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Tuesday, 10 Dec 2019

Written Answers Nos. 387-406

Neuro-Rehabilitation Services Provision

Ceisteanna (387, 388)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

387. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if an increase in funding of €1.5 million annually will be granted to an organisation (details supplied) from the HSE to enable it to be sustainable in view of the fact there are reported shortfalls concerning the current funding model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51393/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

388. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if an investment of €5 million to open a regional neuro-rehabilitation centre to provide rehabilitation beds outside of Dublin will be granted to an organisation (details supplied). [51394/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 388 together.

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 questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Departmental Advertising Campaigns

Ceisteanna (389)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

389. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the advertising campaigns, promotional events and launches planned by his Department for the first six months of 2020; the budgeted costs of these campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51412/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Advertising campaigns, promotional events and launches planned by the Department of Health for the first six months of 2020 for which there are defined budgeted costs, as of 9 December 2019, include the following:

- In January the Department will launch of the 2020 Healthy Ireland campaign, which is an initiative aimed at improving the health and well-being of everyone living in Ireland. The goal of the 2020 campaign will be to continue to raise awareness of Healthy Ireland as the trusted source of health information in Ireland. The campaign will continue to roll out the animated advertising produced in 2019 which features a character Joe who wants to make a change to his health but doesn't know where to go, he is helped by his friend Flo who introduces him to Healthy Ireland. The campaign will run across all major Irish TV stations, as well as appearing on online video players and on demand. It will feature on outdoor advertising, cinema and will be supported by digital and social advertising. Estimated costs for this campaign will be €200,000.

- 2020 is the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. The Irish Launch of the Year of the Nurse and Midwife will be managed internally with costs likely to be incurred of less than €300 for catering for invited guests.

Data Sharing Arrangements

Ceisteanna (390)

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

390. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the data sharing agreements his Department has in place with organisations that are not other Departments or State agencies; the purpose of these data sharing agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51429/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A data sharing agreement is a formal contract that documents what data is being shared and how that data can be used. Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), all Data Controllers who engage Processors to process personal data on their behalf are obliged to enter into a Data Processing Contract.

My Department has data processing contracts in place with companies providing services in areas such as ICT support, records management, research and consultancy services.

Orthodontic Services

Ceisteanna (391)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

391. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if a new position for orthodontist therapists will be established within the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51471/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Departmental Agencies Data

Ceisteanna (392)

James Browne

Ceist:

392. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the agencies or organisations under the remit of his Department; the number that have boards; the number of positions on each board; the number of vacant positions; and the agencies or organisations that have boards whose members have an obligation to appear before committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas [51497/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are 19 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department. Each of these bodies has a board as required under its governing legislation. The number of positions and current vacant positions are set out in the table below.

Under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (section 2.8) persons being proposed by Ministers for appointment as Chairpersons of State Bodies are required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas Committee.

Oireachtas Committees can invite members of aegis bodies’ boards to attend committee meetings as required. Attendance is voluntary. Only committees that have the power to send for “persons, papers and records” can insist upon the attendance of named persons and the production of papers and other material. Any committee that has these powers has to apply to the House for permission to use these powers under legislation called The Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act 2013.

Name of Board

Number of positions

Vacancies Available at 5 December 2019

Dental Council

19

0

Food Safety Promotion Board-Safefood

12

1

Health and Social Care Professionals Council

29

0

Health Information and Quality Authority

12

1

Health Insurance Authority

7

0

Health Products Regulatory Authority

9

0

Health Research Board

10

0

Health Service Executive

12

1

Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal

15

8

Irish Blood Transfusion Service

12

0

Medical Council

25

0

Mental Health Commission

13

0

National Cancer Registry Board

7

0

National Paediatric Hospital Development Board

13

6

National Treatment Purchase Fund Board

9

0

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland

23

0

Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council

21

0

Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council

17

0

Voluntary Health Insurance Board

12

2

The following revised table was received on 17 December 2019

Name of Board

Number of positions

Vacancies Available at 5 December 2019

Dental Council

19

0

Food Safety Authority of Ireland

10

0

Food Safety Promotion Board-Safe Food

12

1

Health and Social Care Professionals Council

29

0

Health Information and Quality Authority

12

1

Health Insurance Authority

7

0

Health Products Regulatory Authority

9

0

Health Research Board

10

0

Health Service Executive

12

1

Irish Blood Transfusion Service

12

0

Medical Council

25

0

Mental Health Commission

13

0

National Cancer Registry Board

7

0

National Paediatric Hospital Development Board

13

6

National Treatment Purchase Fund Board

9

0

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland

23

0

Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council

21

0

Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council

17

0

Voluntary Health Insurance Board

12

2

HSE Funding

Ceisteanna (393)

James Browne

Ceist:

393. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the €198.5 million development funding held by his Department in 2019 for release to the HSE on approval of implementation plans and commencement of specific developments (details supplied); and the funding released for each specific development in tabular form. [51504/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In Budget 2019, specific new initiatives were identified for SláinteCare implementation and, in line with previous years, an element of the new development funding was held back in the Department of Health.

The level of funding released during the year for delivery of the new developments is subject to the submission, review, approval and commencement of those developments. To date, the HSE has requested €158.8m of this funding, which has been approved.

In cases where the entire amount of expenditure is not expected by year end, this is largely due once off time related savings, which can be attributed to the following:

- Facilities opening later than the timing assumed when planning the operational funding levels in the Budget due to delays in construction timetable.

- Procurement/negotiation timelines extending longer than originally planned for when setting funding levels.

- Recruitment into designated roles, including notice period requirements resulting in actual start dates later than estimated.

- A breakdown of the funding approved to date is listed below.

2019 Holdback Funding

Budget€m

Expenditure Approved to Date€m

National Children's Hospital

6.7

3.8

Mental Health

55

43.2

Disability School Leavers & Disability Need Assessments

14.5

13.2

Palliative Care - Marymount & St Francis Hospice

2

2

National Screening Service (Cervical Check incl. HPV vaccine)

9

8.4

Termination of Pregnancy

12

12

Primary Care Scheme Changes

70.3

59.1

System Wide Measures (Care redesign & new entrant pay)

29

17

Total

198.5

158.8

Cancer Screening Programmes

Ceisteanna (394, 395, 438)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

394. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the laboratories in which the 159 slides reviewed by a college (details supplied) came from and which were classified as discordant cases in which the expert panel considered there was an adverse effect on the outcome of the woman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51505/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

395. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the laboratories from which the slides came from and which were found by the review by a college (details supplied) to contain discordant results; and the slides which were found to have low grade abnormal cells 14.3% and high grade abnormal cells 30%. [51506/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

438. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will release the information sought since June 2018 regarding a breakdown by laboratory contracted under CervicalCheck of the false negatives identified by a review (details supplied) and the scale of discordance identified between the original CervicalCheck result and the review; and if same will be presented across the laboratories in this regard. [51728/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 394, 395 and 438 together.

On Tuesday 3 December, the Aggregate Report of the Independent Clinical Expert Panel Review, led by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the UK, was published on the website of my Department following the Government meeting.

The first key objective of this Review was to provide women, or their next of kin, with independent clinical assurance about the timing of their diagnosis and treatment. The Expert Panel also produced an aggregate report of their findings, including recommendations with the aim of improving care for women.

The detail sought by the Deputy did not form part of the Expert Panel's terms of reference, and has not been included in their report.

Disability Services Provision

Ceisteanna (396)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

396. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend services in the Central Remedial Clinic, Waterford, to the adult population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51513/19]

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.

Disability Services Provision

Ceisteanna (397)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

397. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the services delivered by the Central Remedial Clinic, Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51514/19]

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.

Disability Services Funding

Ceisteanna (398)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

398. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the spend for the Central Remedial Clinic, Waterford, in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51515/19]

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.

Departmental Staff Data

Ceisteanna (399)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

399. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the budget and number of staff working in his Department 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. [51568/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below:

Date

Payroll Budget €m

Headcount

Whole Time Equivalent

31/12/2014

22.210

365

338.77

31/12/2015

22.614

367

340.71

31/12/2016

23.694

421

395.41

31/12/2017

26.264

458

434.03

31/12/2018

30.210

498

475.25

30/11/2019

28.927

547

524.55

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (400)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

400. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a referral will be expedited for a person (details supplied) to the Cavan and Monaghan Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51576/19]

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.

Home Help Service Provision

Ceisteanna (401)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

401. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if home help for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; if the case will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51580/19]

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.

Hospitals Expenditure

Ceisteanna (402)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

402. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of having the cataract theatre at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital operational five days per week. [51581/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (403)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

403. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when the mortuary at Beaumont Hospital was last refurbished; and if funding to have it refurbished in 2020 is available [51582/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Disabled Drivers Grant Applications

Ceisteanna (404)

Michael Harty

Ceist:

404. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a primary medical certificate for a grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51583/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (405, 406, 451, 452, 453)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

405. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason he refused to appoint an independent health specialist to investigate the dossier and the additional documents sent to him relating to persons (details supplied) in County Limerick on 31 December 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51584/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

406. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the dossier given to him by a Deputy (details supplied) in October 2018 on behalf of a family in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51586/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

451. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that by refusing to appoint an independent health expert to investigate the dossier sent to him in 2018 relating to persons (details supplied) in County Limerick, he is potentially putting the health of persons in County Limerick at risk; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the dossier shows the way in which the investigation using section disease cluster protocol failed to carry out an independent and transparent investigation into the health section that will not be used to investigate the human health clusters from the proposed incinerator should it cause damage to human health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51788/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

452. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he sent the dossier that was given to him on behalf of persons (details supplied) in County Limerick in October 2018 to some of the persons that allegations were made against in the dossier; if they were in turn part of the group that advised him to refuse the persons a public inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51789/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

453. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if the additional documents sent to him on behalf of persons (details supplied) in County Limerick on 31 December 2018 relating to An Taoiseach when he was Minister for Health have been examined by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51790/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 405, 406 and 451 to 453, inclusive, together.

Officials from my Department carried out a review of the dossier and additional documents submitted by the family concerned. The purpose of the review was to ascertain if the dossier provided contained new information in the first instance. Persons against whom allegations were made in the dossier did not carry out the review. The report of the review indicated that the dossier did not present any materially new information; it was deemed that it did not warrant an independent health specialist to investigate the issues further. The issues had been part of previous considerations and correspondence.

It is understood that the proposed incinerator to which the Deputy refers to is the proposed Mungert incinerator. The EPA is the competent authority for granting and enforcing Industrial Emissions Licences; the HSE is a statutory consultee in the licensing process and has the opportunity to make submissions on any health-related impacts of a proposed development.

The HSE reviewed and reported on the licensing application and also sought the expert advice of Public Health England -Centre for Radiation Chemical and Environmental Hazards (PHE-CRCE) in relation to the matter. I am advised that the HSE made a number of submissions; all submissions are in the public domain and available on the EPA website. The Disease Cluster Protocol would generally be triggered in the event of an investigation of a suspected cluster of adverse human events from a potential environmental cause.

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