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Tuesday, 27 Feb 2018

Written Answers Nos. 508-520

Hospital Charges

Ceisteanna (508)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

508. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the charges that apply both inpatient and outpatient, to a person (details supplied) injured in an accident who has not got a medical card and was taken to hospital by ambulance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10042/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all persons ordinarily resident in the country are eligible, subject to certain charges, to public in-patient hospital services including consultant services and to public out-patient hospital services.

The Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2013 provide for €100 statutory charge for Emergency Department attendance subject to a number of exemptions including for those who are medical cardholders, patients who have a letter of referral from a registered medical practitioner and patients whose attendance results in admission as an in-patient.

As provided for by the Health (Amendment) Act 2013, the current public hospital statutory in-patient charge is €80 per night, subject to a maximum of €800 in any twelve consecutive months.

Section 55 of the Health Act 1970 (as amended) also provides that the HSE may make available private in-patient services to persons who are not entitled to, or who do not have or have waived their eligibility to public in-patient services.  In these circumstances the statutory hospital charges under Section 55 that apply for such an episode of care is set out in the table below and depends on the category of hospital, duration of stay and whether the accommodation was provided in a single or multi-occupancy room.  It is also noted that patients opting to be treated privately must also pay the consultant fees associated with their treatment.

Hospital Category 

Daily charge for in-patient services where overnight accommodation provided in a single occupancy room

Daily charge for in-patient services where overnight accommodation provided in a multiple occupancy room

Daily charge for day case in-patient services where overnight accommodation not provided

Hospital

specified in Fifth Schedule

 €1,000

 €813

 €407

Hospital

specified in Sixth Schedule

 €800

 €659

 €329

If the Deputy wishes to submit further details in relation to this case I can then ask the HSE to examine this issue in more detail.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Ceisteanna (509)

Frank O'Rourke

Ceist:

509. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the status of the roll-out to children and young persons of the new diabetes management device freestyle libre; the age limit implied by the term young adult; if a decision has been reached on extending freestyle libre to all persons with type 1 diabetes and not just children and young persons; if it will be extended to users of insulin pumps and not confined solely to persons on multiple daily injections; if it will be included for reimbursement in the LTI scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10055/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under 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.

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Ceisteanna (510)

Eamon Scanlon

Ceist:

510. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the reason there is no speech and languages classes being provided for a school (details supplied); the reason the school has had its speech and language class cut from three days to two; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is the only school in the county providing a speech and language class; if the three days speech and language class will be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10058/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

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.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (511)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

511. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of short term beds in each area in counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan; the funding available to each area for service arrangements and grant aid agreements for older persons in CHO1 in each of the years 2016 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10059/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Ceisteanna (512)

Catherine Martin

Ceist:

512. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Health the percentage of nursing homes support fair deal scheme income that accrues to the State; his plans to amend the scheme to ensure that more of the income accrues to the homeowner; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the financial terms of the scheme are leading to significant vacancy levels in the dwellings vacated by older persons and adding to the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10062/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.

Participants in the Scheme contribute up to 80% of their assessable income, such as their pension and a maximum of 7.5% per annum of the value of assets held, such as their principal private residence or cash assets. The first €36,000 of an individual’s assets is not counted at all in the financial assessment. The capital value of an individual’s principal private residence is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of their time in care. This is known as the three year cap. No participant will pay more than the actual cost of care.

Under NHSS rental income is considered income for the purpose of the financial assessment, and is assessed at 80% less any allowable deductions. Allowable deductions include tax paid to Revenue and therefore any tax paid to Revenue should be deducted from the rental income. Other deductions include health expenses, payments required by law, rent payments and borrowings in respect of a person’s principal private residence.

Action 17 of the Strategy for the Rental Sector commits the Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government (DHPLG) to examine the treatment under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme's financial assessment of income from the rental of a person's principal private residence where they move into long term residential care.

The Department of Health will continue to work closely with the DHPLG on this matter and will consider suitable options that may assist with regard to the issue of vacant homes. However, in the consideration of any options, we must be mindful of the potential sensitivities around this issue for older people. It is important to remember that the transition into nursing home care can be a challenging time, including emotionally, and we must avoid adding distress to people in the consideration and development of options on this topic.

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (513)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

513. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the level of departmental representation at APO level or above with the national policy and strategy for the provision of neurorehabilitation services in Ireland; if there is a named official responsible within his Department for this and for liaison with the HSE on same; if he is briefed by this official; the regularity with which these briefings are held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10073/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to publish "a plan for advancing Neuro-rehabilitation services in the community". The development of an implementation framework for the National Policy & Strategy for the provision of Neuro-rehabilitation Services in Ireland is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The HSE has established a National Steering Group to develop the implementation framework, comprising representatives from across the whole health system, including Heads of Social Care and the National Clinical Programme for Rehabilitation Medicine, Acute Hospital services, Mental Health, Primary Care and Health & Wellbeing, Health & Social Care Professionals and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland.

The focus of the National Steering Group is to develop a framework which is implementable across the country. The Steering Group considers that a Managed Clinical Rehabilitation Network model represents best practice as a means of providing neuro-rehabilitation care and support/accommodation needs.  The HSE’s Social Care Division and its Clinical Programme and Strategy Division are working in tandem to progress this.

The HSE keeps the Department of Health informed of progress on an ongoing basis. Updates and briefings are provided and meetings are held, as and when required. The Minister is kept informed of all developments as part of ongoing reporting arrangements.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (514)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

514. Deputy Niamh Smyth 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. [10084/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (515)

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

515. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a full time residential placement for a person (details supplied) will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10102/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

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.

Diabetes Strategy

Ceisteanna (516)

Tony McLoughlin

Ceist:

516. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of the HSE's plans to provide a new diabetes centre in Sligo university hospital; the efforts being made to ensure that persons (details supplied) are replaced; the status of the provision of podiatry and psychology services to diabetes patients in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10103/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the questions raised by the Deputy relate to a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

Eating Disorders

Ceisteanna (517)

James Browne

Ceist:

517. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number and percentage of HSE provided children's inpatient beds specifically for eating disorders; his plans to increase the number and percentage of inpatient beds for children suffering from eating disorders in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10104/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Eating Disorders

Ceisteanna (518)

James Browne

Ceist:

518. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of public emergency department beds for adults with eating disorders here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10105/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

National Treatment Purchase Fund Data

Ceisteanna (519)

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

519. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 697 of 7 November 2017, when a reply issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10124/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A response to the original PQ 697 was issued by email on 26 February 2018 directly to Deputy Grealish.

Home Help Service Data

Ceisteanna (520)

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

520. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for home help hours in each county, by new applicants and those waiting for additional hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10126/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

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