Written Answers Nos. 555-579
555. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of new central sterilisation units at both Sligo University Hospital and Roscommon hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4403/20]
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 the directly in relation to this matter.
556. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Health the status of an MRI scan for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4404/20]
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.
557. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason persons who are 16 years of age are required to register in the adult accident and emergency unit in Tallaght Hospital while still being required to have a parent or guardian accompany them at the time of registration; if admitted, if they will be allowed to have a parent or guardian continue to stay with them outside of visiting times and overnight as would be the case in a children’s accident and emergency unit; and when and the reason the decision was made to treat persons who are 16 and 17 years of age in this way. [4416/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
558. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4417/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra571. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his plans in view of the funding deficit that a service (details supplied) is experiencing and which may result in the inability to continue providing services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4471/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra686. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter in respect of funding for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4795/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra722. Deputy Norma Foley asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide support to a service (details supplied) in view of recent statements regarding funding deficits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5000/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 558, 571, 686 and 722 together.
As Minister of State for Disabilities, my primary concern is to ensure the continuity of services for people with disabilities and those with mental health issues, delivered in line with strong governance mechanisms in a cost-effective and equitable manner, consistent with their care and support needs.
St. John of God Community Services provides vital health and social care services for people with disabilities and those experiencing mental health issues on behalf of the Health Service Executive (HSE) under service arrangements. As such the quantum of service to be delivered under such service arrangements and the associated annual funding levels are operational matters for the HSE.
I am aware that the HSE has been actively engaging with St. John of God Community Services to support the organisation in its role over the past number of years. In the context of the COVID-19 public health emergency, I understand that the HSE has assured St John of God Community Services of its continued support and access to operational funding requirements throughout the current crisis in the interests of maintaining essential supports for service users and their families.
559. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if the need to create a rheumatology service in County Wexford will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4418/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
560. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4420/20]
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.
561. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the decision to abolish the rehabilitative training allowance will be reversed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4422/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis 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. The commitment is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
Under the New Directions day service policy, all HSE funded Day Services are expected to be provided on an equitable basis, while also ensuring that the use of finite resources is maximised. There is a strong overlap between the day supports now provided as part of the New Directions approach and the programmes being offered by Rehabilitative Training.
The clear policy rationale of not making the Rehabilitative Training bonus payment to new entrants is to ensure access to high quality services to those who need them, on an equitable basis. Since September 2019, new entrants no longer receive the bonus payment, in line with those attending similar training programmes.
Individuals already in receipt of the bonus payment will continue to receive it for the duration of their course. Most people with disabilities are now in receipt of the Disability Allowance (€203 per week) paid through the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
The savings made from the phasing out of the Bonus payment are ring fenced to facilitate provision of additional full and part time day placements nationally, based on priority need.
The HSE has advised the Department that in the period from September to 31st December 2019, 22 additional full-time placements and 19 additional part time placements were funded by the redirected monies. Each of these places has enhanced the lives of people, and their families. Enhanced service hours are enabling service users to be part of their local communities and enjoy greater choices about how they spend their time, while providing valuable social opportunities for families. In addition, adults who were heretofore not in receipt of any service are now engaging with their communities and experiencing new opportunities, having previously been socially isolated.
The cost of restoring the allowance would be c. €4m over 4 years, and in addition to this an alternative funding stream would be required for the day service placements already funded, and for those identified for a place in the coming months. Furthermore, the reintroduction of an allowance solely for RT programme attendees will create inequality, given that other training courses and services delivering similar programmes will not receive it.
562. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if arrangements will be put in place for an adult insulin pump clinic to be provided at the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4423/20]
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.
563. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a binding unconditional contract between a health group (details supplied) and the State for the purchase of land was in existence prior to the advancement of funds amounting to €43 million for the construction of a car park and other facilities for the new maternity hospital on a site owned by the group; if so, when the sale will be closed on foot of the contract; and if no such contract has been agreed, the way in which his Department plans to retrieve the funds should the building of the new maternity hospital not go ahead on the site as planned [4431/20]
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 the directly in relation to this matter.
564. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of ventilators the HSE has in each hospital in tabular form; if additional ventilators have been ordered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4436/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra579. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of ventilators and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machines allocated to each medical facility under the direction of the HSE; and the number allocated to each facility in tabular form [4506/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra670. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of ventilators and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machines operational; and the number in each hospital in tabular form [4758/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 564, 579 and 670 together.
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
565. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the stock levels of medical oxygen the HSE has in each hospital in tabular form; if additional medical oxygen has been ordered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4437/20]
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.
566. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if the funding shortfall in an agency (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4438/20]
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.
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.
567. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health his plans to include Crohn's disease and inflammatory bowel disease on the list of long-term illness scheme illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4446/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Long Term Illness Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the LTI are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. Under the scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.
There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the scheme at this time. However, I wish to inform the Deputy that it is proposed that the LTI Scheme would be included as part of a review of the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy.
For people who are not eligible for the LTI Scheme, there are other arrangements which protect them from excessive medicine costs.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €124 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.
People who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of GP consultations.
568. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the measures he plans to implement in respect of the difficulties in the recruitment and retention of general practitioners with particular reference to practices in Bawnogue, Clondalkin (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4447/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is aware of the workforce issues facing general practice and has implemented a range of measures in recent years to improve recruitment and retention in general practice.
These include changes to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to accommodate more flexible/shared GMS GP contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme, allowing GPs to hold GMS contracts until their 72nd birthday.
In addition, the number of medical graduates undertaking GP training has increased from 120 in 2009 to 192 filled places in 2019. 217 training places are available for 2020, and the number of doctors applying to the training scheme commencing in 2020 is the highest on record at 461.
The recent Agreement on GP contractual reforms will see an increase in expenditure on GP services of €210 million annually by 2023, providing significant increases in capitation fees for participating GPs, and increases in supports for rural practices and practices in urban areas of deprivation.
Improved family friendly arrangements are an important feature of the revised contractual arrangements, with an increase in the locum rate for maternity and paternity cover, and an increase in the paternity leave allowance from 3 days to 2 weeks. This is in recognition of the need to ensure that general practice is compatible with doctors’ family commitments.
I am confident that these measures will help make general practice more sustainable and a more attractive career option for doctors.
In relation to the GP retirement from Nangor Medical Centre, as this is a service issue I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to this matter.
569. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when a procedure will take place for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4456/20]
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.
570. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be issued with an appointment for an assessment with the ASD services in counties Galway and Roscommon; the reason for the delay in issuing them with an appointment in view of the fact that they have been on the waiting list for a significant period of time; his plans to reduce the waiting times experienced by children and families waiting for ASD assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4466/20]
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.
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.
572. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if appointments for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; the status of the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4487/20]
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.
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.
573. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be treated for orthodontic care in St. Finbarr’s Hospital, Douglas Road, Cork in view of the circumstances [4489/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
574. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay for a person (details supplied) receiving a hospital appointment; the length of time they will be on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4491/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
575. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the measures being put in place for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4493/20]
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.
576. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the procurement strategy used for the national children's hospital; the nature of the public procurement contract used; the financing arrangements for the project; the risk-sharing arrangements in respect of design issues and cost overruns; the actual budget signed off; the current estimated completion cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4501/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital. I have referred your question to the NPHDB for direct reply.
577. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the date on which the children’s part of the review of the operation of the Mental Health Act 2001 will be released; the reason it has been delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4502/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Expert Group Review of the Mental Health Act 2001 was published in 2015. There are 165 recommendations contained in the review and most of these relate to amendments to the Mental Health Act. Of these 165 recommendations, 13 relate explicitly to children. The Review includes provisions which are intended to strengthen the protections for people who are detained without consent in approved centres. The broad thrust of the changes recommended by the Expert Group has been accepted and Government approval was given for the drafting of a General Scheme of a Bill to amend the existing legislation to reflect the recommendations of the Expert Group.
Progress on the comprehensive updating of the 2001 Act has been delayed in part because of the need to progress a number of Private Members Bills over the past four years, as well a requirement for emergency legislation to cure a finding of unconstitutionality of section 15(3) of the 2001 Act.
The Department of Health finalised a draft of heads of a bill, based on the recommendations of the Expert Group Review, in July 2019. This, along with a section specifically relating to children, was then sent to the Mental Health Commission for its consideration. It is essential that the Mental Health Commission, which has a very significant and important role in overseeing the safeguards provided in the Act, has full input into the framing of the many amendments to be included in revised mental health legislation, including the amendments related to children. The Department expects to receive detailed observations from the Commission on the section of the bill related to children in the coming months, on top of the recently-received observations on the other sections of the bill. In addition, a preliminary meeting between Department of Health officials, Department of Children and Youth Affairs officials and the Mental Health Commission took place in February 2020 on the draft heads of bill related to children.
It is planned that all elements of the new legislation, including the section relating to children, will be introduced at the same time when finalised.
578. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the progress being made in advancement of the Youth Mental Health Pathfinder project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4503/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposal to establish a cross-governmental youth mental health Pathfinder team with participation from the Department of Health, the Department of Education & Skills and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs has received Ministerial approval.
The proposal is to formalise a new model for collaborative working within Government on a statutory footing by utilising section 12 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. This section of the 1997 Act has never been used before. Various administrative, budgetary, governance and legal arrangements need to be developed and agreed to ensure a robust and workable model for the Pathfinder unit.
The Department of Health has engaged extensively with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and continues to do so, with the objective of agreeing an implementation option that fully addresses the above issues.
