Written Answers Nos. 1660-1679
1660. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the long waiting times for funding for orthodontics to be approved by the HSE for persons with disabilities in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the waiting period for this type of funding in the counties in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33978/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
1661. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting a primary care psychology appointment in counties Cavan and Monaghan more than three, six, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33979/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1705. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting a primary care psychology appointment in counties Cavan and Monaghan for three, six, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34336/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1706. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to provide primary care psychology appointments to children in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34337/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1661, 1705 and 1706 together.
As these question(s) relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
1662. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of day places available for training young persons with disabilities by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33980/18]
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.
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.
1663. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for home help hours in each county, by new applicants and those waiting for additional hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33981/18]
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.
1664. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of short-term beds in each area in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the funding available to each area for service arrangements and grant aid agreements for older persons in community healthcare organisation 1 in each of the years 2016 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33982/18]
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.
1665. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the way in which the HSE is designating home help hours to its external agency carers in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33983/18]
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.
1666. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the home help hours allocated for counties Cavan and Monaghan from 2010 to 2018; the number of applications received in this period, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33984/18]
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.
1667. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if extra full-time carer positions for the provision of home help hours in counties Cavan and Monaghan will be funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33985/18]
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.
1668. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if concerns in relation to ambulance response times in north County Meath, particularly in the Drumconrath area, will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33987/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
1669. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the publication of the HSE performance reports; when the reports will be made publicly accessible; the platform on which they will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33988/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublication of the HSE’s performance reports takes place on a quarterly basis throughout the year and all reports are made available on the HSE’s website at the following link: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/
Publication of the October-December 2017 performance reports was originally scheduled to take place at the end of February, 2018 but this was delayed pending finalisation of the HSE’s Annual Financial Statements (AFS) 2017. This process was completed in mid-June and the October-December 2017 performance reports were published on 18 June, 2018. This was followed by publication of the January-March 2018 performance reports on 17 July, 2018.
Publication of the performance reports is now on schedule. The next performance reports to be published will cover the April-June 2018 period and these are expected to be published by the HSE towards the end of September, 2018.
1670. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the cost of insurance under headings (details supplied) for his Department and each body under its aegis; the cost of the premium for 2018 or the premium paid in 2018 if the policy year straddles two calendar years; the comparable premium amount paid in 2017; the number of outstanding insurance claims against his Department or bodies under its aegis; the estimated cost of those claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34001/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy's question, my Department operates under State Indemnity, a self-insurance model whereby the State bears the financial risk associated with the cost of claims. The approach is set out in the Public Financial Procedures at C8 Section 11 whereby the general rule is that no insurance should be effected against the risk of any loss which, if it arose would fall wholly and directly on public funds. This is based on the understanding that the risks for which Government is liable are innumerable and widely distributed and losses maturing in any one year are never so large as to materially disturb the financial position of the year, so that it is cheaper in the long term for the Exchequer to "carry its own insurance".
The National Treasury Management Agency is designated as the State Claims Agency (SCA) when performing the claims and risk management functions delegated to it under the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2000. Since the establishment of the SCA, the management of claims functions has been delegated to the Agency. It currently manages claims and risks on behalf of 139 delegated State Authorities, including the Department of Health.
I have also forwarded you question to the HSE for direct reply. Details for other bodies under the aegis of the Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
1671. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce an assistive technology passport; and the estimated cost of introducing same. [34041/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis matter falls under my remit as Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the matter of assistive technologies to aid people with disabilities is a single element which forms part of the Government’s wider policy to provide the necessary supports to enable people with disabilities to access education, and to enter and remain in employment.
To assist in achieving these aims, the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 – 2021 is a whole of Government approach to improving the lives of people with disabilities both in a practical sense, and also in creating the best possible opportunities for people with disabilities to fulfil their potential. It is intended that the Strategy will make a significant difference over its lifetime to the position of people with disabilities in Irish society.
The Strategy is envisaged as a ‘living document,’ and includes over 100 measureable and time specific actions based around the following eight themes:
- Equality and Choice;
- Joined up policies and public services;
- Education;
- Employment;
- Health and Wellbeing;
- Person centred disability services;
- Living in the Community; and
- Transport and Accessible Places
As part of the Strategy, the Government will develop proposals to address access to, or affordability of necessary aids, appliances or assistive technologies required for everyday living, for those people with disabilities whose entry, retention or return to work could be jeopardised due to being unable to afford these items. I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to developing plans to implement the most viable of these proposals.
In addition to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the Government also has a dedicated, specific initiative underway to assist people with disabilities to enter into and remain in meaningful employment.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Comprehensive Employment Strategy 2015 – 2024 is a ten-year cross-government approach that brings together actions by different Departments and State agencies in a concerted effort to address the barriers and challenges that impact on employment of people with disabilities.
The primary purpose of the Strategy is to ensure that people with disabilities who are able to, and want to, work are supported and enabled to do so. In tandem with that, it seeks to ensure there will be joined-up services and supports at local level to support individuals on their journey into and in employment. The Strategy's six strategic priorities are:
- Build skills, capacity and independence
- Provide bridges and supports into work
- Make work pay (the Make Work Pay Report was launched in April 2016 and many of its recommendations are already being implemented).
- Promote job retention and re-entry to work
- Provide coordinated and seamless support
- Engage employers
The Comprehensive Employment Strategy includes a range of practical measures to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. For example, a national employer helpline was launched in January 2016 to provide expert guidance and peer support to employers in relation to the employment of staff with disabilities. Also, there will be an increase in the public sector employment quota from 3% to 6% on a phased basis to 2024, and arrangements are also being put in place for dedicated recruitment channels for people with disabilities.
Implementation of the Strategy is monitored by a working group under the direction of an independent chairperson. This group is tasked with monitoring the progress of the six strategic priorities of the strategy, and with the assistance with representatives and stakeholders from the disability sector, ensures that each Government Department is fulfilling its obligations and meeting its targets.
The Deputy will also note that the implementation of both of these Strategies is supported by the allocation of funding of some €1.772bn in 2018 for health and personal social services to address the wide and complex range of services and supports for people with disabilities. This is an increase of some €92 million than was available last year.
Taking the measures I have outlined above into consideration, and while recognising the Deputy’s request for a specific tool in the form of an AT Passport, it is the Government’s policy to ensure that the optimal and sustainable supports for people with disabilities under both Strategies are identified and are put in place, before committing to specific individual actions in isolation.
1672. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when additional facilities and services will be provided at a hospital (details supplied) which provides a particular treatment for patients from a large part of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34046/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
1673. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when additional services will be provided for counties Cavan and Monaghan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34047/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
1674. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the number of magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, scanners in University Hospital Limerick; the number of scans carried out during the week from Monday to Friday; the number of scans carried out at weekends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34065/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
1675. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the number of days in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018 that magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, scanners were out of operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34066/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
1676. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health when carers are expected to receive a free general practitioners' visit card following the passing of legislation recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34069/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2017, the Government announced that additional funding would be provided to enable all carers in receipt of Carer's Allowance to qualify for a GP visit card. Government approval was given on the 11 April to provide GP services without fees to persons in receipt of either full or half rate Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit and to draft the Heads of Bill to legislate for this provision.
Following the passing of the Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2018 on July 11th, 2018 , 14,000 additional Carers are now to receive Free GP Care.
The Bill means that those in receipt of either full or half rate Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit will be automatically eligible for a GP service free of charge.
Following the passage of the legislation, the HSE will now undertake the necessary operational requirements so that applications for the new services, in both paper and online format, will be in place by 1st September 2018.
1677. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of restoring distance coding and increasing the rural practice allowance to amounts (details supplied), in tabular form. [34070/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2009, a number of reductions have been applied under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 (FEMPI) to the fees and allowances paid to healthcare professionals, including GPs who provide services under the GMS scheme.
The “distance code” was removed as a factor in calculating GP fees and allowances in 2010 under FEMPI. Certain fees payable to GPs such as capitation and out of hours fees varied according to a patient's age, gender and distance of their residence from the GP's surgery.
To accurately cost a reinstatement of the previous "distance code" arrangement would require a detailed exercise by the HSE, which would involve establishing a database for the current population of GMS patients containing their age, gender and distance of their residence from their GP's surgery. As the HSE does not maintain such a database, it is not possible to provide a cost estimate in respect of this element of the Deputy's question.
Regulations were signed on 5 May 2016 which provide for the introduction of the new Rural Practice Support Framework (RPSF), which includes improved qualifying criteria for rural support and an increase in the financial allowance from €16,216.07 to €20,000 per annum.
Under this Framework, if two practice units are providing general practitioner services in the same qualifying area, both practices may qualify for a modified allowance of €10,000. GPs holding a permanent GMS contract who received the Rural Practice Allowance of €16,216.07 immediately prior to the introduction of the new Regulations who do not meet the new qualifying criteria continue to receive the payment on a personal basis, provided they retain their contractual commitment to the remote rural area.
As at 1 July 2018, there are 257 practice units in receipt of rural supports under the RPSF. 179 practices receive the full financial allowance of €20,000 and 22 practices receive the modified allowance of €10,000.
The estimated full year costs of increasing the existing allowance to the amounts specified by the Deputy, and the corresponding modified allowance to half of these amounts, based on the current number of GPs qualifying for allowances under the RPSF, are set out in the table below. Any increase in the financial allowance under the new RPSF would only apply to those practices that qualify under the new criteria, therefore these costings have excluded the 56 GPs who currently receive the old financial allowance of €16,216.07.
Estimated costs of increasing the current full allowance available under the Rural Practice Support Framework to the amounts specified by the Deputy, and the current modified allowance to half of these amounts
|
Estimated costs |
Amount |
|
Increasing Allowance to €21,000 and Modified Allowance to €10,500 |
€ 190,000 |
|
Increasing Allowance to €22,000 and Modified Allowance to €11,000 |
€ 380,000 |
|
Increasing Allowance to €23,000 and Modified Allowance to €11,500 |
€ 570,000 |
|
Increasing Allowance to €24,000 and Modified Allowance to €12,000 |
€ 760,000 |
|
Increasing Allowance to €25,000 and Modified Allowance to €12,500 |
€ 950,000 |
|
Increasing Allowance to €26,000 and Modified Allowance to €13,000 |
€ 1,140,000 |
|
Increasing Allowance to €27,000 and Modified Allowance to €13,500 |
€ 1,330,000 |
|
Increasing Allowance to €28,000 and Modified Allowance to €14,000 |
€ 1,520,000 |
|
Increasing Allowance to €29,000 and Modified Allowance to €14,500 |
€ 1,710,000 |
|
Increasing Allowance to €30,000 and Modified Allowance to €15,000 |
€ 1,900,000 |
1678. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment. [34079/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
1679. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) in relation to ambulance response times. [34080/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
