Tuesday, 19 Jun 2018

Written Answers Nos. 392-410

Medical Card Data

Ceisteanna (392)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

392. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card holders who received two fillings in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018. [26678/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Medical Card Data

Ceisteanna (393)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

393. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card holders who had teeth extracted in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018. [26679/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Dental Services

Ceisteanna (394)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

394. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he is working with a group (details supplied) to revise the dental scheme available to medical card holders. [26680/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The national approach to future oral health service provision will be informed by the National Oral Health Policy. The development of the policy included a needs assessment, a review of resources and involved consultation with stakeholders, including dental professionals and the public. The policy is currently being finalised and I expect it will be published later this year.

The aim of the policy is to develop a model of care that will enable preventative approaches to be prioritised, improve access, and support interventions appropriate to current and future oral health needs.

It is my intention to progress the development of appropriate contractual proposals on the part of my Department and the HSE once the oral health policy has been published. This will be a necessary precursor to a process of engagement with the Irish Dental Association on the future delivery of oral health services.

Dental Services Data

Ceisteanna (395)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

395. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if there was an audit or review carried out in the Southern Health Board circa 1993 to assess the average fee per dental item provided in the dental service; if so, the figure reached at the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26681/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to investigate the issue raised by the Deputy and to reply directly to him.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (396)

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

396. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 167 of 10 May 2018, when a reply will issue from the HSE in view of the provisions of Standing Order 42A(1) of Dáil Éireann. [26703/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I understand that an answer to the previous Parliamentary Questions, Questions Nos. 163 and 165 of 10 May 2018, is being compiled and a reply will issue to the Deputy very shortly, however, as this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Data Protection

Ceisteanna (397, 398, 399, 400)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

397. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 749 and 750 of 12 June 2018, if there will be collaboration with the Department of Justice and Equality on same (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26733/18]

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

398. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 749 and 750 of 12 June 2018, the way in which his Department's approach to monitoring HFSS food marketing will be affected (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26734/18]

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

399. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 749 and 750 of 12 June 2018, the code which will take precedence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26735/18]

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

400. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 749 and 750 of 12 June 2018, the way in which his Department plans to work with the Data Protection Commissioner in a process to encourage the drawing up of a code of conduct to which entities which collect and process children's data would demonstrably adhere as per section 32(e) of the Data Protection Act 2018; the way in which this also relates to his Department's work in respect of a code of practice (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26736/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 397 to 400, inclusive, together.

Section 32(1)(e) of the Data Protection Act 2018 provides that the Data Protection Commission shall encourage the drawing up of codes of conduct intended to contribute to the proper application of the Data Protection Regulation with regard to the processing of the personal data of children for the purposes of direct marketing and creating personality and user profiles. My officials will collaborate with the Data Protection Commission and other Government Departments, as relevant, in drawing up such codes for the health sector.

I am fully committed to protecting the rights and privacy of all individuals, including children, as provided for in the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Acts.

The Deputy refers to Codes of Practice for the advertising and marketing of food and non-alcoholic drinks. In the context of these Codes, my Department holds no personal data or has no direct involvement in processing personal data of children for the purposes of direct marketing and creating personality and user profiles. These Codes of Practice provide for monitoring for compliance and effectiveness of the Codes by a monitoring body which my Department will designate. Monitoring will include independent research to assess adherence. The designated monitoring body will have access to relevant data from companies and partner organisations.

Any new processing activity carried out on behalf of the Department in the future, which involves personal data, will be subject to the full requirements of the data protection legislation, including a data protection impact assessment and any other additional safeguards which may be appropriate.

Health and Social Care Professionals Registration Boards

Ceisteanna (401)

Tom Neville

Ceist:

401. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the regulation of psychotherapy and counselling under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. [26760/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Regulations to designate the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 were approved by both houses of the Oireachtas on 22 March 2018. I am pleased to advise that I have since signed the regulations, which will come into force on 2 July 2018.

Work is now underway to appoint the 13 member registration board which will regulate the professions. The Public Appointments Service will undertake an advertisement campaign later this month inviting suitably qualified and experienced persons to apply for lay and professional positions on the board.

It is envisaged that CORU will arrange for the board to hold its first meeting later this year and begin the substantial programme of work required to establish its registers.

Assisted Human Reproduction Services Provision

Ceisteanna (402)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

402. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 748 of 12 June 2018, if consideration will be given to putting in place public funding for IVF prior to the enactment of the assisted human reproduction Bill 2017 in order to honour his previous commitment to have such funding in place by 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26761/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As I indicated in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 748 of 12 June last, work is ongoing in my Department regarding policy options for a potential public funding model for AHR treatment and it is my intention to bring a Memorandum to Government for a model of public funding for AHR treatment for the Government's consideration and decision in due course. This Memorandum to Government will outline a framework in relation to the implementation of the proposed funding model, including the timeline involved.

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Ceisteanna (403)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

403. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a drug (details supplied) will be added to the long-term illness card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26765/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 have been informed that Ocrelizumab for the treatment of adult patients with early primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) and for the treatment of adult patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS) are currently undergoing a full pharmacoeconomic assessment by the NCPE.

Nursing Home Subventions

Ceisteanna (404)

Bobby Aylward

Ceist:

404. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the State subvention to community nursing homes is adequate to support the provision of an appropriate level of residential care for elderly persons; if the possibility of increasing the State subvention to community nursing homes ahead of budget 2019 will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26771/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as 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.

This statutory based scheme replaced the Nursing Home Subvention which had been in existence since 1993. Any person who was supported in a private nursing home before the commencement of the NHSS in October 2009 could choose to transfer to the NHSS or retain their existing subvention arrangements. Any person who was in a public or voluntary nursing home or in a contracted bed in a private nursing home before the commencement of the NHSS could also continue with their existing arrangements. The National Guidelines for the Standardised Implementation of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme states that nothing in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 or in the National Guidelines shall operate in a way that diminishes the overall financial position of an applicant in receipt of Nursing Home Subvention, or who is currently in a public nursing home bed, including contract beds.

The rules for qualifying for a subvention were that the person must be sufficiently dependent to need nursing home care and be unable to pay any or part of the cost of care in the home. This involved a means test.

No new applications for the subvention scheme were accepted after the introduction of the NHSS on 27 October 2009 when the maximum weekly subvention rate was €300. There are no plans to increase the State Subvention rate in the 2019 budget. Subvention rates continue to be paid from the total NHSS budget which in 2018 is €962 million.

Departmental Consultations

Ceisteanna (405)

Bobby Aylward

Ceist:

405. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the national conference on community care and community nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26772/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

In autumn of this year, in my capacity as Minister of State with responsibility for Older People, I intend to host a joint expert conference on housing for older people, together with the Minister of State with responsibility for Housing and Urban Renewal. The conference will identify and discuss a range of issues including opportunities, barriers and enablers to guide future development of housing and support needs for older people.

I have no plans to hold a conference on community care or community nursing homes at this time.

Medical Card Eligibility

Ceisteanna (406)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

406. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26781/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Home Care Packages Funding

Ceisteanna (407)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

407. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the home care package for counties Kildare and Wicklow is exhausted in respect of the allocation for 2018; the requests and allocations for further provision of budgets to provide home care packages to enable a person (details supplied) to be supported when discharged from hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26783/18]

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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (408)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

408. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26784/18]

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.

However, 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.

HSE Staff Data

Ceisteanna (409)

Catherine Martin

Ceist:

409. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Health the annual funding for advanced paramedics; the number of filled positions operational within the HSE; the number of vacant positions; the number of training positions available to general paramedics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26788/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Cancer Screening Programmes

Ceisteanna (410)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

410. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the case raised in Parliamentary Question No. 148 of 31 May 2018; and the reason the family in question have not been contacted. [26792/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

My Department has raised the particular case referenced by the Deputy with the HSE for urgent attention, and have asked them to respond as a matter of urgency.

My Department has also received direct contact from this family, and a response was issued to them on the 18th of June.