Tuesday, 26 Apr 2016

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Questions (299)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

299. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding persons (details supplied) who are awaiting speech therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8240/16]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with the Executive.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (300)

Seán Barrett

Question:

300. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health when clinical supports will be offered to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8256/16]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. I have asked the HSE to look into the particular matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Cross-Border Health Services Provision

Questions (301)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

301. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have accessed care services in other jurisdictions and how Ireland compares with other participating states in overall patient numbers availing of treatment under the cross border health care directive, CBD, scheme since its inception, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8268/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE's National Contact Point (NCP) for Directive 2011/24/EU on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare, known as the Cross border Healthcare Directive, has provided the following data on the accessing of healthcare services in other jurisdictions by Irish patients. Data comparing how Ireland compares to other participating States are not held.

-	2014 (6 Months)	2015 (12 Months)	1 January - 31 March 2016
No. of forms issued by the NCP	59	1,593	541
No. of queries to the NCP	94	4083	1,601
No. of reimbursements processed	7	157	165
No. of applications for prior authorisation processed	30	215	88
Total value of reimbursements processed	€29,264	€542,366.53	€401,643.44

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland

Questions (302)

Eugene Murphy

Question:

302. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason for delays in processing the registration of newly qualified nurses so they can obtain a PIN and gain employment in private nursing homes (details supplied). [8273/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I wish to advise the Deputy that there are no delays in registering Irish nursing graduates. With regard to other applications for registration from outside Ireland a significant volume of applications has been received by the NMBI, particularly during 2015. Many of the applications received to date are incomplete whereby documents remain outstanding on a file and therefore cannot be progressed to review/assessment stage until required documents are received. In addition, many applicants, unfortunately do not complete their application form fully therefore leading to delays in progressing an application through the system.

The NMBI have put a number of contact channels in place for applicants following up on the progress of their application. One such measure was introduced in October 2015 which was the opening of a dedicated call centre line for overseas applicants. This call centre is open Monday through to Friday, 9.00am to 5.30pm. The call centre can provide regular updates to overseas applicants on the current status of their application. The NMBI has launched a new website during February 2016 which will have additional features for overseas applicants to include a facility to “Track their Application” on line.

The NMBI is working with its stakeholders, including HSE, to provide options for nurses who are required to obtain additional competencies in order to meet the requirements for registration. Such options include the adaptation course and an aptitude test.

If the Deputy would like an update in relation to the registration of specific nurses, please contact my private office and they will follow up the matter with the NMBI.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (303)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

303. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for a medical card in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8275/16]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently issued to Oireachtas members.

If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (304)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

304. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if home help can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); if it can be arranged for the district nurse to call to the person to assess eligibility as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8278/16]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

HSE Staff

Questions (305)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

305. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a claim for a retirement pension by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8279/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I understand that the HSE wrote to Deputy Healy-Rae on the 27 of January this year in response to PQ number 2888/16 on the same subject. The position as outlined in that response remains the same.

Dental Services Waiting Lists

Questions (306)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

306. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding a person (details supplied) who is awaiting an appointment for dental treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8284/16]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Administration

Questions (307)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

307. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the specific legislative basis that allows the Health Service Executive to request payment from the estate of a deceased person, in circumstances where an overpayment was assessed after the death of a person in respect of the level of support awarded to the deceased person under the nursing home support service scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8286/16]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme 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 means while the State pays the balance of the cost.

The Nursing Home Loan (Ancillary State Support) is an optional benefit of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, the purpose of which is to ensure that a person does not have to sell their home during their lifetime to pay for long-term nursing home care. Where a person’s assets include land and property in the State, the contribution based on such assets (7.5% of the value of such assets per annum) may be deferred. The loan can be repaid at any time but will ultimately fall due for repayment upon the applicant’s death.

An applicant or their care representative must notify the HSE of any material change in their circumstances where it may result in financial support not being provided, being reduced or ceasing to be provided. The HSE may review a person’s financial assessment at any stage, or if it is satisfied that there has been a material change to the person’s financial assessment.

Where a Scheme participant or his/her partner dies, Section 27 of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act, 2009 puts an obligation on the personal representative of the deceased person to provide the HSE with notice in writing of his/her intention to distribute the assets of the deceased and to provide a schedule of assets by reference to Section 48(2) of the Capital Acquisitions Tax Consolidation Act 2003. The personal representative must provide this information to the HSE as soon as practicable but in any case, not less than three months before the distribution of the assets of the estate.

Where discrepancies are identified following a review of a deceased person's assets, the HSE requests repayment of the excess amount of State support paid in relation to the applicant. Under Section 27 of the Act, the personal representative must ensure that assets of the estate are retained which are sufficient to repay any amount which may be due and repayable in respect of (a) advances of Ancillary State Support (Nursing Home Loan) and (b) non-disclosure or misstatement by a person in relation to a financial assessment or a review of a financial assessment (Section 42 of the Act also refers).

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (308)

Finian McGrath

Question:

308. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of adults with physical and intellectual disabilities who are on day care, respite and long-term residential waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8291/16]

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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 (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.

Medical Aids and Appliances Applications

Questions (309)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

309. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for medical equipment by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8294/16]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the particular issue raised relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to you. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (310)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

310. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason there is a current shortage of the BCG vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8297/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

There is currently a worldwide shortage of BCG vaccine. In 2015 the United Nations Children's Funds (UNICEF) estimated a worldwide shortage of 65 million doses of BCG. The vaccine has not been available in Ireland since the end of April 2015. Consequently, BCG vaccination clinics in HSE Clinics and Maternity hospitals have been postponed until new stock arrives.

There is only one licensed supplier of BCG vaccine to Ireland and to other countries within the EU. Since this problem became apparent, the HSE National Immunisation Office has been in regular contact with the manufacturer of BCG vaccine to ascertain when the vaccine might be available. The HSE has also asked the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), which licenses and regulates all human medicines in Ireland, to source an alternate supplier of the BCG vaccine. Efforts have been made to find a company who can provide the vaccine for use in Ireland which satisfies all the HPRA requirements on safety and efficacy. To date no suitable alternative BCG product has been found. Therefore the HSE has been unable to procure the BCG vaccine from any other source and still awaits the product from the HPRA licensed supplier of the vaccine.

The supplier has indicated that supplies of the vaccine are not expected to be delivered into Ireland until early 2017. When the HSE receives the vaccine, they will arrange appointments for vaccination clinics ensuring that those at high risk are offered vaccination first.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (311)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

311. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a person (details supplied) who is awaiting an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8304/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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, 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 you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (312)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

312. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the reason treatment under the national purchase fund for a person (details supplied) has been approved on the condition that the surgery takes place before 6 May 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8305/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

With regard to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (313)

Shane Cassells

Question:

313. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a surgical procedure for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8322/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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, 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 you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.