Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): On 1st February, my Department requested the
HSE to prepare a report (to be submitted to me by the end of this week) on the actions, if
required, to minimise the risk of pseudomonas infection in augmented care settings (i.e. high
dependency, adult and neonatal critical care) such as raising awareness of the potential infection
risks posed by water systems; reinforcing good practice for the management of water
delivery systems; working with estates management to identify potential risk areas; developing
guidance on pseudomonas and augmented care settings etc. In the meantime the HSE has
issued guidelines on the prevention of pseudomonas infection in neonatal units.
EU Directives
705. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if the directive on cross-border
health care, that was adopted by the European Council and the European Parliament in
February 2011, has been transposed into Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the
matter. [8135/12]
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): The Directive on the Application of Patients’
Rights in Cross Border Healthcare was published in the EU Official Journal on 4th April 2011
and the transposition period of 30 months commenced on 24th April 2011. Member States have
until October 2013 to implement the Directive. The purpose of this patient-focussed Directive
is to establish a clear legal framework to facilitate cross border healthcare with a focus on
patient rights, information for patients on entitlements and patient choice. This will require all
Member States to put in place processes to allow for the exchange of information on treatments,
and their cost, to citizens across the EU. Member States will also have to facilitate the
exchange of patient information following treatment and put in place mechanisms to refund
patients up to the amount the treatment would have cost them to have received the same
procedure in their own Member State.
Given the complexity of the issues to be considered, both nationally and between Member
States, it is envisaged that the transposition of the Directive into Irish law will be completed
within the transposition time frame of October 2013.
Health Policy
706. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the steps events, policies and so
on being taken by him throughout 2012 to promote the European Year of Active Aging; and
if he will make a statement on the matter. [8136/12]
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Kathleen Lynch): Following a codecision
of the European Parliament and of the Council of Ministers, 2012 has been designated
as the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations. The Year provides
an opportunity to reflect on how Europeans are living longer and staying healthier than
ever before — and to realise the opportunities that represents. The Year also places a focus
on solidarity between generations (or “intergenerational solidarity”) which refers to the mutual
support and cooperation between different age groups in order to achieve a society where
people of all ages have a role to play in line with their needs and capacities, and can benefit
from their community’s economic and social progress on an equal basis.
The aim of the Year is to encourage and support the efforts of Member States, their regional
and local authorities, social partners, civil society and the business community to mobilise
demographic opportunities, and to embrace the contribution that older people can make to
society by promoting active ageing. The Department of Health is co-ordinating the Year for
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