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Wednesday, 19 Jun 2019

Written Answers Nos. 184-207

National Children's Hospital

Ceisteanna (184)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

184. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 40 and 72 of 15 May 2019, the reason the new national children's hospital is obliged to provide private facilities for consultants who hold public and private contracts; his views on whether it is preferable in view of the Sláintecare report and a commitment to moving to a single tier health service, to ensure that the consultants working in the national children's hospital would also commit themselves to providing services on the basis of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25703/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The vast majority of services in the new children’s hospital will be public services. However, as part of the National Contract for Consultants negotiated in 2008, some consultants holding specific contracts are entitled to engage in private outpatient practice outside of their public commitment and this commitment must be conducted on site, that is, in the hospital they are contracted with. As a result, private outpatient clinics may be held on the public hospital campus but these clinics must be held outside contracted hours. The new children's hospital is obliged to provide such facilities for consultants holding such contracts. The proposal is for consultants to pay a fee for use of the rooms and other operational costs.

The Report of the Independent Review Group established to examine private activity in public hospitals has been received and is being examined in my Department. It is a comprehensive examination of private activity in public hospitals and contains a small number of recommendations. When the recommendations have been examined and considered in my Department and by other relevant Government Departments, it is intended to bring proposals to Government and to publish the Report thereafter.

Fuel Allowance Payments

Ceisteanna (185)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

185. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25704/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Home Help Service Provision

Ceisteanna (186)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

186. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when home help will be provided to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25708/19]

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.

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Ceisteanna (187)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

187. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter regarding the provision of a drug for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25709/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies the criteria to be applied in the making of reimbursement decisions which include the clinical and cost effectiveness of the product, the opportunity cost and the impact on resources that are available to the HSE.

As Minister for Health, I do not have any statutory power or function in relation to the reimbursement of medicines and therefore it would be inappropriate for me to comment on any individual case.

However, I can advise the Deputy that on 11 June 2019, the HSE Leadership Team approved access to the drug Nusinersen (Spinraza) for children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type I, II or III on an exceptional and individualised basis.

The recommendation is to approve access for children with genetically confirmed SMA Type I, II or III, in accordance with the controlled access criteria recommended by the Rare Diseases Technology Review Committee. The rare diseases committee recommendation was clearly targeted at the youngest and most severely affected SMA patients, and this group is the clear priority for the HSE. The actual patient assessment and approval process will be the means for determining access on an individual case by case basis.

Pharmacy Regulations

Ceisteanna (188)

Michael Harty

Ceist:

188. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the action he plans to take on the new rules of an organisation (details supplied) regarding pharmacy assistants and their roles, responsibilities and to limit their ability to cover pharmacists for temporary absence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25712/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the Pharmacy Act 2007, my role in relation to the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland PSI (Temporary Absence of Pharmacist from Pharmacy) Rules is limited to their consideration once submitted to me for my consent.

In this case, the Rules in question are currently subject to legal challenge. As a result, they are not currently under consideration.

I am not in a position to comment any further due to the legal challenge.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (189)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

189. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if surgery will be scheduled for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25738/19]

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.

Vaccination Programme Data

Ceisteanna (190)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

190. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the targets set out for the uptake of HSE HPV vaccination programme for the years 2014 to 2019, in tabular form; the detail of the HPV immunisation uptake statistics provided by the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre for the school years 2014 to 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25755/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Health Service Executive collects and collates immunisation statistics, I have asked them to reply directly to the Deputy.

Vaccination Programme Data

Ceisteanna (191)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

191. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health if all children received their MMR booster vaccine in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25756/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Health Service Executive collects and collates immunisation statistics, I have asked them to reply directly to the Deputy.

Vaccination Programme Data

Ceisteanna (192)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

192. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the targets set out for the uptake of the MMR vaccination programme for the years 2014 to 2019, in tabular form; the number of children that received their MMR vaccination for the years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25757/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Health Service Executive collects and collates immunisation statistics, I have asked them to reply directly to the Deputy.

Vaccination Programme Data

Ceisteanna (193)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

193. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the targets set out for the uptake of each vaccination under the primary childhood immunisation schedule for the years 2014 to 2019, in tabular form; the actual number of children that did receive each vaccination under the schedule in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25758/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Health Service Executive collects and collates immunisation statistics, I have asked them to reply directly to the Deputy.

Dental Services Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (194)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

194. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age in CHO2 waiting for an appointment in categories and for periods (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25759/19]

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.

HSE Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (195)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

195. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age in CHO2 waiting for an eye test in primary care; the number waiting for periods (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25760/19]

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.

HSE Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (196)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

196. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age in CHO2 waiting for a hearing test in primary care; the number waiting for periods (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25761/19]

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.

Speech and Language Therapy Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (197)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

197. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age in CHO2 waiting for a speech and language assessment in primary care; the number waiting for periods (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25762/19]

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 Waiting Lists Data

Ceisteanna (198)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

198. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for scoliosis surgery in CHO2; the length of time they are waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25763/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated by officials in my Department and will be provided to the Deputy directly as soon as it becomes available.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (199)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

199. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been removed from the public waiting list having previously had unsuccessful surgery carried out by the same consultant; if patients are commonly removed from waiting lists without notification in this fashion; if such cases are an effort to shorten waiting lists; and the full circumstances in detail to date in relation to this particular case. [25770/19]

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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (200)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

200. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25774/19]

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.

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 Promotion

Ceisteanna (201)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

201. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 345 of 5 February 2019, if the HSE has approved the draft HSE staff breastfeeding in the workplace policy which was drawn up by the breastfeeding implementation group; if not, the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25787/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the question relates to a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (202)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

202. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when approval of capital funding will issue for the development of children’s disability services in County Waterford on land owned by the HSE at St. Otteran’s Hospital, Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25791/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

General Medical Services Scheme Data

Ceisteanna (203)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

203. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the pharmacies with a GMS contract in Dublin 5; the payments received under categories (details supplied) in each month from December 2018 to May 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25798/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Thalidomide Victims Compensation

Ceisteanna (204)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

204. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the support services available for persons who have been adversely affected by the use of a drug (details supplied); his plans to increase wrap around support for an association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25808/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Following an Irish Government Decision in January 1975, the Government granted an ex-gratia sum equivalent to 4 times the German lump-sum and an ex-gratia monthly allowance for life equal to the German monthly allowance, to each of the Irish children found to have thalidomide related injuries. There are currently 29 Irish people in receipt of ex-gratia monthly payments from my Department and all are now in their late 50s.

The German monthly payments are made by the Contergan Foundation, which is established under German legislation. From 01 August 2013, the Foundation substantially increased its monthly payments to thalidomide survivors, including Irish survivors. Both the German payments and the Irish ex-gratia payments made to the survivors are exempt from tax, including DIRT and are not reckonable as means for the purpose of Social Welfare payments. The rate of payment is related to the survivors' level of thalidomide related injury.

In addition to the initial lump sum and the monthly payments for life, the supports provided to each Irish survivor include a medical card on an administrative basis regardless of means, provision of appliances, artificial limbs, equipment, housing adaptations, and access to a full range of primary care, hospital and personal social services. There is a designated senior manager in the Health Service Executive to act as a liaison with regard to the ongoing health and personal social service needs of Irish survivors.

The Contergan Foundation has confirmed that since 2013, it is accepting applications from individuals for compensation for thalidomide related injury. It is open to any Irish person to apply to the Foundation for assessment of their disability as being attributable to thalidomide. Any Irish person who establishes that their injury is attributable to thalidomide, will be offered appropriate supports by the Irish Government commensurate with those currently provided to Irish thalidomide survivors, outlined above.

Work is underway in the Department to bring forward Heads of a Bill to provide on a statutory basis for health and personal social services for the Irish survivors of thalidomide.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (205)

James Browne

Ceist:

205. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the case of a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25809/19]

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.

Neuro-Rehabilitation Policy

Ceisteanna (206)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

Ceist:

206. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of the nine implementation teams, one for each community health organisation, established to date in 2019, as part of the roll-out of the implementation plan for the national neuro-rehabilitation strategy; the funding allocated to support implementation in 2019; and the funding allocated in each CHO. [25810/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to publish a plan for advancing neuro-rehabilitation services in the community.

The Health Service Executive recently published its implementation framework in respect of the recommendations of the National Policy and Strategy for the provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011-2015. This was the culmination of the work of the National Steering Group established in 2017, which included representation from stakeholder groups including the Neurological Alliance of Ireland.

The focus of the Neuro-Rehabilitation Strategy is on achieving best outcomes for people, by providing safe, high quality, person-centred care at the lowest appropriate level of complexity. This must be integrated across the care pathway and provided as close to home as possible or in specialist centres, where necessary.

The framework will guide the reconfiguration and development of neuro-rehabilitation structures and services at national and local level, through a 10-step Framework.

It proposes the formation of Managed Clinical Rehabilitation Networks (MCRNs), with the set-up of one demonstration MCRN suggested as the first step.

The ultimate goal of this approach is to put in place a national framework of acute, inpatient and specialist community services.

The Managed Clinical Rehabilitation Network (MCRN) model acknowledges that different service users need different input and different levels of expertise and specialisation at different stages in their rehabilitation journey.

The critical point of this model is that, although service users may need to access different services as they progress, the transition between services should be facilitated by appropriate communication and sharing of information between services so that they progress in a seamless continuum of care through the different stages:

- Acute hospital;

- Complex specialist rehabilitation services;

- Post-acute specialist inpatient rehabilitation services;

- Community based specialist rehabilitation services;

- Primary care; and

- Voluntary organisations.

This National Implementation Framework is evidence-based and informed by population needs. It addresses the continuum of care for those in need of neurological rehabilitation services. It describes the requirement for a whole system approach and provides the blueprint for how we should deliver care and services for those who suffer from neurological conditions who require individualised, goal focused rehabilitation

The implementation framework covers an initial period from 2019 into 2021. However, it is recognised that continued investment in and development of neuro-rehabilitation services will need to be prioritised beyond the three-year implementation period of this Implementation Framework.

As this a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (207)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

207. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health his views on the work being done by cardiac specialists from some hospitals in Dublin and the midlands (details supplied) who carry out voluntary cath labs in St. James's Hospital for emergencies; if all hospitals are providing cardiologists for this service; the reason certain hospitals may not participate in this service by sending their cardiologists; the effect this may have on outcomes for patients with emergency heart problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25814/19]

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.

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