Written Answers Nos. 1820-1839
1820. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the allocation of funding to an organisation (details supplied) as following a cut in its financial allocation it has had to cut back on beds and respite services for children with profound needs. [35105/18]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
1821. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for home help hours in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35111/18]
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.
1822. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if the recent Children and Family Relationships (Amendment) Act 2018 addresses the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied). [35114/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Children and Family Relationships (Amendment) Bill 2018 passed the Houses of the Oireachtas on 17 July 2018. This Bill was introduced to correct typographical and technical errors in the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, which will facilitate the subsequent commencement of Parts 2 & 3 of the Act. It is important to note that the Children and Family Relationships (Amendment) Bill 2018 does not change any of the substantive provisions or the policy intention of Parts 2 & 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015. It is intended that Parts 2 & 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act will be commenced in the autumn of 2018.
Parts 2 & 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 provide for the criteria governing the performance of a donor-assisted human reproduction procedure. These provisions apply to heterosexual couples, female same sex couples and single women who undergo a donor-assisted human reproduction procedure, where the procedure was carried out in the State and where the child is born in the State.
Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 specifically relate to donor-assisted human reproduction procedures where the intending mother is also the birth mother. As such they do not encompass surrogacy. Provisions relating to the regulation of surrogacy in Ireland are included in the general scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017.
The General Scheme is published on the Department of Health's website and the Joint Committee on Health is currently conducting a review of the General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017 as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process, which began in January of this year.
1823. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the status of funding for the National Office of Suicide Prevention over the past five years to date in 2018. [35115/18]
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.
1824. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the approximate waiting time for a cataract operation in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin 2. [35116/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for
Government and in 2018 €50 million was allocated to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to provide treatment for patients.
Under the Inpatient and Day Case Action Plan, which was launched earlier this year, the HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital procedures. The NTPF will deliver additionally to the health system with the provision of 22,000 Inpatient Day Case treatments through both outsourcing and HSE insourcing.
The Action Plan places a particular focus on cataract surgery and includes a commitment to offer treatment to all cataract patients who are clinically suitable for treatment at outsourced facilities and who have been waiting more than 9 months for treatment.
In addition, my Department is continuing to work with the HSE and the NTPF to identify sustainable initiatives to improve waiting times.
The NTPF advises that the average waiting time for a cataract operation at the Royal Victoria Eye & Ear Hospital is 163 days.
1825. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the details of proposals (details supplied) over the 2011 to 2018 period on an annual basis in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35144/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is currently being compiled by my Department and will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1826. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has all necessary information and permissions to ensure the immediate opening of a tendering process for the planned modular catheterisation lab at University Hospital Waterford; the timeframe that such a procurement process will take; when the new lab will begin functioning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35185/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the HSE to proceed with next steps on the provision of a modular cath lab at UHW. I understand that the timeframe for the development of modular builds, as outlined by the HSE, must include tendering, project design work, planning, construction and commissioning, such that the project will take until next year to deliver. I have asked the HSE to revert to my Department with proposed timescales and costings as soon as possible to allow for consideration in the context of the 2019 estimates and capital planning processes.
1827. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the allocation of the €55 million in new funding for mental health in 2018; the additional or new services being provided in 2018; and the funding provided to each; and if he will provide a CHO breakdown of the funding; and the additional posts being provided in each in tabular form. [35209/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1828. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of new whole-time equivalent positions the allocation of the €55 million in new funding for mental health in 2018 will ultimately provide; the number of such positions now in place; the number of positions in each category (details supplied) in tabular form. [35210/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1829. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the spend on agency staff for mental health services in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and the original estimate for expenditure for mental health agency staff in each year. [35211/18]
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.
1830. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have received mental health services under the treatment abroad scheme in each of the past five years. [35212/18]
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.
1831. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the allocation of the posts from the 2015 €35 million funding for mental health; the number of posts this allocation supports; the number that have been filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35213/18]
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.
1832. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the allocation of the posts from the 2016 €35 million funding for mental health; the number of posts this allocation supports; the number that have been filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35214/18]
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.
1833. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the allocation of the posts from the 2017 €15 million funding for mental health; the number of posts this allocation supports; the number that have been filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35215/18]
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.
1834. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the status of the health (transport support) Bill; the projected costs of reintroducing a mobility allowance and motorised transport scheme to new applicants in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35247/18]
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 2013, 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 not possible to provide an estimated cost of a new scheme 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 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.
1835. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the national public genome projects in European countries such as Finland, Denmark, Estonia and England; the work undertaken to assess the impact of an Irish public genome project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35248/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1836. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 16 EU Ministers for health signed a declaration in Brussels in April 2018 to pursue a public project to sequence 1 million European genomes; the reason Ireland did not participate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35249/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1835 and 1836 together.
I am aware that Genomic research and Genomic medicine, as a field, has the potential to change the way we prevent, manage and treat disease. Dramatic advances in our understanding of the molecular basis of human physiology and disease over the last decade have yielded enormous insights that may offer new and better ways to improve health and tackle disease. My Department is aware of the developments across Europe and Internationally and are monitoring advances in this area.
I am also aware that around the world Governments and other public funders are actively engaged in discourse and initiatives to consider how best to progress population-based genomic sequencing projects and the advancement of genomic medicine. This includes the need to better understand the value proposition for healthcare systems and patients, the rationale for public and private investment and clarity regarding roles, responsibilities and governance issues. Evidence regarding costs, cost effectiveness and financial sustainability, legal and ethical considerations, implications for bio-banking and data infrastructure and public acceptability issues that accompany the joint pursuit of health and commercial interests are also important.
My Department and the Health Research Board, is aware of the opportunities that exist in this area and the issues that arise and are considering this as part of a broader based R&D strategic approach for the health system. An important part of my Department’s priorities in this overall context relate to the introduction of a national biobanking policy, which is currently being considered within my Department. This would include membership of important European Research Infrastructures such as “Biobanking and BioMolecular Resources Research Infrastructure” (BBMRI) and the European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network (ECRIN). The introduction of a new Internationally Recognised Standard (ISO) which will govern the collection, curation and storage of human biological specimens will also be valuable in contributing to this national infrastructure. The issue of establishing a national, harmonised system for research ethics approval is also being looked at. Work is being advanced on Regulations, aligned with GDPR, for the processing of identifiable data for the purposes of health research to ensure that patients maintain confidence and trust that their information is used in a sound, ethical and secure manner. Consideration of a national approach to personalised medicine, a key issue in this context, is also under consideration.
As the Deputy points out a number of EU countries signed a political declaration 'Towards access to a million genomes in Europe’ or the MEGA Project last April.
While I am supportive of this initiative and welcome the over-arching aims and goals it is important to note that Ireland's national policy in relation to personalised medicine, genomics and biobanks more broadly is under development and it was decided it would not be timely for Ireland to sign up to the initiative in April. I will however keep the matter under review.
1838. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the breakdown by project for the capital allocation of €493 million in 2018 to his Vote group; the breakdown by project for the proposed allocation of €667 million in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35251/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe capital funding for the public health services in the ten years of the National Development Plan 2018 to 2027 is €10.9 billion. This funding will provide a real, long-term opportunity to improve our health services, drive down waiting lists, increase bed capacity, reform pathways of care and modernise how we deliver services through eHealth and the implementation of Sláintecare.
The National Development Plan outlines capital funding for the Health sector for the next five years (2018 to 2022).
|
National Development Plan |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Health Sector |
€493m |
€667m |
€724m |
€780m |
€825m |
The major priority Government projects currently in development comprise:
- National Forensic Mental Health Services Hospital at Portrane,
- New Children’s Hospital along with the Paediatric Outpatient and Urgent Care Centres at Connolly and Tallaght Hospitals,
- National Rehabilitation Hospital Phase I
- National Plan for Radiation Oncology at Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Galway,
- Primary Care Centre Infrastructure Programme,
- Relocation of the National Maternity Hospital to the St Vincent’s University Hospital campus,
- Long-term residential accommodation programmes for older people (Community Nursing Home Programme) and peoples with disabilities to address regulatory standards for accommodation.
1839. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the full-time equivalent number of staff positions in the health services whose role is to process payments relating to private health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35252/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
