Gino Kenny
Ceist:125. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the members of the national disability children and families team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23820/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Support Services
Ceisteanna (125)
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.
Disability Support Services
Ceisteanna (126)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:126. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health when the national disability children and families team was founded; the criteria applied; the person or body that issued the instructions in relation to establishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23821/18]
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.
Health Services Data
Ceisteanna (127)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:127. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of members on the social care management team; the criteria that were used for the selection of the members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23822/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (128)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:128. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the organisations consulted during the process to produce the assessment of need standard operating procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23823/18]
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.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (129)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:129. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the parental knowledge, expertise and advice sought during the process of producing the assessment of need standard operating procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23824/18]
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.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (130)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:130. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the reason, when the assessment of need standard operating procedure document was approved on 22 November 2017, that parents are unfamiliar with many of the changes and compliance procedures it outlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23825/18]
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.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (131)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:131. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the reason the assessment of need standard operating procedure is not readily accessible to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23826/18]
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.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (132)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:132. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the person charged with the sole responsibility of overseeing the review, update and modification of the assessment of need standard operating procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23827/18]
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.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (133)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:133. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the reason the attention of parents was not drawn at a much earlier stage to the assessment of need standard operating procedure; the reason its existence was not made public knowledge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23828/18]
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.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (134)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:134. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the schedule of meetings regarding the review of the standard operating procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23829/18]
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 Transfers
Ceisteanna (135)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:135. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to be transferred to St. James's Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23830/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Disability Services Provision
Ceisteanna (136)
James Browne
Ceist:136. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children aged between 0 and 18 years of age in County Wexford that are awaiting treatment from disability services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23834/18]
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.
Disability Services Data
Ceisteanna (137)
James Browne
Ceist:137. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the average caseload of therapists working with children in County Wexford within disability services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23835/18]
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.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (138)
Clare Daly
Ceist:138. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason cases of suspected adverse reactions to the HPV vaccine Gardasil previously listed as convulsions were recently amended on the HPRA line listing report to seizures; if these amendments were notified to the EMA EudraVigilance database; if the attention of the case ID patient holder is drawn to such changes to their records; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23836/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
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.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (139)
Clare Daly
Ceist:139. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on the long-term protection provided by the HPV vaccine Gardasil in view of information (details supplied); if a booster dose will be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23837/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (140)
Clare Daly
Ceist:140. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE failed to provide parents with the HPV vaccine Gardasil manufacturer's package leaflet in the HSE parent information packs which promote the vaccine, particularly in view of the disclaimer contained on the HSE's website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23838/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this PQ relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Medicinal Products Availability
Ceisteanna (141)
Danny Healy-Rae
Ceist:141. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with an organisation (details supplied) and the pharmaceutical industry to ensure new medicines are made available to persons with MS which is the case in other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23850/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. As Minister for Health, I do not have any statutory power or function in relation to the reimbursement of medicines. The Act specifies the criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines.
In line with the 2013 Act, if a company would like a medicine to be reimbursed by the HSE pursuant to the Community Drugs scheme, the company must first submit an application to the HSE to have the new medicine 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 either add the medicine to the reimbursement list or agree to reimburse it as a hospital medicine, or refuse to reimburse the medicine.
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 (HTAs) 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 are often multi-million euro investments on an on-going basis. This 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 which are in place and must also recognise the fundamental pricing/funding issues in the context of finite Exchequer resources.
My Office has been in contact with MS Ireland regarding their request and have scheduled a meeting for early June.
Hospital Deaths
Ceisteanna (142)
Clare Daly
Ceist:142. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23851/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have not been made aware of this case. Should the Deputy wish to provide more specific details in its regard, I will request a report from the HSE.
Hospital Appointments Administration
Ceisteanna (143)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:143. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be scheduled for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23855/18]
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.
Home Help Service Provision
Ceisteanna (144)
Anne Rabbitte
Ceist:144. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have home help hours approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23856/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.