Thursday, 3 May 2018

Written Answers Nos. 176-202

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Ceisteanna (176)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

176. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of recruiting an extra 500 hospital consultants; and the average estimate for support staff required per consultant. [19435/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.

Nursing Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (177)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

177. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of recruiting an additional 4,000 nursing staff. [19436/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.

Prescriptions Charges

Ceisteanna (178)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

178. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of abolishing prescription charges. [19437/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

General Practitioner Data

Ceisteanna (179)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

179. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of increasing the general practitioner rural practice allowance to €25,000. [19438/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

On 5 May 2016, Regulations were signed by the then Minister for Health which provided for the introduction of the new Rural Practice Support Framework (RPSF), which includes improved qualifying criteria for rural support and an increase in the financial allowance available from €16,216.07 to €20,000 per annum.

Under the new Framework, if two practice units are providing general practitioner services in the same qualifying area, both practices may qualify for a modified allowance of €10,000. GPs holding a permanent GMS contract who received the Rural Practice Allowance of €16,216.07 immediately prior to the introduction of the new Regulations who do not meet the new qualifying criteria continue to receive the payment on a personal basis, provided they retain their contractual commitment to the remote rural area.

As at 1 May 2018, there are 251 practice units in receipt of rural supports under the RPSF. 176 practices receive the full financial allowance of €20,000 and 20 practices receive the modified allowance of €10,000. The full year cost of increasing the existing allowance to €25,000 and the corresponding modified allowance to €12,500 for these practices would amount to approximately €930,000. It must be emphasised that this estimate does not take account of any future increase in the number of qualifying practices. In addition, any increase in the financial allowance under the new RPSF would only apply to those practices that qualify under the new criteria, therefore these calculations have excluded the 55 GPs who currently receive the old financial allowance of €16,216.07.

National Maternity Strategy Implementation

Ceisteanna (180, 194)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

180. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of implementing the national maternity strategy. [19439/18]

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

194. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the national maternity strategy; and the additional funding that will be required for its implementation. [19453/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 194 together.

Implementation of Ireland's first National Maternity Strategy - Creating A Better Future Together 2016 - 2026 - is being led by the National Women & Infants Health Programme. To this end, the Programme has developed a detailed Implementation Plan which I was pleased to launch in October 2017. The Plan is presented under the Strategy's four strategic priorities and details how each of the 77 actions will be implemented.

The Programme has estimated that full implementation will cost in the region of an additional €80 million revenue funding over the lifetime of the Strategy. Work to identify the precise capital funding requirement is ongoing. The Strategy will be implemented on a phased basis over the coming years and therefore the funding requirement will vary from year to year. In that context, the Implementation Plan will inform the annual Estimates process each year.

In conclusion, I can confirm that additional funding of €4.15 million is being provided to the Programme this year to progress implementation of the Strategy. The Programme's priorities for 2018 include: improving quality and safety, establishing community midwifery teams and increasing access to anomaly scans. An online resource for maternity care will also be developed.

Home Care Packages Data

Ceisteanna (181, 182, 191)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

181. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of providing an additional 2.2 million home help hours. [19440/18]

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

182. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of providing an additional 5,000 home care packages. [19441/18]

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

191. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of providing an additional 200 intensive home care packages for persons with dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19449/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 181, 182 and 191 together.

As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (183)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

183. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of completing the recruitment required for the full implementation of A Vision for Change. [19442/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Drugs Payment Scheme Threshold

Ceisteanna (184)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

184. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of reducing the drug payment threshold to €100. [19443/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (185, 186, 187, 188)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

185. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of recruiting an additional 200 speech and language therapists. [19444/18]

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

186. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of recruiting an additional 200 occupational therapists. [19445/18]

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

187. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of recruiting an additional 200 physiotherapists. [19446/18]

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

188. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of recruiting an additional fifty dental surgeons [19447/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 to 188, inclusive, together.

I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.

Question No. 189 retabled.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (190)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

190. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of providing an additional 1.5 million personal assistant hours for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19448/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 a 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 for direct reply to the Deputy.

Question No. 191 answered with Question No. 181.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (192)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

192. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of providing an additional 100 critical care beds. [19451/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (193)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

193. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing an additional 150 inpatient rehabilitation beds. [19452/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Question No. 194 answered with Question No. 180.

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (195)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

195. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken by his Department and/or the HSE to replace the dermatologist in the midlands area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19454/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you, as soon as possible.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (196)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

196. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early date for a procedure will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19457/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Cancer Screening Programmes

Ceisteanna (197)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

197. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount set aside as contingent liabilities for failures in the cervical smear programme; the funds that have been expended within the past five years; the number of persons involved in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19458/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly, I have referred his question to the HSE for direct reply.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Administration

Ceisteanna (198)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

198. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the payment mechanism in place for families who have recently lost a relative under the care of the fair deal scheme; if the balance on an account can be paid off in instalments in cases in which a family home has been listed against the deceased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19461/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Where a resident under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) has assets including land or property, they may defer their contribution to care based on such assets under Ancillary State Support (also known as Nursing Home Loan). This contribution becomes payable on their death. Collection and recovery of repayable amounts of the Ancillary State Support is a function of the Revenue Commissioners, acting as a collecting agent for the HSE. Where the HSE has advanced monies by way of Ancillary State Support it calculates the amount due in relation to such support and gives notice of that amount and particulars of how it is calculated to the relevant accountable person.

The HSE notifies Revenue of amounts that become due for collection and in all circumstances Revenue makes contact with the relevant person before any collection activity is initiated. Where there are personal or financial difficulties, Revenue will always work with the person, provided there is meaningful engagement. While there is no provision for instalment arrangements under Ancillary State Support, if the accountable person wishes to pay by instalment arrangement then these payments are accepted by Revenue. Late payment interest charges may apply in such circumstances. I would therefore urge family members of the deceased to engage directly with the Revenue Commissioners on this matter.

There is also an option, in certain cases, to defer or postpone the repayment of a loan amount based on the principal residence. This is called ‘Further Deferral’ and its purpose is to ensure that certain individuals, for whom the asset is their principal residence, will not need to worry about selling or re-mortgaging the asset in order to repay the Nursing Home Loan. Instead, such individuals can defer repayment of the Loan for the duration of their lifetime. A person wishing to apply for a further deferral, or a representative acting on their behalf, must apply for such a deferral, not later than 3 months after the death of the applicant. In compelling circumstances, an application may be made up until 6 months after the death of the applicant. The application should be made on the form specified by the HSE.

National Maternity Hospital Administration

Ceisteanna (199, 200, 201, 202)

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

199. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if medical and surgical procedures legal here will be available at the national maternity hospital after the St. Vincent's company is established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19467/18]

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

200. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if he has had discussions with a group (details supplied) or other Roman Catholic bodies on the ethos of the national maternity hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19468/18]

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

201. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on recent reports that the values and vision of Mary Aikenhead will underpin the new St. Vincent's company; his further views on whether this is compatible with ensuring the clinical independence of the national maternity hospital and the previous assurances that were given in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19470/18]

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

202. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the negotiations of the legal framework to protect the independence of the new National Maternity Hospital and the State's investment in it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19471/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 to 202, inclusive, together.

Work continues on the preparation of the draft legal framework which will ensure that the State's significant investment in the new maternity hospital will be protected. This framework will also further underpin the operational and clinical independence of the hospital.

In the course of this work there has been extensive engagement with the HSE, the HSE legal advisers and the Chief State Solicitor's Office. The Deputy will, I hope, appreciate that pending the finalisation of an agreement between all stakeholders, it is premature for me to give any further information at this point.

However, I can assure the Deputy that patient care in the new maternity hospital will be delivered without religious, ethnic or other distinction and any medical procedure which is in accordance with the laws of the land will be carried out there.