Written Answers Nos. 292-318
292. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there are grants for housing relocation for persons from Gaeltacht areas living away and returning home to build a family home. [49854/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scheme of housing grants which was administered by the Department in accordance with the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts was suspended with effect from 7 April 2009. There are no plans to restore this scheme at present.
293. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of vacancies in each State board under the aegis of her Department, in tabular form. [49932/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current vacancies on the Boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department are set out in the table.
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) operates a dedicated website, www.stateboards.ie, through which it advertises vacancies on State Boards. Arrangements are currently in train in co-operation with PAS to fill vacancies on the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta.
It should be noted that in the case of Foras na Gaeilge, Board appointments are made by the North/South Ministerial Council following nomination on a 50:50 basis from each jurisdiction. The current Foras na Gaeilge vacancies require nomination by the Northern Executive for subsequent North South Ministerial Council approval.
It should further be noted that the current vacancy on the Board of the National Museum of Ireland is for a staff nominee.
|
State Board |
Number of Current Vacancies |
|
Arts Council |
2 |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
1 |
|
Foras na Gaeilge (An Foras Teanga) |
3 |
|
Heritage Council |
1 |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
1 |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
1 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
11 |
294. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the names of persons she has appointed to each State board under the aegis of her Department that have not come from the Public Appointments Service list of suitable candidates, in tabular form. [49994/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Appointments Service (PAS) operates a dedicated website, www.stateboards.ie, through which it advertises vacancies on State Boards. Since this service commenced in 2014, with the exception of certain statutorily defined appointments, all of the appointments I have made to the Boards of bodies under my remit have been from shortlists of suitable candidates provided by PAS following calls for expressions of interest from members of the public. Appointments which must, under governing legislation for the Board in question, be made via a different process are: ex officio appointments; appointments following nominations from particular bodies; and appointments to North/South bodies. Appointments to the boards of Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency, being agencies of the North/South Implementation Body, An Foras Teanga, are made by the North/South Ministerial Council, arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis.
The table below gives details of all appointments, since PAS first began to provide shortlists in 2014, that have not come from the PAS process.
|
Board |
Name of appointee |
Date of appointment |
Appointment type |
|
Crawford Gallery of Art |
Susan McCarty (Cllr) Tim Brosnan (Cllr) Mary Hegarty (Cllr) |
06/01/2016
03/02/2016 06/01/2016 |
Cork County Council Nominee Cork City Council Nominee Cork Education & Training Board Nominee |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
Gráinne McElwain Blathnaid Ní Chofaigh Seán Ó hArgáin Seán Ó Coisdealbha Seán Mícheál Ó Dómhnaill Conor McGuinness Rosie Ní Laoghaire* Barra Ó Muirí Máire Ní Neachtain Mairéad Connolly Mairéad Farrell Niall Ó Gallochobair Sorcha Ní Chéidigh Pól Ó Gallchóir |
13/12/2015 13/12/2015 13/12/2015 13/12/2015 13/12/2015 24/06/2016 24/06/2016 07/07/2016 13/12/2016 13/12/2016 13/12/2016 13/12/2016 13/12/2016 13/12/2016 |
North/South Ministerial Council |
|
Irish Manuscripts Commission |
John McDonough Sandra Collins Michael Willis |
25/02/2015 31/07/2015 18/11/2016 |
Ex-Officio Ex-Officio Ex-Officio |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
Mick O’Dea Stephen McKenna* Vivienne Roche James English Owen Lewis Maurice Buckley Peter Kennedy Bernie Brennan |
14/10/2014 21/10/2015 21/10/2015 05/05/2017 01/12/2016 12/12/2016 16/03/2017 06/12/2013 |
Ex-Officio RHA Nominee RHA Nominee RHA Nominee Ex-Officio Ex-Officio Ex-Officio Ex-Officio |
|
National Library of Ireland |
Eoin McVey Katherine McSharry |
11/11/2015 19/11/2015 |
RDS Nominee NLI Staff Nominee |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
Ingrid Hook Kathleen James-Chakraborty Mary O’Dowd Karen Wilson* |
06/07/2016 06/07/2016 06/07/2016 06/07/2016 |
RDS Nominee RIA Nominee RIA Nominee NMI Staff Nominee |
|
Údarás na Gaeilge |
Aindrias Ó Muineacháin Gobnait Ní Mhuineacháin Máire Seosaimhín Breathnach |
10/02/2015
31/05/2016
15/02/2017 |
Cork County Council Nominee Cork County Council Nominee Waterford County Council Nominee |
|
Ulster Scots Agency |
Allen McAdam Freddie Kettyle Val O’Kelly Ida Fisher David McNarry Julie Andrews Iain Carlisle Keith Gamble |
13/12/2015 13/12/2015 13/12/2015 13/12/2015 13/12/2016 13/12/2016 13/12/2016 13/12/2016 |
North/South Ministerial Council |
*No longer sitting board members
295. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has used a private email account to send or receive official documents or positions on Brexit; and if so, the details of this correspondence. [50055/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I advised the House in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 225 of 2nd February last, official email business in my role as Minister is conducted via Department and Oireachtas email accounts. On occasion, when outside the office, I make use of a private email account on my mobile phone to forward information of a non-sensitive nature to my private office, generally relating to diary appointments or constituency matters. This private email account has not been used to send or receive any communications regarding official documentation or positions on Brexit.
296. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the bodies under the aegis of her Department to which her Department provides in excess of €1 million funding per annum; the public funding received by these bodies; the bodies in which 50% or more of its income comes from public sources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50111/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of funding allocations to those bodies under the aegis of my Department are available on my Department's website and in the Revised Estimates Volume published by the Department of Public Expenditure. Aggregate allocations are published in respect of the following four bodies - the National Concert Hall, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Chester Beatty Library and the Crawford Gallery, each of which is receipt of allocations in excess of €1m. Details of income and expenditure by each of these bodies is available in the published annual report and accounts of the bodies.
297. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the assistance her Department can provide for the development of a wildlife rehabilitation hospital and visitor centre in Fingal in view of the fact that such rescue centres are in operation throughout the UK. [50180/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. This legislative framework provides for the conservation of the populations of a wide range of species. In this regard, various measures are in place to conserve and, where appropriate, restore populations of threatened species. However, the core work of my Department does not include the rehabilitation of individual animals and I am not in a position to provide funding for a hospital or visitor facility.
Responsibility for the Animal Health and Welfare Act rests with my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
298. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of grant funding that was made available to a company (details supplied); when this was provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50226/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested in respect of the Company referred to by the Deputy is detailed in the table.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Grant Type |
Date Approved |
Amount Approved |
Amount Paid (to date) |
Payment date(s) |
|
Employment Grant
Employment grant (managers) |
04/03/2016
04/03/2016 |
€614,000.00
€60,000.00 |
€32,256 €20,000 €19,636 €34,070 €7,500 €21,380 |
02/02/2017 02/03/2017 22/03/2017 16/06/2017 06/11/2017 07/11/2017 |
|
Training Grant |
04/03/2016 |
€100,000.00 |
€9,804 €7,157 €888 €6,000 |
23/02/2017 22/03/2017 16/06/2017 06/11/2017 |
|
Rent Subsidy |
04/03/2016 |
€68,000.00 |
€4,252 €4,252 €4,252 |
01/04/2017 01/07/2017 01/10/2017 |
|
Total: |
€842,000.00 |
€171,447 |
299. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the location of the international dimension of the national famine commemoration in 2017; the proposed location for the international dimension of the same commemoration in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50263/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe International Famine Commemoration 2017 took place in Ireland Park, Toronto on Tuesday 24th October last. As I was unable to travel Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan T.D., represented the Government on my behalf.
Details of the 2018 International Famine Commemoration are currently being considered and will be announced in due course.
300. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the public contracts between her Department and companies (details supplied) in each of the years 2011 to 2016; the value of each contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50397/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that a payment was made for €41,795 to the first company referred to by the Deputy in 2014 to conduct a review of the Aran Islands Air Service. The report in question was published that year. In 2012, payments of €1,600 were made to the second company referred to by the Deputy. No payments were made to the third company referred to by the Deputy during period in question.
301. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the advice that she received from the Attorney General regarding the Heritage Bill 2016. [50513/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdvice provided by the Attorney General to me as Minister is subject to legal professional privilege.
302. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén líon iomlán foirne atá fostaithe ina Roinn faoi láthair nach bhfuil lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht; cé mhéid de na poist sin (lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht) atá daingnithe nó aitheanta ag an Roinn (i scéim teanga, nó ar aon bhealach eile) mar phoist a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo; cé mhéid duine atá ann ag a bhfuil cumas oibre i nGaeilge agus atá ag feidhmiú sna poist ar leith sin (lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht) a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo; an bhfuil sé beartaithe ag an tráth seo aon phost eile de chuid na Roinne lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht a aithint mar phost a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo [50527/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra303. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéid folúntas a líonadh in oifigí de chuid na Roinne lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht ó thús na bliana seo; cé mhéid de na folúntais áirithe sin a bhain le poist a bhí sainaitheanta mar phoist a raibh Gaeilge riachtanach ina leith; cé mhéid folúntas atá le líonadh in oifigí de chuid na Roinne lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht faoi láthair agus cé mhéid díobh siúd atá sainaitheanta mar fholúntais a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag dul leo. [50528/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra304. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén líon iomlán foirne atá fostaithe in oifigí de chuid na Roinne sa Ghaeltacht faoi láthair; cé mhéid folúntas a líonadh sna hoifigí sin sa Ghaeltacht ó thús na bliana seo; cé mhéid folúntas atá le líonadh in oifigí de chuid na Roinne sa Ghaeltacht faoi láthair. [50529/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 302 to 304, inclusive, together.
Tá curtha in iúl dom go bhfuil 57 duine ag obair i Rannán Gaeltachta na Roinne, inarb í an Ghaeilge an teanga oibre go fóill. Ó mhí Eanáir na bliana seo, rinneadh deich bpost a líonadh i Rannán na Gaeltachta, agus tá ceann amháin go fóill le líonadh. Chomh maith leis sin, dúradh liom gur líonadh 65 post in oifigí na Roinne taobh amuigh de Ránnán na Gaeltachta. Tá ceann amháin de na poist sin, post mar Oifigeach Preasa, sainaitheanta ag an Roinn mar cheann a bhfuil cumas sa Ghaeilge riachtanach dó. D’fhéach an Roinn leis an phost a líonadh tríd an tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí, ach in ainneoin cuardach mion a dhéanamh, ní raibh an tSeirbhís in ann iarrthóir dátheangach a chur ar fáil. Tá an post líonta anois le duine nach cainteoir Gaeilge í, ach tá 3 cainteoirí líofa Gaeilge ag obair sa Phreasoifig agus iad go léir in ann feidhmiú mar Phreasoifigigh Cúnta nuair is gá.
Tá sé ráite liom go bhfuil 612 duine fostaithe faoi láthair sa Roinn taobh amuigh de rannán na Gaeltachta.
Tá na poist seo a leanas (taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht) ainmnithe i scéim teanga mo Roinne mar phoist a bhfuil cumas Gaeilge riachtanach dóibh
|
Teideal an Phoist |
Láthair |
|
Gach post |
Oifig an Aire Stáit |
|
Preasoifigeach & Preasoifigeach Cúnta |
Sráid Chill Dara |
|
Treoraí Oideachais |
Páirc Náisiúnta Ghleann Bheatha |
Tá Gaeilge líofa ag an fhoireann go léir i m’Oifigse agus ag roinnt mhaith den fhoireann i bPáirc Náisiúnta Ghleann Bheatha, an Treoraí Oideachais ina measc.
Is é polasaí mo Roinne úsáid na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn ar bhonn náisiúnta agus í a neartú sa Ghaeltacht agus tá sé mar aidhm againn a chinntiú go bhfuil líon dóthanach de m’fhoireann lánábalta feidhmiú i nGaeilge. Tacaíonn an Roinn le baill foirne ar bhonn leanúnach le feabhas a chur ar a gcuid scileanna Gaeilge ag gach leibhéal cumais. Mar shampla, cuireann an Roinn an Teastas sa Ghaeilge Ghairmiúil chun cinn go gníomhach. Clár páirtaimseartha atá ann a chuireann Gaelchultúr ar fáil chun cuidiú le fostaithe san earnáil phoiblí leibhéal níos airde seirbhíse do chustaiméirí a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge.
Tá mé sásta go bhfuil go leor ball foirne ag na gráid iomchuí le gnó na Roinne a chur i gcrích go héifeachtach i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla araon. Déantar athbhreithniú leanúnach ar na leibhéil soláthair foirne ar fud na Roinne de réir na riachtanas gnó, mar a léirítear i bPlean Fórsa Saothair na Roinne, agus ag féachaint do pholasaí an Rialtais maidir le pá san earnáil phoiblí de réir chomhairle ón Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe.
305. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a reply will issue to concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in relation to the retention of both the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra as separate entities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50658/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment has the statutory remit for broadcasting including RTÉ. My Department has no role in relation to RTÉ.
306. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if the section 39 hospices will receive funding to enable them to refund the cuts that were made following the application of FEMPI; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the country's hospices are facing a deficit of approximately €4 million which will force them to cut services in 2018 and also pose staff recruitment problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50622/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to previous Parliamentary Questions and discussion in the Dáil, the Deputy will be aware that any individuals employed by Section 39 organisations are not HSE employees. Therefore, neither the HSE nor my Department has a role in determining the salaries or other terms and conditions applying to these staff.
The Deputy will also be aware that the staff of these Section 39 organisations are not public servants and therefore were not subject to the FEMPI legislation which imposed pay reductions. It follows then that the staff of the Section 39 bodies will not be eligible for any pay restoration associated with the unwinding of this legislation and provided for under the more recent Public Service Agreements. As already outlined, it is a matter for Section 39 organisations to negotiate salaries with their staff as part of their employment relationship and within the overall funding available for the delivery of agreed services.
Whilst it is understood that pay cuts were imposed on Section 39 employees, it is not clear that these cuts were applied in a universally consistent manner across all the Section 39 agencies. It is also important to recognise that this group of organisations within the health sector is just one element of a larger complex issue which could have significant cost implications for the Exchequer across the public services as a whole. In this regard, I have had discussions with my colleague Minister Donohoe and will continue to engage with him on this matter.
307. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49857/17]
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 you directly.
308. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 670 of 7 November 2017, if an early hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [49864/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the specific case raised, I have understand that the HSE have issued a response to you directly.
309. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be approved for new dentures under the medical card dental scheme as an exception due to their medical needs and age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49877/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
310. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on all care companies providing home care in CH06; the number of persons in receipt of care packages; the number of these that are being fulfilled; the number that are waiting for a carer; the number of times each company has withdrawn its services from a service user in 2016; the reason for same; if he has satisfied himself that there are enough care companies and carer's employed by the HSE to fulfil the need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49879/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra311. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the system of home care either in house, with the HSE or with private companies; the way in which the services are allocated; the way in which a person with a home care package accesses these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49880/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 310 and 311 together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
312. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason medicated plasters (details supplied) have been removed from the medical card list of items that can be prescribed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49882/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedicines play a vital role in improving the health of Irish patients. Securing access to existing and new and innovative medicines is a key objective of the health service. However, the challenge is to do this in an affordable and sustainable manner. The medicines bill for the community drugs schemes – primarily the GMS, Long Term Illness and Drugs Payment schemes and the High Tech Arrangement – is forecast at just over €1.7 billion in 2017.
To ensure patients receive the highest quality care, resources invested in medicines must be used efficiently and effectively. This requires an integrated approach to secure best value for money for all treatments, greater efficiencies in the supply chain and the use of the most cost-effective treatments.
Lidocaine 5% medicated plaster (Versatis) is licensed for the symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain associated with previous herpes zoster (shingles) infection, known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), in adults. It was reimbursed in the community drugs schemes from 2010. The projected budget impact was low due to the specific licensed indication but total expenditure has increased significantly, from €9.4 million in 2012 to over €30 million in 2016, mainly from off-license use for pain not associated with shingles. Currently, over 25,000 patients receive this item.
An HSE Medicines Management Programme (MMP) review of Versatis highlighted that the clinical evidence for its use in PHN is limited due to lack of comparative data and its value is uncertain for all other types of pain. The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics estimated that, in Ireland, between 5-10% of prescribing of this product is for the licensed indication of PHN.
Following the MMP review, the HSE introduced a new reimbursement system for Versatis from 1 September 2017. This process supports the appropriate use of Versatis, ensuring that PHN patients continue to receive this treatment. The HSE estimates that this protocol will reduce expenditure on this product by approximately 90%.
Under the protocol, all patients who receive antivirals for shingles are automatically approved for Versatis for three months. No action is required by GPs and the patient’s pharmacy is notified of his or her approval status.
All patients who currently use Versatis have been identified and automatically registered on the HSE-PCRS system for three months and will continue to receive the treatment from their pharmacy until 30 November 2017. However, from 1 December 2017, non-shingles patients will no longer get Versatis under the community drugs schemes. The HSE has produced information leaflets for patients and advised GPs on treatment alternatives.
In exceptional circumstances, the product may be approved for supply through the community schemes for unlicensed indications. GPs apply for reimbursement for unlicensed indications through the online system. The MMP reviews applications before a decision is made and communicated to the GP.
Full details of the Versatis review are available on the HSE website at http://hse.ie/eng/about/Who/clinical/natclinprog/medicinemanagementprogramme/yourmedicines/lidocaine-plaster/lidocaine-medicated-plaster.html.
This decision is a matter for the HSE. However, I fully support the objectives of the HSE Medicines Management Programme.
313. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the steps he and the Health Service Executive are taking regarding the issue of children affected by foetal anticonvulsant syndrome in circumstances in which children were exposed to sodium valproate medicines in the womb; his plans to conduct a review of the families and children affected by this issue; his further plans to set up a compensation scheme for the families affected in view of a compensation scheme set up in France; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49891/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedicines containing sodium valproate are approved nationally in Ireland, under the brand name Epilim, for the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Valproate-containing medicines are authorised for these indications in all EU Member States, and in Norway and Iceland.
It has been well established that children exposed to valproate in the womb have an increased risk of congenital malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism. The product information for valproate-containing medicines clearly states that such medicines should not be used in female children, in female adolescents, in women of childbearing potential and pregnant women unless alternative treatments are ineffective or not tolerated. A warning label for the outer packaging of Epilim products was introduced in Ireland earlier this year; products carrying the new external warning label are now being supplied to retail pharmacies.
In March of this year, the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) initiated a new review of the use of valproate-containing medicines in the treatment of women and girls who are pregnant or of childbearing age. This review is examining the available evidence and consulting with relevant stakeholder groups; the most recent component of the review was a public hearing held at the London offices of the EMA on 26 September. In its summary of the public hearing, the EMA noted that the PRAC would consider a number of proposals and ideas presented by participants, including registers of women who were receiving valproate and children who had been exposed to valproate during pregnancy.
When the EMA's current review of valproate is concluded, the HPRA will communicate the outcome and recommendations of the review to Irish patients, healthcare professionals and relevant stakeholders, including the HSE. The HSE National Clinical Programme for Epilepsy will also consider the outcome of the EMA review in finalising its protocol for the effective management of women with epilepsy.
In terms of supports and services for children with foetal anti-convulsant syndrome, the National Disability Strategy is based on a non-condition-specific approach to the delivery of public services. The current Programme for Partnership Government commits this Government to improving services and increasing supports for all people with disabilities, particularly for early assessment and intervention for children with special needs. This commitment is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. The overarching principle governing the planning and delivery of health services and supports for adults and children with disabilities is that they should be integrated, as much as possible, with services and supports for the rest of the population.
I am aware that France has a state-funded compensation scheme for medical accidents, and that this scheme is now considering claims from individuals affected by valproate. I am also aware that a patient representative group in France has filed a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer of a valproate-containing medicine. My Department will monitor developments in France and in other member states, and will give appropriate consideration to the findings and recommendations of the current EMA review of valproate when this review is completed.
314. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of children and families diagnosed with foetal anticonvulsant syndrome; the wait time for a diagnosis of foetal anticonvulsant syndrome; the number of children on the waiting list for this diagnosis; the measures taken by the HPRA to ensure warnings are displayed on all sodium valproate medicines; his plans for an awareness campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49892/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's questions regarding diagnosis of foetal anti-convulsant syndrome (FACS) are service matters for the HSE; therefore, these questions have been referred to the agency for attention and reply to the Deputy.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has implemented a number of measures intended to ensure that all patients and healthcare professionals understand the risks and benefits of medicines containing sodium valproate. These measures include the introduction earlier this year of a warning label for the outer packaging of Epilim (sodium valproate) products; retail pharmacies are now being supplied with products carrying the new external warning label.
The product information supplied with this medicine also includes detailed warnings and recommendations for healthcare professionals and patients regarding the use of valproate, including the need for treatment to be initiated and supervised by a specialist experienced in the management of epilepsy or bipolar disorder. Within the last two weeks, the HPRA has been in contact with the pharmacy regulator, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), to re-emphasise the importance of informing women of childbearing age of the potential risks of taking valproate-containing medicines. The PSI subsequently issued a circular to all registered pharmacists highlighting the need to include a patient leaflet and Alert Card with each supply of these medicines, and to provide additional labelling and counselling to patients as required.
Since March of this year, the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) of the European Medicines Agency has been conducting a new review to examine the use of valproate-containing medicines in the treatment of women and girls who are pregnant or of childbearing age. When the PRAC's review is concluded, the HPRA will communicate the outcome and recommendations of the review to Irish patients, healthcare professionals and relevant stakeholders, including the HSE.
315. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the planned schedule for implementation of the mental health helpline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49893/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra316. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the services proposed under the planned mental health helpline; the services being considered for referral to the helpline, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49894/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra317. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the planned opening hours of the new mental health helpline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49895/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra318. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the proposed staffing and the expected qualifications of those in place to operate the mental health helpline [49896/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra320. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the expected volume of calls and the methodology of the expected estimated calls to the new mental health helpline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49898/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 315 to 318, inclusive, and 320 together.
Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Jim Daly T.D., has set as a priority the development of a Mental Health Telephone/Text Helpline. Preliminary discussions regarding the feasibility of establishing a Helpline, and the related parameters and resource issues around that, were held on the 7 November. The HSE has agreed to lead this project out, and it has established a working group to perform the necessary scoping work. This group will report back in due course after a full assessment has been made of the infrastructure requirements for successful implementation. Development of the Helpline is still in its early stages and therefore no schedule or deliverable milestones have been finalised at this time. The Minister and Department officials will meet with the HSE again in early 2018 for an update on progress. The date of this meeting is yet to be confirmed.
