Written Answers Nos. 143-162
143. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to tackle the difficulty in recruitment in the public sector in view of his commitment to recruit 1,224 nurses in 2017 and his allocation of funds for 1,800 front line staff in the health service in 2018 and the recent report that there has only been a net increase of 13 nurses up to August 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47143/17]
View answerThe need to increase the numbers of consultants, doctors, nurses and midwives in the public health service is a priority for this Government despite a backdrop of global shortages in health professionals. The Government has allocated an additional €646 million in current expenditure to Health in Budget 2018, including funds for an additional 1,800 front line staff. The overall Health budget for 2018 is almost €15.3 billion. The HSE is currently finalising the 2018 Service Plan and will allocate the additional posts in accordance with service demands.
The HSE has been focused on increasing the number of frontline staff over the past three years as the budgetary position has improved and progress has been made in growing the consultant, NCHD and nursing workforce. While there are difficulties in filling posts in certain specialties, including psychiatry, the number of consultants employed in the public health system continues to increase year on year. At the end of September 2017 there were 2,951 whole time equivalent consultants in the public health services. This is 126 more than the end September 2016 figure and an increase of 666 in the past decade. The number of NCHDs has also increased significantly. At the end of September 2017 there were 6,286 whole time equivalent NCHDs, an increase of 311 compared with the end of September 2016 number and an increase of over 1,394 in the past decade.
Recruitment of nurses and midwives is a key priority this year. Nursing and midwifery numbers at the end of September 2017 stood at 36,170 whole time equivalents. The number of nursing posts has increased by 632 in the 12 months from end September 2016 and by over 2,000 in the four years from end September 2013 to end September 2017. The Nursing Recruitment and Retention Agreement concluded with the INMO and SIPTU Nursing earlier this year committed to increasing the number of nurses and midwives by 1,224 additional permanent posts in 2017. The recent quarterly progress report on the Agreement from the HSE (30th Sept 2017) states that the HSE has filled 20% of the target posts. The HSE is currently concluding the process of offering all graduating nurses and midwives permanent contracts. This is expected to deliver a significant increase in staff nurse numbers between now and year-end, given that most students who complete their training at the end of August are recruited in the 4th quarter, following registration.
The Report of the Public Service Pay Commission identified problems in recruitment and retention in specific and specialist groups that are internationally in demand particularly in the health sector Following the ratification of the Public Service Stability Agreement, the Commission will now carry out a more comprehensive examination of underlying difficulties in recruitment and retention in those sectors and employment streams where difficulties are clearly evident, including psychiatry. The Commission is committed to reporting on medical and nursing grades in 2018. The outcome of its assessment will be subject to discussions between the relevant parties.
144. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if additional resources will be allocated to occupational therapy services in counties Longford and Westmeath to ensure the current eight-month waiting list is greatly reduced. [48267/17]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
145. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting on an assessment of needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48270/17]
View answerThe 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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
146. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health his plans to add the freestyle libre blood monitoring sensor to the long term illness scheme or reimbursement scheme; the position regarding plans to add this to either scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48272/17]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
147. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if a home care package application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48273/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
148. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans to request a full assessment of generic versions of pre-exposure prophylaxis for availability through the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48281/17]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the pricing and reimbursement of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
149. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the position regarding Ireland's future membership of the European research infrastructure project on biobanking, BBMRI-ERIC; if it is planned that Ireland will join BBRMI-ERIC in the future; and if so, when the agreement will be signed. [48321/17]
View answerThe complex issue of membership of the BBMRI ERIC referred to by the Deputy is currently being given active consideration by my Department informed by the views of stakeholders including the HRB. No decision on membership has been taken at this point.
150. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase funding to a facility (details supplied) for all courses; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is severely oversubscribed and has a lack of places as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48324/17]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
151. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be scheduled for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48325/17]
View answerUnder 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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
152. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the admission rate at the acute psychiatric unit at Galway University Hospital; the number of beds currently available; the waiting time for admission; the full complement of staff required; the number of staff vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48328/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to contact you with regard to the project.
153. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of funeral removals that took place from the mortuary facilities at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe in 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48334/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to contact you with regard to the project.
154. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of the refurbishment programme of the mortuary facilities at Portiuncula Hospital, including refurbishment of the viewing and reposing area and clinical pathology area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48335/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to contact you with regard to the project.
155. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if cover will be provided by carers on bank holidays and Christmas holidays for a person (details supplied). [48336/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
156. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of crisis pregnancy counselling services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48337/17]
View answerThe Regulation of Information (Services Outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Act, 1995 defines the conditions under which information relating to abortion services lawfully available in another state might be made available in Ireland. That Act provides that where information is provided that would assist a woman in obtaining a termination abroad, that information must be truthful and objective and that a breach of this provision is an offence. If an individual considers that information provided under the Act is not truthful and objective the matter may be referred to the Garda Síochána for investigation. As the Deputy will be aware, work is ongoing on regulating counsellors generally under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. Pregnancy counselling (other than that provided by doctors, nurses or social workers) will be taken into account in this context. The Department of Health has submitted a draft of the necessary regulations to designate the professions of counsellor and of psychotherapist to both Houses of the Oireachtas for approval.
As well as regulating counsellors under the 2005 Act, consideration will be given as to whether there is a requirement to strengthen the Regulation of Information (Services Outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Act 1995 to prevent professionals who are not regulated by the State from providing crisis pregnancy counselling services.
The Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution is currently considering changes to Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution which are likely to affect all legislation in this area, including the Regulation of Information (Services Outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Act, 1995. The Government has agreed to hold a referendum on the Eighth Amendment in May or June 2018, subject to the timely passage of a Constitutional Amendment Bill on the matter by the Houses of the Oireachtas.
157. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans to expand access to the HPV vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48338/17]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice and international best practice. All relevant and appropriate information is taken into account when deciding to make changes to the State's immunisation programmes.
NIAC has made a recommendation that the HPV vaccine should be given to boys. My Department asked the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to carry out a health technology assessment (HTA). The Board of HIQA approved the initiation of the HTA in March 2017 to examine the extension of the current HPV immunisation programme to include boys. Work has commenced on the HTA, which will include a complex model to simulate disease transmission. Any decision concerning the extension of the programme will be informed by the results of the HTA. It would be inappropriate for me to speculate about the outcome of the HTA and any consequent decisions.
158. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of HIQA's costing of care associated with PrEP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48339/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
159. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on waiving emergency department charges for persons in need of post-exposure prophylaxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48340/17]
View answerThe Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2013, S.I. No. 45 of 2013, set the charge made for services provided at an Emergency Department. There are a number of exemptions to the charge, including where a person attends his or her GP and is referred to the ED, where attendance results in admission as an in-patient or where services are made available in respect of a prescribed disease or disability to children under 16 years of age. The Regulations provide that the charge shall only made in respect of the first occasion the service is provided in relation to each episode of care. The full list of exemptions from the ED charge, is set out in Regulation (3) of the S.I. No. 45 of 2013. Currently the ED charge is set at €100.
160. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the vacancies which exist at Letterkenny University Hospital as part of dementia care services; the date on which the vacancy occurred in respect of each; the progress made to recruit to fill vacant posts in respect of each; the alternative arrangements being made to avoid service disruption for persons in respect of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48344/17]
View answerAs this is a recruitment matter, I have asked the HSE to contact you with regard to this matter
161. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health .the action he will take to halt the proposed closure of the six-bed high-observation unit in Tallaght Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48353/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly.
162. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if the rare diseases medicinal products technology review committee has met since its formation; the membership of the committee; the findings it has come to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48358/17]
View answer171. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the evidence the Health Service Executive drugs group considers in the assessment of rare and ultra rare diseases for drugs for potential reimbursement; the measures in place to ensure the participation of impartial expert clinicians in this assessment process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48373/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 171 together.
In June 2017 a new Committee called the “Rare Diseases Medicinal Products/Technology Review Committee” was established by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). The terms of reference for the Committee have been finalised and the responsibilities of the Committee include the review of proposals for funding of new products for rare diseases or expanded indications for existing products for rare diseases. The Committee will also contribute to the development of clinical guidelines for relevant Orphan Medicinal Products and support the implementation of same.
The Committee is chaired by Dr. Michael Barry. It is expected that Committee will begin its work in early 2018 after appointment of the necessary support staff.
The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) conducts the economic evaluation of new and existing technologies (e.g. pharmaceuticals, vaccines, diagnostics) to determine their cost effectiveness or value for money.
