Written Answers Nos. 417-434
417. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be allowed to continue in employment for another year after reaching 65 years of age in March 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5884/18]
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.
An eligible public servant who wishes to apply for retention under this new arrangement should contact their local Human Resource Department for further details.
418. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the FreeStyle Libre device being added to the medical card (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5893/18]
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.
419. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 961 of 16 January 2018, the estimated timeline for consideration by HSE estates at the HSE national capital and property steering committee of the capital submission to address infrastructural and equipment issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5894/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has referred this matter to the Health Service Executive and asked them to provide the Deputy with the information requested directly.
420. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the finalisation of the HSE capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5895/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth capital funding was outlined in the Public Service Estimates for 2018. The Health Service Executive's Capital Plan for 2018-2021 is currently the subject of discussion with my Department.
Appendix 4 of the HSE’s National Service Plan 2018 outlines capital projects that:
1. were completed in 2016/2017 and will be operational in 2018;
2. are due to be completed and operational in 2018;
3. are due to be completed in 2018 and will be operational in 2019.
The Government is preparing a new National Development Plan for the period 2018-2027, which will be published alongside and in support of the forthcoming new National Planning Framework for Ireland.
421. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the priority action under step 3 of the obesity policy and action plan, OPAP (details supplied); the quarter of 2018 in which this will be examined and commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5896/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA National Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG) has been established to oversee the implementation of our national policy - including measures on Reformulation of food and non-alcoholic drink. It met for the first time last October. This is comprised of representatives from several Government Departments and State Agencies. As part of its work it will identify processes for engaging with networks of stakeholders - including those in the food industry. The OPIOG has already started its work on this and the Chairperson of the Group anticipates that a forum with the food industry will be scheduled for the second half of this year.
Two Sub-Groups under this national oversight group on Healthy Eating and Reformulation have been established. The Sub-Group on Reformulation met recently and agreed its Terms of Reference. These Terms of Reference include devising a mechanism for engagement and consultation with the Food Industry and I expect that the roadmap for its reformulation work is likely to involve a framework for engagement in this regard.
422. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the national policy and strategy for the provision of neurorehabilitation services in Ireland will include stroke or make provision for services to stroke patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5897/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra423. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the demonstration project pilot site to establish collaborative care pathways for persons with complex neurorehabilitation care and support or accommodation needs being set up by the HSE national steering group for the national policy and strategy for the provision of neurorehabilitation services in Ireland will include stroke services; the way in which stroke services will be involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5898/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra424. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the collaboration that has taken place between the HSE national steering group for the national policy and strategy for the provision of neurorehabilitation services in Ireland and the national stroke programme; the way in which stroke services will feature in the implementation plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5899/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 422 to 424, inclusive, together.
The HSE Social Care Division and the National Clinical Programme for Rehabilitation Medicine are working in tandem to progress the implementation of the National Policy and Strategy for the provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Service in Ireland which includes the provision of services to stroke patients along with other Neurological conditions.
As the questions raised by the Deputy refer to the detail of the way in which stroke services relate to the Neuro-Rehabilitation Strategy, I have arranged for the Deputy's questions to be referred to the HSE for direct reply.
425. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to the referred reply received from the HSE to Parliamentary Question No. 418 of 23 January 2018, the position regarding the business case submitted by an organisation (details supplied) to the HSE national disability office for additional resources to address EIT waiting times, which included a request for two additional early intervention teams; the date the office received this business case; the timeframe within which a decision will be made on the business case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5905/18]
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.
426. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to the referred reply received from the HSE to Parliamentary Question No. 418 of 23 January 2018, the position regarding the standardisation and consolidation initiative being undertaken by an organisation (details supplied) which will address demand and access within existing EIT resources; the actions to take place as part of the initiative; the timeframe for the roll-out of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5906/18]
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.
427. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) can be reviewed and the details of their entitlements provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5916/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
428. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the allocation of mental health funding for 2017, by CHO; the spend on mental health by CHO; and the status of underspent mental health funding by CHO. [5917/18]
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.
429. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5922/18]
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
430. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding funding projects (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5933/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has asked the Health Service Executive to provide the Deputy with the current status of these capital projects.
431. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to ensure that sufficient psychological support is provided to children in view of the increase in reporting after the introduction of mandatory reporting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5934/18]
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.
432. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited with an organisation in view of the fact the person has been on the waiting list for two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5947/18]
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.
433. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an operation for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5948/18]
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.
434. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of children nationally that require respite care services, by CHO area, in tabular from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5951/18]
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.
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.
