Written Answers Nos. 198-205
198. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39504/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
199. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appeal for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39505/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
200. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39615/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
201. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason proceedings in a case by a person (details supplied) against his Department, the Health Service Executive, the Attorney General and Ireland in the High Court have not yet been heard, despite being initiated in February 2001. [39630/12]
View answer217. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) was charged for their stay in Shrewsbury House, Clonliffee Road, County Dublin, from 4 September 1992 to 1 May 1995, despite being a medical card holder; and if arrangements will be made to refund the family. [39631/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 217 together.
I understand that the matter the Deputy has referred to is the subject of legal proceedings initiated in 2007 which are currently before the Courts. The scheduling of cases before the Court is a matter for the President of the Court and is one in which the Minister has no jurisdiction. The Courts are subject only to the Constitution and the Law and are independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. It would therefore not be appropriate to make any further comment on the matter.
202. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a hearing aid will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39399/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
203. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an occupational therapist to deal with cases in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39506/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
204. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding ringfenced funding of €35 million for mental health service provision; if the money is still ringfenced for mental health services; the way the funds will be used; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39507/12]
View answer222. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the €35 million allocated in 2012 for the development of community mental health services; the number of posts filled; the number of posts remaining to be filled; if this sum is still ring-fenced for this purpose; if he will give a guarantee that it will not be used for other purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39657/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 222 together.
Of the 414 posts approved to implement the €35 million package of special measures for mental health introduced in Budget 2012, 353 are with the National Recruitment Service of the HSE at various stages in the recruitment process, 321 have been put to candidates to express an interest and others are awaiting competitions or the completion of essential paperwork. Most start dates are expected to be in December to allow for the process of checking references, Garda clearance etc.
Since the publication of the HSE 2012 Service Plan the HSE has subsequently decided to convert 31 of the posts originally intended for community mental health teams in the Dublin Mid-Leinster region to nursing posts in acute in-patient mental health services in the same region. This was approved in the context of introducing a nursing floor for the acute in-patient and community services in that region consistent with the provision of safe in-patient services in line with A Vision for Change, the Mental Health Commission Quality Framework for Mental Health Services in Ireland and the roll out of the clinical care programmes. This Government remains committed to engaging these professionals as soon as is feasible and the work of completing the process remains a priority.
205. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason it is the policy of the Health Service Executive to consider items such as crutches and walking aids as single use items; the cost of crutches and walking aids per year for the past two years; if he and the HSE consider this policy to be a major area of waste within the HSE; the efforts he has taken to change this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39509/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
