Written Answers Nos. 336-350
336. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if a review has been carried out or is planned of the National Cardiovascular Health Policy 2010-2019 to examine the success in implementing its recommendations and those that are outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19966/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this PQ relates to approximately 70 recommendations, dealing with all aspects of cardiovascular care comprehended by the 2010-2019 Policy and involving a range of organisations, my Department will provide the Deputy with a comprehensive report in tabular format within 2 weeks.
337. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 359 of 27 March 2018 and 914 of 17 April 2018, the contingency plans in place should the existing neuro interventional angiography suite at Beaumont Hospital cease to operate suddenly in view of the recognition of its need to be replaced and for a further suite to be in place; if there is a facility in the capital allocation for such emergencies; if consideration has been given to same in further view of the increase in the thrombectomy services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19967/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
338. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 395 of 20 February 2018, the status of the monitoring body to be designated to monitor the voluntary codes of practice on the marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages; the timeframe for the designation of the body; the timeframe for the development of guidelines for implementation of the code and mechanisms for monitoring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19968/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe national Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP) was approved by the Government in 2016. The OPAP recommended that a code of practice for food and beverages promotion, marketing and sponsorship be developed, implemented and evaluated in conjunction with the food industry, HSE, Dept of Children and Youth Affairs, safefood, Food Safety Authority of Ireland and advertiser organisations. The OPAP premised this recommendation by providing that 'already there are many examples of the food industry making positive contributions to the prevention of obesity and it is essential to capitalise and expand on such initiatives'.
The group that developed the Codes involved representatives from the food industry, advertising sector, statutory agencies, and various Government Departments. It was chaired by the former CEO of the statutory Food Safety Authority of Ireland. The Codes of Practice concerned were published in February.
The Codes of Practice are one of the suite of actions set out in the OPAP in the knowledge that no single sector or agency, or no single action, is able to solve this issue on their own. Everyone and every sector has a role to play in those solutions.
Section 10 of the Codes of Practice provides for a governance framework for these codes. It stipulates that the Codes 'will be monitored for compliance and effectiveness by a monitoring body designated by the Minister for Health' and that the Codes 'will be underpinned by guidance developed by the monitoring body with respect to its application'. It is not possible at this juncture to specify a timeframe for the development of the latter; but work on the establishment of the monitoring body is underway, and I expect that significant progress will be made in this regard in the coming months.
339. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if eligibility for a medical card will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19969/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
However, the HSE require additional information to investigate this issue and my Department has contacted the Deputy's office regarding the missing information which the HSE requires. This information is not yet available and the Deputy's office has been asked to forward it directly to the HSE as soon as they receive it so this matter may be investigated.
340. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the status of a procedure for person (details supplied); his plans to reduce the waiting list in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19970/18]
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.
341. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the status of his most recent meeting regarding ambulance services in south and west County Donegal; his plans to improve the level of services in County Donegal; the timeframe for the improvements on foot of his recent meeting on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20010/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI met this group on 24 April 2018 at the Department of Taoiseach and listened to their concerns regarding this matter. I have arranged for the Director of the National Ambulance Service to meet with the group to discuss their concerns.
342. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of women in County Louth who were misinformed that their cervical smear tests were normal. [20015/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have referred his question to the HSE for direct reply.
343. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if the 2014 audit of cervical smear tests contained tests of women in County Louth. [20016/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have referred his question to the HSE for direct reply.
344. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the status of a building (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20018/18]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
As the Deputy's question relates service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
345. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the funding set aside on an annual basis for contingent liability for the past ten years to date by the HSE; the way in which the amount is determined by the HSE; if the HSE carries out an actuary analysis for budgeting current and future contingent liability; and if the HSE conducts a risk assessment in the context of contingent liability. [20023/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra352. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount of funds set aside on an annual basis for contingent liability for the past ten years to date in 2018; the way in which it is determined the amount that is forecast to be needed for contingent liability; if he carries out an actuary analysis for budgeting current and future contingent liability; if he conducts a risk assessment in the context of contingent liability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20063/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 352 together.
International financial accounting standards require an entity to recognise a provision for a contingent liability if, and only if a present obligation (legal or constructive) has arisen as a result of a past event (the obligating event), payment is probable ('more likely than not'), and the amount can be estimated reliably.
The HSE has not recognised any contingent liabilities in the last ten years. This is mainly due to the fact that the nature of such liabilities for the HSE mainly arise as a result of current ongoing litigation. Due to this, it is difficult to determine a) if payment will be probable or b) to calculate a reliable estimate of the potential cost to the HSE until the current test cases have gone through the courts. Also disclosing any amount could be deemed prejudicial to the issue. Whilst no provision is made, contingent liabilities are reflected in Note 26 to the HSE Annual Financial Statements each year.
Funding is allocated to the Department on the basis of costs that will be incurred during the year and is not allocated for possible future funding liabilities. On this basis, material contingent liabilities funding will only be allocated when the cost associated with it crystalises. At such time, the Department of Health will engage with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to funding for the actual cost that the Department will incur. There has been no crystallisation of a contingent liability for the Department in the last ten years.
346. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if all written agreements between the HSE and an organisation (details supplied) on the provision of all services within the organisation's remit will be made publicly available; and if all details of monetary transfers between the Exchequer and the organisation will be published. [20027/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the first part of the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Having regard to the second part of the question, the Department of Health would not have information regarding details of monetary transfers between other Government Departments and agencies, and the organisation referred to by the Deputy.
347. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the reason more beds have not been made available at Mallow General Hospital; and the reason there is spare capacity in the hospital in view of the fact that CUH is beyond capacity. [20028/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
348. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) has been referred for orthodontic treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20035/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
349. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with representatives of an organisation (details supplied) and the pharmaceutical industry regarding access to new and effective medication for multiple sclerosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20039/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act sets out criteria for decisions on reimbursement. As Minister for Health, I do not have any statutory power or function in relation to the reimbursement of medicines.
In line with the 2013 Act, if a company would like a medicine to be reimbursed through the community drug schemes, it must submit an application to the HSE to have the new item added to the Reimbursement List.
As outlined in the IPHA agreement, and in line with the 2013 Act, the HSE will decide, within 180 days of receiving the application (or a longer period if further information is sought from the company), to add the medicine to the reimbursement list, agree to reimburse it as a hospital medicine or refuse to reimburse it.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).
The NCPE conducts health technology assessments for the HSE, and makes recommendations on reimbursement to assist HSE decisions. The NCPE uses a decision framework to systematically assess whether a drug is cost-effective as a health intervention.
The HSE strives to reach a decision in as timely a manner as possible. However, because of the significant monies involved, it must ensure that the best price is achieved, as these commitments can be ongoing multi-million euro investments. Pricing issues can lead to a protracted deliberation process.
I am keen to engage with industry and to explore ways in which new medicines might be more easily introduced in Ireland. However, any innovative approaches that may be tabled must be compatible with the statutory provisions in place and must also recognise pricing and funding issues in the context of finite Exchequer resources.
I have indicated willingness to meet with MS Ireland and my office is in contact with the organisation to arrange a mutually convenient date.
350. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the reason, when it is the case that medical card holders of pension age are entitled to State-funded physiotherapy, transport to medical appointments, dressings and other medical entitlements, residents of private nursing homes are required to pay for these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20044/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as A 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 NHSS covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care which are:
- Nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person;
- Bed and board;
- Basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living; and
- Laundry service.
A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the medical card scheme or the drugs payment scheme, is unaffected by participation in the NHSS or residence in a nursing home.
Although the NHSS covers core living expenses, residents can still incur some costs in a nursing home, such as social programmes, newspapers, hairdressing, or transport. In recognition of this, anyone in receipt of financial support under the NHSS retains at least 20% of their income. The minimum amount that is retained is the equivalent of 20% of the State Pension (Non-Contributory). An operator should not seek payment from residents for items which are covered by the NHSS, the medical card, or any other existing scheme for which they are eligible.
