Robert Troy
Ceist:198. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28263/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Delays
Ceisteanna (198)
Freagraí 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, 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.
Hospital Appointments Delays
Ceisteanna (199)
Robert Troy
Ceist:199. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28264/18]
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, 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.
Ambulance Service
Ceisteanna (200)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:200. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if more resources will be provided for ambulance services across counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28283/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
Office of Government Procurement
Ceisteanna (201)
Bríd Smith
Ceist:201. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if a company (details supplied) is an approved agency for tendering for Government contracts; if his attention has been drawn to the practice of company renaming in the past in order to obviate regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28355/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Office of Government Procurement has responsibility, together with sectoral partners, for putting in place framework agreements and contracts through which public sector bodies can buy goods and services. The Office is also responsible for procurement policy and procedures, sourcing systems and data analytics. With regard to the company (details supplied), the Deputy will be aware that my Department availed of their HR coaching services in 2015.
Mental Health Services Data
Ceisteanna (202)
Bríd Smith
Ceist:202. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of clinical psychologists in counties Laois and Offaly primary care psychology who were available for children with mental health complaints in each of the past ten years; the number of children referred to them; the number who were seen for a psychology assessment; the number who were offered follow-up interventions by them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28356/18]
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.
National Maternity Hospital Status
Ceisteanna (203, 204)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:203. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in finalising the deal with St. Vincent's healthcare group with regard to the future of the national maternity hospital; the nature of the agreement in respect of the site to be provided; the outstanding impediments to the completion of the deal; the timescale to which he is working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28357/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRóisín Shortall
Ceist:204. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the new national maternity hospital will remain in public ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28358/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together.
The terms of the Mulvey agreement provide for the establishment of a new company which will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services.
At present, a draft legal framework is being finalised which will ensure that the State's significant investment in the new maternity hospital will be protected. This framework will also further underpin the operational and clinical independence of the new hospital; it is intended that the new hospital building will remain in State ownership.
This work has proven to be highly complex and, consequently, taken some time to progress. While completion of the detailed legal agreement will require further engagement between both hospitals, the HSE and my Department, I can confirm that a broad understanding has been reached on the way forward.
Cancer Screening Programmes
Ceisteanna (205)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:205. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the origin of the further 46 identified cases referred to in media reports (details supplied); the way in which these cases were identified; if the women concerned have all been contacted; the number of cases being dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28359/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The CervicalCheck clinical audit process included 1,482 cases of cervical cancer notified to CervicalCheck since 2008. In April, the Serious Incident Management Team identified that there were 209 women for whom clinical audit results should have been disclosed but that in the majority of cases, this had not happened. The initial focus was on ensuring these 209 women were communicated with.
At that time, there were a further 46 cases of the overall 1,482 for which clinical audit had been initiated but not completed. The clinical audit process for 12 of these cases was finalised in recent days. The HSE has advised that open disclosure of these newly available results to the women concerned is currently underway. The aim is to ensure disclosure is completed in a timely, sensitive and appropriate manner, as should always be the case, recognising the impact on women of previous failings in this regard.
Cancer Screening Programmes
Ceisteanna (206)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:206. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if all the women and families affected by the CervicalCheck scandal have now been contacted; the number of support packages that have been put in place; and the reason for the delay in finalising outstanding packages of supports [28360/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Contact has been made with 208 of the 209 women who were part of the original audit whose cytology results were known to have a different interpretation as a result of the audit. The one remaining woman who has not yet been informed has emigrated. Efforts are continuing to contact this woman through Department of Foreign Affairs.
As of 22 June, HSE Liaison Officers had held 155 face-to-face meetings with individuals affected to discuss their needs and the process of issuing medical cards and delivering other services, such as counselling, is well underway.
It is important to note that every individual’s circumstances will be unique to them and thus the HSE has taken care to respect the wishes of the women and their families regarding the timing of contacts and subsequent meetings. Where meetings have not yet been held, this reflects the wishes of the individuals concerned either to meet at a future date that suits them or, in some instances, not to take up the offer of support.
Arrangements to make an ex gratia payment of €2,000 as recommended by Dr Gabriel Scally in his Progress Report of 11 June to each of the women affected or, where a woman has died, to their next-of-kin, are being coordinated through the HSE Liaison Officers. The provision of these payments has begun and the HSE aims to have all the payments processed by the end of June, subject to banking details being provided.
Cancer Screening Programmes
Ceisteanna (207)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:207. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the undertaking that the women and families affected by the CervicalCheck scandal would not be brought through the courts and that the State would enter into mediation; the number of offers of mediation that have been made; the number that have agreed to the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28361/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The SCA, in collaboration with the relevant laboratories in the individual cases, is committed to resolving these cases in line with the principles outlined by the Government, expediting resolution of the cases in a sensitive manner, utilising mediation wherever possible and placing a high priority on treating the people who have made the claims, and their families, with dignity and compassion.
Subject to the express wishes of any particular claimant to choose otherwise, the SCA is committed to ensuring that the cases are resolved through mediation rather than through the Courts. In that regard, the SCA will offer mediation in all of the cases. Currently, mediation has been offered in four cases where the cases are being case-managed by the High Court. In one of the cases where mediation was offered, the claimant declined mediation and a settlement of that case was arrived at by means of lawyer to lawyer negotiations.
Open Disclosures Policy
Ceisteanna (208)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:208. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to follow through on the commitment to introduce mandatory open disclosure; and the timescale proposed for its completion. [28362/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government recently gave approval to the drafting of legislative provisions to provide for mandatory open disclosure through the development of the General Scheme of a Patient Safety Bill. The General Scheme has been developed by officials of my Department, with a view to having this item brought to the Government for consideration in early July 2018. It is hoped that it will be possible to have the Bill referred to the Oireachtas in order for Parliamentary Counsel to commence drafting of the legislation shortly thereafter.
These provisions to provide for mandatory open disclosure of serious patient safety incidents will be in addition to the provisions for open disclosure contained in the Civil Liability (Amendment) Act 2017. The Regulations to prescribe the process for open disclosure in line with the Civil Liability (Amendment) Act 2017 are also being drafted at present and are expected to be finalised shortly.
The Patient Safety Bill, in addition to addressing mandatory open disclosure will also provide for a number of other important patient safety concerns, including in relation to mandatory reporting of serious incidents to an appropriate regulatory body such as HIQA, enabling the Minister for Health to issue guidance in relation to clinical audit, and extending the remit of HIQA to private hospitals.
HSE Board
Ceisteanna (209)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:209. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the reinstatement of the HSE board; and his views on whether this will be completed by the 2018 summer recess of Dáil Éireann. [28363/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The legislation to establish an independent Board for the HSE is being drafted as a priority and the Minister expects to publish the Bill in July. The Minister hopes to have cross-party support to bring the Bill through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible to ensure its early passage, subject to the legislative schedule. He intends to establish the Board once the legislation has been passed.
Health Services Reports
Ceisteanna (210)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:210. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of Sláintecare; the reason for the delay in appointing a lead executive to head up the implementation office; and when the appointment will be made. [28364/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The successful delivery of the ambitious reform plans envisaged in the Sláintecare report will be a significant undertaking and needs to be translated into a detailed and phased programme of work to be delivered over a ten year timeframe. In this regard, my Department is currently finalising an implementation plan in response to the Sláintecare report, with a focus on the initial three year period. It is my intention to bring proposals to Government before the summer recess and to publish the implementation plan shortly thereafter. While I accept that this is later than originally envisaged, it is important that we get it right.
I have already acted on several of the specific recommendations proposed in the Sláintecare report. A Sláintecare Programme Office is being established in the Department of Health and a provision of €1 million was made available for the Office in Budget 2018. This office will be tasked with implementing a programme of reform, as agreed by Government, arising from the Sláintecare Report. The process for the appointment of an Executive Director to lead the Sláintecare Programme Office has been managed independently by the Public Appointments Service. This has been a thorough process involving a national and international executive search. An appointment will be made shortly.
An independent board for the HSE is being established as recommended in the Sláintecare report. The General Scheme of a Bill has been published and it is hoped that legislation will be enacted this year.
The Sláintecare Report recommended the removal of private practice from public hospitals. I have established an Independent Review Group to examine how private practice can be removed from public hospitals. It will report later this year.
A public consultation on the geographical alignment of Hospital Groups and Community Healthcare Organisations has recently been completed and responses are being analysed. This will inform work on broader health service structural reform as recommended in the Sláintecare report.
Finally, the Government has demonstrated significant commitment to invest in our health and social care services since the publication of the Sláintecare report. Funding for new initiatives in Budget 2018 were closely aligned with proposals in Sláintecare. In addition, funding of €10.9 billion has been ear-marked for health projects in the National Development Plan. This will include the development of primary care centres, community diagnostics, community care beds and additional acute hospital capacity, including three elective facilities.
This is the first time in the history of the State that cross-party consensus of this scale has been achieved on health policy and I welcome this. I intend to harness the consensus generated by the Report to move forward with a significant programme of health reform. The Government is committed to making tangible improvements in our health service and the Sláintecare Report provides the direction of travel for this.
Residential Institutions
Ceisteanna (211)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:211. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if a supervised residential facility will be found urgently for a person (details supplied) before harm comes to them or others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28373/18]
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.
Audiology Services Provision
Ceisteanna (212)
Bobby Aylward
Ceist:212. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if a review of services provided to 1,000 children by an audiologist in the south east is being carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28382/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE advises that it is proceeding with a precautionary recall of children and young adults in CHO5 (Counties Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipperary) for further assessment following an audit, as part of a quality assurance process.
This recall follows an analysis of the quality of service delivery in the area against the standards for such services that were set out in the National Audiology Review Group Report (2011). Since 2011, the recommendations of this Report, including clinical governance and quality assurance processes, have been the benchmark for the quality of service delivery throughout the country.
Electric Vehicles
Ceisteanna (213)
John Brady
Ceist:213. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if e-car charging points are provided at his Department's buildings in Dublin or in other locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28397/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department's new Headquarters in Miesian Plaza has two e-charging points.
Health Services Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (214)
Thomas Byrne
Ceist:214. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the status of the recruitment by the HSE of 19 speech and language therapists and 12 occupational therapists to work with the 150 schools and pre-schools in a pilot project in CHO 7. [28404/18]
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.
TAMS Applications
Ceisteanna (215)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:215. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 461 of 22 May 2018, the status of a TAMS II application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28101/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The applicant submitted a claim for payment on 1 June 2018 for investment items carried out under the Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme of TAMS II. A number of deficiencies were identified during the course of the pre-payment validation checks with the documents submitted. A query letter was issued to the applicant on 6 June 2018 detailing the issues concerned and the appropriate corrective action required. The applicant was requested to submit a reply to the queries raised within 10 working days from this notification. To date, the applicant has not responded to the queries raised and the issues remain outstanding.
Live Exports
Ceisteanna (216)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:216. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the conditions pertaining to the movement of live cattle North and South and exports of live cattle to Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28109/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Live exports are an important component of Ireland’s livestock industry. I am conscious of the vital role they play in stimulating price competition, and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers.
Last year my Department reduced the veterinary inspection fee payable on live exports of calves under three months of age to €1.20 per animal, from €4.80. This gave an important boost to the trade in young calves, and brought greater equity in the fees payable for calves, weanlings and adult cattle.
Movement of cattle to Northern Ireland increased by 1, 542 head to over 26, 000 head from 2016 to 2017, while there was a decrease in exports to Great Britain by 724 to 5, 900 head in the same period. In 2018 to date nearly 8, 600 have been moved to NI, with over 3, 200 moved to GB.
Movement of cattle between EU Member States is subject to a number of conditions. Animals must be properly identified, undergo a veterinary inspection, be fit to travel, and be accompanied by an Intra-Community Trade Animal Health Certificate (ITAHC), issued under the EU TRACES system by my Department. Cattle are usually exported from approved assembly centres and must complete a 30-day residency period on a holding (this does not apply to cattle for slaughter) and a TB test prior to export.
Basic Payment Scheme Appeals
Ceisteanna (217)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:217. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied); the reason for the delay in making a decision in relation to this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28110/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The representatives of the person named contacted my Department in May 2017 with regard to the Potential Unused Entitlement Notification which issued in April 2017.
My Department explained to the solicitor that if a Basic Payment Scheme application was submitted for 2016/2017, the unused entitlements would be reviewed.
An official from my Department has forwarded 2016 and 2017 application forms to the representatives of the person named. This will facilitate the lodging of an appeal with my Department.