Tuesday, 26 Mar 2019

Written Answers Nos. 739-759

Fibromyalgia Support Services

Ceisteanna (739)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

739. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason Ireland does not maintain a registry of persons with fibromyalgia; and when a registry will be established. [13331/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Ceisteanna (740)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

740. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason fibromyalgia is excluded from the long-term illness list in view of the fact it is a long-term and debilitating illness; and when it will be placed on the list. [13332/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The LTI Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the LTI are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of thalidomide. Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.

There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Scheme at this time. However, I wish to inform the Deputy that it is proposed that the LTI Scheme would be included as part of a review of the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy.

Question No. 741 answered with Question No. 670.

Respite Care Services Provision

Ceisteanna (742)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

742. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a date for respite care in an adult metal health facility; the reason for multiple cancellations; if an alternative facility is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13334/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Respite Care Services

Ceisteanna (743)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

743. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of adult mental health respite care facilities in CHO1 for persons living in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13335/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (744)

James Browne

Ceist:

744. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding EU citizens here who hold MD degrees in another EU country and Medical Council registration but cannot start an internship, which is necessary for the higher SHO; if his attention has been drawn to a number of these cases; his plans regarding these cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13336/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (745)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

745. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the reason family members of residents in the Rosalie unit in County Roscommon were given such short notice that independent clinical assessments were to be carried out recently; the person or body that appointed a person (details supplied) to carry out these assessments; the protocols followed to ensure the person's independence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13347/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Female Genital Mutilation

Ceisteanna (746)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Ceist:

746. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to establish an interagency committee to develop a national action plan on female genital mutilation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13360/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The practice of Female Genital Mutilation has been an offence in Ireland since 2012, when the Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Act 2012 provided for the creation of an offence of female genital mutilation and other offences relating to female genital mutilation.

The HSE is responsible for addressing the health implications arising from FGM. Girls and women who have undergone FGM are at risk of suffering from health complications throughout their lives. The HSE is committed to progressing health-related elements of FGM with specific reference to awareness-raising among communities, staff information, training of healthcare providers and other relevant frontline professionals, and support for survivors of FGM and those at risk, in addition to data collection.

The HSE has funded and disseminated an FGM resource pack for health professionals and relevant staff in maternity and associated settings. The HSE funds a specialist clinic operated by the Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) for girls and women who have undergone FGM. Furthermore, the HSE funds AkiDwA to work closely with at-risk communities to raise awareness and provide information on the detrimental effects of FGM, and that it is a criminal offence in Ireland.

In January this year, my colleague the Minister of State with responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton and I launched the new HSE Intercultural Health Strategy. It contains two actions on FGM:

- Continue to develop and implement education and public awareness campaigns, among all health professionals and communities affected by female genital mutilation (FGM), to raise awareness that it is a criminal offence under the Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Act (2012) to perform FGM, or to remove a girl from the State for the purpose of FGM.

- Provide training to increase the knowledge and competence of healthcare providers, and other relevant frontline professionals, in relation to appropriate care and protection for FGM survivors and women and girls at risk nationwide.

I acknowledge and support this important work and discussions regarding further actions on FGM are ongoing.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (747)

Tony McLoughlin

Ceist:

747. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure the HSE invests in increased neurology services for persons with neurological conditions such epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and rare and other genetic neurological conditions; his views on whether neurology services are at breaking point with over 20,000 persons now waiting on an outpatient appointment to see a neurologist and over 7,000 waiting more than 12 months; the steps he will take to tackle these waiting lists and staff shortages in neurology centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13361/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.

Pharmacy Regulations

Ceisteanna (748)

James Browne

Ceist:

748. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if he has received further correspondence regarding the possible introduction of restrictions on the role of pharmaceutical assistants who have contributed to the smooth running of pharmacies here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13363/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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”.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2019 were developed by the PSI in accordance with Section 30 of the Pharmacy Act 2007, which 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.

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.

At its meeting on 14 February 2019, the Council of the PSI approved the draft Rules, subject to certain amendments made on foot of the Council’s consideration of the results of the latest public consultation.

On 8 March 2019, the PSI submitted the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules 2019 to me for my consent, in accordance with the requirements of the Pharmacy Act 2007. These were accompanied by a lengthy submission detailing the PSI’s rationale for the drafting of the Rules.

Throughout the course of this process my Department has received correspondence from and on behalf of registered pharmaceutical assistants outlining their concerns with regard to the drafting of these Rules.

Under the Pharmacy Act 2007, my role in relation to this process is limited to the consideration of any such Rules once submitted for my consent and in doing so I will give careful consideration to the Rules as submitted by the PSI and to the concerns raised by or on behalf of registered pharmaceutical assistants.

General Medical Services Scheme

Ceisteanna (749)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

749. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if a general practitioner visit card holder over 70 years of age is entitled to choose a new practitioner in cases in which the existing doctor retires or leaves the practice; if not, if one is allocated by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13367/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for it to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Disability Services Provision

Ceisteanna (750)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

750. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be called for an ASD assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13368/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (751)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

751. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 560 of 6 November 2018 to outline the status of his plans to invest in neurology services in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13369/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (752)

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

752. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason treatment such as bracing for young persons with the pectus carinatum condition is not available through the HSE; if the HSE plans to provide this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13370/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

Disability Support Services

Ceisteanna (753)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

753. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of persons here referred to a service (details supplied) in the UK in each of the past ten years; the number of persons from here with disabilities in the facilities; the cost of same for each person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13375/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

HSE Properties

Ceisteanna (754)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

754. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when a premises (details supplied) will be offered for sale on the open market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13379/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.

Ambulance Service Provision

Ceisteanna (755)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

755. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason new increased rostering measures have been introduced in the ambulance service in County Monaghan (details supplied) but the six additional staff cited to start in 2018 have not been allocated to help with these rostering demands; the reason these six additional persons are not in place; the location of the staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13381/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

Ambulance Service Provision

Ceisteanna (756)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

756. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that training (details supplied) is impacting further on depleted staff in the ambulance service in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13382/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

Ambulance Service

Ceisteanna (757)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

757. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of a new ambulance in County Monaghan to facilitate new rostering that came into affect recently for staff (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13383/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

Emergency Departments Data

Ceisteanna (758)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

758. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency room presentations per hospital emergency department for injuries caused by knives notified to An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13390/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Primary Care Centres Staff

Ceisteanna (759)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

759. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent psychologist vacancies in primary care by community healthcare organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13399/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.