Written Answers Nos. 289-307
289. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health when he plans to invest in a promised service in County Longford as per 2019 Estimates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14937/19]
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.
In relation to the development of neuro-rehabilitation facilities, the National Neuro-Rehabilitation Policy & Strategy Implementation Framework 2019-2021 was published by the Health Service Executive ( HSE )on 20 February 2019 and this will guide the roll-out and implementation of the national Neuro-Rehabilitation strategy in the years to come. Discussions are ongoing on the identification of the funding required to implement the framework.
The HSE has advised my Department that a business case for an acquired brain injury unit in Longford was prepared by HSE Disability Services in April 2016 and escalated for consideration. No funding is available in the Service Plan for 2019 to proceed with the project at this point.
290. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of children on the waiting list for six, nine, 12, 18, 24 and more than 36 months, respectively, for primary care child psychology services, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14942/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
291. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a hip replacement surgery will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14943/19]
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.
292. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be admitted for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14944/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
293. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the plans of the HSE to relocate a person (details supplied) to alternative sheltered supervised accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14947/19]
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.
294. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if funding is still in place for the provision of additional cardiology posts at University Hospital Kerry; if this funding has been ring-fenced (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14958/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra296. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of the appointment of two additional cardiologists for University Hospital Kerry and Cork University Hospital; the progress made since June 2018 to progress this (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14960/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 294 and 296 together.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the South/South West Hospital Group has confirmed that funding is in place for both posts, which are currently awaiting approval by the HSE’s Consultant Appointment Advisory Committee. The South/South West Hospital Group has advised that, once approved, the advertisement of these posts can commence immediately.
295. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be awarded a home care package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14959/19]
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.
297. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the decision not to make Spinraza available to patients here now that a 28-day period has## passed which allowed the drug company time to respond to the initial State decision or provide further information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14961/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies the criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines. The Minister for Health has no role or powers in relation to such matters.
Following detailed consideration of an application for the reimbursement of Spinraza and lengthy engagement with the company, the HSE recently decided that it was unable to reimburse Spinraza. The HSE concluded that the evidence for clinical effectiveness was still quite limited and that the price proposed by the manufacturer was not a cost-effective use of resources.
On the 21 February the HSE wrote to the company informing them of the HSE’s proposal to refuse reimbursement of Spinraza at the current price offering. Under the terms of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 the company had 28 days to come back to the HSE with a new proposal.
I am advised by the HSE that the manufacturer, Biogen has been in contact with the HSE and has notified them that it intends to submit full and final representations, which will be carefully considered by the HSE.
To facilitate Biogen’s request, the period for representations was temporarily extended to enable the company to submit their representations. This is in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
298. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health when the roof of a centre (details supplied) will be repaired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14962/19]
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.
299. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the status of information technology and associated fit-out plans for the new national children’s hospital; the costs and configuration involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14971/19]
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.
Investment in ICT and the Electronic Health Record will be funded through the ICT capital programme. The allocation for ICT in the new children’s hospital is €97 million and the EHR allocation stands at €52 million, as per the Memo for Government in December 2018 and these costs are based on market soundings. Procurements to deliver the ICT and EHR have not yet commenced and it is expected that successful contractors will work within the allocated budget.
In light of the concerns over the cost escalation associated with the finalisation of the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) process in November 2018, the Government also approved the commissioning of an independent review of the escalation in cost at the same time. As part of its Terms of Reference, the review will comment on the major residual risks and the robustness/completeness of the current forecasts.
300. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be called for treatment. [14973/19]
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.
301. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if there are several medicinal cannabis licence holders who avail of a third party to collect and deliver their prescription to the licensed home address of the holder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14975/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is open to a registered medical practitioner to apply for a Ministerial Licence under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 to 2016. Such a licence, if granted, enables them to legally prescribe the Schedule 1 controlled drug - cannabis - for a named patient.
Until acceptable medical cannabis products are available for use in Ireland, patients who are the subject of a licence are obtaining their cannabis products from a pharmacy in the Hague on foot of a valid prescription.
Under Netherlands government policy, cannabis oil products are not permitted to be commercially exported from the Netherlands, therefore anyone who is prescribed these products must travel to the Hague to obtain them.
Licence holders can nominate a representative to collect their prescribed cannabis product on their behalf, for example, a patient's legal guardian or another person acting on their behalf may to collect the prescribed medical cannabis product, if the patient is not in a position to do this personally. The licence holder must provide the details of the nominated person collecting the prescribed product at the time of applying for a Ministerial licence. That person will be named on the licence for this purpose.
I am aware that a number of patients who are the subject of a Ministerial licence have personally nominated a representative to collect their prescriptions from the pharmacy in the Hague on their behalf. Such arrangements are a personal matter for any patient to pursue.
Notwithstanding the above, it should be noted that the Irish Customs and Revenue Authorities have the final say in all such matters.
302. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if there has been progress in implementing the plan for effective participation in decision-making for persons with disabilities, launched in September 2018 under the Transforming Lives programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14988/19]
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.
303. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of a new scheme to replace the mobility allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14990/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be familiar with the background to the closure of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes in February 2013.
My colleague, the Minister for Health and I brought a Memorandum to Government in May 2018 on proposals for a new Transport Support Payment Scheme. Following consideration of the matter, it was decided to withdraw the Memorandum from the Cabinet Agenda at the time. I intend to revert to Government in due course with revised proposals to reflect the discussions at that Cabinet meeting and further discussions between myself and Minister Harris on the best way to progress the Transport Scheme.
It is important to note that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners, remains in place. This scheme provides VRT and VAT relief, an exemption from road tax and a fuel grant to drivers and passengers with a disability, who qualify under the relevant criteria set out in governing regulations made by the Minister for Finance. Specifically adapted vehicles driven by persons with a disability are also exempt from payment of tolls on national roads and toll bridges. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has responsibility for this particular scheme.
There are improvements in access to a range of transport support schemes available to persons with disabilities in the State and on-going work is being carried out by Government Departments, agencies and transport providers to further improve access to public transport services. Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of public transport for people with a disability.
304. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if medical cards will cover the cost of batteries for hearing aids; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14992/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
305. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if the medical cards of persons (details supplied) will cover the cost of batteries for hearing aids; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14995/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
306. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if an outpatient clinic appointment will be arranged for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [14998/19]
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.
307. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15004/19]
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.
