Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:136. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a medical appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52341/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (136)
Freagraí 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 you directly.
Disability Services Funding
Ceisteanna (137)
Denise Mitchell
Ceist:137. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the level of funding provided to a group (details supplied) in 2016 and 2017; the reason a recent application for additional funding which would provide services not currently delivered by the HSE was refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52355/17]
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 Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services Staff Remuneration
Ceisteanna (138)
Bríd Smith
Ceist:138. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 301 of 29 November 2017, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the staff of most section 39 organisations had the same cuts imposed on them as their colleagues in the HSE; if he has made provision for increased funding for section 39 organisations in order to ensure the restoration of workers' pay and conditions in line with their colleagues in the public sector; if the HSE has made representations to his Department on the need for increased funding to cover expected pay and pension restoration for persons in these organisations in line with their public sector colleagues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52358/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As previously outlined, under section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE has in place Service Level Agreements with voluntary providers which set out the level of service to be provided for the grant to the individual organisation. Any individuals employed by these section 39 organisations are not HSE employees and therefore, the HSE has no role in determining the salaries or other terms and conditions applying to these staff.
Employees of Section 39 organisations are not public servants and are therefore not encompassed by the Public Service Stability Agreements. This means that they were not subject to the FEMPI legislation which imposed pay reductions. Section 39 organisations are not obliged to pass on any pay reductions to their staff members or to provide for any pay restoration that may be negotiated as part of these public service agreements. While 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.
I can again confirm that 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.
HSE Staff
Ceisteanna (139)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:139. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on whether a person (details supplied) has to submit orders online or not; the assistance that will be given to them to comply with this requirement; the number of other dispensing doctors that must submit orders online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52373/17]
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 for direct reply.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (140)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:140. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a procedure for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52376/17]
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 you directly.
Disability Services Funding
Ceisteanna (141)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:141. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if extra funding for a charity (details supplied) will be allocated for an education officer and information officer which will enable it to provide services for families and persons living with dyspraxia/DCD; the reason for his recent decision to refuse funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52381/17]
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 Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Narcolepsy Issues
Ceisteanna (142)
Denise Mitchell
Ceist:142. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the status of the narcolepsy unit at St. James's Hospital, Dublin; the number of staff employed in the unit; the funding available to the unit for 2017 and 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52391/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Work is under way on the setting up a Centre of Excellence for Narcolepsy based in St. James’s Hospital for patients with all forms of narcolepsy in adults and in children transitioning from the paediatric services. Funding for the infrastructure, staffing and recruitment for this centre is being considered as part of the overall 2018 service plan process.
Vaccine Damage Compensation Scheme
Ceisteanna (143)
Denise Mitchell
Ceist:143. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the supports available to those who were affected by side effects of the swine flu, H1N1, vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52392/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE), and the Department of Education and Skills, continue to work together to provide a wide range of services and supports for those who have received a diagnosis of narcolepsy following administration of the pandemic influenza vaccine. These include discretionary medical cards, reimbursement of expenses associated with diagnosis and treatment, home tuition and learning supports.
The HSE’s Advocacy Unit acts as liaison with service and support providers and other Government Departments to facilitate access to required services. It is in regular contact with individuals affected and regularly meets with representatives of the SOUND. Regional co-ordinators have been appointed to assist individuals by providing advice, information and access to local services.
The ex-gratia health supports include clinical care pathways to ensure access to diagnosis and treatment, multi-disciplinary assessments led by clinical experts, counselling services for both the individuals and their families, discretionary medical cards for those who have been diagnosed have been provided to allow unlimited access to GP care and any prescribed medication, ex-gratia reimbursement of vouched expenses incurred in the process of diagnosis and treatment, including travel expenses for attending medical appointments; physiotherapy, occupational therapy assessments, dental assessments and dietary services all on a needs basis.
The development of a national service for patients with all forms of narcolepsy in adults, and in children transitioning from paediatric services, in St James Hospital is being prioritised. The HSE is currently in the process of preparing its 2018 National Service Plan and it is due to be finalised shortly.
In the interim, the HSE will continue to pay for access to services, such as dietician and psychology services, that would have been provided in the Centre of Excellence from private providers so that none of the affected individuals miss out on receiving these supports.
HSE Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (144)
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:144. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be appointed to University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52397/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Autism Support Services
Ceisteanna (145)
Marc MacSharry
Ceist:145. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is nobody appointed within the HSE who can assess children for autism in counties Sligo and Leitrim (details supplied); if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that having children assessed for autism privately is not an option for the majority of parents due to the cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52398/17]
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 Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.