Written Answers Nos. 436-454
436. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the way in which the accounts of persons at a centre (details supplied) in County Kilkenny are managed; if weekend allowances are paid to the persons or family members when weekend home visits are arranged, from the persons' accounts; the person or body that has access to the accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14104/18]
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.
437. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the role and function of the protein biologics in yeast, the yeast manufacturing process used extensively in the production of Gardasil by a company (details supplied); if these proteins cause a cross reaction with the AML1 and myelin which lead to unexplained adverse reactions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14108/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information that the Deputy seeks is not readily available. Therefore, I have asked the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) to investigate the matter and reply directly to the Deputy.
438. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason there are no adult psychological services in CHO areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14118/18]
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.
439. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting for an orthopaedic outpatient appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14125/18]
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 the Deputy directly.
440. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if a review has been conducted of procedures for issuing medical cards to persons with cancer as per the programme for Government; and if so, the findings and recommendations of the review. [14127/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware the Programme for Government states that the Clinical Advisory Group on Medical Cards will examine the guidelines for the awarding of discretionary medical cards for patients undergoing treatment for cancer.
As the group was established by reports to the HSE, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply.
441. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of pharmacists that made late applications for payment for medical card prescriptions for 2008, 2009 and 2010; and the number of these claims approved, disapproved and outstanding in tabular form. [14128/18]
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.
442. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the procedure whereby pharmacists making late claims for payment of medical card prescriptions have their claims dealt with. [14129/18]
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.
443. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if there are outstanding claims for pharmacies for payment of prescriptions for 2008. [14130/18]
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.
444. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if there are outstanding claims for pharmacies for payment of prescriptions for 2009. [14131/18]
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.
445. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if there are outstanding claims for pharmacies for payment of prescriptions for 2010. [14132/18]
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.
446. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting to get a scoliosis operation in Cappagh Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14135/18]
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 the Deputy directly.
447. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Health the monitoring or accountability of services in place for persons with intellectual disabilities that attend day services in training centres or day centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14143/18]
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.
448. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a matter (details supplied) will be examined and addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14171/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter relating to the HSE's safeguarding structures it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
449. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of scheduled inpatient procedures cancelled or postponed to date in 2018. [14179/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra450. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of scheduled day case procedures cancelled or postponed to date in 2018. [14180/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 449 and 450 together.
In relation to the particular query raised, I have asked the HSE to provide the information sought by the Deputy and I will forward this information to him as soon as it is available.
451. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if the publication of the review of the pricing system for long-term residential care facilities will be ensured as recommended within the review of the fair deal scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14227/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra452. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce an independent appeals mechanism within the fair deal scheme to provide third-party recourse for nursing home providers that cannot agree a fee with the NTPF and in order to ensure there is greater transparency to the fair deal pricing mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14228/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 451 and 452 together.
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.
The Report of the NHSS Review published in 2015 identified a number of issues for more detailed consideration, including a review of pricing mechanism by the NTPF, with a view to:
- Ensuring value for money and economy, with the lowest possible administrative costs for clients and the State and administrative burden for providers;
- Increasing the transparency of the pricing mechanism so that existing and potential investors can make as informed decisions as possible; and
- Ensuring that there is adequate residential capacity for those residents with more complex needs.
A Steering Committee has been established to oversee this review which is chaired by the NTPF and includes representatives from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The NTPF has responsibility for the development of this report, although Department Officials continue to engage with the NTPF regarding the review. The most recent update from the NTPF is that the report will be finalised and ready for review in the first half of 2018.
With regard to the Deputy’s question on plans to introduce an independent appeal mechanism within the NHSS to provide third party recourse for nursing home providers that cannot agree a fee with the NTPF, I cannot, nor would I wish to, prejudge the outcomes of the NTPF pricing mechanism review. However I welcome the work to date and look forward to the NTPF concluding the review later this year.
453. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the eligibility for a home care package in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14245/18]
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.
454. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused a medical card; if this case can now be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14250/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond directly to the Deputy.
