Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:435. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11826/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (435)
Freagraí scríofa
Under 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 the Deputy directly.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (436)
John Halligan
Ceist:436. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the reason University Hospital Waterford is excluded from the list of available locations in which it is possible to have procedures completed under the national bowel screening programme; if this service can be made available at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11828/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Cancer surgery and histopathology work arising from BowelScreen is carried out in the designated cancer centres, including University Hospital Waterford.
The National Screening Service has contracted 14 hospitals to provide endoscopy services for BowelScreen. Each part of the BowelScreen process is quality assured and monitored to ensure adherence to the highest international standards and patient outcomes. Quality assurance in regard to colonoscopies is organised through the UK JAG (Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy) accreditations process.
At this time University Hospital Waterford does not meet all of the requirements specified under the JAG accreditation process for colonoscopies. Should this change, the hospital will be considered for colonoscopy work arising from BowelScreen.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (437)
John Halligan
Ceist:437. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the level of funding for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11829/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Hospital Records
Ceisteanna (438)
Tom Neville
Ceist:438. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry can obtain records of their late mother's admission, stay and discharge from a hospital in County Kerry; the person responsible for the authorisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11840/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 as soon as possible.
Hospital Waiting Lists Data
Ceisteanna (439)
Seán Fleming
Ceist:439. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for both inpatient and day case procedures in St. Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11848/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) publishes waiting list figures by specialty for each hospital on its website each month. This information is available at www.NTPF.ie.
The Waiting List data published by the NTPF for St. Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny indicates the following inpatient/day case procedures wait times at the end of February 2018:
|
St. Luke's General Hospital Kilkenny |
Total |
0-3 months |
3-6 months |
6-9 months |
9-12 months |
12-15 months |
15-18 months |
18+ months |
|
|
717 |
284 |
178 |
77 |
83 |
61 |
28 |
6 |
Departmental Staff Data
Ceisteanna (440)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:440. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of persons holding Civil Service positions above clerical officer grade in his Department who entered the Civil Service via a route other than through an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service or its predecessors; the grades of each; and the basis for the non-standard recruitment. [11860/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is my Department’s policy to engage staff through open Public Appointments Service competitions or through civil or public service mobility programmes including redeployment, secondment, Agencies subsumed etc. The Department does not directly recruit staff with the exception of Ministerial personal appointees who are engaged in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines.
There are currently three staff members employed in the Department who were not engaged as per the arrangements outlined above as follows:
The Department appointed an Interim Disability Appeals Officer in accordance with section 9 (1) of the Schedule to the Disability Act 2005 pending the recruitment of a Disability Appeals Officer through an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service.
One staff member at Assistant Principal Officer level was awarded a Contract of Indefinite Duration.
One staff member was recruited by the Office of Public Works and subsequently transferred to this Department.
Public Sector Staff Remuneration
Ceisteanna (441)
David Cullinane
Ceist:441. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the directions provided to the payment of staff in the public sector and Civil Service who fall under the direction of his Department for the days during Storm Emma when staff were directed to stay at home; if deductions in pay and annual leave were made to staff in the public sector or Civil Service as a result of days lost during the storm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11877/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I did not issue any direction to staff of my own Department or to staff of bodies under the aegis of this Department with regard to attendance for work on the days during Storm Emma.
The Deputy may be interested to note that the HSE did issue a 'broadcast' to all its staff indicating that HSE staff who came to work on the Red Alert weather warning storm days would be paid for time worked and receive time off in lieu. Staff who could not get to work or whose place of work was closed due to the red alert weather warning will be paid as normal and will not have to take annual leave. The HSE has also advised that they will lead a working group to establish a clear protocol for dealing with future red alert weather warnings with a view to reporting before the end of June 2018.
In terms of other bodies under the aegis of the Department, arrangements for their staff would be a matter for that organisation. In general, there is no statutory entitlement for an employee to be paid where they cannot attend for work because of extreme weather. Any more beneficial arrangement would be a matter for agreement between the employer and the employee but equally, I have said that I would encourage employers to take a long-term view of the working relationship.
Within my own Department, the Personnel Officer directed staff to stay at home for the red alert weather days. All staff were paid for those days and those staff who were available for work on those days i.e. had not pre-booked annual leave were not required to take annual leave.
National Lottery Funding Disbursement
Ceisteanna (442, 497)
John McGuinness
Ceist:442. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if his Department and-or the HSE are accepting applications for national lottery grants administered by his Department and the HSE; and his plans in this regard. [11885/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:497. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health when the national lottery grant scheme 2018 will commence; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12159/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 442 and 497 together.
My Department administered a National Lottery Discretionary Fund up to and including 2016 from which once-off grants were paid to community and voluntary organisations providing a range of health related services. My Department no longer operates a National Lottery Fund.
The HSE operates a similar scheme and continues to provide grants to health agencies and other organisations from National Lottery funds. I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputies with details of the 2018 Lottery Grant Scheme.
Medicinal Products Availability
Ceisteanna (443)
John McGuinness
Ceist:443. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the FreeStyle Libre system will be made available to all persons with type 1 diabetes on the long-term illness card based on clinical need and not on age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11890/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Hospital Appointments Delays
Ceisteanna (444)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:444. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11895/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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 the Deputy directly.
Hospital Procedures
Ceisteanna (445)
Eugene Murphy
Ceist:445. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a situation in which a person (details supplied) was turned away from the Roscommon County Hospital urgent care centre will be investigated in view of the fact they did not have a referral letter from a general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11896/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
Health Services Staff Remuneration
Ceisteanna (446, 490, 518)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:446. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if provisions have been made to ensure that non-HSE staff, including agency staff and section 39 workers working in public hospitals, receive the same emergency leave for instances of being unable to attend work due to recent adverse weather conditions; if so, the provisions in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11899/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Alan Kelly
Ceist:490. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if health care workers who could not attend for work during the recent severe weather at Our Lady's Hospice, Harold's Cross, Dublin 6, will receive emergency leave with pay and will not have to make up time as per his commitment to healthcare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12127/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:518. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if the agreement between a service (details supplied) and its staff on payment for time taken during Storm Emma will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12235/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 446, 490 and 518 together.
Agency staff and staff of organisations funded by the HSE under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004 are not public servants and are not employees of the HSE.
Arrangements for such staff would be a matter for the management of the relevant employment agencies or Section 39 organisations.
In general, there is no statutory entitlement for an employee to be paid where they cannot attend for work because of extreme weather. Any more beneficial arrangement would be a matter for agreement between the employer and the employee. But equally, I would encourage employers to take a long-term view of the working relationship.
HSE Investigations
Ceisteanna (447)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:447. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of trust in care investigations initiated by the HSE, or HSE-funded and part-funded agencies, following complaints of abuse by staff of vulnerable adults since inception of the safeguarding policy in 2014; the number of these cases upheld; the number of disciplinary proceedings taken as a result; the results of disciplinary action in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11905/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
HSE Investigations
Ceisteanna (448)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:448. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the budget allocated to trust in care investigations; the way in which this has been spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11906/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
Asylum Support Services
Ceisteanna (449)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:449. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the discussions he has had with the Minister for Justice and Equality or the Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, regarding the need for health care resources and supports at Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, for the proposed direct provision centre to be located there; his plans to ensure the health needs of the residents will be met; and his further plans to ensure that additional general practitioner hours are available in the village as a matter of routine and permanently to support residents and the local community. [11907/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have had no correspondence with either the Minister for Justice and Equality or the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) regarding a proposed Direct Provision centre in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare.
I understand that the HSE are actively engaged with the Department of Justice and Equality and RIA to provide the necessary health care resources and supports to those living in Direct Provision centres.
They engage with the Department of Justice and Equality to ensure structures at community level are in place to support residents in current Direct Provision centres and also in proposed new Direct Provision centres.
The services of a Mobile Health Screening Unit is available to Direct Provision centres to complete a health profile of residents and to help transition groups of people to GP services locally. This alleviates pressure on local GP services and allows for a full medical history to be compiled for onward transmitting to the receiving primary care services and GP. Transport arrangements can be organised where required in conjunction with the Department of Justice and the Centre Management.
Asylum Seekers can access the Health Services in the same way as Irish citizens. They may apply for Medical Cards while living in Direct Provision and are entitled, as a Medical Card holder, to access health services.
There is a Inter-Departmental group led by RIA which comprises statutory agency representation with the aim of collectively addressing any emerging issues within the Direct Provision process. This has proved to be a useful model as a means of collaborating constructively around such issues.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (450)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:450. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 202 of 25 May 2017, if a person (details supplied) will receive BHE treatment for the month previously given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11922/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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 the Deputy directly.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (451, 476)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:451. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Gardasil HPV vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11929/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMichael Healy-Rae
Ceist:476. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on matters relating to the Gardasil HPV vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12091/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 451 and 476 together.
The information that the Deputy seeks with regard to polysorbate 80 is not readily available. Therefore, I have asked the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) to investigate the matter and reply directly to the Deputy.
It is important to reiterate that the HPRA 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. Mild and temporary reactions to any kind of vaccination are not unusual.