Written Answers Nos. 107-126
108. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of a medical card application in the case of a person (details supplied); when the application is expected to be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9812/19]
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.
109. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the decision-making process in selecting a fixed price contract under the contract works management framework in relation to the national children’s hospital; if consideration was given to using a remeasurable contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9816/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe size, complexity and specialist nature of this project informed the decision by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) to adopt a two-stage procurement process comprised of:
Procurement Stage 1: A full tender and contract for Phase A (below ground including basement works) on the basis of a detailed design with the tendering of Phase B (the main above ground works) on a Preliminary 1st stage design with an approximate and remeasurable bill of quantities reflecting the Preliminary 1st stage design. The contract was awarded to the main and specialists contractor on 3rd August 2017.
Procurement Stage 2: While the basement Phase A works were under construction, the 2nd stage detailed design for the above ground Phase B works was completed. This was done on a remeasurable basis with a full bill of quantities priced at the 1st stage Preliminary design tendered rates. Phase B works were instructed on 8th January 2019.
110. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health if a public benchmarking analysis was completed prior to the issuing of tenders in relation to the national children’s hospital; if so, the person or body that conducted the analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9818/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital and outpatient and urgent care centres. As this question relates to the tender process for the capital project I have referred your question to the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board for direct reply.
111. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of engineering projects completed under contract work management framework since 2009 in tabular form; the costs associated with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9820/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
112. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that the public spending code guidelines may have been ignored with regard to the construction of the national children's hospital; if he is satisfied that in relation to the hospital the public spending code guideline of money being spent as efficiently as possible avoiding waste has been followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9822/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the approval and appraisal process for the new children’s hospital project has been in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code.
As the Deputy will be aware, an independent review of the escalation in cost in relation to the new children’s hospital review has been commissioned by the HSE and is being undertaken by PwC. The terms of reference have been published. The review will establish the sequence of events in relation to the cost increases experienced by the project; establish what was known, when and by whom, and the reporting of relevant information from the project team to the relevant oversight and governance bodies including NPHDB Board and also its Committees, the HSE and the Department of Health.
The review will also comment not just on the major residual risks and the robustness/completeness of the current forecasts, but also identify and where possible quantify those risks contractually excluded from the Guaranteed Maximum Price/adjusted contract sum. The terms of reference also require the review to develop any further recommendations which may identify any areas of potential cost savings or reductions, which are consistent with the applicable contractual undertakings and the delivery of the project, in light of its current status, address major residual risks, control and oversight issues and bring greater oversight of performance and value for money.
The review will be completed by the end of March, subject to availability of relevant documentation and personnel and will inform any governance or other changes required.
113. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the fees paid to advisers or advisory firms with regard to the national children’s hospital since 2013 to date in 2019 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9824/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra118. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the fees paid to advisers or advisory firms with regard to the national children’s hospital since 2013 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9831/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 118 together.
As the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is responsible for the new children's hospital capital project, I have asked the Board to respond to you directly.
114. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the legal advice received in relation to the form of contract to be used in relation to the national children’s hospital Mater site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9826/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra115. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the legal advice received in relation to the form of contract to be used in relation to the national children’s hospital St. James’s site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9828/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 115 together.
The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital and outpatient and urgent care centres. As this question relates to the new children's hospital capital project I have asked the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board to respond to you directly.
116. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the appointment process in selecting a company (details supplied) with regard to the review of the national children’s hospital project; the overall cost of the review; if the contract was tendered for; if not, his views on whether this may have breached EU procurement guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9829/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra117. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health his views on whether a conflict of interest arises with regard to the previous role of a company (details supplied) as auditor of another company and the input of the company into the contract works management framework following the appointment of the company to review the national children’s hospital project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9830/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 together.
The HSE commissioned the review by PwC into the cost escalation relating to the new children's hospital project. Accordingly, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to the commissioning process.
The HSE has advised my Department that it is satisfied that there are no conflicts of interest with regard to the review by PwC of the cost escalation. The HSE is aware that PwC were auditors to a company, details supplied, until the end of 2015 at which stage their term as auditors ended.
119. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of a primary care centre in a town (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9841/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
120. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the reimbursement status of the drug Fasenra (benralizumab); if it has been discussed by the HSE drugs leadership group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9860/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
121. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been made on the reimbursement of the drug Fasenra (benralizumab) by the HSE drugs leadership group; when he expects it to be made available to patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9861/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
122. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the reason some preschool students cannot receive speech and language assessments in areas of south west County Dublin in advance of them leaving preschool and before they enter mainstream school and after clearly recognised speech and language challenges have been discovered [9866/19]
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.
123. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE does not allow non-HSE initiated psychological assessments from professionals even though the HSE often tenders out such assessments to the same professionals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9867/19]
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.
124. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the position regarding providing union recognition to an organisation (details supplied) as being sought by it as highlighted in recent strike action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9880/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSIPTU is the main union recognised by the HSE and has negotiating rights for frontline ambulance grades employed by the Executive. Unite and FORSA also represent some ambulance grades. As a result, the HSE deducts subscriptions at source for those ambulance staff that are members of those unions. However, the National Ambulance Service Representative Association (NASRA) is not recognised by the HSE and, therefore, does not have negotiating rights.
Whilst individuals have a right to membership of any trade union, if they choose to join an association which is not recognised by their employer, such membership is not facilitated by their employer. This means that the HSE does not facilitate the deduction of union subscriptions for this particular Association.
While it is regrettable that the PNA has taken industrial action, it is not possible to negotiate with a union which is not recognised as having negotiating rights for ambulance grades. I have asked my Department to engage with the HSE to explore ways forward and see if we can progress a resolution to this dispute.
125. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance staff on duty over the night of 20 February 2019 and the early hours of 21 February 2019 in ambulance stations in Ardee, Dundalk, Castleblayney, Monaghan and Virginia; if these ambulance stations had a full complement of staff on this night; and if not, the number of personnel they were short [9893/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
126. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if ambulance stations in the north east region were understaffed over the night of 20 February and early hours of 21 February 2019; if so, the number of shifts unfilled; and the locations at which this occurred [9894/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
