Wednesday, 4 Dec 2019

Hospital Discharges

Ceisteanna (153)

James Browne

Ceist:

153. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if a hospital discharge will be arranged for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50482/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Home Care Packages Provision

Ceisteanna (154)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

154. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure an increased home care package is put in place for a person (details supplied). [50485/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Administration

Ceisteanna (155)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

155. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the need in the context of the housing crisis to reform the operation of the fair deal scheme in order to encourage participants in the scheme to make their homes available for letting in order to alleviate the housing shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50486/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Under NHSS rental income is considered income for the purpose of the financial assessment, and is assessed at 80% less any allowable deductions. Allowable deductions include income tax and, therefore, any income tax arising from rental income should be deducted; other deductions include some health expenses, levies required by law to be paid, and interest on some loans in respect of a person’s principal private residence.

Action 17 of the Strategy for the Rental Sector commits the Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government (DHPLG) to examine the treatment, under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme's financial assessment, of income from the rental of a person's principal private residence where they move into long term residential care. My officials are working with DHPLG officials and examining a number of possible options. I am not in a position, however, to provide detail on these as discussions and detailed examination are ongoing and any potential proposals have not been finalised.

Departmental Bodies

Ceisteanna (156)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

156. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason for the absence of a person (details supplied) who is an expert on endometriosis on the women’s health task force; and if there is another expert on the illness on the task force. [50492/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I established the Women's Health Taskforce in the Department of Health to improve health outcomes and experiences of healthcare for women. The Taskforce has been established for a two year period and is meeting regularly, there have been two full meetings to date with the third scheduled for December.

Membership of the Taskforce includes staff from multiple units within the Department of Health as well as representatives from the Department of Justice and Equality, the HSE, the National Women's Council of Ireland, the European Institute of Women's Health, the Institute of Public Health, and the Irish College of General Practitioners.

I wish to reassure the Deputy that while it is not possible to have a representative from every area of women's health participate directly on the Taskforce, listening to the experiences of women is central to its work.

Each week, external experts in the area of women's health meet with members of the Taskforce in the Department of Health to inform its work. This initiative has been underway since the Taskforce was established. The Endometriosis Association of Ireland recently presented to members of the Taskforce, highlighting this important issue which affects many women in Ireland.

In addition, the first action of the Taskforce is to lead a 'radical listening' exercise inviting women in Ireland to share their experiences of and solutions for the health system. There will be multiple opportunities for anyone interested to feed into the work of the Taskforce and I would encourage them to do so. The work of the Taskforce, as well as opportunities to engage, can be tracked on the Taskforce's webpage.

This information and data, combined with the other available evidence will form the basis for future policy and action to improve women's health in Ireland.

Medical Card Administration

Ceisteanna (157)

James Browne

Ceist:

157. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the HSE medical card section will not accept e-mails from former employers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50500/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

HSE Funding

Ceisteanna (158)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

158. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of a revised application by an organisation (details supplied) for HSE funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50503/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Home Help Service Provision

Ceisteanna (159)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

159. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if suitable home help hours will be put in place for a person (details supplied) as a matter of urgency. [50512/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Rehabilitative Training Allowance Payments

Ceisteanna (160)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

160. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if disability organisations will be provided with funding to allow them to pay the full Christmas bonus to recipients of the rehabilitative training allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50530/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Government has decided to pay a Christmas Bonus of 100% of the weekly rate to recipients of the Rehabilitative Training (RT) Bonus payment, with payment to be made as early as possible in December 2019. Accordingly, the Health Service Executive (HSE) are authorised to arrange the payment to current recipients of the RT bonus.

As the issue is now a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (161)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

161. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be arranged for a person (details supplied) to see a nutritionist and or dietitian that specialises in helping persons with mental health issues; his plans to ensure that such a post is available for north County Dublin for outpatients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50539/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Legislative Process

Ceisteanna (162)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

162. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of Bills in his Department awaiting Committee Stage. [50550/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Two Department of Health Bills in the Government's Legislation Programme are currently referred for Committee Stage. Dáil Committee Stage for the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2019 is scheduled for 4 December 2019 while the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019 is awaiting Committee Stage in the Seanad.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (163)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

163. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the photography costs for his Department in each of the years March 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the costs incurred from use of the Ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used in tabular form; if there is a policy in his Department regarding the booking of photographers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50574/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The breakdown of photography costs from 2011 - 2019 is attached for the Department of Health. There were no costs incurred from the use of the Ministerial Allowance.

Photographers are booked from an OGP Framework.

Year	Description	Photography Service	Amount €	Annual Total €
2011	No photography costs in year
	Total			0
2012	No photography costs in year
	Total			0
2013	Photographer attendance at Departmental meetings	Corporate HR Photography	553.50
2013	Launch of Healthy Ireland Report	Robbie Reynolds Photography	615.00
2013	Visit of the Chinese Minister for Health	Robbie Reynolds Photography	553.50
2013	Higgins Report Photography	Donagh Glavin Photgraphy	239.85
2013	National Paediatric Hospital Development Board Photography	1Image Photography	314.43
2013	Total			2,276.28
2014	Departmental staff Photography	Robbie Reynolds Photography	246.00
2014	Photographs of Healthy Ireland Council Members	Conor McCabe Photography	1,045.50
2014	Photography for Healthy Ireland Council Meeting	Conor McCabe Photography	430.50
2014	HSE / Aviva Photocall	Conor McCabe Photography	307.50
2014	Conference Photography	Robbie Reynolds Photography	369.00
2014	Conference Photography	Conor McCabe Photography	369.00
2014	Total			2,767.50
2015	Health Conference Photography	Robbie Reynolds Photography	738.00
2015	Total			738.00
2016	Ministerial Photocall	Conor McCabe Photography	553.50
2016	Values of Nursing Launch Photography	Event Photographer	301.35
2016	Photography for Departmental Press Launch	Conor McCabe Photography	430.50
2016	Photography for Flu Vaccine Photocall	Marc O’Sullivan Photography	553.50
2016	Photography for Departmental Press Launch	Jason Clarke Photography	492.00
2016	Total			2,330.85
2017	Photography for EMA Bid	Maxwell Photography	189.42
2017	Photography for National Maternity Hospital Planning Permission	Andres Poveda	492.00
2017	Photographs of Departmental Steering Group	Maxwell Photography	344.00
2017	Total			1,025.42
2018	Tobacco Free Ireland Event	Maxwell Photography	430.50
2018	Trauma Policy Launch	Maxwell Photography	252.15
2018	Total			682.65
2019	Photography of One Health Event	Conor McCabe Photography	1,045.50
2019	Ministers Harris and McGrath announce changes for persons in receipt of a Disability Allowance Payment	Maxwell Photography	375.15
2019	Launch of National Patient Experience Survey	Maxwell Photography	319.80
2019	Headshots for Department of Health website	Maxwell Photography	424.35
2019	Photography for Departmental Meeting	Maxwell Photography	381.30
2019	Photography for the launch of Vaccine Alliance	Maxwell Photography	485.85
2019	Headshots for Department of Health website	Maxwell Photography	209.10
2019	Photography for European Centre for Disease Control	Conor McCabe Photography	738.00
2019	Photography for the inaugural meeting of the National Screening Advisory Committee	Robbie Reynolds Photography	430.50
2019	Photography for Nursing Policy Launch	Maxwell Photography	301.35
2019	Total			4,710.90

Total for 2011 – 2019 = €14,531.60

HSE Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (164)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

164. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if the HSE pays compensation or finder's fees to employment agencies in cases in which personnel registered with such agencies and who are working on that basis in the public health system are subsequently offered full–time posts by the HSE; if so, the number of cases in which such finder's fees have been paid in 2018 and to date in 2019; and the amounts involved in each case. [50587/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

General Practitioner Contracts

Ceisteanna (165)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

165. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of salaried general practitioners employed by the HSE to provide general medical services to patients with medical cards and GP visit cards; if such doctors are direct HSE employees as distinct from employees of general practitioners’ practices from GMS contract holders; if so, the salary grades and details; and if they qualify for public service pensions and pay the pension levy. [50588/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for it to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Freedom of Information Data

Ceisteanna (166)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

166. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the number of freedom of information requests made to his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of requests fully denied by reason; the number of requests partially denied; the number of appeals made against denials; the number of such appeals upheld; the number of such appeals rejected; the number of requests that required a fee; the amount received for freedom of information requests in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50599/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table.

Reasons for refusals would have been in accordance with the exemptions contained in the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

FOI STATISTICS 2016 – 2019 TO DATE

	2016	2017	2018	2019 TO DATE
Received (includes requests that may have been withdrawn, referred to another FOI body or material released on an administrative basis)	317	351	480	560
Granted	75	67	117	128
Part-Granted	111	126	157	157
Refused	73	84	126	132
Active	0	0	0	72
Internally Reviewed	6	7	7	9
Affirmed	4	2	2	3
Varied	2	5	2	6
Annulled	0	0	3	0
Active	0	0	0	0
Appealed to the Office of the Information Commissioner	3	4	1	2
Affirmed	1	1	0	0
Varied	0	3	0	0
Annulled	0	0	0	0
Agreement reached between parties	2	0	0	0
Active	0	0	1	2
Amount Received in Fees	€750	€1,174.97	€214	€1,090

Medical Card Administration

Ceisteanna (167)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

167. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the withdrawal of a service (details supplied); the measures that will be put in place in order that the information can be easily accessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50606/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Hospital Appointments Status

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (176)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

176. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50665/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (177)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

177. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50666/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.