Tuesday, 19 Jun 2018

Written Answers Nos. 338-355

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (338)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

338. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when an appointment will be expedited. [26398/18]

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, since 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.

Paediatric Services

Ceisteanna (339)

Bobby Aylward

Ceist:

339. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the status of the publication of an action plan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26401/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The CEO of the Children's Hospital Group has advised that the publication of the Paediatric Orthopaedic Action Plan 2018 is scheduled for early July 2018.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (340)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

340. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Cork who are awaiting a diagnostic assessment for autistic spectrum disorder. [26403/18]

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.

The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (341)

James Lawless

Ceist:

341. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health when a surgery date will be granted to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26413/18]

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, since 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.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (342, 344)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

342. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to implement the motion passed by Dáil Éireann on 28 March 2018 regarding HPV vaccination; the expected timeframe to extend the national HPV vaccination programme to provide universal HPV vaccination to both boys and girls here; if a budget for universal HPV vaccination subject to the pending outcome of the health technology assessment carried out by HIQA will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26415/18]

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

344. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if a costing assessment has been carried out on the potential extension of the HPV vaccination to boys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26417/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 344 together.

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 called for the programme to be extended to include boys.

The Health Information and Quality Authority is undertaking a health technology assessment, at the request of my Department, 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. The decision to extend the current programme which offers HPV vaccination to all girls in their first year of second-level education to a programme that also offers vaccination to boys will be informed by the evidence contained in the HTA.

As I said during the debate, I share the Deputy's view that it should be concluded as quickly as possible and, subject to a favourable HTA, I will seek to extend this vaccine universally as a priority.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (343)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

343. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the cost of public information campaigns related to the HSE’s national immunisation office in each of the years 2010 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; if the budget responsibility for such campaigns lies solely with the office; his plans to increase this budget to maintain the growth in vaccine confidence seen in 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26416/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Question No. 344 answered with Question No. 342.

Audiology Services Provision

Ceisteanna (345)

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

345. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a situation in which a person (details supplied) had to seek private medical intervention and pay for an operation due to the inadequate audiology services in counties Roscommon and Sligo will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26418/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Neuro-Rehabilitation Services Provision

Ceisteanna (346)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

346. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 19 April 2018, if he will request the HSE to provide funding for a neurorehabilitation unit in County Longford based on the comprehensive business case put forward in 2016 and the need for such a facility in the region in order to address the high number of adults currently placed inappropriately in nursing home care; if the HSE has explored funding for the stated amount (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26419/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

My Department has asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to you in relation to the provision of a neurorehabilitation unit in County Longford.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Ceisteanna (347)

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

347. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is now denied the continuous glucose monitoring equipment he has been using for the past number of months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26421/18]

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.

Home Care Packages Provision

Ceisteanna (348)

James Lawless

Ceist:

348. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health when a home care package will be provided for a person (details supplied); the waiting time for home care packages in County Kildare in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26426/18]

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.

Respite Care Services Data

Ceisteanna (349)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

349. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of respite care hours provided for the first quarter of 2017 in each CHO area. [26427/18]

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.

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

Legislative Programme

Ceisteanna (350)

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

350. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to commence Parts 2, 3 and 9 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015; the timeframe for the commencement of these provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26440/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

A number of technical drafting issues have come to light in relation to Parts 2 & 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015. Consideration of a resolution to these issues and the likely need for primary legislation are close to conclusion and I expect to be in a position to progress shortly.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (351)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

351. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a residential place for a person (details supplied); if the case will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26442/18]

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.

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

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (352)

Pat Breen

Ceist:

352. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26444/18]

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, since 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 Care Packages Provision

Ceisteanna (353)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

353. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the delivery of a home care package for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; the reason for the delay in an organisation processing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26448/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Appeals

Ceisteanna (354)

James Lawless

Ceist:

354. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health when an appeal by a person (details supplied) with regard to the fair deal scheme will be decided upon; if the decision process will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26450/18]

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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (355)

James Lawless

Ceist:

355. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment at Cork University Hospital or Mercy University Hospital; and if the appointment will be expedited. [26451/18]

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, since 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.