Written Answers Nos. 344-362
344. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will get an urgent appointment with the neurology department in Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17526/19]
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.
345. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) suffering from cancer will be admitted to hospital for surgery; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this surgery was cancelled a number of weeks ago and is being carried out with a view to preventing the spread of this cancer. [17528/19]
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.
346. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for refund under the cross-border directive in the system; the amount in total claims outstanding and awaiting processing; the estimated waiting time for an application submitted for a refund of expenses incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17530/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE operates the Cross Border Directive (CBD) in Ireland, whereby patients can seek to be referred to another EU/EEA country for medical treatment that is available in the public health service in Ireland. The HSE's target for reimbursing patients for healthcare accessed abroad under the CBD is a maximum of 20 working days from receiving all completed documents. However, the HSE confirmed that it currently takes approximately 75 days to process reimbursements. The HSE have confirmed the increase in processing times is due to a significant increase in the amount of applications received for the CBD.
A review is being undertaken of current administration arrangements associated with the operation of the CBD scheme in the HSE, with a view to providing a report to my Department shortly.
As it is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the number and value of claims for reimbursement under the Cross Border Directive.
347. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if a bulletin (details supplied) is an accurate portrayal of the work being undertaken in this area of mental health with particular reference to the lack of permanent positions available for talk therapists at primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17531/19]
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.
348. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason there are only two permanent positions advertised through the national recruitment panel in March 2019; and if his attention has been drawn to the impact this is having on the inability of the HSE to develop appropriate talking therapies or psychotherapy, particularly in view of the growing demand for same. [17532/19]
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.
349. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will commence minimum unit pricing in the event that the UK is granted an extension to Article 50 of not less than three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17533/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra350. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will elaborate on his decision to seek a revised Government decision to implement the minimum unit pricing provision after there is more certainty about the exit of the UK from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17534/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra351. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if research has been conducted on the likely scale of cross-Border shopping following the commencement of minimum unit pricing in view of the fact that according to a report (details supplied) the incidence of cross-Border shopping has not increased in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17535/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 349 to 351, inclusive, together.
The 2013 Government decision approving a minimum pricing regime envisaged its introduction in Northern Ireland and in this jurisdiction simultaneously. In view of the suspended administration in Northern Ireland it is my intention to seek a revised Government Decision to implement minimum unit pricing of alcohol here as soon as possible in order to address the very significant health harms and financial costs of alcohol consumption.
352. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if he will publish a UK review of orthodontic services here carried out between 2012 and 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17541/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
353. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the publication of an audit of orthodontic services begun in 2015 after the HSE received a highly critical report from two UK experts into allegations that children’s teeth were damaged by HSE orthodontic services more than a decade previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17542/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
354. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of times he interacted directly with a person (details supplied) in person, by telephone, email or in another way; the issues discussed; if his officials attended the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17548/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have not held any meetings or had any contact with the person identified by the Deputy, other than I and the person identified attended a HPV campaign event in 2016.
355. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason the new nursing unit being proposed for Clifden, County Galway, to replace Clifden hospital and St. Anne's nursing home will have fewer than the existing number of beds in the two homes combined; if he is satisfied that the proposed number of beds will be adequate to meet requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17564/19]
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.
356. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when he plans to change the law in regard to the means testing of farm assets under the nursing home subvention scheme; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17566/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), to cap contributions based on farm assets at 3 years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset, has been approved by Government. My Department is working on the development of draft Heads of Bill while considering a number of complex ancillary policy and operational matters which may need to be addressed in the proposed legislation.
It is intended that this proposed policy change, the 3 year cap, will be extended to eligible existing participants in long term residential care so that they are not disadvantaged, but that there would be no retrospective recoupment of contributions for those who have paid contributions over and above the 3 year period.
The General Scheme of a Bill has been drafted and we are currently working closely with legal advisers on advice and legal quality control. The focus on matters relating to Brexit, including planning and preparing in a legal and legislative context, has unfortunately had an impact on progressing the Heads of Bill. However, subject to legal advice, I expect to bring the Heads of Bill to Government in May. The changes to the Scheme will come into effect in 2019 subject to the legislative process.
357. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health when legislation will be brought forward to address the anomaly in assessment for the fair deal scheme in regard to farmers and small business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17573/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), to cap contributions based on farm assets at 3 years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset, has been approved by Government. My Department is working on the development of draft Heads of Bill while considering a number of complex ancillary policy and operational matters which may need to be addressed in the proposed legislation.
It is intended that this proposed policy change, the 3 year cap, will be extended to eligible existing participants in long term residential care so that they are not disadvantaged, but that there would be no retrospective recoupment of contributions for those who have paid contributions over and above the 3 year period.
The General Scheme of a Bill has been drafted and we are currently working closely with legal advisers on advice and legal quality control. The focus on matters relating to Brexit, including planning and preparing in a legal and legislative context, has unfortunately had an impact on progressing the Heads of Bill. However, subject to legal advice, I expect to bring the Heads of Bill to Government in May. The changes to the Scheme will come into effect in 2019 subject to the legislative process.
359. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when a full personal assistance service will be put in place for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the reason for the ongoing delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17600/19]
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.
360. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the 100 new therapy posts to address assessment-of-need waiting lists for children with disabilities announced in budget 2019; the number who have been recruited; the locations to which the recruits have been assigned by local health area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17613/19]
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.
361. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) was approved by the HSE in Sligo for a home care package on 7 November 2018; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that, to date, despite the failing health of the person, the HSE in Sligo has still not provided the service; his plans to introduce legislation to compel the HSE to provide such services without delay when approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17620/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMore than 53,000 people will receive more than 18 million home support hours this year, including 360,000 hours of intensive home care packages. This will assist older people to live independently in their own homes and will enable large numbers of people to return home following acute hospital admission. Despite this significant level of service provision, demand continues to rise with the main reason for the increased demand relating to the demographics in the older people population for the area.
While the existing home support service is delivering crucial support to many people across the country, it needs to be improved to better meet the changing needs of our citizens. The new statutory scheme currently being developed will introduce clear rules in relation to the services for which individuals are eligible and in relation to how decisions are made on allocating services. For that reason, developing the new scheme will be an important step in ensuring that the system operates in a consistent and fair manner for all those who need home support services. It will also help to improve access to the home support services that people need in an affordable and sustainable way. The development of a statutory scheme is a key action contained in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy and is expected to be delivered in 2021.
I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible in relation to the aspects of the Question pertaining to an individual case.
362. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if dental check-ups for children living in Celbridge, County Kildare, are taking place in Celbridge or elsewhere in the county; if every effort is being made to keep these appointments as close to the local area as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17633/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
