Written Answers Nos. 650-72
650. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form a breakdown of the number of home help hours being supplied to persons from County Louth in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and the number being supplied now [46234/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
651. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the date on each of the current Certificate Gs, which permit severe and prolonged pain in animal experiments, setting the end of the period in which each Certificate G will be in force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46237/12]
View answerIrish legislation governing the protection of animals used for scientific purposes only allows for the issue of a "G" Certificate in very exceptional circumstances. An application for a "G" Certificate must be signed by statutory signatories and must certify that the proposed experiment is of sufficient importance in terms of meeting the essential needs of human beings or animals to justify issue of such a Certificate. Both of the "G" Certificates referred to by the Deputy are in respect of research experiments to develop substances to improve neuromuscular transmission for therapeutic purposes – the outcomes of this research will help to develop treatments to improve motor and sensory functions in humans. One of the "G" Certificates expires on 10 July, 2013 and the second "G" Certificate expires on 1 December, 2014.
652. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has had their appeal turned down for mobility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46238/12]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
653. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive treatment at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46239/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
654. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the number of primary care centres which are planned for County Cork; the current status and the expected completion date of each planned centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46243/12]
View answerThe management and delivery of the health capital programme is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
655. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the number of primary care centres which have been opened in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46244/12]
View answer656. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the number of persons attending the primary care centres which have been developed in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46245/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 655 and 656 together.
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
657. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if his Department or the Health Service Executive has carried out an analysis of the effectiveness of primary centres which have been developed across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46246/12]
View answerThe HSE has not carried out an analysis of the effectiveness of Primary Care Centres which have been developed across the country. However, it is accepted that in most instances a modern, well-equipped, accessible premises is central to the effective functioning of the Primary Care Team and evidence from Teams accommodated in new Primary Care Centres is very positive. Co-location of all members of a Team is preferred as it has advantages for both service users and professionals working with Teams.
659. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the reason he changed the list of primary care centres which the Health Service Executive had planned to provide in its draft capital plan and specifically the reason he moved Coolock South, Rowlagh, Rathdrum, Dungloe and Ballymote from the capital list to the PPP list which he announced on 17 July; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46248/12]
View answerThe consideration of projects for inclusion in the multi-annual capital programme is an evolving process. There are always more construction projects than can be funded from the Exchequer's capital health care allocation. The Health Service Executive is required to prioritise infrastructure projects within its overall capital envelope taking into account the existing capital commitments and costs of completion over the period.
Rowlagh/North Clondalkin, Coolock, Dungloe, and Ballymote were never included in a Capital Plan and were not, indeed, included on the HSE's proposed 2012 Capital Plan submitted to the Department. Approval has recently issued for the 2012 Plan and details will be posted on the HSE’s website as soon as is practicable. With regard to Rathdrum, it has been included in the HSE's capital programme not as a HSE build but for potential lease. Rowlagh/North Clondalkin, Dungloe, and Rathdrum were three of the locations advertised by the HSE when expressions of interest were sought from the private sector for the delivery of primary care facilities. In asserting that the HSE had planned to provide for PCCs in Rowlagh/North Clondalkin, Coolock, Dungloe, Ballymote and Rathdrum in its capital programme, you may be referring to lists reported in the media. It is important to state that these lists related to work that was ongoing; that they were work in progress. The prioritisation exercise is a dynamic process, constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances, including the feasibility of implementation.
The delivery method for potential PCCs in Rowlagh/North Clondalkin, Coolock, Dungloe, Ballymote and Rathdrum changed in the lists reported in the media and published by the Department as part of the Government’s Infrastructure Stimulus Package. This change was on the advice of the Head of Estates in the HSE as PPP was considered to be the method by which progress in these developments could potentially commence quickest. The method and time scale for the delivery of PCCs is dependent on a number of factors and the list will continue to be reviewed and revised as necessary.
661. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the birth rate for County Kerry for each year since 2000 up to the end of 2011; the number born in Kerry General Hospital; the numbers born in hospitals outside the county and home births; and if he will approve the appointment of the vacant obstetrician post in Kerry General Hospital as a matter of urgency. [46268/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
662. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list for ear, nose and throat services at Kerry General Hospital, for adults and children; his plans to address this list; and if he will make resources available to urgently expedite the current waiting time. [46270/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
663. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the funding options open to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow for batteries and a remote control for their hearing implant. [46271/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
664. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for speech therapy in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow including whether and when one to one speech therapy will be provided to address the difficulties they have arising from the failure to diagnose their profound deafness at an early age. [46272/12]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
665. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health the number of retailers registered with the National Tobacco Control Office to sell tobacco products as they are obliged to do under the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 and 2004; the number registered in each year since 2005 to 2012; the number of these retailers who do so at street markets, fairs or door to door; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46288/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
666. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health the measures taken by the National Tobacco Control Office to ensure that tobacco retailers at markets and fairs are registered with the Office under the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 and 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46289/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
667. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the extent to which his Department and the Health Service Executive prioritises RAPID areas for the provision of services such as dental, optical, physiotherapy services and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46293/12]
View answerSection 67 of the Health Act 1970 requires the Health Service Executive (HSE) to make dental, ophthalmic and aural treatment and dental, optical and aural appliances available for persons with full eligibility without charge. In addition, section 7 of Health Act 2004 requires that the HSE have regard to the resources available to it and the need to secure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of those resources.
The HSE has in recent months, completed a detailed analysis of the numbers and distribution of public health nurses, registered general nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists. While the work was not confined specifically to the Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development (RAPID) Programme, it was very much in line with the aims of the RAPID Programme, which targets disadvantaged areas. Based on the analysis, it is proposed that the following additional posts will be recruited in 2013:
- 70 Public Health Nurses;
- 37 Registered General Nurses;
- 51 Occupational Therapists;
- 46 Physiotherapists;
- 47 Speech & Language Therapists.
668. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the funded individual social programme allowance has been suspended as of 1 November 2012; the number of persons currently in receipt of this allowance; the total savings to the Exchequer arising from this cut; and if he will provide in tabular form a breakdown of the recipients of by county and within Dublin city by postcode; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46294/12]
View answer669. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently in receipt of the funded individual social programme allowance in Clondalkin Dublin 22, Palmerstown Dublin 20, Lucan, Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart and Brittas County Dublin [46295/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 668 and 669 together.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
671. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46300/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
672. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health the amount the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board has cost since its inception; and if he will provide a breakdown of the costs [46318/12]
View answerThe National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) was established in May 2007 and its total expenditure to date is €33.0m (excl VAT). The work of the NPHDB is discharged mainly under three core contracts secured under public procurement on a fixed price basis for the life of the project. The work completed under these three contracts to date represents €27.7m which is broken down as follows:
|
Business Services Team |
€20.1m |
|
Project Management Services Team |
€2.6m |
|
Integrated Design Team |
€5.0m |
The balance of €5.3m covers the cost of establishing and staffing a central project office and executive and includes specific project related costs. The breakdown is as follows:
|
Executive Costs |
€1.6m |
|
Planning Related expenditure |
€1.5m |
|
Other Consulting & professional Fees |
€0.7m |
|
Legal Expenses |
€.0.6m |
|
ICT Strategy and Development |
€0.4m |
|
Project Office Set-up and Running Costs |
€0.4m |
|
Board Members Fees |
€0.1m |
|
Audit Fee Comptroller and Auditor General |
€0.03m |
