Vol. 498 No. 4
302 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if the further £20 million in 1999 to tackle waiting lists as mentioned in the press briefing on the 1998 budget is separate from the £12 million already announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27407/98]
I have allocated a total of £20 million in 1999 to reduce waiting lists and waiting times significantly. The figure allocated in 1998 for this purpose was £12 million, to which I added a further £8 million for waiting list work in 1999. This total figure of £20 million for 1999 represents a 66 per cent increase over the funding available in 1998, and is 2.5 times higher than the amount allocated in 1997 by the previous Government.
303 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for a cataract operation. [27417/98]
The provision of medical treatment to eligible persons in County Mayo, in this instance, is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board. I have asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly.
304 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 will receive treatment in an area near her home in view of the circumstances. [27481/98]
As the provision of drug misuse treatment for people in the Dublin 12 area is a matter for the Eastern Health Board I have asked the chief executive officer of the health board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
305 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, his Department has to improve the standard of health services in Inis Oírr, Cuan na Gaillimhe, to provide a proper day centre and increase the doctor services on the island in view of the fact this has been cut back from one hour per week to one hour per fortnight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27482/98]
Since July 1996, the Western Health Board has provided funding on an ongoing basis to the resident general practitioner on the Aran Islands to meet the cost of employing an assistent GP. That funding will continue into 1999. Both the GP and the assistant, who was recruited, live on the islands. The employment of the assistant allows a one-day weekly service to be provided to Inis Oírr. However, I should add that for reasons other than funding the assistant was not employed in the period July 18-November 1998 and during that period the service to Inis Oírr was one-day each fortnight alternating with Inis Meáin.
The board has stated that it is satisfied that an excellent service is being provided by the resident GP and her assistant, particularly having regard to the difficulties and demands associated with the operation of a medical practice in an island environment.
The board has no plans at present to provide a day care centre on Inis Oírr. It understands, however, that local groups may be considering making a proposal in that regard. Should such a proposal be received, the board will give it due consideration.
