Vol. 571 No. 1
940 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Health and Children when the remainder of the new health centre in Cootehill, County Cavan, will be brought on-stream; when the funding will be made available to bring it on-stream; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20569/03]
Responsibility for health services in Cavan is a matter for the North Eastern Health Board. The board has informed my Department that Cootehill health centre is open and available for use by appropriate voluntary groups, subject to compliance with the health board's operational policies and insurance requirements. An application for funding in respect of staffing and non-pay to open the day centre in Cootehill, adjoining the health centre, has been made to my Department and is under consideration at present. The North-Eastern Health Board has received a budgetary allocation of €503,906,000 to date in 2003 from my Department, which represents an increase of 5% on the 2002 allocation.
941 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if an immediate report will be arranged from an occupational therapist in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the services which will be provided on foot of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20570/03]
As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the provision of health services in County Kilkenny rests with the South Eastern Health Board. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply directly to him as a matter of urgency.
942 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the length of time it will take for a person to be seen by the occupational therapy service having been referred to that service by the public health nurse; the number of persons on the waiting list; the action he is taking to reduce the list; if an appointment can be expedited for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20571/03]
The provision of health related services, including occupational therapy, for people with physical or sensory disabilities is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in the first instance. Accordingly, the Deputy's question has been referred to the chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board with a request that he examine the matter and reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
