region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48860/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra338. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if ambulance shifts in the north-east region have been forced to close as a result of sick or annual leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48861/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra339. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the ambulances available for response in the north-east region for November 2017; the number of call outs made by each of the available ambulances; and the location of the call outs to which ambulances were dispatched, in tabular form. [48862/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 336 to 339, inclusive, together.
As the issues raised by the Deputy are operational matters, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
340. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the amount and percentage of the mental health budget spent on staffing and non-staffing expenditure, respectively, in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48868/17]
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.
341. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on mental health patients who have to receive treatment at locations outside of their community health care organisation some distance from their primary residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48869/17]
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.
342. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting an initial assessment as part of child and adolescent mental health services for three months, six months, nine months, 12 months, 15 months and more than 15 months, respectively, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48896/17]
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.
343. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant psychiatrist positions which have yet to be filled within child and adolescent mental health services, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48897/17]
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.
344. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of beds which are available within child and adolescent mental health services in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48898/17]
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.
345. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant suicide crisis assessment nurse positions within child and adolescent mental health services, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48899/17]
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.
346. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time positions which exist within adult mental health services; the number of said positions which exist within children's mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48900/17]
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.
