Written Answers Nos. 118-137
118. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to publish an account of the investigative failures of a trial (details supplied) identified by a person; and the steps that are being taken to address same. [3859/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI intend to publish an account of the investigative failures identified by Judge Aylmer and the steps that are being taken to address them as soon as possible. Approval of the Court is being sought to publish the official transcripts of the trial.
It is important to understand the factors that led to such mistakes being made and to take appropriate steps to address these shortcomings.
These steps include ongoing reform within the ODCE, including ongoing recruitment of professional expertise, and the establishment, as announced by Government last November, of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement as an agency, to provide it with greater autonomy and ensure it is better equipped to investigate increasingly complex breaches of company law.
Work on the drafting of the necessary General Scheme of a Bill to give effect to this decision is progressing. It is expected that the General Scheme of a Bill to give effect to this decision will be published by Q2 2018, with publication of the Bill by Q4 2018.
119. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 322 of 5 December 2017, if there is a permanent speech and language therapist in place in a school (details supplied); and the reason another school does not have a permanent speech and language therapist. [3744/18]
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.
120. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3698/18]
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.
121. 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. [3701/18]
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.
122. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if a person's (details supplied) need for more frequent psychiatric appointments will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3708/18]
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.
123. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for orthodontic treatment. [3712/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
124. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number persons on the waiting list in County Laois for orthodontic treatment; and the length of time persons are waiting. [3713/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
125. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time and part-time orthodontists employed by the HSE in County Laois; and the level of service the part time orthodontists provide. [3714/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
126. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health his plans to investigate matters relating to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3715/18]
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.
127. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on whether patients in public hospitals that are to be treated by consultants not on the Medical Council’s specialist register should be made aware of this fact in advance; and if so, his plans to ensure that such information is provided to patients in public hospitals. [3721/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. It it established policy that all consultants be on the Medical Council's specialist register. The HSE has been working to ensure that all consultant posts are filled accordingly and to address situations where this is not the case.
128. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the hospitals in which the reforms introduced under the Haddington Road agreement regarding the operation of the working day over a period from 8am to 8pm are being applied in full; the hospitals in which this is not implemented; and the reason therefor, in tabular form [3722/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
129. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the hospitals in which the transfer of tasks previously undertaken by non-consultant hospital doctors to nurses in return for the restoration of the time and one-sixth twilight payment has been implemented in full; the hospitals in which this is implemented; and the reason therefor, in tabular form. [3723/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
130. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the hospitals in which consultants are routinely rostered to carry out duties on a Saturday or Sunday, in tabular form. [3724/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
131. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a matter (details supplied) regarding the State pension age will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3732/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy colleague, the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe T.D., secured Government approval in December 2017 for an increase in the compulsory retirement age from 65 years to 70 years for public servants who currently are required to retire at age 65 years . Legislation will be necessary to effect these changes and the General Scheme of a Bill was also approved by Government at that time. Minister Donohoe has indicated that he would ask the Attorney General to prioritise the drafting of this legislation so that the new compulsory retirement age would become effective as soon as possible.
The Government also agreed, in advance of the legislation coming into effect, that interim arrangements could be introduced, for serving public servants who reach the age of 65 years between the date of the Government Decision and the coming into effect of the necessary legislation. These arrangements enable such public servants to be retained until they reach the age of eligibility for Contributory State Pension, which is currently age 66 years. My Department has advised the HSE and other agencies of these interim measures.
The minimum pension age (the earliest date at which someone can retire and receive their pension) will not be affected by the new arrangements.
132. 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. [3738/18]
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.
133. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the position regarding construction progress of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3750/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the HSE is responsible for the delivery of health care infrastructure projects, the Executive has been requested to reply directly to you in relation to the proposed capital works at An Tuath Nua training centre at COPE, Montenotte, Cork.
134. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to identify the persons that are at risk of suffering from side effects due to the chronic stimulation of their immune system through the Gardasil HPV vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3751/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraVaccination is regarded as one of the safest and most cost-effective of all health care interventions. It is also one of the most effective ways a parent can protect the health of their child. Ireland’s childhood immunisation programmes have had a huge impact in improving the health of the Irish population. Diseases that used to be common in this country and around the world such as polio, measles, diphtheria, whooping cough and many other serious infectious diseases are now preventable by vaccination.
Most people will get a HPV infection during their lifetime and most of these infections will not require further treatment. However, in some women, HPV infections can cause changes in the cervix that can develop into cervical cancer. Every year in Ireland about 300 women get cervical cancer and 90 women will die from it. Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of death due to cancer in women aged between 25 to 39 years of age. Worldwide cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. In 2012 there were over 500,000 new cases and over 250,000 deaths.
The HPV vaccine protects against certain HPV types which causes 7 out of 10 cervical cancers. Therefore most cervical cancers can be prevented by the vaccine. This is the message that we want parents to hear. Although HPV covers 7 out of 10 cervical cancers it is still very important for women to have regular smear tests to detect cancers caused by HPV types not covered by the vaccine.
Unfounded claims have been made of an association between HPV vaccination and a number of conditions experienced by a group of young women - there is no scientific evidence that the vaccine causes long term illnesses. It appears that some girls first suffered symptoms around the time they received the HPV vaccine, and understandably some parents have connected the vaccine to their daughter’s condition.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority and the European Medicines Agency continually monitor adverse events to vaccination. HPV is one of the most closely studied and monitored medicinal products. The vast majority of reports received by the HPRA have been consistent with the expected pattern of short term adverse side effects for the vaccine, as described in the product information. These are usually mild and temporary reactions to any kind of vaccination.
The misinformation concerning the HPV vaccine appears to be having an impact - uptake rates have fallen from 87% in 2014/15 to 51% in 2016/17. The Irish Cancer Society state, that based on national cancer statistics the drop in the rate of uptake to 50% for the 2016-2017 academic year, will have the following consequences:
- The death of at least 40 girls with cervical cancer who did not receive the HPV vaccine
- A further 100 girls will develop cervical cancer and will require life altering treatment and,
- An additional 1000 girls will require invasive therapy to prevent the precancerous form of HPV.
I would urge any parent who has doubts or questions about vaccination to engage with your family doctor, or alternatively to visit the HPV website – www.hpv.ie. These sources of information are clear and accurate and will answer any queries you may have.
135. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the ethical rationale and legal basis for the recurring levying of a day inpatient charge for ongoing venesection treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3758/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all people ordinarily resident in the country are entitled, subject to certain charges, to public in-patient hospital services, including consultant services, and to public out-patient hospital services. Under the Health (In-Patients Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 2008, a person who has been referred to a hospital for an in-patient service, including that provided on a day case basis, will have to pay the statutory daily charge, currently €80 per day, up to a maximum of €800 per year. On this basis, where venesection is classed as a day case procedure, and is not carried out in an out-patient setting, the public in-patient charge applies.
The issue of the application of the public in-patient charge of €80 for venesection for Hereditary Haemochromatosis patients in Acute Hospitals is currently being considered in my Department.
136. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting zero to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12, 12 to 18, 18 to 24 and over 24 months, respectively, for an appointment at the nerve conduction clinic at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe by the end of December 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3759/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
137. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the capacity of the early intervention team in the HSE to meet demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3764/18]
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.
