Written Answers Nos. 366-390
366. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if the practice employed by the primary care reimbursement service, whereby a medical card can be cancelled far in advance of a letter being received by applicants advising them that their application has been refused, will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37294/18]
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.
367. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health why an applicant's parents have to complete a comprehensive means test application form in order for a young person between 16 and 25 years of age to be awarded a discretionary medical card based on health grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37295/18]
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.
368. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if he has reviewed the situation by which some homes owned by persons availing of the fair deal nursing home scheme are left vacant while the person is in a nursing home; his plans to amend the fair deal scheme or the tax treatment of such rental income to encourage some of these properties to be rented out rather than remaining empty during a person's stay in a nursing home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37407/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder NHSS rental income is considered income for the purpose of the financial assessment, and is assessed at 80% less any allowable deductions. Allowable deductions include income tax and, therefore, any income tax arising from rental income should be deducted; other deductions include some health expenses, levies required by law to be paid, and interest on some loans in respect of a person’s principal private residence.
Action 17 of the Strategy for the Rental Sector commits the Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government (DHPLG) to examine the treatment, under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme's financial assessment, of income from the rental of a person's principal private residence where they move into long term residential care. My officials are working with DHPLG officials and examining a number of possible options. I am not in a position, however, to provide detail on these as discussions are ongoing and any potential proposals have not been finalised.
369. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if pay equality for hospital consultants appointed after 2012 will be restored; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties in recruiting and retaining hospital consultants due to this pay inequality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37503/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra457. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his plans to reinstate the new entrant consultant salary rates that were reduced in October 2012 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37301/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra540. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to ensure that consultants appointed post-October 2012 receive equal pay for equal work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37597/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 369, 457 and 540 together.
The Report of the Public Sector Pay Commission published on 4th September specifically addressed a number of health sector grades including consultants, having identified the grade as one where recruitment and retention issues were evident in its first report. In this report the Commission recognised that the implementation of the settlement of the 2008 Consultant Contract claim, while necessary of itself, will serve to highlight further the differential in pay between the pre-existing cadre of consultants and new entrants. It stated that the aggregate level of vacancies for consultant posts at the end of 2017 and evidence of recruitment campaigns with very low levels of applications, suggest a general difficulty recruiting consultants and that a number of factors including the two-tier pay system was among a number of factors raised with it as affecting recruitment.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has noted the process underway regarding the extended salary scales for new entrants across the public service under Section 4 of the Public Service Stability Agreement. Discussions are ongoing with union interests in relation to the new entrant issue and it has confirmed that the outcome to these discussions will encompass the consultants hired on new contracts after 2012. It has also noted that the Report of the Public Service Pay Commission has proposed that the Parties to the Public Service Stability Agreement jointly consider what further measures could be taken, over time, to address the pay differential between pre-existing consultants and new entrant consultants which has increased following the settlement of the 2008 Consultant Contract claim.
370. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the role his particular Department has in the implementation of the Sláintecare report. [37320/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI obtained Government approval in July for the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy to deliver the vision outlined for our health system in the Sláintecare Report produced by the Future of Healthcare Committee.
The Implementation Strategy recognises that strong leadership and clear governance will be essential to success and it clearly sets out the implementation and governance structures for Sláintecare. The Minister for Health is accountable to the Oireachtas for implementation and will report regularly on progress. The Cabinet Committee on Health, chaired by the Taoiseach will provide overall strategic direction and will oversee implementation, ensuring leadership at the highest level.
A High Level Delivery Board comprising the Secretaries General of the Departments of Health, Taoiseach and Public Expenditure and Reform, the CEO of the HSE and the Sláintecare Executive Director will be established to ensure effective delivery of agreed plans and resourcing of the Sláintecare reform programme.
A Sláintecare Programme Office has recently been established in the Department of Health, which will drive the implementation of the Strategy. The office is led by an Executive Director with vast experience of large scale change and it will be resourced with a team with the appropriate skill mix to deliver the reform programme. The Office will establish the programme of reform as approved by Government and put in place the governance arrangements, processes, structures and resources to implement it.
371. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the political advisers being used by Ministers and Ministers of State in his Department since the commencement of this Government; the commencement dates of the employment of each; and the cessation dates of same employment in cases in which that applies. [36701/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following table.
|
Minister/Minister of State |
Special Adviser |
Start Date |
End Date if applicable |
|
Simon Harris T.D. |
Joanne Lonergan |
25/05/2016 |
N/A |
|
Majella Fitzpatrick |
30/05/2016 |
14/06/2017 |
|
|
Kathyann Barrett |
14/06/2017 |
07/09/2018 |
|
|
Finian McGrath T.D. |
Damian O’Farrell |
09/05/2016 |
N/A |
|
Gerard Maguire |
12/09/2016 |
N/A |
|
|
Jim Daly T.D. |
Darren Hourihane |
07/09/2017 |
N/A |
|
Catherine Byrne T.D. |
Nicola Clavin |
01/05/2018 |
N/A |
372. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 165 of 14 June 2018, the status of negotiations on the pay restoration issue for staff employed by section 39 bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36991/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra499. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 562 and 785 of 7 September 2018, the reason organisations should return to the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, if the HSE audit found that staff were subject to pay cuts and therefore due restoration; when the requisite funding will be made available to those organisations by the HSE or his Department to pay overdue pay restoration rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37457/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 372 and 499 together.
You will be aware that in February 2018, an agreement was reached at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) between my Department, the HSE and health sector Trade Unions in relation to a process aimed at resolving the pay restoration issue for staff employed by section 39 bodies.
I asked the HSE to engage with the Section 39 organisations to establish the facts around what cuts were applied and how and when they were implemented. The HSE has completed the first phase of their work in relation to the 50 agencies identified as part of the WRC process. This exercise has shown that of the agencies who returned data, a majority did apply pay reductions of some form. It also showed that some agencies made some form of pay restoration between 2016 and 2018.
Two conciliation meetings took place between the parties at the WRC in July 2018. Unfortunately, the unions withdrew from this process and SIPTU indicated its intention to proceed with industrial action on 18 September 2018.
However, I am pleased to say that on 14 September, SIPTU agreed to the deferral of industrial action in favour of reconvening talks on the issues in dispute at the WRC. These talks will commence on 18 September 2018.
373. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health his plans to amend the Pharmacy Act 2007 to incorporate pharmaceutical assistants, PAs, into mandatory continuing professional development, CPD, and fitness-to-practice regulations to allow them to cover for temporary or unscheduled short absences by pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36993/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pharmacy Act 2007 is based on the premise that patients and members of the public expect that a pharmacist will be available and working within a pharmacy when they visit to have medicines dispensed or to obtain advice on a health matter. The Act provides a robust framework of public safety assurance by requiring that the pharmacist is subject to mandatory CPD, Fitness to Practice, a Code of Conduct and a Core Competency Framework
A clinical governance framework governing the operation of registered Retail Pharmacy Businesses is created by Sections 26, 27, 28 and 29 of the Pharmacy Act 2007, and Regulations made under Section 18 of the Act further elucidate the specific responsibilities of the pharmacy owner, the superintendent pharmacist, the supervising pharmacist and the registered pharmacist.
Under the Pharmacy Act 2007, the sale and supply of medicinal products must be carried out by or under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacist at all times. Section 30 of the Act allows however for an exceptional circumstance where a registered pharmaceutical assistant may act on behalf of a registered pharmacist during the temporary absence of the registered pharmacist.
Section 30 also permits the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) to make rules as to:
1. What may or may not be done by a registered pharmaceutical assistant when acting on behalf of a registered pharmacist; and
2. What constitutes the temporary absence of a registered pharmacist.
In June, the Council of the Society approved for issuance for public consultation the proposed draft Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2018. This public consultation commenced on 17 July and ran until 14 August and afforded any interested party the opportunity to make representations on the matter directly to the PSI.
Following completion of the public consultation phase, I understand that the Council of the PSI will consider the proposed draft Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2018 at its next meeting scheduled on the 20th September 2018. The results of the public consultation undertaken in this regard will be available to the Council. In circumstances where the Council approve these draft rules (with/without amendment), these will then be forwarded to me for my consideration and consent in line with requirements of Section 30 of the Act.
The Pharmacy Act 2007 does not currently make provision for mandatory CPD for registered Pharmaceutical Assistants, or for application of the Fitness to Practice framework as specified in Part 6 of the Act; these two criteria are distinct and separate from the registered pharmaceutical assistant being in a position to act in the temporary absence of the pharmacist.
374. 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. [36999/18]
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.
375. 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. [37000/18]
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.
376. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a medical appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37001/18]
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.
377. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the reason an assessment of need will take two years in the case of a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that the Disability Act 2005 states that the assessment must be completed within six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37003/18]
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.
378. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37005/18]
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.
379. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the capital projects being developed at Sligo University Hospital and a hospice (details supplied); the status of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37012/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
380. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be scheduled. [37013/18]
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.
381. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the provision of primary care psychology services in Maynooth, County Kildare, with particular reference to the importance of early intervention with such services; his further plans to expand upon current services in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37016/18]
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.
382. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason thiamine is not available for free under the medical card scheme in circumstances in which it is prescribed by a general practitioner or hospital consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37017/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra383. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason medication for B12 deficiency is not available for free to those with a medical card in circumstances in which it is prescribed by a medical practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37018/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 383 together.
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
384. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37021/18]
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.
385. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37025/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
386. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health to whom a person's (details supplied) family can apply to obtain transport to allow the person to attend a centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37026/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
387. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if transport will be put in place by the HSE in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [37027/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
388. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to have cataracts removed at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37031/18]
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.
389. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if primary care centres and-or general practitioners are bound by particular geographical areas; if there is a primary care or general practitioner geographical dispersion similar to community healthcare organisations and hospital groups; and, if so, the details and boundary maps of same. [37033/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
390. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37034/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
