Health Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2010

Wednesday, 3 March 2010

Questions (103, 104)

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

145 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the extent the recent measures to centralise administration in respect of rent or mortgage allowances has affected customer access; if adequate staff have been made available to meet customer requirements; the measures proposed to ensure that applicants for such payments have their requirements met with the least hardship to themselves or their families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9035/10]

Written answers

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. I wish to advise that, due to an intensification of industrial action in the public service by members of IMPACT, the HSE may not be in a position to provide a response to this Parliamentary Question within the normal timeframe.

Richard Bruton

Question:

146 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the current state of waiting lists for orthodontic services in Dublin and in the rest of the country; if these waiting lists have grown as persons can no longer afford the high cost of private work; if she has proposals to improve the capacity of the public service to meet the growing demand by making a special application to fill vacant posts or by other methods; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10622/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. I wish to advise the Deputy that, due to an intensification of industrial action in the public service by members of IMPACT, the HSE may not be in a position to provide a response to this Parliamentary Question within the normal timeframe.