Written Answers Nos. 447-466
447. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 320, 321, 322, 324 and 325 of 26 November 2019, the reason implants which caused breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma were used here up until December 2018 in view of the fact that the condition was recognised as a type of ALCL by the World Health Organisation in 2016 [51761/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra448. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 320, 321, 322, 324 and 325 of 26 November 2019, the reason it took until November and December 2019 for women that were given implants associated with breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma to be notified of their risk of the condition in view of the fact the condition was recognised as a type of ALCL by the World Health Organisation in 2016 and the use of the implants was ceased here in December 2018 [51762/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra460. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 320, 321, 322, 324 and 325 of 26 November 2019, if the breast implants which are now known to cause breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma were centrally purchased; the number in stock when it was withdrawn; if products left in stock have been returned to the company (details supplied) and credited as not fit-for-purpose products; and if they have been destroyed [51881/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra461. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 320, 321, 322, 324 and 325 of 26 November 2019, if a company (details supplied) or its insurers have met with his Department, the HSE, the Health Products Regulatory Authority or other Departments, offices or statutory bodies in relation to the breast implants which are now known to cause breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma to discuss their possible ill effect on those that received them [51882/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra462. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 320, 321, 322, 324 and 325 of 26 November 2019, if he, the HSE or the Health Products Regulatory Authority secured an undertaking from a company (details supplied) that it will fund the removal of implants provided to women in hospitals here which are now known to cause breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma [51883/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra463. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 320, 321, 322, 324 and 325 of 26 November 2019, the reason a freephone number was not provided on the correspondence sent to women that received breast implants known to cause breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma; and the specific training provided to the personnel manning the call lines for the number provided [51884/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra464. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 320, 321, 322, 324 and 325 of 26 November 2019, the reason the Health Products Regulatory Authority, the HSE or his Department did not as a precautionary measure cease ordering and distributing to participating cancer centres the textured implants of the company (details supplied) in view of the fact there were already significant numbers of reported instances of breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma attributed to the product [51885/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra465. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 320, 321, 322, 324 and 325 of 26 November 2019, if women seeking to have the surgical removal of an implant that was provided by the State will have such a procedure provided for in a public or voluntary hospital and that there will not be a cost or charge to the woman in such an event [51886/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 447, 448 and 460 to 465, inclusive, together.
The HSE has recently initiated an information and service plan in respect of an uncommon form of cancer called “breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma” (BIA-ALCL). This condition is not a breast cancer; it is a cancer of the immune system. BIA- ALCL is an uncommon condition and when diagnosed and treated early it has a very good recovery rate. To date, it has been diagnosed in only a small number of people worldwide. Most cases of BIA-ALCL have been in patients with implants or who have had tissues expanders manufactured by Allergan with a surface texture called BIOCELL. These implants and expanders have not been used in Ireland since December 2018.
The HSE has issued letters to public patients who have received a breast implant and placed information on its website, advising all individuals to be breast aware; describing the signs and symptoms to monitor for and what to do if a patient finds a swelling or lump. If patients are concerned that they have a breast lump or swelling, they are advised to make contact with the hospital in which they had their implant surgery or their GP.
There is currently no international evidence to support the removal of the Allergan BIOCELL implants in asymptomatic women at this time and international medical experts recommend that people should not have their implants removed unless the condition has been diagnosed.
Following the European wide recall of Allergan BIOCELL breast implants and tissue expanders in December 2018, the HPRA made this information publicly available via their website where they provided additional background information and advice. Following the commencement of this recall in December 2018, all non-implanted Allergan BIOCELL breast implants and tissue expanders in Ireland were quarantined and returned to the manufacturer.
The HSE advisory programme was initiated in response to an increased understanding of the incidence of the condition and emerging evidence based on international studies over the past year. The advisory aimed to increase general awareness of BIA ALCL, ensure that women in Ireland are fully informed on this issue and are given the appropriate advice and follow up as required.
The HSE's advisory letter to patients included a helpline number, so as to provide assurance, encourage women to be breast aware and when necessary allocate clinical review. The personnel manning the telephone lines received specific training by the HSE.
My Department continues to engage with the HSE, the HPRA and private hospital sector on this issue.
449. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the need of a person (details supplied) to undergo ENT treatment in University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51764/19]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
454. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 159 of 6 November 2019, the reason there are no primary care paediatric services in County Kilkenny; if children referred to the service can be seen in another county or a location in which the service exists; if, in the event of the service continuing to be unavailable through the HSE, funding will be provided for the children to be seen privately; if the referral of a person (details supplied) made by the public health nurse on 26 October 2018 will be dealt with as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51794/19]
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.
455. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the actions that have been taken to allocate funding directly to an organisation (details supplied) following commitments provided by the Minster of State with special responsibility for disability issues to the family forum meeting in County Kilkenny; if cases such as the case of a person have been funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51796/19]
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. Significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services over the past number of years. I am pleased to build upon existing resources through provision of additional funding for disability services in the 2020 Budget; the overall Budget for disability services in 2020 now stands in excess of €2 billion. This is an increase of over €490 million since 2016. The allocation of funding to organisations is being considered by the HSE as part of their National Service Plan for 2020. I have, therefore, arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
456. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 411 and 412 of 3 December 2019, the breakdown of the home care budget for CHO9; the funding allocated, for example, to the provision of hours, administration in CHO9 and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51814/19]
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.
457. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [51815/19]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
458. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [51816/19]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
459. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [51817/19]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
466. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; if they will be permitted to enter the beef exceptional aid measure scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51085/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) is to provide temporary exceptional adjustment aid to farmers in the beef sector in Ireland subject to the conditions set out in EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1132.
An application was received from the person named on the 27th August 2019 and a scheme acceptance letter issued on the 11th October 2019 which detailed that one animal had been slaughtered in the relevant period which was eligible for payment under the scheme.
This letter also informed the person named of their right to have this data reviewed. Such a request was received on the 24th of October 2019 accompanied by a list of tag numbers of animals that the person named believed should be eligible for payment.
The Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) of the scheme state that, where an animal is presented for slaughter within 30 days of purchase by an agent or dealer, as defined in the T&Cs, payment may issue in respect of the previous herdowner provided they are otherwise eligible and a participant in the scheme. All of the animals that related to the tag numbers provided, and their associated movements, were investigated by staff from my Department who established that none of them met the criteria required for the payment to revert to the previous herdowner
A letter issued to the person named on the 18th of November 2019 informing him that his review was unsuccessful. This letter also informed the person named of their right to appeal this outcome to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
