Written Answers Nos. 583-602
583. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive an appointment for a service; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2830/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
584. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when the income thresholds for the medical card for those over the age of 70, as announced in budget 2020, will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2831/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs announced in Budget 2020, medical card gross income limits for those over 70 will be increased to €550 per week for a single person aged over 70 (currently €500 per week) and to €1050 for a couple aged over 70 (currently €900 per week). It is my intention that this measure will be introduced from July 2020 and primary legislation is being drafted by my Department to provide the necessary legislative basis to give effect to the increased thresholds.
585. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can have their home help hours increased. [2834/20]
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.
586. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when the necessary staff will be appointed to allow the acute stroke unit to be opened at Letterkenny University Hospital. [2835/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra803. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the progress made to open a stroke unit in Letterkenny University Hospital in view of the fact that it is the only acute hospital treating stroke patients that does not have a stroke unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3575/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 586 and 803 together.
I am advised by the HSE that funding of €200,000 full year costs has been allocated to the Saolta Group to progress the development of the acute stroke unit in Letterkenny University Hospital.
Work is in train to progress the recruitment of staff, within the available funding, with an expectation that the unit will open later in 2020.
587. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when the remaining nine beds in the short-stay ward at Letterkenny University Hospital will be permanently reopened; and when the necessary staff will be appointed. [2836/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Capacity Review published in 2018 was clear on the need for a major investment in additional capacity in both hospital and community services combined with a widescale reform of the manner and the location of where health services are provided.
Progress has been made on increasing capacity. Since 2017, an additional 274 acute hospital beds opened nationally.
In addition, the provision of an additional 75 acute beds and 70 community beds was a key component of the Winter Plan 2018/19. 66 of these beds remain open on an on-going basis, including 5 additional beds in Letterkenny University Hospital.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Furthermore, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) agreed to support the marginal costs of funding 224 additional beds for three months initially to the end of March 2020.
As of 2 March, the HSE has confirmed that 187 of those beds have opened as planned and 183 remain open including 10 additional beds in Letterkenny University Hospital. My Department has now confirmed with the NTPF that additional funding is being made available until the end of June 2020.
The Government is tackling the challenges that are facing the emergency departments in our hospitals. In addition to the immediate measures being undertaken in the Winter Plan, the Government through the Sláintecare Strategy and the investment being made in accordance Project Ireland 2040, is addressing the issues of access to healthcare and capacity in the system.
588. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when construction and refurbishment works will commence at Buncrana Community Hospital, County Donegal; and if additional bed capacity can be incorporated into the plans at this stage. [2837/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
589. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if additional HSE funding will be allocated to organisations (details supplied) in addition to the core funding of €36,000 allocated to them in recent years. [2838/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
590. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if Letterkenny University Hospital will continue to support and facilitate a person (details supplied) to carry out gastric bypass procedures at the hospital. [2841/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service delivery matter, I have referred the question to the HSE for direct reply.
591. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the status in respect of Part 8 of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 of the consultation process by the director of the decision support service on the recommendations of the multidisciplinary working group, which were submitted to it on 21 December 2018; the timeline for the completion of the consultation process and the publication of the final code of practice as prescribed by the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2842/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart 8 of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 provides a legislative framework for advance healthcare directives (AHDs). An AHD is a statement made by a person with capacity setting out his or her will and preferences regarding treatment decisions that may arise in the future when he or she no longer has capacity. On 17 October 2016 the Minister for Health established a multidisciplinary working group to prepare a detailed series of recommendations for the Director of the Decision Support Service (DSS), in relation to the code of practice under section 91(2) of the Act. In anticipation of the completion of that process, the Minister for Health commenced the remainder of section 91 on 17 December 2018 [S.I. No. 527 of 2018]. This enabled the Director of the DSS to progress the preparation of the code of practice on the AHD provisions, based on the working group’s recommendations, and in accordance with the specific process outlined in the Act. The multidisciplinary working group submitted its recommendations on the code of practice to the Director of the DSS on 21 December 2018.
In relation to the commencement of Part 8 of the Act, my Department is fully committed to commencing these provisions as soon as possible. The development of the code of practice to accompany the AHR provisions is a key piece of work in facilitating commencement. The AHD Multidisciplinary Working Group developed a code of practice for Part 8 of the Act and submitted it to the Director of the Decision Support Service in December 2018 for consideration. When the Director finalises the Code of Practice it will be submitted to the Minister for approval before publication.
592. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 363 of 18 June 2019 and 117 of 25 September 2019, when approval will be given to fill the position in the area medical office of the primary care centre in Roscommon town to enable medical assessments for the primary medical certificate to be carried out on patients who have applied for the primary medical certificate, and whose assessments have now been on hold for more than ten months as a result of staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2843/20]
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.
593. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is still waiting on occupational and physiotherapy provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2847/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
594. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment to have their cataracts removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2848/20]
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.
595. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the creation of a post (details supplied); if it is a permanent or temporary position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2850/20]
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.
596. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person cannot get an appointment for speech, occupational and physiotherapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2852/20]
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.
598. Deputy Niamh Smyth 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. [2855/20]
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.
599. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a report will be provided regarding the way in which private sector IVF is regulated; his further plans in place in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2870/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, currently there is no specific legislation in Ireland governing assisted human reproduction (AHR), although there is limited existing regulation relating to certain aspects of this area – for instance, regarding the use of gametes and embryos – as outlined in the response to a previous similar question submitted by the Deputy (PQ 194 of 17 October 2019; ref. 42703/19).
Given the lack of specific regulation in this area, the Government approved the drafting of a bill on AHR and associated areas of research, based on the published General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill. This comprehensive piece of legislation encompasses the regulation of a range of practices, including: gamete (sperm or egg) and embryo donation for AHR and research; surrogacy; pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of embryos; posthumous assisted reproduction; and embryo and stem cell research. The General Scheme also provides for an independent regulatory authority for AHR. The provisions outlined within the General Scheme will ensure that AHR practices and related areas of research are conducted in a more consistent and standardised way and with the necessary oversight.
In respect of the query as to whether a report will be provided on this issue, I wish to state that the focus of officials in my Department at this juncture is on ensuring that the legislation is published as soon as possible and thereafter assisting its progress through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
600. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the details of the IVF scheme in maternity hospitals; the criteria for same; the way in which eligibility is determined for such a scheme; the waiting list for same; the hospitals from which it is being operated; the way in which a referral is made or can be obtained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2871/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I announced the roll-out of a model of care for infertility in December last year. This model of care will ensure that infertility issues will be addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary. It will comprise three stages, starting in primary care (i.e., GPs) and extending into secondary (i.e., Regional Fertility Hubs) and then, where necessary, tertiary care (i.e., IVF and other advanced assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatments). Structured referral pathways will be put in place and patients will be referred onwards for further investigations or treatment as required and as clinically appropriate. It is intended that, in line with available resources, this model of care for infertility will be rolled out on a phased basis over the course of the coming years.
Phase One of the roll-out of the model of care will see the development of infertility services at secondary care level. Funding of €2m has been provided to develop Regional Fertility Hubs in maternity networks which will facilitate the management of a significant proportion of patients presenting with infertility issues.
Phase Two will see the introduction of tertiary infertility services, including IVF, in the public health system. This cannot commence before the service is regulated through the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill. The drafting of this comprehensive piece of legislation is ongoing in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General.
It should be noted that while AHR treatment is not currently funded by the Irish Public Health Service, a defined list of fertility medicines needed for fertility treatment is covered under the High Tech Arrangements administered by the HSE. Medicines covered by the High Tech Arrangements must be prescribed by a consultant/specialist and authorised for supply to the client’s nominated community pharmacy by the High Tech Hub managed by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service. The cost of the medicines is then covered, as appropriate, under the client’s eligibility, i.e., Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme. Given the costs associated with certain fertility medicines, I am aware that these schemes can have a material impact on the total cost of AHR treatment for individuals who avail of them.
In addition, there is other support available in that patients who access AHR treatment privately may claim tax relief on the costs involved under the tax relief for medical expenses scheme.
Overall, the implementation of the model of care will help to ensure the provision of safe, effective and accessible infertility services at all levels of the public health system as part of the full range of services available in obstetrics and gynaecology.
601. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the HSE waiting times for assessment of need for children with disabilities will be addressed; the number of children waiting at present; the length of time they have been waiting in, tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2885/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
602. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to deal with the ongoing respite crisis and the closure of a facility (details supplied), which is having a profound effect on families in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2888/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities that 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 matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
