Written Answers Nos. 194-218
194. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of public sector staff from his Department seconded to work in the public sector of other EU member states; the schemes available for such secondments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50991/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have staff seconded to work in public sector organisations of other EU Member States.
One member of staff of the Department is currently on an unpaid leave of absence to undertake a role with the World Health Organisation.
The Department of the Taoiseach arranges a scheme for civil servants to be seconded as Seconded National Experts to EU and UN institutions. At present, no Department of Health employees are seconded under this scheme.
195. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 463 to 465, inclusive, of 27 November 2018, the work being undertaken by the OPIOG in the area of health and environmental planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51001/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra196. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 463 to 465, inclusive, of 27 November 2018, if the feedback from the Healthy Ireland stakeholder forum on the built environment will form part of the discussions necessary to develop guidelines and support materials for those working in developing the built environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51002/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra197. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 463 to 465, inclusive, of 27 November 2018, the timeline for the consideration of the collated outcomes in detail by the relevant Departments, the national physical activity plan implementation group and the OPIOG for the purposes of advancing work in the area of health and environmental planning; if there is a proposed timeline for the development of these materials; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51003/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 195 to 197, inclusive, together.
A number of Government policies aim to support the design and development of built environments that enhance health, wellbeing and quality of life for all. The National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP) and the national Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP) both require that joint action is taken to promote the importance of physical activity and to reduce the obesogenic nature of the built environment.
In line with Actions 31 of the NPAP and 2.1 of the OPAP, which commit to developing guidelines and support materials for those working in developing the built environment in order to promote the importance of physical activity, and Action 59 of the NPAP which commits to developing a programme of on-going stakeholder communication and engagement, a Stakeholder Forum was held on 21 November last.
The event was planned in partnership, with substantial input from three Government Departments, (Health; Transport, Tourism and Sport; and Housing, Planning and Local Government) and was hosted in the National Indoor Arena, Sport Ireland National Sports Campus, Abbottstown. I am pleased to note that the event was well attended with 125 delegates.
This Forum, entitled Connect, Collaborate, Create; Co-Designing Healthier Communities, A Healthy Ireland Stakeholder Forum on the Built Environment, brought together those who have a responsibility for planning and developing public spaces with those who have expertise regarding the impacts of the built environment on health and wellbeing, sport and physical activity.
I was delighted to address this Forum together with my colleague Simon Harris T.D., Minister for Health, and the CEO of Sport Ireland, John Treacy. Sessions were chaired by officials from the Departments of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Health. Expert presentations were given regarding optimal design of healthier communities, the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) and the new Town and Village Toolkit, which is about to be launched by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI).
Presentations were also given by Waterford City & County Council on the lessons learned from the success of the Waterford Greenway and on the development of the No Fry Zone initiative in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, which aims to place limits on the proximity of fast food outlets to schools.
The talks were followed by a workshop and discussion. Written feedback was gathered from all participant groups and is in the process of collation, which is anticipated to be finalised in the coming weeks. I anticipate that these collated outcomes will be considered in detail by the relevant Departments and at the next meetings of both the National Physical Activity Plan Implementation Group and the Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group - comprised of (among others) a representative from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government - for the purposes of advancing and fully informing our work in the area of health and environmental planning.
198. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the staffing resources to allow a person (details supplied) with a disability in County Kerry to live independently in shared assisted living accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51006/18]
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
199. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive temporary rehabilitation remuneration pay from the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51007/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.
200. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the staffing resources to allow a person (details supplied) with a disability in County Kerry to live independently in shared assisted living accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51008/18]
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
201. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) who was referred to the audiology department in University Hospital Galway will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51012/18]
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.
202. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health when the HPV vaccine will be rolled out for boys and girls. [51017/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra203. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health if the HPV vaccine will be rolled out for boys and girls in September 2019. [51018/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra204. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to roll out the HPV vaccine for boys and girls in September 2019. [51019/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra205. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the ages at which boys and girls will receive the HPV vaccine; the way in which it will be carried out, for example, in national school, secondary school or through the general practitioner network. [51020/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra206. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the age at which boys and girls will receive the HPV vaccine. [51021/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra207. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the budget in 2019 to commence the roll-out of the HPV vaccine for boys and girls in September 2019. [51022/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra208. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the projected annual cost of the proposed roll-out of the HPV vaccine for boys and girls; and the area in which this is budgeted for. [51023/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra209. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the consultation he has had with the HSE and the medical profession regarding the roll-out of the HPV vaccine for boys and girls. [51024/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 202 to 209, inclusive, together.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties from the medical profession (including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and informed by public health advice and international best practice in relation to immunisation. All relevant and appropriate information is taken into account when deciding to make changes to the State's immunisation programmes. NIAC has made a recommendation that the HPV vaccine should be given to boys.
On foot of NIAC’s recommendation, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has undertaken a health technology assessment (HTA), at the request of my Department, on extending the national immunisation schedule to include human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for boys. The HTA will establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of providing the vaccine to boys. The decision to extend the current programme which offers HPV vaccination to all girls in their first year of second-level education to a programme that will also offer vaccination to boys will be informed by the evidence contained in the HTA. HIQA has completed a public consultation on the draft HTA and is expected to submit its final recommendation to my Department next week following its recent sign-off at its Board Meeting in November.
As I have previously stated, subject to a favourable HTA, I will seek on behalf of the Government to extend this vaccine universally as a priority. If a positive recommendation is received from HIQA, it is anticipated that the rollout of the HPV vaccination programme for boys would commence in September 2019 for 12/13 year old boys in their first year of secondary school. The HSE has included costs of €3.25 million for 2019, €4.41 million for 2020 and €4.65 million for 2021 in their Estimates submission. Funding has been made available in the budget to facilitate the introduction of this initiative, should it receive a favourable recommendation.
210. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the reason cancer patients are not automatically entitled to a medical card (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51027/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE's Expert Group on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility examined the issue of awarding medical cards on the basis of illness and concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. The Expert Group also concluded that a person’s means should remain the main qualifier for a medical card. This position remains unchanged.
Nevertheless, every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services. The HSE affords applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting information documentation to fully take account of all the relevant circumstances that may benefit them in the assessment including medical evidence of cost and necessary expenses.
With regard to persons suffering from cancer and other serious medical conditions the HSE also has a system in place for the provision of medical cards in response to emergency situations i.e. in circumstances where persons are in need of urgent or on-going medical care that they cannot afford and also for persons in palliative care who are terminally ill. These medical cards are issued within 24 hours of receipt of the required patient details and a letter which confirms the medical condition from a doctor or consultant. With the exception of terminally ill patients, all medical cards, granted on an emergency basis, are followed up with a full application within a number of weeks.
I would also like to note that since 1 July 2015, the HSE adopted the position that all children under 18 years of age with a diagnosis of cancer are awarded a medical card. This card is valid for a period of 5 years.
211. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a consultant's appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [51028/18]
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.
212. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the health spend per GNI star; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51044/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the Central Statistics Office (CSO) , Ireland's total health expenditure from 2011 to 2016 as a percentage of GNI star is outlined in the following table.
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
|
Current Health Expenditure % GNI star |
14.0 |
14.2 |
13.0 |
12.2 |
11.3 |
10.7 |
Current health expenditure as a % of GNI star has decreased in each year since 2012. GNI star is designed to be a national indicator that excludes the globalisation effects that disproportionately affect the measurement of the size of the Irish economy.
The health care expenditure estimates for Ireland are compiled by the CSO according to the international standard of the System of Health Accounts, 2011.The System of Health Accounts (SHA) was devised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and has been adopted for joint reporting of health care expenditure by the OECD, Eurostat and the World Health Organisation.
213. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the number of CAMHS inpatient beds that are operational by unit and month over the past 12 months in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51059/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly as soon as possible.
214. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the number of recommendations relating to the implementation of the national youth mental health task force report of 2017 which have been completed; the number of recommendations still outstanding; the progress made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51060/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health published the Youth Mental Health Task Force report in December 2017. The recommendations of the Taskforce have now been incorporated into the service plans of a number of lead agencies, many of which do not fall directly under the aegis of the Department. The actions in the Task Force are broad and we are implementing several actions over the three year implementation period. This year we have made progress in the development of digital technologies such as a new website, a digital crisis textline, and new tele-health interventions. There have been additional training projects introduced such as; MindOut in secondary schools, Longer mental health modules in the SPHE programme, New perinatal training for nurses and midwives, and additional mental health first aid training for professionals working with vulnerable individuals. In addition, a number of other projects are still being considered such as Pathfinder and the development of a child advocacy service.
215. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the progress made in ensuring all young persons aged up to 25 years have access to an active listening service and dynamic signposting tool regarding recommendation No. 3 of the national youth mental health task force report of 2017 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51061/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health published the Youth Mental Health Task Force report in December 2017. One of the recommendations was the development and implementation of a suite of digital mental health supports for young people up to 25 years of age. The HSE have a working group in place to oversee the implementation of a number of signposting tools. The newly designed website www.yourmentalhealth.ie was launched in October and offers a directory of services for people who are looking for mental health support. In addition, a new digital crisis text line is due to be launched in early 2019. There are also plans to launch a 24/7 telephone helpline in partnership with the National Ambulance Service in quarter 1, 2019.
216. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the average time for processing and deciding a medical card application; if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concerns about the delays that are occurring for many applicants who, due to serious health ailments, need medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51063/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra217. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when additional resources will be provided to ensure that medical card applications are processed and finalised in a timely manner; if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concern about the delays in having such applications processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51064/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the administration of medical cards can be streamlined with a view to speeding up the turnaround, and in respect of discretionary cards to eliminate repeated requests for further information which have no bearing on the outcome other than the patient having a life threatening condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51215/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 216, 217 and 248 together.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) National Medical Card Unit (NMCU) has responsibility over the management of staffing levels to ensure sufficient medical card turnaround times. I have been assured by the HSE’s National Medical Card Unit that there are currently no delays in the processing of medical applications for any category of applicant, either new, or for those which relate to a review.
In that regard it should be noted that in the period January 2018 to date the HSE’s National Medical Card Unit has consistently met its key performance target to have 95% of complete medical card applications assessed for eligibility within 15 days and that they are currently processing all processing fully completed applications within the 15 working days across all application form types.
However, there will be situations where the application process may take longer than the 15 day target time. In some cases, as part of the assessment process, applicants will be required to provide additional documentation to enable the National Medical Card Unit to access whether a person is unable, without due hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family. Every effort is made for on-going engagement between the HSE and applicants during this process.
Furthermore, additional time may be required to process applications in situations where an applicant’s income exceeds the medical card threshold and is then assessed by the National Medical Card Unit for a discretionary medical card. In this situation, in order to take full account of the difficult circumstances which may apply, additional information, such as evidence of the extra costs arising from an illness, will be requested from the applicant. In this situation the National Medical Card Unit affords applicants every opportunity to furnish supporting information documentation to fully take account of all the relevant circumstances that may benefit them in the assessment, including medical evidence of cost and necessary expenses.
The HSE has also put in place a number of new measures which is orientated towards improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the medical card application process. On the 15 January the HSE launched its new Medical Card online service medicalcard.ie. This new system enables people to make online applications for a medical card that is faster and more convenient than the current paper based system.
218. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive a date for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51065/18]
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.
