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Thursday, 16 May 2019

Written Answers Nos. 111-125

Speech and Language Therapy Staff

Ceisteanna (111)

Denise Mitchell

Ceist:

111. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a situation at a centre (details supplied) in which there is a vacancy for a speech and language therapist since January 2019 and that children are unable to avail of speech and language and occupational therapy due to the staff shortages; if positions will be filled as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21214/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (112)

Joe Carey

Ceist:

112. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect knee surgery at Croom orthopaedic hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21219/19]

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.

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Ceisteanna (113, 114, 115)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

113. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 826 and 827 of 8 May 2019, if a person can have cannabis-based oil produced by a company (details supplied) collected by an appointed company not for commercial purposes but as a nominated representative or entity collecting the medication strictly on behalf of the person. [21220/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

114. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 826 and 827 of 8 May 2019, if a person can have cannabis-based oil produced by a company (details supplied) collected by an appointed representative strictly on behalf of the person and not for commercial purposes. [21221/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

115. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 826 and 827 of 8 May 2019, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that medical distribution companies are travelling to the Netherlands to collect medicinal cannabis on behalf of patients in Northern Ireland and delivering it to the patients; and the reason a similar arrangement cannot be achieved for patients here. [21222/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 to 115, inclusive, together.

As the deputy is aware, it 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 import, possess, prescribe, supply, and administer the Schedule 1 controlled drug - cannabis - for the patient named on the licence.

Licence holders can nominate a representative to collect the patients prescribed cannabis product on their behalf if, for example, the patient is not able to do this personally. At the time of applying for the Ministerial licence the applicant must provide the details of the nominated person who will be collecting the prescribed product on the patient’s behalf. That nominated person's name will then be included on the licence for this purpose. This is a matter for the patient and their prescriber.

We are aware that a UK company may provide a service which involves it collecting cannabis products from the Netherlands for persons authorised to use it under the UK medical cannabis regime.

While this company can import medical cannabis products into the UK from the Netherlands, the UK authorities do not currently allow re-export from the UK to other countries, which includes Ireland.

I have been informed that this UK company may be acting as the patient’s “nominated representative” in the collection of their personally prescribed medical cannabis products. No similar Irish entity is known to provide this service, but it is certainly open to any patient to engage a representative on their behalf in this regard, including a limited company.

It should be noted that the Irish Revenue and Customs Authorities have the final say in all such matters.

Medicinal Products Regulation

Ceisteanna (116)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

116. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if a doctor (details supplied) in a remote area will be provided a licence to dispense medicines as was previously the case due to the only pharmacy in the area closing down. [21223/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

Home Help Service Provision

Ceisteanna (117)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

117. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the position regarding home help cover for elderly persons when the regular home help is on annual leave; if home help cover is provided in these circumstances; and if there are variations between counties in respect of same in view of the fact that some persons are being left without cover in areas of County Laois. [21225/19]

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 (118)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

118. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a cataract surgery appointment. [21237/19]

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.

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Ceisteanna (119)

John Brassil

Ceist:

119. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of the opening of a facility at a location (details supplied); when the facility will be available for use by patients; the purpose for which the facility is being used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21238/19]

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.

Dental Services Staff

Ceisteanna (120)

James Browne

Ceist:

120. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a HSE orthodontist at a location (details supplied); if efforts are under way to establish the post as a full-time position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21242/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Medicinal Products Regulation

Ceisteanna (121)

James Browne

Ceist:

121. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by master medical herbalists regarding the Treatment of Cancer (Advertisements) Bill 2018 and the implication of same on the profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21243/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have not, to my knowledge, received any correspondence from, or on behalf of, master medical herbalists expressing their views or opinions in connection with the Treatment of Cancer (Advertisements) Bill 2018.

The primary aim for all cancer services is to provide evidence-based care that is effective, safe, of high quality, patient-centred and fully supported by national standards and clinical guidelines.

The Bill does not seek to undermine alternative therapies or treatments that comply with the provisions of Section 2 of the Bill which states that “No person shall take any part in the publication of any advertisement containing an offer to treat any person or provide any remedy for cancer, or any advice in connection with the treatment of cancer, or which suggests that a medical consultation, diagnosis, treatment or surgical operation is unnecessary for the treatment of cancer”.

Drug Treatment Programmes Policy

Ceisteanna (122)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

122. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the measures he will be taking to address the significant drug-related activity that has escalated in Drogheda and its surrounding area; the actions he will take to address the lack of drug outreach workers in the town in view of the recent drug-related criminality; if he will apply for emergency funding to fund a report (details supplied) to assess and plan appropriately to manage the drugs crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21244/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I visited Dundalk and the North East recently to hear about drug related issues in the area and the impact they have on families.

I am aware that key state agencies, led by the local authority and involving the Gardaí, HSE, Probation Services, Tusla, Education and Training Boards, and the North East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force are working together on ways to address this important issue.

I understand from the HSE that it has appointed a Senior Counsellor with the priority of developing and supporting counselling services in Drogheda. The Executive is committed to recruiting an additional Outreach worker in Drogheda to enhance its existing service.

In March 2019, I announced additional funding of €1 million for the implementation of Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery. I will shortly be notifying all Task Forces regarding the allocation of this additional funding including information on the guiding principles and the application process. The North East Task Force will be able to apply for additional funding under this initiative.

I would point out that the introduction of measures to address Drug Related Activity in the Drogheda area primarily come within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality in the first instance.

I understand that 25 additional Garda members are to be appointed to Drogheda over the coming weeks and that every effort is being be made to disrupt the activities of criminal groups involved and to arrest and prosecute offenders.

Drug-related intimidation is an area of concern which I believe requires special attention. It presents a real threat to public safety in communities and I am aware that it is a significant issue in the North East region.

The National Drug-Related Intimidation Reporting Programme which was developed by the National Family Support Network and An Garda Síochána, provides a framework to allow reporting of an incident of intimidation to a nominated inspector.

Last week the North East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force held a first in a series of workshops on the drug related intimidation support process in Drogheda. This workshop was run with the support of An Garda Síochána, the National Family support Network and TUSLA.

Officials in the Department of Health will shortly be meeting with An Garda Síochána and the National Family support Network to see how this programme can be supported and better resourced.

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (123)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

123. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if an endocrinologist will be provided to Cavan general hospital for local women in counties Cavan and Monaghan that require these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21254/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

HSE Governance

Ceisteanna (124)

Michael Harty

Ceist:

124. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health if the Accounting Officer of the Health Service Executive has implemented the recommendations (details supplied) of the 2012 annual report of the Comptroller and Auditor General; and if he will provide evidence of random sample reviews, risk criteria and improvement between 2012 and quarter one of 2019. [21280/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this question is appropriate to the Health Service Executive (HSE), it has been forwarded requesting the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Medicinal Products Regulation

Ceisteanna (125)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

125. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21283/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy would be aware, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on individual cases or matters that are the subject of ongoing litigation.

As of 13 May 2019, the State Claims Agency (SCA) has been notified of potential claims being initiated against the Minister for Health, the Health Services Executive and GlaxoSmithKline Biological SA by one hundred and fourteen (114) individuals and in seventy (70) of these cases formal legal proceedings have been issued. However, these cases relate to a purported linkage between the Pandemrix vaccine and narcolepsy rather than Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is responsible for monitoring the safety and quality of all medicines including vaccines that are licensed in Ireland. The HPRA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) continually monitor adverse events to vaccination. The HPRA operates a national adverse reaction reporting system, which members of the public and healthcare professionals are encouraged to submit any suspected adverse reactions to. All Reports received by the HPRA are routinely transmitted to the EMA's adverse reaction database for inclusion in global signal detection and monitoring activities.

All medicines, including vaccines are subject to on-going review and evaluation of all available data from a range of sources, including systematic scientific literature review, to consider any impact that their data may have on the overall assessment of the benefits and risks of a medicinal product. The safety of these vaccines continues to be monitored at EU level through the EMA and its expert committees, which includes representatives from member state competent authorities such as the HPRA.

My main priority as Minister for Health is that individuals and families affected receive appropriate health and social care supports. My Department continues to engage with the Health Service Executive, the Department of Education and Skills, and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to ensure the provision of a wide range of services and supports, on an ex-gratia basis for those who have received a diagnosis of narcolepsy following administration of the H1N1 pandemic vaccine. The HSE’s Advocacy Unit acts as liaison with other service providers and Government Departments to facilitate access to required services. It is in regular contact with the individuals affected and their families; and regional co-ordinators have been appointed to assist by providing advice, information and access to local services. These supports include discretionary medical cards, reimbursement of expenses associated with diagnosis and treatment, home tuition and learning supports.

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