Written Answers Nos. 249-268
249. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a project (details supplied) in County Waterford and the fact that the project offers support to older persons in their own homes through providing volunteers as home visitors; the status of the project's HSE section 39 funding for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52612/17]
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
250. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports that a drug (details supplied) prescribed to women during pregnancy in both New Zealand and Britain has been linked to adverse heath issues and outcomes; if this drug is or was available to women here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52613/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the competent authority for the regulation of medicines in Ireland. The HPRA has stated that Hormonal Pregnancy Tests (HPTs) such as Primodos and Duogynon were never authorised (i.e. licensed) for use in Ireland. However, it is understood that Duogynon was available in Ireland up to the 1970s, with distribution discontinued in 1978. Although never authorised for use in Ireland, the 1975 annual report of the National Drugs Advisory Board (NDAB, a predecessor of the HPRA) outlined the consideration given by the NDAB to the use of hormonal testing for pregnancy. This report related to hormonal pregnancy testing preparations in general, and did not mention any specific product. In April 1975, the NDAB issued a warning letter to practitioners regarding the use of hormonal pregnancy testing preparations. This letter reminded practitioners that these preparations had not been assessed by the NDAB, and that their use as a means of pregnancy testing had not been accepted by the NDAB. The letter also highlighted that these preparations should be avoided, as a firm statement of safety could not be given and other, more efficient methods of pregnancy testing were available.
While not an authorised medicinal product in Ireland, five reports of suspected adverse reactions associated with use of Duogynon were received by the NDAB between 1976 and 1980, describing suspected congenital abnormalities. There is very limited information available in relation to these reports.
The HPRA has no information regarding the numbers of women in Ireland who may have used Duogynon for diagnosis of their pregnancies in the 1970s.
In the UK, where HPTs were licensed (and where they were used from the early 1950s to 1978), an Expert Working Group of the UK’s Commission on Human Medicines recently completed a review of this issue and published a report on the use of hormone pregnancy tests (HPTs) and adverse effects relating to pregnancy, including possible birth defects. This report concluded that following extensive and rigorous review, based on the totality of the available data, that the scientific evidence does not support a causal association between the use of HPTs such as Primodos and birth defects or miscarriage.
251. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of overnight respite for children with special needs in counties Carlow and Kilkenny through the purchase of suitable property (details supplied); the position regarding the provision of interim alternative respite solutions for children with special needs in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52615/17]
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.
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.
252. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health if the funding for St. James's Hospital national narcolepsy service has been included in the 2018 Estimates process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52629/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWork 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.
253. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the level of product inconsistency and trade confusion at retail level regarding sales of e-cigarettes and refill liquids, specifically with labels which reference to taste, smell and or flavours (details supplied); if section 30(1)(d) of SI 271 of 2016 makes it an offence to reference taste or smell or other additives on the label of e-cigarettes and refill containers; if this prohibition includes references to a flavouring which the Tobacco Products Directive, TPD2, defines as an additive that imparts smell and or taste; his plans to either amend his Department’s guidance document to make this clear or amend SI 271 of 2016 to make an exception to permit flavour references on e-cigarettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52630/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCompliance with the legislation is the responsibility of individual companies.
Regulation 30 of the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 271 of 2016) as amended by S.I. No. 252 of 2017, does not restrict the use of words which denote flavourings, such as “cherry” or "menthol", on unit packets and outside packaging of electronic cigarettes or refill containers.
Regulation 30 does not prevent the use of the word “nicotine” to show the nicotine content on unit packets and outside packaging of electronic cigarettes or refill containers.
Revised guidance on this matter issued to stakeholders on Friday, 1 December 2017 and is also available on the Department of Health's website. The guidance should not be construed as legal advice nor should it be inferred that all legal responsibilities have been identified in the guidance. It is a matter for companies to determine how best to comply with legislation, if there is uncertainty regarding compliance, legal advice should be sought.
254. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the refund due to a person (details supplied) under the cross-Border healthcare directive will be issued [52634/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
255. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been made in relation to the libre continuous glucose monitoring system being made widely available to persons with type 1 diabetes here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52637/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
256. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the recruitment of a consultant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52639/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if urgent assistance can be supplied by the Celbridge child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, or an appropriate body in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52641/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnquiries have been made with the HSE who have indicated that they are in contact with this person and their family and I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Deputy may be aware that the HSE provides advice on their website: http://www.yourmentalhealth.ie/supports-services/urgent-help.htl for people who may have concerns regarding persons with suicidal tendencies. The HSE advises that where someone has such concerns, they should contact as quickly as they can their G.P., their local Emergency Department, HSE Mental Health Services or the Samaritans.
258. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment with an endocrinologist; the length of the waiting list for an appointment with the endocrinologist at the hospital; the name of the consultant who will be examining the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52649/17]
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 National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
259. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels and staffing rota details in respect of the radiology department at Letterkenny University Hospital; the vacancies which have yet to be filled at this department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52655/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
260. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for persons awaiting an appointment at Letterkenny University Hospital's radiology department for three months, six months, nine months, 12 months, 15 months and more than 15 months, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52656/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
261. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of fatalities that have occurred in ambulances or hospitals of persons who live within 20 miles of an accident and emergency department that has been closed in the past 20 years. [52657/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
262. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) on a waiting list for over a year will have eye surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52658/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
263. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will have surgery carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52662/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
264. 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. [52663/17]
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.
265. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of transgender persons on waiting lists for hormone replacement therapy, HRT, that have been waiting for zero to three months, three to six months, six to nine months, nine to 12 months, 12 to 15 months, 15 to 18 months and more than 18 months, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52675/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra266. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the support and assistance provided to transgender persons in accessing services; the improvements he plans to make in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52676/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 266 together.
As these are service matters, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
267. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of a marriage licence application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52679/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Civil Registration Service is operated by the Health Service Executive on behalf of the General Register Office under the aegis of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. I have referred your question to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to you.
268. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if supports will be provided for a person (details suplied) without a specialist's recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52680/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
