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Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 5 Mar 2019

Written Answers Nos. 288-307

Medical Card Reviews

Ceisteanna (288)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

288. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of a medical card for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10379/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Ceisteanna (289)

Joan Collins

Ceist:

289. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of drug and alcohol task forces that have had a HSE review; the amount the reviews have cost to date including a task force (details supplied); and the person or body that decides if a particular task force is to be reviewed. [10383/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Pharmaceutical Sector

Ceisteanna (290)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

290. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health his views on the role of pharmaceutical assistants in the operations of pharmacies throughout Ireland; if his attention has been drawn to the threat that their qualifications could be voided and that 365 pharmaceutical assistants, almost all of them women in their 50s, could end up being made redundant; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10396/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Pharmacy Act 2007 established the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) and the functions of the Society are set out in the Act. The functions of the PSI are carried out on its behalf by the Council of the Society. 

Section 30 of the Pharmacy Act 2007 provides for an exception to the general provision in the Act which requires the sale and supply of medicines at a pharmacy to be conducted under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacist, and specifies that no offence is committed where a registered pharmaceutical assistant “acts on behalf of a registered pharmacist during the temporary absence of the registered pharmacist”.

Section 30 also permits the Council 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.

Following a period of public consultation, the Council of the PSI considered the proposed draft Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2018 at its meeting of 20 September 2018, where the Council approved the draft rules without amendment.  Following this, the PSI undertook to redraft the Rules in relation to what may or not be done by a registered pharmaceutical assistant when acting on behalf of a registered pharmacist.

On 6 December, the Council of the PSI approved a revised draft of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2018 for issuance for public consultation. This public consultation commenced on 13 December 2018 and ran until 11 January 2019, affording any interested party the opportunity to make representations on the matter directly to the PSI.

Following completion of the public consultation phase, the Council of the PSI considered the proposed draft Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2018 at its meeting on 14 February 2019.

My role in relation to this process is limited to the consideration of any such Rules once submitted for my consent. I must consider any Rules presented to me from a fair and impartial perspective, without prejudice or prejudgment.

I await the receipt of the Rules for my consideration from the PSI and, until that time, I am unfortunately not in a position to comment any further on the matter raised.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (291)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

291. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a scan will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10410/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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.

Question No. 292 answered with Question No. 259.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (293)

Gino Kenny

Ceist:

293. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a publicly funded youth mental health organisation (details supplied) plans to amalgamate its services which will result in the eventual removal of access to local mental health services for youth in Clondalkin and the surrounding area; the impact this will have on young persons in the Dublin mid-west area which has the second highest number of referrals to mental health services nationally; if the HSE, as funder, can intervene to insist that local services remain in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10416/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (294)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

294. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10418/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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.

Home Care Packages Provision

Ceisteanna (295)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

295. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a home care package will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10420/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (296)

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

296. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of counsellors at grade code 391T employed in each CAMHS unit, in tabular form. [10427/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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.

Primary Care Centres Provision

Ceisteanna (297, 298)

John Curran

Ceist:

297. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health his plans to fast track the delivery of primary healthcare centres that are needed in communities but appear to be delayed in various stages of the procurement, design and planning processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10435/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Curran

Ceist:

298. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of primary healthcare centres that were delivered and are fully operational in 2016, 2017 and 2018, in each CHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10436/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 298 together.

As 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.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (299)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

299. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a fair deal application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10441/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (300)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

300. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a psychological report will be carried out on a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10442/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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.

Question No. 301 answered with Question No. 286.

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna (302)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

302. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if the contractor awarded a HSE contract (details supplied) is paid fully and up to date and millions of euro are not outstanding for the supply of product under the contract and a related contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10453/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna (303)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

303. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if an assurance will be given that HSE contracts (details supplied) are not in imminent danger of collapse due to payment or other difficulties known to him or the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10455/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna (304)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

304. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the pricing model for the delivery of product under a HSE contract (details supplied) is logical, sustainable and in alignment with the original tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10457/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna (305)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

305. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if the extension of two HSE contracts (details supplied) are fully compliant with all aspects of Irish and EU procurement rules; if the extensions rely on special clauses, powers or situations for their legal implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10459/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna (306)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

306. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE could allow a procurement tender in which a carton to be delivered for the HSE under previous versions of a HSE contract (details supplied) would be charged at a rate of €58.50 plus VAT in view of the fact the maximum standard pricing in the marketplace is circa €5 to €6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10461/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna (307)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

307. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the rating in terms of service performance in relation to a HSE contract (details supplied); the way in which it compares to other contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10463/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

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