Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:523. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to release further funding for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2649/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Services Funding
Ceisteanna (523)
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.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (524)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:524. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a matter in relation to residential care for a person (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2650/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Community Intervention Teams
Ceisteanna (525, 526)
James Browne
Ceist:525. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the reason the post of a home antibiotic service was not filled in County Wexford in view of the fact the service is available in other counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2652/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraJames Browne
Ceist:526. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a community intervention team in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2653/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 526 together.
As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (527)
James Browne
Ceist:527. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if a treatment protocol for children who suffer consequences that may be connected to a health procedure (details supplied) will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2656/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is responsible for monitoring the safety and quality of all medicines including vaccines that are licensed in Ireland. The HPRA operates a national adverse reaction reporting system, which members of the public and healthcare professionals are encouraged to submit any suspected adverse reactions to. All Reports received by the HPRA are routinely transmitted to the European Medicines Agency's adverse reaction database for inclusion in global signal detection and monitoring activities.
The HPRA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) continually monitor adverse events relating to vaccination. Gardasil is one of the most closely studied and monitored medicinal products. The vast majority of reports received by the HPRA have been consistent with the expected pattern of short term adverse side effects for the vaccine, as described in the product information. The most frequently reported side effects are local redness and/or swelling at the point of injection and fever. Fainting has occurred after vaccination with Gardasil, especially in adolescents. Mild and temporary reactions to any kind of vaccination are not unusual.
It is important to reiterate that all medicines, including vaccines are subject to on-going review and evaluation of all available data from a range of sources, including systematic scientific literature review, to consider any impact that their data may have on the overall assessment of the benefits and risks of a medicinal product. Taking into account the totality of the available information, the benefits of the HPV vaccines continue to outweigh their risks. The safety of these vaccines continues to be monitored at EU level through the EMA and its expert committees, which includes representatives from member state competent authorities such as the HPRA.
I would also like to reassure any persons who are suffering ill health that they are eligible to seek medical attention, and to access appropriate health and social care services, irrespective of the cause of their symptoms. As there is no scientific evidence that the vaccine causes long term illnesses, the HPV vaccine cannot be held responsible for these illnesses.
I would urge any parent who has doubts or questions about vaccination to engage with their family doctor, or alternatively to visit the HPV website: hpv.ie.
Ambulance Service
Ceisteanna (528)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:528. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding ambulance services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2657/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (529)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:529. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when planned surgery for scoliosis will be scheduled for a person (details supplied). [2658/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Medicinal Products Availability
Ceisteanna (530, 537)
Michael McGrath
Ceist:530. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if a response will issue to a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2661/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Seán Haughey
Ceist:537. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with an organisation (details supplied) and the pharmaceutical industry to ensure that new medicines are made available to persons with multiple sclerosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2690/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 530 and 537 together.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines.
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). The NCPE uses a decision framework to systematically assess a drug's clinical and cost effectiveness as a health intervention.
As a country, we invest heavily in medicines, to the tune of almost €2 billion annually. In 2019, the HSE approved 31 new medicines and 5 new indications for existing medicines for reimbursement in the public healthcare system. The approvals represent an additional investment by the HSE over five years of approximately €220m in providing access to new and innovative treatment for Irish patients.
Notwithstanding the significant progress on drug costs achieved from price reductions under the pricing framework agreed with industry and commercial negotiations conducted by the HSE, the Health Service is still facing very significant challenges in relation to the affordability of medicines. The industry continues to develop very expensive products, particularly in the high-tech medicines area and the costs involved are a challenge for health systems even in countries with much greater resources than Ireland.
The HSE has received an application for the use of ocrelizumab for the treatment of adult patients with early primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) in terms of disease duration and level of disability, and with imaging features characteristic of inflammatory activity. In October 2018, the NCPE recommended that ocrelizumab not be reimbursed for this indication. The HSE's final decision on reimbursement will take into consideration the criteria contained in the 2013 Health Act.
The HSE has also received an application for reimbursement of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol/Cannabidiol, THC/CBD (Sativex) which is indicated as treatment for symptom improvement in adult patients with moderate to severe spasticity due to multiple sclerosis who have not responded adequately to other anti-spasticity medication and who demonstrate clinically significant improvement in spasticity related symptoms during an initial trial of therapy.
The HSE commissioned a full HTA with respect to this indication in April 2018. On 12 August 2019, the NCPE received the applicant's submission. On 10 February 2020, the NCPE sent a preliminary review to the applicant and are currently awaiting their response.
In addition, the HSE has received an application for reimbursement of siponimod (Mayzent) as indicated for the treatment of adult patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) with active disease evidenced by relapses or imaging features of inflammatory activity. On 13 January 2020, the NCPE completed a rapid review and recommended a full HTA with respect to this indication.
My Department and the HSE are working on making greater efficiencies in medicines usage through a range of initiatives both domestically and internationally to ensure the greatest possible access to new treatments for patients in Ireland.
The HSE’s Medicines Management Programme (MMP), incorporating the Preferred Drugs initiative, is overseeing the implementation of a number of actions to bring about greater value for the taxpayer through cost-effective provision of medicines. These measures include the designation of preferred products with a focus on high-cost prescribing areas, in particular optimising the use of biosimilars.
I and officials have also been engaging over the past number of years with a number of voluntary EU forums. In June 2018, I signed the Beneluxa Initiative on Pharmaceutical Policy. This Agreement is in line with my objective to work with other European countries to identify workable solutions, in an increasingly challenging environment, to secure timely access for patients to new medicines in an affordable and sustainable way. In June 2019, Ireland became a Founding Member of the International Horizon Scanning Initiative which is being established as part of the work programme of Beneluxa.
I can confirm that, as Minister for Health, I met with Multiple Sclerosis Ireland in October 2018 in order to discuss new potential medicines for treatment of MS in the public healthcare system.
Hospital Accommodation Provision
Ceisteanna (531)
Michael McGrath
Ceist:531. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 284 of 18 December 2019, if the beds referred to are additional to the existing beds at the facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2665/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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 in relation to this matter.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (532)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:532. 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. [2671/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Cross-Border Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (533)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:533. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 278 of 26 November 2019, when a reply will issue. [2674/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A reply issued from the HSE to the Deputy on 23rd December 2019.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (534)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:534. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 20 November 2019, when a reply will issue. [2675/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Service Executive has provided the Department of Health with a copy of a reply to the Deputy's question.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (535)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:535. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 182 of 11 December 2019, when a reply from the HSE will issue. [2676/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular query raised, the HSE has advised that a response issued to the Deputy via e-mail on December 23rd 2019.
Medicinal Products Availability
Ceisteanna (536)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:536. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if Repatha will be made available to a person (details supplied) having regard to the various submissions made to the HSE on their behalf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2689/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this refers to an individual case, I have referred this matter to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Question No. 537 answered with Question No. 530.
Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (538)
Seán Fleming
Ceist:538. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the orthodontic waiting list by region at the end of 2018; the number waiting more than two years, between two and four years and more than four years on the treatment waiting list, respectively; the total number on the list; the action he will take to have persons waiting longest in excess of four years dealt with immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2692/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
HSE Staff Remuneration
Ceisteanna (539)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:539. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 465 of 5 November 2019, the percentage of salary band as set out in the table supplied by gender, in tabular form, that is, the percentage of women and the percentage of men in each salary band. [2693/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
Physiotherapy Provision
Ceisteanna (540)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:540. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when physiotherapy services will be available again in Clonbur, Carraroe, Kilkerrin and Carna, County Galway; the reason physiotherapy services ceased in the health centres in April 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2696/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Hospitals Building Programme
Ceisteanna (541)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:541. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the planned upgrades to Naas General Hospital, including due for works and costings; the timeframe for the commencement and completion of works; the overall budget allocated for the projects, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2705/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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 in relation to this matter.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications
Ceisteanna (542, 543)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:542. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if each applicant making an application under the fair deal nursing home support scheme has his or her relevant assets assessed at open market value, as specified in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2711/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSeán Haughey
Ceist:543. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has discretion in respect of the fair deal nursing home support scheme to employ other valuation processes that would result in the applicant having to pay a higher contribution for his or her nursing home care than is provided under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2712/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 542 and 543 together.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their income and assets while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
There are three main steps to the application process:
- Step 1 is an application for a Care Needs Assessment. The Care Needs Assessment identifies whether or not the person needs long-term nursing home care. This is a key criterion and the HSE cannot make a determination on an application for State support under the Scheme unless a determination has been made that the person needs the relevant care services.
- Step 2 is an application for State Support. This is used to complete the Financial Assessment by the HSE which assesses the person’s contribution to care and his/her corresponding level of financial assistance. The Financial Assessment takes account of a person’s income and assets in order to determine the person’s contribution to their care.
- Step 3 is the decision to approve financial support for the applicant under the scheme.
Participants in the Scheme contribute up to 80% of their assessable income and a maximum of 7.5% per annum of the value of assets held. In the case of a couple, the applicant’s means are assessed as 50% of the couple’s combined income and assets. The first €36,000 of an individual’s assets, or €72,000 in the case of a couple, is not counted at all in the financial assessment. The capital value of an individual’s principal private residence is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of their time in care. This is known as the three year cap.
Where a participant has assets that are included in the financial assessment, such as a principle private residence, the HSE will seek to establish the estimated market value of this asset. This can be done through valuation provided or through authorising a suitable person to carry out a valuation. The HSE is not bound by any valuation accompanying an application for State support.
Applicants to the Scheme can choose any public, voluntary or approved private nursing home. However, in order for financial support to be provided, the nursing home must have an available bed and be able to cater for the applicant's particular need. The HSE's Nursing Homes Support Offices can advise an applicant on the options available to them.