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Tuesday, 6 Nov 2012

Written Answers Nos. 1120-1140

Health Services Staff Issues

Questions (1120)

Martin Heydon

Question:

1120. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the progress made in filling a public Health Service Executive position (details supplied) in County Kildare; the timeline for the completion of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48191/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services Provision

Questions (1121)

Finian McGrath

Question:

1121. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding supports in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 [48194/12]

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Written answers

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.

Departmental Submissions

Questions (1122)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

1122. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will work in conjunction with Feileachan the stillbirth organisation to organise a national stillbirth remembrance day; if he will advice the organisation on the way to to set this up and for his input and support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48204/12]

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Written answers

I would like to thank the Deputy for bringing this matter to my attention again. I note that a submission on this matter has been received by my Department from Feileachan and is currently under consideration. I am aware that the Secretary General has contacted Feileachan to arrange a meeting on the 20th November 2012.

Hospital Transfers

Questions (1123, 1124)

Gerry Adams

Question:

1123. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been made to move all respite patients from the Cottage Hospitals in Drogheda to Moorehall Lodge, Drogheda, County Louth; and the reason for this decision. [48215/12]

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Gerry Adams

Question:

1124. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the future of respite services is one of the issues under consideration in the current options appraisal for the future of the Cottage Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth; and the reason's a decision has been made to cease respite provision in the Cottage Hospital in advance of the conclusion of the consultation process. [48216/12]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1123 and 1124 together.

As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (1125)

Tom Fleming

Question:

1125. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the medical card review in respect of a person (details supplied). [48220/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Services

Questions (1126)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1126. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health in order to ensure the future financial viability of the community hospital on Valentia Island, County Kerry, if he will ensure an increase in the funds paid per patient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48222/12]

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Written answers

The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) was designated under section 40 of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 as the body which must negotiate and agree the price for long-term residential care services with all private nursing homes and voluntary nursing homes (which previously received funding for long-term residential care under section 39 of the Health Act 2004) that wish to be "approved nursing homes" for the purposes of the Scheme. This negotiation process is a necessary feature of the scheme due to the commitment by the State to meet the full balance of the cost of care over and above a person's contribution. The NTPF is independent in the performance of this function. Consequently, any question of an increase to the cost of care would be a matter for the NTPF.

As the Deputy is aware, the NTPF has engaged forensic accountants to support it in its negotiating role. The forensic accountants have visited Valentia Hospital. Their report will inform future negotiations between the NTPF and Valentia Hospital.

National Lottery Funding Applications

Questions (1127)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1127. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding funding in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48224/12]

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Written answers

My Department has no record of an application for funding from this organisation from the 2012 National Lottery Discretionary fund. If the organisation wishes to make an application for National Lottery Funding they should send in a formal application. Detailed procedures, along with the application form are set out on my Department's website - www.doh.ie. However, the details supplied with this question do not indicate that this is a health-related project.

Motorised Transport Grant Eligibility

Questions (1128)

Dara Calleary

Question:

1128. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a large number of motorised transport applications (details supplied) have been refused even though the persons concerned have been approved for the scheme on a number of previous occasions, all of the applicants live in very isolated locations and cannot use public transport; if each case will be fully reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48236/12]

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Written answers

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.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (1129)

Finian McGrath

Question:

1129. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [48278/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

National Children's Hospital Status

Questions (1130)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

1130. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his response to reports (details supplied) that a four member group has been conducting a further evaluation of possible locations for the new national children's hospital; if such a group has been established; the basis on which the group was established; the functions of the group; the terms of reference under which it operates; the person who appointed the members of the group; the names of the members of this group; the connection it has with the Dolphin Review; the recommendations the group has made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48293/12]

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Written answers

As you will be aware, I established an independent Review Group, chaired by Dr Frank Dolphin, to consider the implications of the decision of An Bord Pleanála to reject the planning application for the proposed construction of the new children's hospital on the site of the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. The report of that Group, chaired by Dr Frank Dolphin, was presented to me in June. My Department sought further detailed analysis on technical issues from those members of the Dolphin Group with the relevant technical expertise.

There is no "four-man group" as described in the details provided by the Deputy. Two of the individuals named are members of the Dolphin Group. Informal contact has been made with the other two individuals named in regard to the new children's hospital. No formal advice or report has been sought from them and no "four-man group" has been established. My recommendation to Government in regard to the location of the hospital will be based on the Dolphin report together with the supplementary analysis provided by a number of its members.

Primary Care Centres Provision

Questions (1131)

Gerry Adams

Question:

1131. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary question No. 637 of 9 October 2012, the services available at the primary care centre in Dundalk, County Louth; the involvement of the Health Service Executive in relation to that centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48295/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (1132)

Jack Wall

Question:

1132. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48298/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Staff

Questions (1133)

Gerry Adams

Question:

1133. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 588 of 16 October 2012, the level of cover has been provided for the 15 consultant posts currently vacant in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda and the one consultant post vacant in Louth County hospital in Dundalk; if these posts are exempt from the recruitment moratorium; if not, why not; if efforts are currently underway to recruit consultants to these positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48308/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (1134)

Tom Fleming

Question:

1134. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a hospital appointment will ssue for surgery in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48320/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Public Sector Allowances Review

Questions (1135)

Derek Nolan

Question:

1135. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the allowance being paid to general practitioner trainees for out of work hours in lieu of overtime who, unlike other non consultant hospital doctors are paid a flat rate salary and this allowance; the reason there is a delay in the payment of this allowance even though it has been confirmed that it is being maintained; if he will expedite the payment of this allowance to those who are entitled to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48323/12]

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Written answers

The Government has decided that, following the review of public sector allowances by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, certain allowances are approved for new beneficiaries but subject to review and/or modification. This includes the GP training allowance. The HSE has been advised that sanction for the payment has been restored.

Proposals for the review and/or modification of the GP training allowance will be the subject of engagement with staff representatives. The Health Service Executive has informed health sector unions of the outcome of the review.

Hospital Staff

Questions (1136)

Gerry Adams

Question:

1136. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form a breakdown of agency usage across all disciplines in the Louth Meath Hospital Group currently and the comparative figures for 2010 and 2011 [48325/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Staff

Questions (1137)

Derek Nolan

Question:

1137. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the standard annual leave entitlements for non consultant hospital doctors; if a solution has been found for the dispute between the Health Service Executive and non consultant hospital doctors regarding these annual leave entitlements; if non consultant hospital doctors will be compensated for the fact that they may be rostered to work weekends and bank holidays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48326/12]

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Written answers

The issue of NCHD annual leave had been the subject of dispute since implementation of the 2010 contract. The contract provides that non consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) are entitled to 16 calendar days leave per 6 month period, with calendar days inclusive of weekends and that annual leave and public holidays would be granted in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.

I am pleased to be able to inform the Deputy that the HSE and the IMO have now finalised an Annual Leave Agreement with the assistance of the LRC, following the most recent conciliation conference held on 18th October. The Agreement encompasses public holiday entitlements.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (1138)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

1138. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the reason for the withdrawal of a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [48339/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Staff

Questions (1139)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

1139. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the result of the implementation of a National Directive from the Health Service Executive to reduce agency staff by 50% which has had negative implications for the nursing service and provision of care in HSE addiction services; if his attention has been drawn to the fact the directive may take three nurses leaving 6.5 nurses to deliver services in the former South West Area; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that clinical risk assessments are currently being conducted to identify the impact on patients care and the health and safety of the remaining nursing staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48340/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Psychological Services

Questions (1140)

Gerry Adams

Question:

1140. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) has been referred to the Primary Care Clinical Psychology Services in relation to the trauma he suffered as a result of alleged sexual abuse; if the person is currently receiving such support; if they are receiving any other supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48342/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

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