Written Answers Nos. 309-328
309. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health if the 60% grant cut by the HSE to the early intervention therapy programmes for children with Down's syndrome in counties Meath and Louth will be reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52841/17]
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.
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.
310. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health his views on the lack of consistent respite for persons at a location (details supplied) and the lack of houses available in the community. [52845/17]
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.
311. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for paediatric orthodontic treatment in Louth County Hospital for priority cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52848/17]
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.
312. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the funding provided to local addiction outreach services under the HSE's remit in the CHO 8 area, in each of the years 2015 and 2016, and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [52849/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra313. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the catchment areas of the HSE-funded addiction outreach services in the CHO 8 area; and the breakdown of funding per capita. [52850/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 313 together.
As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
314. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the level of dental services provided to elderly medical card holders in long-term care; the services and accommodations in place to cater for their needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52851/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
315. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have eye surgery carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52852/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
316. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52853/17]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
317. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive a date for a procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52855/17]
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 inpatient, 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.
318. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if there will be a requirement for registered practitioners, under the upcoming implementation of statutory registration for the counselling and psychotherapy profession, to also be a member of a professional body or a particular professional body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52866/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health and Social Care Professional Act 2005, which, it is proposed, will regulate the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist, does not provide that registrants be a member of a professional body.
In accordance with the provisions of that Act, the draft Regulations to designate these professions and to establish a registration board for both professions have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and resolutions approving the drafts have been submitted to each House for consideration. Subject to the approval of the Houses, the next step will be the appointment of the 13 members of the registration board following the submission of suitable candidates for my consideration by the Public Appointments Service. I hope that the registration board will be in a position early next year to begin the task of drafting the various bye-laws to allow it to establish its registers.
319. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if grants are offered by his Department that pay for a taxi service for elderly and immobile persons who live alone and cannot avail of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52868/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy has clarified that he is referring to persons with a physical disability. The Deputy may be familiar with the background to the closure of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes in February 2013. Since the closure of the Mobility Allowance, the Government has directed that the Health Service Executive should continue to pay an equivalent monthly payment of up to €208.50 per month to the 4,133 people in receipt of the Mobility Allowance, on an interim basis, pending the establishment of a new Transport Support Scheme.
The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. The Programme for a Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme to assist those with a disability to meet their mobility costs. The Government's legislative programme for 2017 includes the Health (Transport Support) Bill. I can confirm that work on the policy proposals for the new Scheme is at an advanced stage. The proposals seek to ensure that:
- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;
- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;
- Resources are targeted at those with greatest needs; and
- The Scheme is capable of being costed and is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.
The draft General Scheme and Heads of Bill were circulated to other government Departments and have been the subject of consultation between the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. When the consultation with other relevant Departments has been completed, the next step will be to seek Government approval to the drafting of a Bill for the new Scheme.
It is important to note that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners, remains in place. This scheme provides VRT and VAT relief, an exemption from road tax and a fuel grant to drivers and passengers with a disability, who qualify under the relevant criteria set out in governing regulations made by the Minister for Finance.
Specifically adapted vehicles driven by disabled persons are also exempt from payment of tolls on national toll roads and toll bridges. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has responsibility for this particular Scheme.
320. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of hours of respite care offered to families of children with disabilities in the first 11 months of 2017 as compared to the first 11 months of 2016, by CHO and LHO. [52925/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra321. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of hours of respite care offered to families of adults with disabilities in the first 11 months of 2017 as compared to the first 11 months of 2016, by CHO and LHO. [52926/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 320 and 321 together.
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.
I am very much aware of the importance of access to planned respite, which ensures that people with disabilities receive opportunities to socialise and separately, facilitates families to receive a break from caring. Respite services may vary, according to the assessed needs of the individuals and their carer. The model of respite is changing and although some still require overnight respite, others prefer and benefit from day respite. The number of respite nights has been reducing as persons with disabilities are seeking alternative models, such as day respite or extended day.
The most recent available data from the HSE indicates that for 2016, 175,555 overnight respite sessions and 43,143 day sessions were accessed. It is planned that 161,262 overnight respite sessions will be accessed in 2017. The number of day respite sessions planned is 42,552.
In addition, the HSE will provide 128 new emergency residential placements and new home support and in-home respite for 75 additional people who require emergency supports.
In the HSE's Social Care Operational Plan for 2017, 5,720 people with a Disability are expected to avail of centre-based respite services. Based on existing levels of service and in addition to the centre-based respite service, it is planned that between 2,000 and 2,500 persons will avail of respite services such as holiday respite or occasional respite with a host family.
The HSE continues to work with agencies to explore various ways of responding to this need in line with the budget available
As the level of data requested by the Deputy is not currently available, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for the inclusion of this data in the reply to the Deputy.
322. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited as a matter of urgency. [52934/17]
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.
323. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if direct funding or the HSE treatment abroad scheme will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52936/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE operates the Treatment Abroad Scheme, for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland under EU Regulation 883/04, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulation 987/09, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines.
I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly.
324. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on the frequency of helicopter transports arriving at Beaumont Hospital at a location (details supplied); his plans for the hospital to build a helicopter landing pad in the grounds of the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52971/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
325. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment. [52972/17]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
326. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the early childhood care and education scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52975/17]
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.
My colleague Minister Zappone, who has responsibility for the ECCE and AIM Programmes, has advised that while the proposals were intended to ensure that optimal outcomes for children with a disability could be achieved, she has also been contacted by many parents concerned about the impact of the changes. And in order to ensure those concerns are responded to, she is now pausing the changes and will shortly announce a consultation whereby all voices, including those of parents of children with disabilities, can be heard, the results of which will be central to guiding the path forward.
327. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [52982/17]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
328. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the funding available to a person (details supplied) for a placement at a service; and when the placement will commence. [52985/17]
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.
