Written Answers Nos. 265-289
265. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the consultancy service providers engaged by her Department from 1 January 2018 to 1 January 2019; the costs associated with each (details supplied); the reason for each service engagement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43307/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra266. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the details of each value for money and policy review conducted by her Department from 1 January 2018 to 1 January 2019; the cost of each exercise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43324/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 266 together.
Details of my Department's expenditure on consultancy, value for money and policy review services in the period from 1st January 2018 to 1st January 2019 are set out in the following table.
|
Name of external Consultant/Organisation |
Report Title |
Cost of Report € |
|
Mazars |
Financial and Governance Analysis of certain Credit Co-operatives |
€44,280. |
|
KPMG |
Data Analysis and Benchmarking Exercise for the Personal Injuries Commission (PIC). |
€43,050. |
|
Economic and Social Research Institute |
Measuring Contingent Employment in Ireland |
€51,357.42 |
|
Coyne Research |
Workplace Relations Commission Stakeholder and Service user Research |
€34,440.00 |
|
O’Herlihy Access Consultancy |
Development of Access Policy for the Workplace Relations Commission |
€12,669.00 |
|
Colleary & Co Solicitors |
GDPR Gap Analysis Report for Workplace Relations Commission |
€5,842.50 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners |
Dangerous Substances Legislation Review 2018 |
€45,003 |
|
Behaviour & Attitudes |
Brexit Vote – The impact on Irish SMEs and their Capital Funding (Survey 3) |
24,995.02 |
|
OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) |
Review of SME and Entrepreneurship Issues and Policies in Ireland |
€300,000 (Two payments of €85,000 and €115,000 made in 2018. Final payment of €100,000 paid in May 2019)) |
|
IDC UK Ltd |
Digital Transformation: Assessing the Impact of Digitalisation on Ireland’s Workforce |
€72,570 |
|
ASM Chartered Accountants |
Five internal audit reports: 1) Health & Safety Authority – Liaison and governance 2) Personal Injuries Assessment Board – Liaison and governance 3) Companies Registration Office 4) Workplace Relations Commission 5) Labour Court |
€59,000 |
|
Copenhagen Economics |
Making EU Trade in Services Work for all |
€133,486 Note: The sum above is Ireland’s share of the costs. Further contributions were made by a number of other Member States who participated in the projected. |
|
Ward Solutions |
IT systems security testing |
4,735.50 |
|
Duff & Phelps |
Not in the public domain |
Contract not delimited by price but rather by rate. No invoice has been received as of yet |
267. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the proposed current and capital allocation to each agency under her remit following budget 2020; and the allocation made in her Department and in each agency towards hiring new staff, in tabular form. [43530/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Budget 2020 set out the Current and Capital ceilings for my Department (€339 million and €632 million respectively). However, the definite allocations for each of the subheads, including the agencies, will not be finalised until the annual Revised Estimates process is completed. The Revised Estimates Volume is usually published in early December and will set out the final agreed 2020 allocation for each subhead.
268. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 305 of 15 October 2019, the exact EU state aid rules that apply to export credit insurance that members states must adhere to; the state aid thresholds that exist; and the specific EU regulations that pertain to this area. [43531/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe cover of marketable risks by export credit agencies is prohibited under State aid rules as these are risks that private insurance companies are willing to cover for countries within the EU and the majority of OECD countries. State insurers cannot be given advantage over private credit insurers. Where export credit insurance is provided by state insurers, it would involve state resources, which may give the insurers and, in turn, the exporters, a selective advantage which could distort or threaten to distort competition and could affect trade between member states. Therefore, State aid would be deemed to be present.
There are a number of existing schemes that may be accessed by exporters immediately to mitigate the impact of Brexit on their businesses. These include the Brexit Loan Scheme and Future Growth Loan Scheme.
The Brexit Loan Scheme provides affordable financing to businesses that are either currently impacted by Brexit or will be in the future. The Scheme is delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) through Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank and AIB and makes €300 million available to eligible businesses with up to 499 employees at an interest rate of 4% or less.
Loans can be used for future working capital requirements, or to fund innovation, change or adaption of a business to mitigate the impact of Brexit.
Brexit Loan features include:
- Loan amount from €25,000 up to a maximum of €1,500,000
- Loan term of up to 3 years
- Loans less than €500,000 will be unsecured
- Interest rate of 4% or less.
The Future Growth Loan Scheme provides affordable financing to Irish businesses and the primary agriculture and seafood sectors to support strategic long-term investment in a post Brexit environment. The Scheme, which is delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) through Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, KBC and AIB makes €300 million available to eligible businesses with up to 249 employees at an interest rate of 4.5% or less for loans up to €249,999 and 3.5% and less for loans greater than or equal to €250,000.
Loans can be used for investment in tangible or intangible assets for the purpose of process and organisational innovation or investment in tangible and intangible assets on agricultural holdings linked to primary agricultural production.
The features of the Future Growth Loan include:
- Loan amount from €100,000 (€50,000 for primary agriculture) up to a maximum of €3,000,000
- Loan term from a minimum of 8 years to a maximum of 10 years
- Loans less than €500,000 will be unsecured
- Interest rate of 4.5% for loans up to €249,999 and 3.5% and less for loans greater than or equal to €250,000.
Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices also provide supports specifically to help companies to diversify their markets. These supports include the Local Enterprise Offices Technical Assistance for Micro-Exporters (TAME) Grant. This grant supports clients to explore and develop new export market opportunities. With a focus on helping companies to diversify, this scheme is a matched-funding opportunity with up to €2,500 available.
The Enterprise Ireland Market Discovery Fund incentivises companies to undertake market research and develop viable and sustainable market entry strategies in new geographic markets. The Market Discovery Fund provides support towards internal and external costs incurred when researching new markets for products and services. Support can be provided over an 18 month period from project start date to project end date. Support for Market Discovery Fund applies when eligible companies are either looking at a new geographic market for an existing product/service or an existing geographic market for a new product/service.
269. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to reinstate the training allowance payment to disability allowance recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43050/19]
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
- The majority of attendees of HSE Disability Services, including Rehabilitative Training programmes, qualify for Disability Allowance, paid at the rate of €203 per week, which also qualifies them 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.
270. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the projected cost of the national children's hospital in each year between 2020 and 2023; the amount in each year that has been accounted for in the National Development Plan 2018-2027; the amount that is in excess of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43548/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new Children’s Hospital is a vital and much needed project and the Government will ensure that the new Children’s Hospital will be delivered within the overall investment programme, as set out in Project Ireland 2040.
In December 2018 the Government approved the construction investment for the new children's hospital and two outpatients and urgent care centres, at a capital cost of €1,433 million.
The 2019 Capital Plan provides for funding of €881m for the new children’s hospital over the three-year period 2019-2021. The profiling of this funding is reviewed on an ongoing basis and the latest estimated expenditure in 2019 is €230m, with a resulting cashflow balance of €20m being carried forward to 2020, where expenditure of €316m is forecast, with €335m profiled in 2021.
271. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the availability of adequate counselling services to deal with requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43584/19]
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.
272. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the budget for the National Immunisation Office in each of the years 2017 to 2019. [42921/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE National Immunisation Office is responsible for managing vaccine procurement and distribution, developing training and communication materials for the public and health professionals. All vaccines administered through the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule and School Immunisation Programme are provided free of charge.
As this PQ relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
273. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the number of legal claims taken against University Hospital Kerry in each of the years 2009 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42928/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraState indemnity, as operated by the State Claims Agency, is provided to delegated State authorities (including University Hospital Kerry), in respect of personal injury, third-party property damage and clinical negligence liabilities. The Agency has a statutory mandate, in respect of these liabilities, to investigate and manage to completion any cases arising. I am assuming that the Deputy's question relates to these categories of claims.
My officials have been advised by the Agency that it publishes risk and claims data at a national level and at a group level. At a location level it provides data only in an anonymised manner. This is to support the Agency’s risk management objective to implement targeted personal injury and property damage risk work programmes to mitigate litigation risk in State authorities and healthcare enterprises, in order to reduce the costs of future litigation against the State.
The Agency does not release data pertaining to an individual location as it has the potential of identifying sensitive information relating to an individual. Also, such information can be taken out of context and may lead to having an adverse impact on incident reporting rates within these locations. The Agency proactively supports the increase in incident reporting by a healthcare service as it is considered to be indicative of the development of a strong patient safety culture.
274. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be considered for an operation under the National Treatment Purchase Fund. [42931/19]
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.
With regard to accessing treatment through the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), the NTPF works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment by a consultant/specialist at an outpatient clinic.
The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment, it is solely on the basis of their time spent on the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List. The clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital.
275. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if the provision of the linking of the school age team to a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42935/19]
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.
276. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the reason beds in the Sacred Heart Hospital, County Roscommon are being left empty at present despite the general bed crisis nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42938/19]
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.
277. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the reason patients in acute services are reportedly taken directly to private nursing homes until their fair deal application process is complete; the reason the transitional funding reportedly available to private nursing homes is not open to HSE nursing homes, such as the Sacred Heart Hospital, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42939/19]
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.
278. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the reason no progress has been made to date on the promised 50 bed extension to the Sacred Heart Hospital, County Roscommon; if a design team has been appointed; if construction will commence in 2020; if it will be finished by 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42940/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive recently published its Capital Plan for 2019-2021 outlining the projects to be progressed over the three-year period.
The Capital Plan provides for €220m capital funding to the Community Nursing Unit programme over the period 2019 to 2021 and also sets out the current status of all projects within the programme, including new development at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Roscommon.
The Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects and has advised that the tender documents are being prepared for the appointment of a design team. It is intended to proceed with the tender process this year, once the new Framework for Design Teams has been completed.
It is important to recognise that all capital development proposals must progress through a number of approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, including detailed appraisal, planning, design and procurement, before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established.
279. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health his plans to sanction the drug osimertinib in view of the fact that a number of persons are using it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42946/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra389. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has received an application for funding for the oral chemotherapy agent osimertinib; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43393/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 389 together.
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 for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines.
In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, if a company would like a medicine to be reimbursed by the HSE, the company must submit an application to the HSE to have the new medicine added to the reimbursement list.
Reimbursement is for licenced indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).
I am advised by the HSE that it has received two applications for the reimbursement of Osimertinib (Tagrisso):
1) The treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR T790M mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
In May 2018, the NCPE recommended that Osimertinib not be considered for reimbursement for this indication unless cost-effectiveness can be improved relative to existing treatments. Following the assessment and after a number of rounds of commercial negotiations, the HSE notified the applicant in February 2019 that it was minded to not approve reimbursement for this indication.
The 2013 Act provides for a period of representations after such notifications, before the HSE can make its final decision. The HSE have received representations from the manufacturer and these are under consideration by the HSE leadership team in advance of a final reimbursement decision.
2) The first-line treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations.
In respect of the second indication, a health technology assessment was completed on 6 August 2019 with the NCPE recommending that Osimertinib not be considered for reimbursement unless cost effectiveness can be improved relative to existing treatments. The HSE will assess this application for reimbursement in line with the 2013 Health Act.
280. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the recent announcement by the HSE of a recruitment embargo in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42952/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the HSE that while there is no national recruitment embargo or moratorium, there is a priority requirement for all HSE services to maintain, or get to, an affordable staffing level that is sustainable in 2019 and 2020, while also prioritising the delivery of safe services.
With regard to the specific query relating to a single individual, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
281. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health his future plans for the St. Columbas site, Armagh Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12 (details supplied). [42955/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of public healthcare property estate and has advised that it is currently reviewing the future potential for the delivery of primary and community care services on the site at Armagh Road Crumlin . In the meantime, it has been necessary for the property to be boarded up in line with vacant property protocol and for insurance purposes.
282. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if funding has been ring-fenced for organisations (details supplied); if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42964/19]
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.
283. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when the pay deal agreed with nurses and midwives in February 2019 will be put in place; the cost of same in 2019 and 2020; and the nature of offsetting cost reduction measures such as changes to roster arrangements that are to be put in place to deal with the cost of the new pay deal. [42969/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraImplementation of the agreement reached in relation to nurses and midwives has commenced. Rather than a ‘pay deal’, the agreement is made up of a number of elements intended to improve the recruitment and retention of nurses and midwives.
It provides for the introduction of the Enhanced Practice nurse/midwife roles, as well as a range of other measures. It commits to the continued roll-out of the Framework on Safe Staffing and Skill Mix already underway. The initial focus has been on the introduction of the new enhanced roles.
Significant engagement was required between the parties to agree the wording of a new contract to be signed by each person taking up this role. The HSE issued a circular opening the Enhanced Practice role to eligible applicants on 23rd August 2019.
The agreement also includes the recommendations of the Public Service Pay Commission in relation to allowances and accelerated progression for certain nursing and midwifery grades. The HSE has issued a circular giving effect to these allowance increases. Other measures provided for such as the extension of the qualification/location allowance to medical surgical areas and the upgrading of certain RNID nurses are also being progressed.
The full costs involved will be dependent on nurses/midwives choosing to apply for the enhanced practice roles now available to them. Similarly, cost savings will also be contingent on the success of the new enhanced role and the roll-out of the Framework on Safe Staffing and Skill Mix.
Health Service Management are committed to the implementation of all aspects of the agreement and this which will be closely monitored through an HSE Implementation Plan. Funding for the implementation of the nursing agreement has been provided in Budget 2020 and it is expected that further details will be set out in the HSE's National Service Plan.
284. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the €335 million Supplementary Estimate for the budget of his Department announced in budget 2020. [42970/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is envisaged that a supplementary estimate of €335 million net will be approved by Government. This represents 2.1% of the original net allocation, in comparison to a Supplementary Estimate in 2018 equal to 4.4% of the original net allocation. This significant improvement highlights the enhanced focus on financial performance across the Health system.
Excess expenditure in services for people with a disability and in Acute hospitals account for €100m of the requirement. Primary Care Reimbursement Service €157m, Pensions €24m, Overseas Treatment €40m, and the State Claims Agency €40m accounts for a further €261m of the requirement. Decisions taken after the NSP (incl. Nursing Agreement, other IR agreements, and the Cervical Check ex-gratia scheme) account for €56m, and Brexit is a further €10m of the excess expenditure.
In addition, €26m is being provided to support a Winter Plan to offset the growing concern of the impact of meeting winter service demands.
Time related saving of €73m are available on a once-off basis within the Vote, as well as additional Appropriations in Aid of €45m, resulting in a net supplementary sought of €335m.
285. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if certain dental work (details supplied) is provided to children in schools in County Galway; if the treatment they are receiving differs from that of children attending schools in neighbouring counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42972/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
286. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans for a catch-up HPV vaccination programme for older boys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42983/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) made a recommendation that the HPV vaccine should be given to boys. On foot of NIAC’s recommendation, my Department asked the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to undertake a health technology assessment (HTA) to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of extending the current immunisation programme, which offers HPV vaccination to all girls in their first year of second level education (generally 12 to 13 year olds), to a programme that also offers the vaccination to boys in their first year of secondary school.
HIQA completed the HTA in December 2018, recommending that the HPV immunisation programme be extended to include boys. A policy decision was made to extend the HPV immunisation programme to include boys starting in September 2019 with the introduction of a 9-valent HPV vaccine. However, the HIQA report published in December 2018 did not recommend an HPV catch-up programme for older boys for several reasons:
- Aaccinating boys in the first year of secondary school provides the best possible protection against HPV infection;
- Boys are already benefiting from the indirect herd protection provided by the girls' HPV vaccination programme which started in 2010.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by NIAC in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases. As the HPV vaccine is preventative it is intended to be administered, if possible, before a person becomes sexually active, that is, before a person is first exposed to HPV infection. Therefore, the gender neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school to provide maximum coverage. All vaccines administered through the School Immunisation Programme are provided free of charge.
My Department will continue to be guided by NIAC's recommendations on any emerging evidence on this issue in the future.
287. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if he will conduct a national audit of Traveller suicide and consider resourcing a national targeted suicide prevention campaign for Travellers as a priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42998/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Office for Suicide Prevention in the HSE has responsibility for the implementation of Connecting for Life, Ireland's National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. Members of the Traveller community are considered as a priority group under the strategy and feature across many objectives and actions in the strategy.
I have asked the National Office for Suicide Prevention to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to these specific requests.
288. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of children on waiting lists for a first outpatient appointment across all specialities in CHO area 8; and the number waiting three to six, six to 12, 12 to 18, 18 to 24 and more than 24 months, respectively, in tabular form. [43018/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraReducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government. In this regard, the Government is committed to improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures.
The latest published National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) figures show that there 12,527 children in CHO Area 8 waiting for an outpatient appointment in a public hospital . Of these, 60% are waiting 9 months or less and 68% are waiting 12 months or less.
More broadly, Budget 2020 announced that the Government has further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the NTPF increasing from €75 million in 2019 to €100 million in 2020. The year-on-year increases to the National Treatment Purchase Fund since Budget 2017 reflect this Government’s priority to improve waiting times for patients to access hospital treatment.
My Department is working with the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund to develop the Scheduled Care Access Plan 2020. The National Service Plan 2020 will set out HSE planned activity level for the year ahead, while the NTPF will work with the hospital system to provide additionality to improve access to inpatient/daycase treatment and with a particular focus on hospital outpatient services.
In this regard, I would encourage all hospital groups and individual hospitals to engage with the NTPF to identify waiting list proposals for the remainder of this year and for 2020.
The information requested by the deputy on the number of children in CHO Area 8, waiting for an outpatient appointment in a public hospital, is outlined in the following table. In relation to the number of children in CHO Area 8, waiting for an appointment in a community care setting, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Total Outpatient Waiters Children Only in CHO Area 8 by Area of Residence by Wait Time Band as at 26/9/2019
|
Row Labels |
0-3 Months |
3-6 Months |
6-9 Months |
9-12 Months |
12-15 Months |
15-18 Months |
18-24 Months |
24 Months + |
Grand Total |
|
Laois |
445 |
375 |
258 |
158 |
102 |
100 |
88 |
307 |
1833 |
|
Longford |
218 |
164 |
98 |
56 |
38 |
35 |
51 |
153 |
813 |
|
Louth |
675 |
583 |
357 |
202 |
127 |
136 |
180 |
278 |
2538 |
|
Meath |
864 |
811 |
560 |
323 |
250 |
240 |
315 |
429 |
3792 |
|
Offaly |
515 |
335 |
220 |
107 |
76 |
60 |
113 |
318 |
1744 |
|
Westmeath |
476 |
365 |
245 |
154 |
93 |
72 |
126 |
276 |
1807 |
|
Grand Total |
3193 |
2633 |
1738 |
1000 |
686 |
643 |
873 |
1761 |
12527 |
289. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if there are circumstances in which a public patient (details supplied) can be assisted with funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43033/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 1970 (as amended) all persons ordinarily resident in the State are eligible for public health services provided by or on behalf of the HSE on a full or limited eligibility basis.
When a patient opts to avail of health services from a private provider, the relationship between the patient and the provider is a private contractual matter. The current public health eligibility framework provides no basis for funding private patient charges incurred by a patient in these circumstances.
