Written Answers Nos. 290-314
290. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding multibuy promotions and their effects on obesity levels here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43034/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra“A Healthy Weight for Ireland”, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), is a cross-sectoral, whole of Government approach towards tackling the causes of obesity in Ireland. There are many causes of obesity and none of them operate in isolation, and the same applies to measures to deal with the problem. The OPAP recognises that interventions such as portion size control and reformulation of food and drink can have an impact on obesity.
Actions planned under the OPAP include engaging with the food industry on measures such as agreeing food industry reformulation targets and the introduction of maximum portion sizes, and a sub-group of the Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group is working on these measures. Progress has already been made with the introduction of the Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax in May 2018. These issues are all interlinked, and it is important to consider the potential impacts of any proposed measures, as well as closely monitoring the impact of such measures once they are introduced, which underlines the importance of the multi-level and co-ordinated approach of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan.
Also under the OPAP, new Healthy Eating Guidelines and a Food Pyramid have been produced, disseminated and communicated, in order to assist with eating a healthy and balanced diet. The Pyramid recommends limited consumption of Top Shelf foods such as those high-sugar items referred to. These foods are limited to a maximum of once or twice a week and are not needed for good health as they provide calories and very little nutrients, and can contribute to overweight and obesity.
291. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of respite hours and day-only respite sessions accessed by children and adults with a disability in County Galway in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and date in 2019; the number of requests for respite that were granted and refused in each of the years; the amount spent on respite in County Galway in each year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43053/19]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
As the Deputy's question relates to service maters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
292. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant psychiatric posts across the health service; and the number filled by permanent consultant, temporarily filled and vacant, respectively. [43058/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
293. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of approved consultant positions in each public and voluntary hospital; the number filled on a whole-time equivalent basis; the number vacant as of 15 October 2019 or the latest date available; and the number filled on locum or non-specialist basis in tabular form. [43059/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
294. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure a drug treatment (details supplied) can be obtained in supply greater than one month. [43060/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
295. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals for a first assessment for occupational therapy in CHO1 to date in 2019. [43061/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra296. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals for a first assessment for occupational therapy in CHO2 to date in 2019. [43062/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra297. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals for a first assessment for occupational therapy in CHO3 to date in 2019. [43063/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra298. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals for a first assessment for occupational therapy in CHO4 to date in 2019. [43064/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra299. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals for a first assessment for occupational therapy in CHO5 to date in 2019 [43065/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra300. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals for a first assessment for occupational therapy in CHO6 to date in 2019. [43066/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra301. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals for a first assessment for occupational therapy in CHO7 to date in 2019. [43067/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra302. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals for a first assessment for occupational therapy in CHO8 to date in 2019. [43068/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra303. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals for a first assessment for occupational therapy in CHO9 to date in 2019. [43069/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 295 to 303, inclusive, together.
As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
304. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to address issues with staffing levels in the orthodontic services in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43072/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
305. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapists in whole-time equivalent terms employed in each CHO area in tabular form; and the equivalent number for the same date in 2018. [43073/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
306. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the regional variations in the eligibility and allocation of services relating to publicly funded home care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43074/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Service Plan 2019 set a target to deliver 18.26 million hours to over 53,000 people, including 360,000 hours as part of an Intensive Home care Package. By the end of July more than 10 million hours of home support had been delivered nationally and almost 52,000 people were in receipt of the service. The latest preliminary data available to me indicates that this has increased to over 11.8 million hours by the end of August.
Despite this significant level of provision, demand for home support continues to grow and nationally over 7,000 people have been assessed and are waiting for either new or additional services.
Arrangements for home supports have developed over the years with a significant local focus and it is acknowledged by the HSE that there may be a considerable variation in access to services in different parts of the country. The recent report from the ESRI, published in July of this year, “Geographic Profile of Healthcare Needs and Non-Acute Healthcare Supply in Ireland” highlighted this variation across counties and regions.
I acknowledge that in some cases access to the service may take longer than we would like. However, the HSE has assured the Department that people on the waiting list are reviewed, as funding becomes available, to ensure that individual cases continue to be dealt with on a priority basis within the available resources and as determined by the local front line staff who know and understand the clients’ needs, and who undertake regular reviews of those care needs to ensure that the services being provided remain appropriate.
In line with commitments given in the Programme for Government we have made improved access to home support services a priority in Budget 2020. An additional investment of €52 million is being made in 2020 which will provide over 19.2 million hours of home support. This is 1 million hours more than the 2019 target and represents a substantial increase in service provision. This investment is focused on enabling older people to remain at home and, as appropriate, provision of hours will also be targeted at times of peak demand, at the beginning and end of the year, to ensure more timely egress from hospital for older people.
While the existing home support service is delivering crucial support to many people across the country, it needs to be improved to better meet the changing needs of our citizens. The Department of Health is currently developing plans for a new statutory scheme and system of regulation for home support services for older people and adults with a disability. Included in this investment is dedicated funding for the testing of the new statutory home-support scheme in 2020.
The design of the new scheme will involve the establishment of a model of service with a streamlined central system of administration to improve and simplify how people access home-support services. While the administration of the scheme will be centralised, the delivery of services will be co-ordinated at local level in line with a person’s assessed need. A core component of the Scheme and the testing phase will be the implementation of InterRAI, as the standardised assessment tool for determining need under the new scheme.
307. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans for the Drimnagh, Dublin 12, primary healthcare centre; if it is provided for in the 2020 HSE capital budget; if planning permission will expire in November 2019 should the project not commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43079/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare services and infrastructure projects. The HSE has advised that an application for the extension of the planning permission in respect of Drimnagh Primary Care Centre has been lodged with Dublin City Council and the outcome is awaited.
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.
308. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to enable persons with disabilities avail of assistive technologies; the funding provided in 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43083/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
309. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of the impending changes to the fair deal scheme for business persons and farmers; when this legislation is expected to pass; the way in which fair deal patients assets are being treated ahead of the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43085/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), to cap contributions based on farm and business assets at 3 years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset, has been approved by Government. The Department developed draft Heads of Bill while considering a number of complex ancillary policy and operational matters which may need to be addressed in the proposed legislation.
The General Scheme of Bill for the NHSS was approved by Government on the 11th June 2019 and subsequently published. The changes to the Scheme will come into effect as soon as the legislative process is successfully complete. The Department will progress this as quickly as possible, however, the timeline for completion of the legislation will also depend on how it passes through the Houses. The General Scheme has been sent to the relevant Joint Committee and the Department looks forward to participating in pre-legislative scrutiny in November.
It is intended that this proposed policy change, the 3 year cap, will be extended to eligible existing participants in long term residential care so that they are not disadvantaged, but that there would be no retrospective recoupment of contributions for those who have paid contributions over and above the 3 year period.
310. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if the full complement of coronary care unit beds will remain fully open and operational at University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43088/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible
311. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if the MICAT team in the midlands may lose its public health nurse in view of the fact the HSE has pulled its staff from the service. [43090/19]
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.
312. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Wexford awaiting home help hours to be approved, allocated or increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43092/19]
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.
313. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who availed of speech and language therapy in a primary care setting in counties Cavan and Monaghan to date in 2019; the number on the waiting list for speech and language therapy; the length of time each has been on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43109/19]
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.
314. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who availed of physiotherapy in a primary care setting in counties Cavan and Monaghan to date in 2019; the number on the waiting list for physiotherapy; the length of time each has been on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43110/19]
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.
