Written Answers Nos. 393-417
393. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1264 of 6 September 2019, the number of investigations carried out in premises or businesses carrying out the business of tattooing and-or body piercing in each of the years 2010 to 2018 and to date in 2019, by CHO area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37234/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this PQ refers to a service issue, I have referred it to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
394. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if the provision of emergency residential places in the HSE CHO Dublin north city and county area will be funded for the remainder of the year to meet the needs of the area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37235/19]
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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
395. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he received letters of concern regarding genetic testing from geneticists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37241/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Health, I receive a significant amount of correspondence from public representatives, the general public and indeed from health professionals which, in the normal way, is dealt with by my officials. In that context, any issues of concern, which may have been raised by any particular geneticist, would have been dealt with as appropriate.
396. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he received copies of independent guidelines for the termination of pregnancy under the specific grounds permitted under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 from organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37242/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra397. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he received copies of independent guidelines for the termination of pregnancy under the specific grounds permitted under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 particularly as it applies in section 11 from an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37243/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 396 and 397 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, a number of clinical guidance documents on termination of pregnancy have been developed and published by medical colleges to assist in the provision of services under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. My Department provided financial support to ensure that clinical guidelines for medical professionals operating the termination of pregnancy service were put in place at the earliest opportunity.
The Irish College of General Practitioners issued 'Interim Clinical Support for Termination of Pregnancy in General Practice' in December 2018, while Interim Clinical Guidance documents were published in January 2019 by the RCSI Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (IOG) on 'Termination of pregnancy under 12 weeks' and on the 'Pathway for management of fatal fetal anomalies and/or life-limiting conditions diagnosed during pregnancy: Termination of pregnancy'. Interim Clinical Guidance on cases where there is a risk to the life or health of a pregnant woman was published by the RCSI IOG in May 2019.
I have received copies of each of the Clinical Guidance documents.
398. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the reason the weekly training allowance of €31.80 for new entrants to rehabilitative training courses which is normally paid by the HSE has been removed (details supplied); when the allowance will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37275/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis 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. The 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.
The payment of the Rehabilitative Training (RT) Bonus came into place on the transition of Rehabilitative / Training Programmes to the HSE following the dissolution of the National Rehabilitation Board in June 2000.
The decision to phase out the Rehabilitative Training (RT) Bonus payment is designed to bring equity and consistency between people with a disability attending HSE funded rehabilitative training programmes who receive the payment, and those attending similar HSE funded Day Services or in other State schemes such as further education and training, who do not.
This action will ensure all HSE funded Day Services are provided on an equitable basis and will also ensure that the use of finite resources is maximised.
The Rehabilitative Training (RT) Bonus Payment is a historical payment, introduced in July 2001, aligned with a similar FÁS Training Bonus. However, during 2011 the FÁS Training Bonus was reduced to €20.00 and then eliminated the following year while to date the RT Bonus Payment has continued to be paid in the Health Sector
It is worth remembering that:
- There is no cut in the number of RT places available
- There is no cut in payment of the bonus - those who have it will continue to receive it for the remainder of their RT Placement
- All participants continue to be eligible for Disability Allowance of €203 per week
- All participants continue to be eligible for a free travel pass
- No expectation of an additional RT bonus payment has been created by HSE for 2019 participants
The redirected funding (€3.7 m over 4 years), which will be ring-fenced, will facilitate 148 full day placements or 370 enhanced day places nationally based on priority need.
Each CHO will have the flexibility to redirect its own savings to address local service requirements. The HSE will put in place a monitoring system and regularly report the additional placements realised to the Department of Health.
401. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for assessments of needs under the Disability Act 2005 in which a referral was made by the assessment officer under section 8(3) of the Act to the National Council of Special Education by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37309/19]
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.
402. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if additional home help hours will be provided for a person (details supplied). [37313/19]
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.
403. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the position regarding services for a person (details supplied). [37315/19]
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.
404. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can avail of compression stockings via a medical card. [37325/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
405. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if home help hours or a care plan will be put in place for a person (details supplied); if hours can be allocated under the home support scheme as a matter of urgency; and if the matter will be expedited. [37332/19]
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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
406. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if appropriate home supports and a care plan will be put in place for a person (details supplied); and if the matter will be expedited. [37335/19]
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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
407. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the process of discharge from a hospital in Kilkenny relative to the case of a person (details supplied); if a discharge plan was agreed with their family; if home support hours or a care plan are in place during the long periods of time each day that they are alone at home; if the HSE considers this to be a safe discharge from a hospital setting to a house; if immediate intervention will be approved by the HSE to deal with this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37337/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
408. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if one-to-one support will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied); and if the application for funding submitted in April 2019 will be expedited and approved. [37341/19]
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.
409. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 409 of 9 July 2019, the full suite of rehabilitation services available to stroke victims in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; if speech therapy is one of the services available; if there is a waiting list for each service; if so, the number of stroke victims on each list; if there are gaps in the services; if so, the way in which each is being addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37342/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
410. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason there are no primary care paediatric services in County Kilkenny; if children referred to this service can be seen in another county or a location in which the service exists; if in the event of the service continuing to be unavailable through the HSE, he will provide funding for the children to be seen privately; if the referral of a person (details supplied) will be dealt with as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37346/19]
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.
411. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the home support hours of five per week will be restored in the case of persons (details supplied); if the case of both children will be reviewed and the hours increased; his views in relation to the policy of cutbacks in this area; the way in which he plans to restore funding to a level that meets the demands of the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37348/19]
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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
412. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for the purpose of accommodation and care for a person (details supplied); if a response will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37349/19]
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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
413. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if home help hours or a care plan will be put in place for a person (details supplied); the action being taken to recruit staff to address this need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37350/19]
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.
414. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to provide occupational therapy services for a person (details supplied); and if the matter will be expedited in view of the urgency of the case. [37351/19]
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.
415. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason the pension information relative to each employee of a centre (details supplied) has not been made available to them; if the national pensions management section of the HSE will ensure that all pension details are given to each employee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37354/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
416. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 907 of 6 September 2019, the options being considered regarding the archive of bloodspot screening cards retained without permission from 1984 to 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37356/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am considering whether to reaffirm the decision originally agreed with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC), the HSE and the Department of Health in 2011 for the disposal of the Newborn Screening Card (NSC) Archive (1984-July 2011).
A decision in relation to this topic is well advanced and I expect this to be finalised in the coming months.
417. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) was refused a medical card in view of the various medical conditions in the case; if the decision in this case will be reviewed taking into account the medical reports and prescription costs provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37357/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy
