Health Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2006

Tuesday, 14 November 2006

Questions (191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198)

John Perry

Question:

255 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that funding is allocated to undertake the agenda to implement the Comhairle na nOspidéal report as the rheumatology services in Ireland are in a dire state and from an economic viewpoint it is cost effective to treat conditions early and thus minimise this complication in view of the fact that 1 in 6 persons or 714,000 Irish people are directly affected by arthritis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37693/06]

Jack Wall

Question:

259 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will comment on the submission (details supplied); when will the stated report be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37365/06]

Brian O'Shea

Question:

273 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals she has to bring the rheumatology services here up to an acceptable level (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37438/06]

Tony Gregory

Question:

276 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children if provision will be made in the 2007 estimates for funding for additional posts in the rheumatology services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37448/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

307 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will undertake an agenda to implement the Comhairle na nOspidéal report through securing the funding from the Department of Finance in the Budget 2007 estimates for the provision of much needed rheumatology services throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37991/06]

Written answers

Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 255, 259, 273, 276 and 307 together.

In September 2002, Comhairle na nOspideal initiated a review of Rheumatology Services. Its report, which was published in December 2005, examines the provision of services and makes recommendations on the organisation and development of rheumatology services in the future.

Responsibility for the implementation of these recommendations rests with the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004.

Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Michael Ring

Question:

256 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be allocated home help in view of the fact that they applied several months ago. [37362/06]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004.

Accordingly, the Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

257 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the additional provisions she will make in 2007 for those persons with post polio syndrome; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37363/06]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O’Malley)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Jack Wall

Question:

258 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the position of an application for diet allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37364/06]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

The question relates to the funding, management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 259 answered with QuestionNo. 255.