Mick Wallace
Ceist:397. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of residential care places available for elderly persons in County Wexford. [46913/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCare of the Elderly Provision
Ceisteanna (397)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Care of the Elderly Provision
Ceisteanna (398)
Mick Wallace
Ceist:398. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of residential respite beds for elderly persons available in County Wexford. [46914/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Care of the Elderly Provision
Ceisteanna (399)
Mick Wallace
Ceist:399. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for residential care for elderly persons in County Wexford; and the estimated waiting time for such care. [46915/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Psychological Services
Ceisteanna (400)
Catherine Martin
Ceist:400. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no replacement has been provided to cover maternity leave for the clinical psychologist in the HSE early intervention team in Churchtown, Dublin 14; the efforts being made to find a replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46937/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Mental Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (401)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Ceist:401. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the development of adult and child mental health intellectual disability teams in 2018; and the number of additional new staff appointed to date in 2018. [46942/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Data
Ceisteanna (402)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Ceist:402. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant posts in whole-time equivalent terms in the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, for each community health organisation, CHO, in tabular form. [46943/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Sign Language and Deaf Services
Ceisteanna (403)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Ceist:403. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the supports available to the deaf community in accessing mental health supports, including the provision of mental health professionals fluent in sign language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46944/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Proposed Legislation
Ceisteanna (404)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:404. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health when the assisted human reproduction Bill will be introduced; if it will include a clause prohibiting donor tourism whereby a clinic based here facilitates couples attending clinics in other jurisdictions to access anonymous gametes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46949/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government approved the drafting of a Bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research in October last year. The General Scheme is published on my Department’s website. This comprehensive piece of legislation encompasses the regulation of a range of practices, including gamete (sperm or egg) and embryo donation for AHR and research.
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. The review is ongoing, and the Committee intends to publish its report early in 2019. The introduction of legislation in relation to AHR and associated research is a priority for me and the process of drafting this Bill will be completed in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. However, it is not possible at this time to give a definitive timeline for the completion of the draft Bill and its subsequent passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017 only encompasses activities which occur in Ireland. The state can only regulate activities that occur in this jurisdiction and cannot regulate people availing of AHR treatment that is legally provided in another country.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (405)
Pat Casey
Ceist:405. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in publishing value for money and client fund reviews of a service (details supplied); the further reason for the delay in the appointment of the family liaison person and for the non-availability of the cultural audits that took place with families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46950/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (406)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:406. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the waiting list for early intervention services in north County Dublin; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that children have been waiting up to 26 months to be assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46953/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Ceisteanna (407)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:407. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for reimbursement of the cost of medicinal cannabis to treat severe epilepsy. [46957/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Clarification was sought from the Deputy's office in relation to this PQ. Once a reply has been received, I will arrange for a response to issue to the Deputy.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (408)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:408. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the plans the Health Service Executive has to re-open a walkway bridge (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46960/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (409)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:409. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment. [46961/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (410)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:410. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 will receive an appointment to see an orthopaedic surgeon in St. James's Hospital. [46963/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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.
Disability Support Services Expenditure
Ceisteanna (411)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:411. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of spending on disability services in each of the years 2014 to 2017, inclusive, and to date in 2018, by county; and the spending as a percentage of population, by county, in tabular form. [46965/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Question No. 412 answered with Question No. 382.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Ceisteanna (413)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:413. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a licence to access medicinal cannabis to treat severe epilepsy; and, if the licence has been granted, the status of the application for the reimbursement of the cost of the medicinal cannabis. [46972/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department is not in a position to comment on individual cases. However, if the patient or their medical practitioner wishes to contact the Department of Health directly to discuss their application they are welcome to do so.
Furthermore, the Department of Health website contains detailed clinical guidance on the use of medical cannabis and details on how a medical practitioner may apply for a Ministerial licence. This information can be found at:
health.gov.ie/blog/publications/cannabis-for-medical-use/ It is important to note that the decision to prescribe or not prescribe any treatment, including cannabis treatment, for an individual patient is strictly a decision for the treating clinician, in consultation with their patient. The Minister for Health has no role in this clinical decision-making process.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Prescribers and patients may contact the HSE directly by phone at 353 1 864 7100 and by e-mail at pcrs@hse.ie.