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Thursday, 8 Feb 2018

Written Answers Nos. 228-249

Hospitals Capital Programme

Ceisteanna (228)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when approval will be given to an endoscopy unit at Naas General Hospital, County Kildare having particular regard to the acute need thereat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6622/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Health capital funding was outlined in the recently published Public Service Estimates for 2018 and the HSE is currently developing its Capital Plan for 2018-2021.

The Government is preparing a new National Development Plan for the period 2018-2027, which is expected to be published alongside and in support of the forthcoming new National Planning Framework, to sustain national economic and social progress over the long term.

My Department has also referred your question to the Health Service Executive and requested the HSE to reply directly to you in relation to the proposed endoscopy unit at Naas General Hospital.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (229)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

229. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which efforts continue to be made to retain doctors and nurses here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6623/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Notwithstanding significant recruitment and retention challenges, including global shortages, considerable progress has been made in the past four years in growing the numbers of doctors and nurses working in the public health services as additional resources have become available.

The number of consultants has increased by 109 in the 12 months ending December 2017 to 2,971 whole time equivalents, and by 415 in the 4 years since December 2013. The number of NCHDS has increased by 270 in the 12 months ending December, 2017 to 6,331 whole time equivalents, and by 1,323 in the 4 years since December 2013. The number of nurses and midwives has increased by 942 in the 12 months ending December 2017 to 36,777 whole time equivalents and by 2,599 in the 4 years since December 2013.

It is recognised that retention of doctors and nurses is critical to the future growth of the medical and nursing workforce. In July 2013 a Working Group, chaired by Prof. Brian MacCraith, President, Dublin City University, was established to carry out a strategic review of medical training and career structure. The Group made 25 recommendations relating to training and career pathways for doctors with a focus on improving graduate retention in the public health system and planning for future service needs. Initiatives taken on foot of the Group's recommendations include the launch of a careers and training website, which gives information about each specialty, including details of training pathways and training duration, increasing the number of family-friendly training places and the appointment of lead NCHDs across sites. The MacCraith Implementation Monitoring Group has identified the need to progress other key recommendations including protected training time, task transfer and better coverage of training costs incurred by NCHDs.

The Nursing Recruitment and Retention Agreement concluded with the INMO and SIPTU Nursing last year and committed to increasing the number of nurses and midwives by 1,224 additional permanent posts in 2017. The HSE remain committed to the Agreement and efforts will continue to fill the remaining posts and funded workforce plans for 2018 are in the process of being developed. Notwithstanding competition globally and from private providers, the HSE appointed 763 (72%) of 1,055 recent graduates. In 2017, an additional 130 nursing undergraduate places were made available in the nursing degree programme. This will ensure a growing supply of graduates in the years ahead. In addition, the HSE continues to run recruitment events and to attend overseas recruitment fairs.

I am satisfied the HSE recognises the need to continue to focus on the recruitment and retention of front-line staff and that it is committed to making the public health service a more attractive option for our doctors and nurses.

Medicinal Products Prices

Ceisteanna (230)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

230. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which Ireland can receive the full benefit of the Single Market in respect of the cost and sourcing of all drugs, including those recently developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6624/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Each EU member state is responsible for the procurement of its own medicinal products. However, our membership of the single market offers an opportunity for international cooperation with other member countries to reduce the cost of new drugs.

I and my officials have been actively engaged with our European colleagues on the issue of drug pricing through a number of EU voluntary forums, including the Roundtable meetings with EU Health Ministers and the Pharmaceutical Industry, High Level Pharmaceutical Policy Meetings and the Valletta Technical Committee with a view to developing solutions to issues of medicines pricing, sustainability and supply. These platforms are currently exploring possible areas for cooperation including information sharing, horizon scanning and possible price negotiations and joint procurement.

I will continue to explore further opportunities to engage with Ministers from other EU countries on how to address the challenge of securing access to new medicines for citizens at an affordable price.

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (231)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

231. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which speech and language therapy and mental health support exists for children in all areas throughout the country; if particular shortfalls have been identified and are being addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6625/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (232)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

232. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which speech and language therapy, mental health services and special needs support including respite continue to be made available for children in all areas throughout County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6626/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Question No. 233 answered with Question No. 66.

Orthodontic Services Data

Ceisteanna (234)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

234. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of children listed for orthodontic treatment in categories A, B and C; the number of children currently in the course of receiving such treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6628/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Electronic Health Records

Ceisteanna (235)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

235. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an initiative in Sweden that would allow persons to access their health records electronically by 2020 (details supplied); and his plans to allow persons to access their records in a similar fashion here. [6632/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Regarding the specific situation that the Deputy has referred to in Sweden, representatives from my Department regularly attend eHealth meetings as part of the European eHealth Network with their European counterparts, which includes the Ministry of Health in Sweden. Attendance at these meetings ensures my Department is up-to-date with both progress and challenges encountered by other EU countries that are seeking to progress electronic health records and digital health initiatives.

We must be aware of the lessons learnt from other jurisdictions when developing our own solution for Ireland. Experience from other countries demonstrates that the vendor markets supplying many of these services needs to be carefully managed in terms of capacity and capability to deliver working tailored solutions in a satisfactory manner. My Department is currently evaluating how this might be progressed particularly in delivering an Electronic Health Record in the context of the work being planned for the New Children’s Hospital. The scale of the task in implementing a national electronic health record programme is very large and requires a complex procurement and approval process. It is a five to ten year programme of work depending on the scale of resources deployed.

The National eHealth Strategy along with the development of the Individual Health Identifier, through the Health Identifier Act 2014 are critical elements in ensuring that patients are empowered and can access their own data. The HSE are currently progressing with a health portal initiative which will provide patients access to their information and support patients by involving them in their own health care. The health portal will act as a digital gateway for patients to gain access to health information and to deliver targeted patient centric data to the general public. The initial focus of the health portal will be on maternity service users and will allow patients access to medical reports and upcoming appointments. The range of services available will expand as the Electronic Health Record Programme progresses.

Ensuring patient and professional access to the right information, at the right place, at the right time supports more effective decision-making on the part of clinicians and can also empower patients to be more informed and involved in their own care or treatment. However, there is a need to strike an appropriate balance between using and sharing personal health information appropriately while continuing to protect rights to privacy and confidentiality. Patients must be assured at all times that their personal health information is handled legally, securely, efficiently and effectively in order to deliver the best possible care.

The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, which comes into effect in all member states in May, involves a single set of data protection and privacy rules and establishes a legal basis for the processing of personal data based on clear and uniform principles. The GDPR will replace the current data protection rules on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of their personal data. The current focus of my Departments activity is to ensure that the legislative arrangements necessary to support the appropriate information environment exists when the new EU General Data Protection Regulation comes into effect this year.

General Practitioner Services Provision

Ceisteanna (236)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

236. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 has had their general practitioner changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6633/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospitals Capital Programme

Ceisteanna (237)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

237. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if the necessary resources will be provided to allow for the commissioning of the purpose built maternity theatre at Letterkenny University Hospital; when the facility will open for procedures to be carried out; the reason the facility has been lying idle since its construction in 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6641/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Cancer Screening Programmes

Ceisteanna (238, 239)

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

238. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for breast check; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6642/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

239. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if he will increase the frequency of breast check in all areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6643/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 239 together.

The latest published waiting time figures (2015/16) for BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme, are provided as follows:

Screening Programme

%

Target

Women re-invited for screening within 24 months of invitation at previous round

63.50%

90%

Women re-invited for screening within 27 months of invitation at previous round

94.40%

N/A

Women eligible for screening invited for screening within 2 years of becoming known to the programme

92.10%

90%

The current approach of two yearly intervals is considered to be the safest and most effective approach for a population-based breast screening programme. This frequency is evidence based and is used in many other European countries. There are no plans for change in this regard.

Question No. 239 answered with Question No. 238.

Mental Health Services Administration

Ceisteanna (240)

James Browne

Ceist:

240. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the procedures in relation to a person being discharged from a psychiatric unit in a hospital against their will and that of the person's family; and his views on whether it is appropriate to indicate a charge of €3,000 for the person to remain in hospital over the weekend [6644/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

This would appear to be an operational matter, which would be the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, if the query relates to a HSE service.

However, I understand that the Deputy is awaiting further details in respect of the issue raised. When received, he should forward this to the HSE, who will then be in a position to respond.

Long-Term Illness Scheme Expenditure

Ceisteanna (241)

James Browne

Ceist:

241. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the cost effectiveness of only making the Freestyle Libre device available to those under 21 years of age (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6645/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Ceisteanna (242)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

242. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if services provided by the STD clinic at Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar will be reinstated. [6648/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly.

Question No. 243 answered with Question No. 49.

Freedom of Information Data

Ceisteanna (244)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

244. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department in each of the years 2013 to 2017; the average time taken in these years to complete the requests by his Department; the number of requests to his Department for these years that ran beyond the deadline for the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6894/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Time spent dealing with Freedom of Information Requests forms part of the normal duties of officials in my Department and the time spent processing such requests is not monitored separately.

My Department endeavours to comply with the legislation in relation to the time-frame for completing requests (i.e. 20 working days from the date of receipt of the request). Information in relation to the number of requests which may not have been completed within this time-frame is not available.

-

2013

2014

2105

2016

2017

Number of FOI Requests Received

240

235

348

317

351

Agriculture Scheme Appeals

Ceisteanna (245)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

245. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an oral hearing will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6489/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The person named submitted a 2017 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes application on 4 April 2017. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue. The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing inspection.

The inspection process identified over-declarations in area on two parcels, one of which equated to a reduction of 40% to the area originally declared. A letter detailing the initial inspection findings issued to the person named on 20 September 2017 and comments were submitted on these findings. A field visit was then undertaken to determine the position on the ground for this specific parcel and the outcome of this process increased the area of the over-declaration to 100% of the area declared. A further letter detailing the revised inspection findings issued to the person named on 5 December 2017.

Further comments on the revised inspection findings were received from the person named and were examined by officials in my Department. The outcome was that the revised inspection findings remained unchanged. The person named was notified of this outcome by letter dated 9 January 2018 and of their right to seek a review of this revised decision. 

To date no further correspondence from the person named has been received by my Department, however officials will take the Deputy's question as a request for a further review of the inspection findings. If the person named has additional information they wish to have considered as part of this review process they should submit this to the Remote Sensing Section of my Department immediately.

Officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named on completion of the review process.

The Deputy should note that while the total area of one of the parcels declared was deemed ineligible as a result of the inspection process, other parcels declared were found to be eligible. The final over-declaration for payment purposes equated to 27% of the area declared. This resulted in reduced payments, taking account of the over-declaration in area, under the Basic Payment Scheme and the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme issuing to the nominated bank account of the person named on 11 January 2018.

Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Ceisteanna (246)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

246. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6490/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme provides for six years of payments to farmers for completion of actions which deliver accelerated genetic improvement in the Irish national herd and improvement of its environmental sustainability.

Processing of the application of the person named has recently been finalised and payment will issue in the near future.

Strategic Communications Unit

Ceisteanna (247)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

247. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he, his officials or advisers have had meetings with the strategic communication unit since it was set up; the issues that were discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6531/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have attended one meeting between my Department and the Strategic Communications Unit of the Department of the Taoiseach, along with the Secretary General of my Department, the Assistant Secretary with responsibility for Human Resources and Corporate Affairs and my Special Advisor. The meeting took place in Agriculture House on Thursday 5 October 2017. 

Following that initial meeting, an Assistant Secretary Delivery Group was established, under the governance of the Civil Service Management Board.  The Assistant Secretary with responsibility for HR and Corporate Affairs has been nominated to attend on behalf of my Department, to ensure cross-Government co-operation in relation to communications.  Two meetings of that group have taken place to date, with a further meeting scheduled for this week.  The focus of this group is to ensure consistent and coordinated information between Government and citizens.  Two bilateral meetings have also taken place between officials of my Department and the SCU.  In addition, staff have engaged with the SCU on the development of a unified Government website and on the roll-out of a consistent whole-of-Government identity.

My Department, along with the Government, wants to make it easier for members of the public to understand the services that Government provides. Officials from my Department and I will engage with the Strategic Communications Unit to ensure that factual information on Government services is delivered to members of the public in a non-partisan way.

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (248)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

248. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6573/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has no record of this individual ever submitting an application for GLAS.

Freedom of Information Data

Ceisteanna (249)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

249. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department in each of the years 2013 to 2017; the average time taken in these years to complete the requests by his Department; the number of requests to his Department for these years that ran beyond the deadline for the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6885/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The number of Freedom of Information requests received by my Department from 2013 to 2017 is set out in the table.

My Department does not maintain records in respect of the average time taken to complete Freedom of Information requests and accordingly is not in a position to provide that particular piece of data requested by the Deputy.

Section 14 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 allows the standard 4 week (20 working days) time limit for dealing with requests to be extended only in certain very limited circumstances which are as follows:

- where the request relates to such a number of records that compliance with the standard 4 week time period is not reasonably possible, or

- where the number of other Freedom of Information requests relating to the particular  record(s) sought or to information corresponding to that to which the request relates, are such that compliance with the standard 4 week time period is not reasonably possible.

If the limited circumstances set out above apply, the requester must be notified of the fact of the extension and the period of the extension before the expiry of the initial 4 week period. The period of extension must not exceed 4 weeks (20 working days). The Act also allows for the completion of requests outside of the standard 4 week timeframe where there is the requirement for third party consultation.

Where a period of extension is proposed, the requester has the right to appeal the matter directly to the Information Commissioner.

Data concerning the number of times my Department needed to avail of these timeframe extension provisions from 2013 to 2017 is set out in the table.

My Department is committed to meeting its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 including responding to Freedom of Information requests within the statutory timeframes.

 Year

 Number of Freedom of Information requests received

 Number of requests where extension was applied

 2013

 275

 41

 2014

 205

 9

 2015

 319

 14

 2016

 347

 4

 2017

 391

 23

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