Written Answers Nos. 650-664
650. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the options that are available for a family to obtain medical records on a deceased relative where the relative was being cared for in a private nursing home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62281/22]
View answerUnder Section 21(3) of the Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People Regulations 2013, all Nursing Homes and care providers are obliged to retain Health Information for 7 years. In the event that a person’s sensitive personal data has been lost or destroyed, this may constitute a breach of the GDPR, and the person(s) involved should raise their concerns with the office of the Data Protection Commissioner for their determination. Medical information, including that which may refer to a person’s family members and/or their genetic medical history, is considered to be sensitive personal data.
For further information, please refer to the DPC's website: www.dataprotection.ie.
The family may wish to make the Health Information and Quality Authority aware of their concerns about this matter. As a regulator, HIQA has no formal legal role in examining individual complaints. However, HIQA does take into account all information it receives, including complaints from the public, when carrying out inspections. If a concern is raised about a nursing home, HIQA reviews all information received to inform its on-going risk-based regulation activities. HIQA welcomes information in relation to designated centres that come within its regulatory remit.
The Office of the Ombudsman can also examine complaints relating to the administrative actions of nursing homes. The Office of the Ombudsman normally only deals with a complaint once the individual has already gone through the complaints procedure of the nursing home concerned. Contact details are available at www.ombudsman.ie.
651. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) has been waiting so long for their special pandemic recognition award; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62282/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
652. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health his plans to include the medication Versatis 700mg medicated plaster under the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62294/22]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
Reimbursement for medicines under the community drugs schemes is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
Following a review, the HSE introduced a new system for the reimbursement of the lidocaine 5% medicated plaster (Versatis), which is licensed only for the localised relief of post-shingles pain in adults.
Patients are reviewed by the Medicines Management Programme (MMP) for reimbursement approval, on foot of an application by the patient’s clinician, through the HSE online system.
In exceptional circumstances, the product may be approved for supply for unlicensed uses. If an application is refused, the clinician may make an appeal, making a clear clinical case for the patient, to the MMP at mmp@hse.ie.
This process ensures the appropriate use of the patch and that post-shingles patients, and other patients as clinically appropriate, can continue to have this treatment.
653. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason that certain section 39 staff (details supplied) have been excluded from the pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62297/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
655. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the services currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; the way that families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; the status of discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62324/22]
View answer657. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the services currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; the way that families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; if he will provide an update on discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62335/22]
View answer658. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the services that are currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; the way that families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; if he will provide an update on discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62337/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 655, 657 and 658 together.
As these questions relate to operational matters for the Health Service Executive (HSE), I have asked that the HSE responds to the Deputy directly.
656. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62329/22]
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 Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
659. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if staff at a nursing home (details supplied) have received the pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62343/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
660. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 593 of 15 November 2022, the length of time that these vacancies have existed for; the stage of the recruitment process that they are at; when it is anticipated that they will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62350/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
661. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 592 of 15 November 2022, the measures that have been taken by his Department in respect of breaches under the Public Health Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62351/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter relating to the enforcement of the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
662. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61643/22]
View answerSince becoming Minister in September 2020, my sole focus has been improving the livelihoods of our farmers, fishers and food producers. The agri-food sector is our largest and most important indigenous export sector. I want to see it grow and flourish in the years ahead and I am committed to putting it on an even more sustainable footing.
Since publication of the Programme for Government (PFG) in June 2020, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has identified and examined 161 actions in the Agriculture, Food, and the Marine Chapter. My Department is the lead organisation in 148 of these actions, and is reporting 66% of those as either target achieved or substantial action undertaken & ongoing, with another 28% reported as commenced & progressing.
Some of my main policy achievements since June 2020 include:
- In August 2021, I launched Food Vision 2030, our shared strategy for the continuing development of the agri-food sector in Ireland. I believe Food Vision is a landmark for the Irish agri-food sector with the potential to transform our agriculture, food, forestry and marine sectors in the period to 2030, with sustainability in all its dimensions (environmental, economic and social) at its core. The final reports of the Food Vision Dairy Group and Food Vision Beef and Sheep Group were published this year which proposed detailed direct and enabling measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
- Targeted supports of nearly €2 billion per annum paid by my Department, including supports to assist and build resilience within the sector as it has been affected by Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
- In August 2022, Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) for the period 2023 to 2027 was approved by Government and this will deliver €9.8 billion over the next five years and provide vital support to farmers and rural communities to ensure the continued viability of family farms, maximising the environmental and social sustainability of the sector.
- In November 2022, the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022 was approved by Government to establish a new statutory authority, the Agri Food Regulator, to enforce Unfair Trading Practices rules and improve transparency and fairness along the food supply chain.
- The Forest Strategy and Forest Implementation Plan (Including the Forestry Programme 2023-2027) was launched for public consultation. Sanction has been secured for a package of €1.318 billion for forestry, which will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme ever in Ireland, including farmers receiving an additional 5 years of payments.
- Continuing to support our seafood sector, including introducing measures to support it following the report of the Seafood Sector Taskforce, which I established to assess the implications of the EU/UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, and via capital works around our coast.
- The Department has doubled the funding provided to animal welfare organisations.
I have also continued to:
- address environmental sustainability policy issues including climate, biodiversity and water quality;
- ensure the ongoing development of the agri-food sector generally, including trade, food safety and animal health & welfare issues.
663. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 251 of 25 March 2021, the person who provided the information; if the matter of the misrepresentation of the person (details supplied) will be rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61670/22]
View answerEuthanasia of animals at the time of the removal of TB reactors is a matter for the local Regional Veterinary Office. Consent to the removal of TB reactors is confirmed by herdowners when signing form V8.
As part of previous Freedom of Information requests all relevant documentation has been provided to the person named.
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) officials have engaged extensively with the herdowner over the past several years on this issue. The person named has had a number of meetings with senior officials of my Department and, most recently, in November 2019. I am satisfied that the matter has been handled properly, fairly and adequately in full compliance with DAFM guidelines and was carried out in the best interests of animal health and welfare in the circumstances pertaining to the herd at the time.
664. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way that the agrifood sector has been strengthened and developed since 27 June 2020. [61720/22]
View answerSince becoming Minister in September 2020, my sole focus has been improving the livelihoods of our farmers, fishers and food producers. The agri-food sector is our largest and most important indigenous export sector. I want to see it grow and flourish in the years ahead and I am committed to putting it on an even more sustainable footing.
Since publication of the Programme for Government (PFG) in June 2020, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has identified and examined 161 actions in the Agriculture, Food, and the Marine Chapter. My Department is the lead organisation in 148 of these actions, and is reporting 66% of those as either target achieved or substantial action undertaken & ongoing, with another 28% reported as commenced & progressing.
Some of my main policy achievements since June 2020 include:
- In August 2021, I launched Food Vision 2030, our shared strategy for the continuing development of the agri-food sector in Ireland. I believe Food Vision is a landmark for the Irish agri-food sector with the potential to transform our agriculture, food, forestry and marine sectors in the period to 2030, with sustainability in all its dimensions (environmental, economic and social) at its core. The final reports of the Food Vision Dairy Group and Food Vision Beef and Sheep Group were published this year which proposed detailed direct and enabling measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
- Targeted supports of nearly €2 billion per annum paid by my Department, including supports to assist and build resilience within the sector as it has been affected by Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
- In August 2022, Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) for the period 2023 to 2027 was approved by Government and this will deliver €9.8 billion over the next five years and provide vital support to farmers and rural communities to ensure the continued viability of family farms, maximising the environmental and social sustainability of the sector.
- In November 2022, the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022 was approved by Government to establish a new statutory authority, the Agri Food Regulator, to enforce Unfair Trading Practices rules and improve transparency and fairness along the food supply chain.
- The Forest Strategy and Forest Implementation Plan (Including the Forestry Programme 2023-2027) was launched for public consultation. Sanction has been secured for a package of €1.318 billion for forestry, which will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme ever in Ireland, including farmers receiving an additional 5 years of payments.
- Continuing to support our seafood sector, including introducing measures to support it following the report of the Seafood Sector Taskforce, which I established to assess the implications of the EU/UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, and via capital works around our coast.
- The Department has doubled the funding provided to animal welfare organisations.
I have also continued to:
- address environmental sustainability policy issues including climate, biodiversity and water quality;
- ensure the ongoing development of the agri-food sector generally, including trade, food safety and animal health & welfare issues.
