Written Answers Nos. 1640-1659
1640. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when the new health (transport support) Bill will be finalised and fully implemented to facilitate the new transport support scheme for persons who require assistance and received it previously under the former motorised transport grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33874/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be familiar with the background to the closure of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes in February 2013. Since the closure of the Mobility Allowance, the Government has directed that the Health Service Executive should continue to pay an equivalent monthly payment of up to €208.50 per month to the 4,046 people in receipt of the Mobility Allowance, on an interim basis, pending the establishment of a new Transport Support Scheme. The Motorised Transport Grant operated as a means-tested grant to assist persons with severe disabilities with the purchase or adaptation of a car, where that car was essential to retain employment. The maximum Motorised Transport Grant, which was payable once in any three year period, was €5,020. Following the closure of the scheme in February 2013, no further Motorised Transport Grants have been payable.
The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. The Programme for a Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme to assist those with a disability to meet their mobility costs. I can confirm that work on the policy proposals for the new Scheme is at an advanced stage. The proposals seek to ensure that:
- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;
- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;
- Resources are targeted at those with greatest needs; and
- The Scheme is capable of being costed and is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.
My colleague, the Minister for Health and I recently brought a Memorandum to Government for proposals for a new Transport Support Payment Scheme. Following consideration of the matter, it was decided to withdraw the Memorandum from the cabinet Agenda on 8 May last. I intend to revert to Government with revised proposals to reflect the discussion at Cabinet, in due course. It is not possible to indicate when the proposed Bill will be finalised pending the completion of the revised proposals.
It is important to note that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners, remains in place. This scheme provides VRT and VAT relief, an exemption from road tax and a fuel grant to drivers and passengers with a disability, who qualify under the relevant criteria set out in governing regulations made by the Minister for Finance. Specifically adapted vehicles driven by persons with a disability are also exempt from payment of tolls on national roads and toll bridges. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has responsibility for this particular scheme.
There are improvements in access to a range of transport support schemes available to persons with disabilities in the State and ongoing work is being carried out by Government Departments, agencies and transport providers to further improve access to public transport services. Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of public transport for people with a disability.
1641. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided to tackle problem drinking and alcohol addiction in 2017; and the estimated amount to be provided in 2018. [33880/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1642. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided to tackle drug addiction in 2017; and the estimated amount to be provided in 2018. [33881/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1643. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided to tackle gambling and gambling addiction in 2017; and the estimated amount to be provided in 2018. [33882/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1783. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the cost each year over the next eight years of the implementation of the Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery strategy addressing the harm caused by substance misuse in society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34849/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1877. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the annual budget allocated in 2017 and 2018 for the implementation of Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery: A Health-led Response to Drug and Alcohol Use in Ireland 2017-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35322/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1641 to 1643, inclusive, 1783 and 1877 together.
The Department of Health provided €93.1m to the HSE in its 2017 allocation for the provision addiction services. An additional €6.5 million for drug-related actions was secured in Budget 2018, to support the implementation of the national drugs and alcohol strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery: A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025. This additional funding is being used to expand the availability of drug and alcohol treatment services and to improve health services for drug-users who are homeless.
The monies outlined above are for the provision of addiction treatment services. It is not possible to identify the proportion specifically spent on individual additions. People presenting to the HSE for drug addiction or gambling addiction are offered the same range of interventions, as those with alcohol problems.
I strongly believe that resources should be directed towards interventions that are most effective in reducing problem substance use. Measuring the effectiveness of responses to the drug and alcohol problem is therefore an important objective of public policy. Towards this end, my Department will develop a performance measurement system by 2020 which will improve accountability across all sectors, including the task forces.
1644. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided to tackling smoking in 2017; and the estimated amount to be provided in 2018. [33883/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDistribution and allocation of funding for services provided to tackle smoking comes under the remit of the Health Service Executive and as such I have sent this question to the HSE for direct reply.
1646. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 666 of 12 June 2018, when the information will be supplied in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33890/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's Question No. 666 of 12 June, 2018 was referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for a direct reply to the Deputy. The reply issued to the Deputy on 18 July, 2018. As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have again referred the question to the HSE for a further direct reply to the Deputy.
1647. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be provided with an increase in home help hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33891/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1648. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if the collection of union subscriptions via payroll will be extended to members of an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33897/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1714. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the HSE to facilitate payroll deductions for members of a union (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34369/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1648 and 1714 together.
As the HSE has responsibility for operational matters, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.
1649. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the level of qualification of hospital managers; the educational attainment of each hospital manager, per hospital group, in an anonymised form; the subject area of study, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33903/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.
1650. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the level of qualification and educational attainment including subject area, per grade for each hospital grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33904/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.
1651. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 197 of 21 June 2018, if there have been further developments in regard to the availability through the HSE of the drug Pembrolizumab in view of its potential benefits to patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33964/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies the criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines. As Minister for Health, I do not have any statutory power or function in relation to the reimbursement of medicines.
In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, if a company would like a medicine to be reimbursed by the HSE, the company must submit an application to the HSE to have the new medicine added to the reimbursement list.
Reimbursement is for licenced indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
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).
Pembrolizumab is currently reimbursed for the following indications.
- As monotherapy for the treatment of advanced (unresectable or metastatic) melanoma in adults.
- As monotherapy for first-line treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) in adults whose tumours express PD-L1 with a 50% tumour proportion score (TPS) with no EGFR or ALK positive tumour mutations.
The Department has been informed by the HSE that it is currently deliberating on the following indications for reimbursement.
- As monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma who have failed autologous stem cell transplant and brentuximab vedotin (BV), or who are transplant-ineligible and have failed BV.
- As monotherapy for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC in adults whose tumours express PD-L1 with a 1% TPS and who have received at least one prior chemotherapy regimen. Patients with EGFR or ALK positive tumour mutations should also have received targeted therapy before receiving pembrolizumab.
The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) completed a health technology assessment on 28 May 2018 for this indication. It recommended that pembrolizumab be considered for reimbursement if cost-effectiveness can be improved relative to existing treatments. The HSE will now evaluate this application for reimbursement in line with criteria laid out within the 2013 Act before making a final reimbursement decision.
In addition to this, the HSE has commissioned HTAs on the following indications.
- For first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.
- As monotherapy for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma in adults who have received prior platinum-containing chemotherapy.
There are no other indications for pembrolizumab approved in the European Union at this time. Clinical trials are ongoing globally in relation to a range of other possible indications which may receive marketing authorisation in the EU over the next number of years. Each of those indications will be considered for reimbursement as market authorisations are received.
1652. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when respite care will be provided to assist a person (details supplied). [33965/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
1653. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the reintroduction or replacement of the mobility allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33970/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be familiar with the background to the closure of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes in February 2013. Since the closure of the Mobility Allowance, the Government has directed that the Health Service Executive should continue to pay an equivalent monthly payment of up to €208.50 per month to the 4,046 people in receipt of the Mobility Allowance, on an interim basis, pending the establishment of a new Transport Support Scheme. The Motorised Transport Grant operated as a means-tested grant to assist persons with severe disabilities with the purchase or adaptation of a car, where that car was essential to retain employment. Prior to its closure in 2018, the maximum Motorised Transport Grant, (payable once in any three year period) was €5,020.
The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. The Programme for a Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme to assist those with a disability to meet their mobility costs. I can confirm that work on the policy proposals for the new Scheme is at an advanced stage. The proposals seek to ensure that:
- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;
- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;
- Resources are targeted at those with greatest needs; and
- The Scheme is capable of being costed and is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.
My colleague, the Minister for Health and I recently brought a Memorandum to Government for proposals for a new Transport Support Payment Scheme. Following consideration of the matter, it was decided to withdraw the Memorandum from the cabinet Agenda on 8 May last. I intend to revert to Government with revised proposals to reflect the discussion at Cabinet, in due course.
It is important to note that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners, remains in place. This scheme provides VRT and VAT relief, an exemption from road tax and a fuel grant to drivers and passengers with a disability, who qualify under the relevant criteria set out in governing regulations made by the Minister for Finance. Specifically adapted vehicles driven by persons with a disability are also exempt from payment of tolls on national roads and toll bridges. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has responsibility for this particular scheme.
There are improvements in access to a range of transport support schemes available to persons with disabilities in the State and on-going work is being carried out by Government Departments, agencies and transport providers to further improve access to public transport services. Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of public transport for people with a disability.
1654. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if concerns that ambulance staff who are members of an organisation (details supplied) have balloted for strike action have been addressed; the contingency measures that will be put in place if the ballot proceeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33971/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.
1655. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the discussions that have taken place with an organisation (details supplied) in regard to setting up a centre in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the cost involved; the timeframe for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33973/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1656. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for a home care support package by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33974/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1657. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of persons supported by the fair deal scheme and residing in a nursing home by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33975/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1658. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of CAMHS hours of service available by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33976/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1659. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of young persons on the waiting list for CAMHS services in counties Cavan and Monaghan at the end of December 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33977/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
