Thursday, 13 Jun 2013

Tobacco Control Measures

Questions (190)

Arthur Spring

Question:

190. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health his views on the proposal for plain packaging in the tobacco industry; and his views on whether there will be an impact on the retail business. [28427/13]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Deputy is aware approximately 5,200 people die every year from tobacco related diseases. My aim as Minister for Health is to put in place measures which will have the effect of reducing the number of people currently smoking and, in particular, reducing the number of children and young people who start to smoke. The proposal to develop legislation introducing standardised packaging for tobacco products, as approved by Government, is just one of a number of measures which will assist in achieving that aim. This legislative proposal, along with a number of other measures, which will be set out in a new tobacco policy which will be put before Government for approval in the near future.

In relation to the impact on the retail sector, the costs, benefits and impacts of this proposal will be included in the Regulatory Impact Analysis to be undertaken by my Department. However, it should be stated that the retail sector has played a significant and positive role over the past number of years in many tobacco control measures, e.g. tobacco advertising, point of sale display bans and prohibition of the sale of tobacco to those under 18 years. I look forward to working constructively with it in relation to this measure and other measures into the future in order to reduce the number of deaths from tobacco related diseases.

Proposed Legislation

Questions (191, 192)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

191. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure the Private Members' Bill setting aside the statute bar for survivors of symphysiotomy is expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28428/13]

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Finian McGrath

Question:

192. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will set aside the statute bar for survivors of symphysiotomy (details supplied). [28522/13]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 192 together.

The Private Members Bill in question has been referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality for attention. My officials will provide any necessary supports required from my Department to progress this legislation through Committee Stage.

HSE Funding

Questions (193)

Joe Higgins

Question:

193. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health the reason funding for a residential assessment and placement with NUA Healthcare has been refused (details supplied). [28412/13]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Hospital Transfers

Questions (194)

Finian McGrath

Question:

194. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position on a transfer to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway. [28416/13]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Nursing Staff Provision

Questions (195)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

195. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason no nursing posts have been allocated to County Cork with the primary care funding, despite the recent reductions in staffing and the increase in population in the county, while Wexford has been allocated 20.5 nursing posts from this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28422/13]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

An allocation of €20 million is set aside in the HSE's 2013 National Service Plan for approximately 250 Primary Care posts to strengthen primary care services. The posts will be filled using the Resource Allocation model, based on deprivation and need, which was developed by the HSE's National Primary Care Office and Health Intelligence Unit. Using this model, the HSE completed a detailed analysis of the numbers and distribution of public health nurses, registered general nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists. The analysis revealed considerable variation across the 17 Integrated Service Areas in ratios of health care professionals to population, and to population numbers in areas of high deprivation. Based on this analysis, it proposed that the following additional posts be recruited to Primary Care Teams:

- 70 Public Health Nurses;

- 37 Registered General Nurses;

- 51 Occupational Therapists;

- 46 Physiotherapists;

- 47 Speech & Language Therapists.

The recruitment process has commenced and it is the intention to have these posts filled as soon as possible in 2013.

The HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the allocation of posts to the specific areas highlighted by the Deputy.

Medical Aids and Appliances Applications

Questions (196)

Brian Walsh

Question:

196. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive orthotic footwear; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28429/13]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (197)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

197. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 534 of 5 March 2013, the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 has not received their assessment for autism from the Health Service Executive in Dublin. [28430/13]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.