Written Answers Nos. 569-593
569. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the waiting times for a service (details supplied); the actions in place to reduce these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37776/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
570. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment. [37780/18]
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.
571. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the length of time a person should have to wait to receive a medical file or record from a hospital after requesting same. [37788/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra572. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the information a hospital is permitted to redact from a person's medical file or record when producing a copy of same following a patient request either through freedom of information, FOI, or the general data protection regulation, GDPR. [37789/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 571 and 572 together.
As the Deputy's questions relate to medical records held by hospitals, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
573. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health if a hospital is permitted to have a mandatory requirement that persons must request their hospital file or record via a freedom of information request. [37790/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraGenerally, access to one's medical records should be provided routinely and administratively, having regard to privacy, confidentiality and the public interest. An application may be made in writing to the appropriate service or agency providing sufficient information (date of birth, current and previous addresses, date of contact with the specific services etc.) to help in locating records.
People may also access their medical records, from publicly funded hospitals, under the Freedom of Information Act, 2014. They may apply in writing to the public body that holds the records and for medical card holders, that public body is the Health Service Executive (HSE). Patients of the public system may also be entitled to their medical records under the Data Protection Acts.
People who attend a private hospital may access their records under the Data Protection Acts.
574. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be arranged for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [37791/18]
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.
575. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if further investment in services (details supplied) at a hospital is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37799/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
577. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will have a procedure performed at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37801/18]
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.
578. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a wheelchair will be made available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37802/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
579. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Queston No. 389 of 26 June 2018, if additional beds will be provided at Naas General Hospital in preparedness for winter 2018-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37806/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that preparations and planning for winter 2018/19 have already begun at hospital group and local level. My Department is working with the HSE to ensure that these local and regional plans are consolidated and supported through a plan at national level to ensure the most effective response to the winter challenges to unscheduled care provision.
As previously outlined to the House, my Department has engaged with the HSE this year to identify the location and mix of beds across the hospital system, which can be opened and staffed this year and into 2019 in order to improve preparedness for Winter 2018/2019. A submission received from the HSE in this regard is currently under consideration by my Department. Furthermore, the funding of this proposal, which is time-critical, is being advanced as part of the 2019 estimates process.
580. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if funding will be approved for the provision of the new medication Spinraza for persons needing this medication in view of its widespread availability to persons in other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37813/18]
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.
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). The NCPE conducts health technology assessments (HTAs) for the HSE and makes recommendations on reimbursement to assist HSE decisions.
The HSE strives to reach a decision in as timely a manner as possible. However, because of the significant monies involved, it must ensure that the best price is achieved, as these commitments are often multi-million euro investments on an ongoing basis. This can lead to a protracted deliberation process.
Nusinersen (Spinraza) is for the treatment of 5q spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
An application for the reimbursement of Nusinersen (Spinraza) is currently being processed by the HSE. No decision has been arrived at as yet as the statutory assessment process is still ongoing.
581. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if the necessary financial resources and personnel will be allocated for the provision of ambulance services in view of the delay in responding to an emergency call (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37814/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Ambulance Service (NAS) Capacity Review, which was published in 2016, identified that additional resources were required to enable the NAS to meet the response time targets set by HIQA. Implementation of the Capacity Review recommendations require a multi-annual programme of phased investment in ambulance manpower, vehicles and technology. In that regard, over recent years there has been a year on year increase in resources provided to the NAS. This year additional funding of €10.7m has been made available, including €2.8m to fund new developments. I should mention that the Capacity Review identified particular challenges in rural areas indicating that the only practical way to improve first response times in such areas was through community first responder (CFR) schemes. The NAS has appointed a Community Engagement Officer in its three operational areas, West, South and North Leinster, to promote and support CFR groups and assist with the establishment of new groups across the country. As the incident referred to by the Deputy is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to him directly.
582. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the amount of the €300 million over budget on current expenditure in the health Vote related to recruitment of new staff; the number of new recruits in 2018 under the health Vote by consultants, non-consultant doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff and by geographic location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37843/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
583. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a pre-asssement appointment to a person (details supplied); the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37845/18]
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.
584. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara an bhfuil ceadúnas cladaigh ag cuideachta (sonraí tugtha) chun píopa uisce a leagan ar an gcladach agus faoin bhfarraige go cliabháin éisc; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [37019/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá mo Roinnse ar an eolas maidir le gníomhartha na cuideachta a ndearna an Teachta tagairt di chun fionnuisce a iompar trasna na hUrthrá trí phíopa chun críocha stoc a chóireáil ar oibríocht cheadúnaithe iasc eite i gCill Chiaráin, Co. na Gaillimhe. De bharr nach léirítear i dtaifid na Roinne an toiliú Urthrá atá de dhíth a bheith ann maidir leis an ngníomhaíocht sin, tá ordú tugtha don chuideachta an píopa a bhaint as agus an Urthrá a chur ar ais mar a bhí.
Tá mo Roinnse ag obair go dlúth leis an gcuideachta ar an ábhar i gcónaí agus é mar aidhm aici go lánchomhlíonfaidh an chuideachta an reachtaíocht infheidhme a rialaíonn úsáid Urthrá an Stáit.
585. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an action (details supplied) under the Action Plan for Rural Development; the number of the jobs targeted that have been created; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37116/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEconomic statistics published June 2018 by SEMRU (Social, Economic and Marine Research Unit, NUIG) provide statistics on Blue Growth. The direct economic value of Ireland’s ocean economy is €2 billion or approximately 1% of GDP. This represents a 21% increase on 2015 figures. The blue economy continues to grow at a faster pace than the general economy. Growth in 2017 was primarily driven by strong performances in aquaculture, sea fisheries, shipping and marine tourism as well as continued growth in emerging ocean industries. Employment in the sector rose from 27,888 (FTEs) in 2015 to an estimated 32,509 (FTEs) in 2017, an increase of 16.6%.
586. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects forestry to play a part in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions annually henceforth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37865/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe national forest estate is an important and expanding reservoir for carbon, at 312 million tonnes. Based on the 2017 National Forest Inventory, Ireland’s forests have removed an average of 3.8 Mt of carbon dioxide equivalents per year from the atmosphere over the period 2007 to 2016. This carbon resource has proven to be of pivotal significance in Ireland achieving its Kyoto target under the first commitment period of 2008-2012.
Removals of greenhouse gases by forests in Ireland cannot contribute to emission reduction targets in the current climate mitigation period (2014 -2020). However, under the now agreed Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) this is no longer the case and Ireland’s existing forest resource is set to play an important part in helping Ireland meet its emission targets in the next climate mitigation period (2021–2030). Flexibilities introduced as part of the ESR agreement mean that Ireland’s forests will be able to account for up to 2.2 million tonnes of carbon each year against our national non-ETS targets up to 2030. In addition, wood harvested from forests is itself a long term, renewable carbon pool and can produce sustainable materials that can substitute emission-dense non-renewable materials and fuels.
587. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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 this applies. [36691/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Appointment of Special Adviser (Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine) Orders 2016 and 2018, the following special advisers have been appointed since I became Minister: Ms Áine Kilroy, Mr Jonathan Hoare and Mr Ultan Waldron.
Two advisers, Mr Hoare and Ms Kilroy, are currently serving, in line with Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act, 1997. The date of appointment of Ms Kilroy and Mr Hoare as stated in the Government Order is 14 June 2017. The order was signed on 19 September 2017. Their contracts terminate at the end of my term as Minister.
The date of appointment of Mr. Waldron as stated in the Government Order is 6th November 2017 and the order was signed on 23rd January 2018. Mr. Waldron was assigned as an adviser to cover a temporary absence and is no longer serving as an adviser.
588. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) to the agriculture appeals office; when a decision on the appeal is expected; if every effort will be made to finalise the appeal as soon as possible in view of the fact that the person has not received payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37029/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agriculture Appeals Office is independent in the performance of its functions.
The independent Agriculture Appeals Office has confirmed that a review of the Appeals Officer's decision was requested. Such requests are generally dealt with in order of receipt. A number of requests for reviews were received prior to the request concerned. It is not possible to give a precise timeframe but I am advised that every effort is being made to finalise the review of the case as soon as possible.
589. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total tonnage and value of Irish, European, shellfish and fish farm landings for Castletownbere and the Beara Peninsula in 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37160/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is the agency with responsibility for recording landings of fish (excluding farmed fish) into Irish ports.
I am informed by the SFPA that landings of fish (excluding farmed fish) by Irish and other EU vessels into Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre in 2016 and 2017 are as set out in the following table. The tonnage of landings from fish farms is also set out in the table.
Table 1.
|
Irish |
Irish |
Foreign |
Foreign |
Farmed Fish |
Farmed Fish |
|
|
Tonnes |
Value |
Tonnes |
Value |
Tonnes |
Value |
|
|
2016 |
14,008 |
€39,142,469 |
25,555 |
€71,673,557 |
5050.6 |
€32,323,840 |
|
2017 |
9,011 |
€31,044,760 |
27,435 |
€81,253,015 |
1522.9 |
€11,138,490 |
590. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 406 of 3 July 2018, the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37210/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) provides for six years of payments to participating farmers for the completion of actions which deliver accelerated genetic improvement in the Irish national herd and the improvement of its environmental sustainability.
The person named submitted an application to join the BDGP in 2015. An application was also received from a family member who subsequently transferred her land and animals to the person named. Under the Terms and Conditions of the BDGP reference land and animals are based on the number of cows that calved in the herd in 2014. After the transfer of the land and animals the person named applied to increase his reference number based on the amalgamation of the two herds. This request was agreed to but due to the requested amalgamation additional animals needed to be genotyped.
Payment has already issued to the person named in respect of his original reference data. A balancing payment for the additional land and animals will issue to the above named applicant in the next round of payments, subject to confirmation of compliance with all of the requirements of the BDGP.
591. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37214/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named appealed a Department decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office that resulted in this case being rejected from GLAS. An oral hearing took place and subsequently the appeals officer found that the Department's decision was correct. A letter issued to the person named and their advisor from the Agriculture Appeals Office on July 25th to outline this.
592. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, due to the high level of ill treatment of horses, the appointment of horse wardens will be considered; and if the appointments could be a condition of the funding for animal welfare to local authorities. [37251/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnimal welfare legislation in the form of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 is administered by professional and technical officers of my Department based at 16 Regional Veterinary Offices located around the country. Investigations under the Act are also carried out by members of an Garda Síochána, officers of Customs and Excise, and officers of both the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The opportunity is open for local authorities to appoint officers of the Authority as authorised officers to enforce the Act within the Authority’s functional area.
Separately, each local authority is responsible for enforcing the Control of Horses Act 1996 and any bye-laws made under that Act by the authority within its functional area.
My Department will, however, continue to work closely with Local Authorities around the country with a view to promoting horse projects both in terms of infrastructure and education.
593. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts and work being undertaken to ensure all horses are microchipped and allocated passports; and if the use of scanners being available to An Garda Síochána to assist them in ensuring the law is being complied with in respect of this issue will be considered. [37252/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rules governing the timescale within which equines must be identified are determined at EU level. Commission Implementing Regulation 262/2015 (CR 262/2015), which came into effect on 1 January 2016, lays down the rules governing the identification of equidae. This legislation was transposed into national legislation in Ireland via the European Union (Identification of Equidae) Regulations (S.I. 62 of 2016) (as amended).
Article 12(1) of CR 262/2015 provides that all equine animals must be identified with a passport no later than 12 months from the date of birth of the animal, and in any event, before moving permanently from the holding of origin. The passport must generally accompany the equine on movement.
Equines for which passports were issued with effect from 1st July 2009 must be implanted with a microchip by a veterinary practitioner and the number of that microchip must be recorded in the passport of the animal and on my Department's central equine database, thereby establishing a link between the animal and its identification document. However, equines identified with a passport prior to that date are not required to be implanted with a microchip. Accordingly, the absence of a microchip does not necessarily mean that an equine is not identified properly.
Equine passports are issued by Passport Issuing Organisations (PIOs) approved by my Department. Information available from these organisations suggest that high rates of compliance with the identification rules are being achieved.
Enforcement of equine identification legislation is primarily undertaken by authorised officers in my Department and across the various Local Authorities, who liaise with members of An Garda Síochána and officers of the Revenue Commissioners Officials, as required. Authorised officers from my Department engage in checks at sales venues including marts and fairs, as well as at horse slaughter plants and at export points including ports and airports. These compliance checks are ongoing and will continue to be undertaken.
The presence of a microchip in an equine cannot be established visually. When checking for the presence of a microchip in an equine, it is necessary to physically handle and scan the animal. From a health and safety perspective, this action should only be undertaken by personnel who are competent in the handling of equines. In that regard, where a member of An Garda Síochána requires an equine to be scanned, s/he should liaise with veterinary staff in the relevant Regional Veterinary Offices (RVO) of my Department who will assist in the scanning of the equine. All of the RVOs have sufficient supplies of scanners.
