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Thursday, 17 May 2018

Written Answers Nos 183-190

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (183)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

183. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a programme (details supplied); if it will recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21820/18]

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.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (184, 190)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

184. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) raised in a media broadcast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21821/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

190. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21851/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 190 together.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. Mortality from cervical cancer in Ireland is above the European average. In 2018 more than 90 Irish women will die from cervical cancer. According to the World Health Organisation, which has reviewed international evidence, there is a strong association between HPV infection and the development of cervical cancer and that HPV vaccination is effective in preventing the development of cervical cancer. There are over 100 types of HPV and around 40 types of HPV can infect the genital tract. Some of these are low-risk types which cause genital warts, while others are high-risk types that are associated with the development of various cancers such as cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, penis and throat. Ninety nine percent (99%) of cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection of certain high risk types of HPV.

The introduction of HPV immunisation has had a significant impact in many parts of the world. Countries with high vaccine uptake rates have seen the highest impact:

- In Scotland where 90% of girls have been vaccinated since 2008 there has been a 90% fall in HPV infections in vaccinated girls;

- Precancerous growths of the cervix have been reduced by more than 50% in countries such as Australia, Sweden and Scotland;

- Finland recently published the evidence that HPV immunisation protects against invasive HPV-associated cancer.

There are 2 licensed HPV vaccines available in Ireland. Gardasil is the vaccine used by the HSE in the School Immunisation Programme. It protects against HPV types 16 and 18 which cause seven in ten cases of cervical cancer, and types 6 and 11 which cause the majority of genital warts. Gardasil has been authorised for use across the European Union since 2006 and has been used in over 25 European countries, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. To date over 227 million doses have been distributed worldwide. In Ireland over 730,000 doses of the vaccine have been distributed and more than 238,000 girls have received the full vaccine course.

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is responsible for monitoring the safety and quality of all medicines including vaccines that are licensed in Ireland. The HPRA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) continually monitor adverse events to vaccination. HPV is one of the most closely studied and monitored medicinal products.

All medicines, including vaccines are subject to on-going review and evaluation of all available data from a range of sources, including systematic scientific literature review, to consider any impact that their data may have on the overall assessment of the benefits and risks of a medicinal product. Taking into account the totality of the available information, the benefits of the HPV vaccines continue to outweigh their risks. The safety of these vaccines continues to be monitored at EU level through the EMA and its expert committees, which includes representatives from member state competent authorities such as the HPRA.

In recent years the spread of inaccurate information on social media concerning the safety and effectiveness of the HPV vaccine has had an impact on uptake rates.

One of the most important things we can do is to provide accurate and credible information to enable parents to make a fully informed decision concerning HPV vaccination. The HSE National Immunisation Office developed a HPV website (hpv.ie) which has been endorsed by the WHO. The focus must remain on increasing uptake rates as the best way of reducing cervical cancer, and I would encourage the parents of all eligible girls to ensure that their daughters receive this important life-saving vaccine.

You will recall that there was an extensive debate on the safety of the HPV vaccine and its efficacy in preventing the development of cervical cancer in this House on 28 March last in which a motion was passed unanimously which recognised that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine protects young girls from developing a cervical cancer when they grow up, supported the campaign to encourage parents to avail of the HPV vaccine for their children in their first year of secondary school, and which called for the programme to be extended to include boys.

The Health Information and Quality Authority is undertaking a health technology assessment (HTA), at the request of the Department of Health, on extending the national immunisation schedule to include HPV vaccination of boys. This HTA will establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of providing the vaccine to boys and I await the completion of the HTA later this year.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (185)

Joe Carey

Ceist:

185. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health when funding in respect of a business case for a person (details supplied) will be sanctioned for respite services in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21823/18]

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.

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 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.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (186)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

186. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment through CAMHS for a person (details supplied) will be scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21825/18]

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.

Audiology Services Provision

Ceisteanna (187)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

187. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the status of audits or examination of audiology services in counties Mayo and Roscommon; if the findings of such reports will be published; his views on the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21838/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An audiology clinical lead structure, including formal clinical governance and quality assurance mechanisms, was put in place in the HSE in 2013/2014 on foot of recommendations of the National Audiology Review Group Report 2011.

As part of regular audits of standards under this new structure the HSE noted potential concerns in 2015 in relation to the provision of aspects of community audiology in the Mayo and Roscommon area. The concerns related to hearing assessments on children provided by an external provider.

A full look back review of records of children who received hearing assessments and management in the area from April 2011 to February 2015 was completed. Follow-up consultations were offered to children where this was deemed appropriate.

The Report of the look back is now in its final draft stage and is expected to be released to families next week.

I understand from the HSE that families were kept informed appropriately throughout the process. There will be further communication with the families on release of the report next week.

Maternity Services Provision

Ceisteanna (188)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

188. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce or alter maternity services in the Inishowen peninsula, County Donegal; and the short and long-term plans in this regard. [21848/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly.

General Practitioner Contracts

Ceisteanna (189)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

189. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the commencement of negotiations for a new contract for general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21849/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I acknowledge the important role that general practitioners play in our health service and I recognise the commitment of GPs to ensuring a responsive, accessible and high-quality service to patients. The Government is committed to engaging with the representatives of GPs on the development of a package of measures and reforms to modernise the current GMS contract and which will enable additional resources to be put into general practice.

Since the beginning of this month officials from my Department and the HSE have met with the Irish Medical Organisation in order to progress this agenda. In line with the long-established approach to such processes, and by agreement of the parties concerned, I am not in position to give further details while discussions between the parties are under way.

Question No. 190 answered with Question No. 184.
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