Written Answers Nos. 1048-1063
1050. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the starting salary for the full range of professions working in our hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1315/13]
View answerThe starting salary of all staff working in the public health service can be found in the Consolidated Salary Scales which are available on my Department's website - www.dohc.ie .
1051. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health regarding the appointment of six vacancies on the blood transfusion board, if the positions were publicly advertised; the number of persons who applied; the number of applicants subsequently appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1320/13]
View answerThere are 4 vacancies outstanding on the Board of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS).
Expressions of interest for Board membership were sought through the Public Appointments Service. 29 applications were received through this service and to date 1 appointment has been made from these applications.
Members of the Board have experience and expertise in one or more of the following areas: corporate governance, finance, haematology, scientific risk assessment, communication, human resources and marketing.
I intend to appoint the remaining members as quickly as possible.
1052. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in detail the history of the proposed development of a primary care centre at a location (details supplied) in Cork City, including details of the tender process that was entered into; the reason for the change in strategy by the Health Service Executive during the tender process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1321/13]
View answerDelivery of healthcare infrastructure is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1053. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Health if there are allowances for sufferers of the Steven Johnson syndrome; if so, if he will confirm that these payments will continue to be made to sufferers of this syndrome; if he will also confirm from whom these rates are payable and the actual rates payable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1330/13]
View answerI am not aware of any allowance or payment made by the health services which is paid exclusively on the basis of the diagnosis of a specific illness, disease, condition or syndrome.
However, the Health Service Executive administers a number of health related payments for people with disabilities. These include the Mobility Allowance, Motorised Transport Grant, Supplementary Allowance payable to Blind Persons and a Weekly Training Bonus / Top-up Payment to people with disabilities on approved Rehabilitative Training Programmes. These payments are not made on the basis of the diagnosis of a specific illness, disease, condition or syndrome. However, each payment has qualifying medical criteria which must be met in order to qualify for the payment.
The Deputy might also consider making contact with the Department of Social Protection for information of payments available to children and adults with a disability which fall under that Department's remit, including Domiciliary Care Allowance and Disability Allowance.
1054. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the current status of the National Carer's Strategy; if an implementation plan is in place for this strategy; the elements of the strategy that will be implemented this year; the number of years over which it is hoped to implement all elements of the strategy; if he will outline the structures in place on a cross-departmental basis to coordinate the implementation of elements of this strategy in view of the fact that they fall within the remit of a variety of Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1342/13]
View answerThe National Carers’ Strategy, which was published in July 2012, is a cross-departmental strategy that sets the strategic direction for future policies, services and supports provided by Government Departments and agencies for carers.
It sets out a Vision and an ambitious set of National Goals and Objectives to guide policy development and service delivery. The objective is to ensure that carers feel valued and supported in their caring role and are empowered to have a life of their own outside of caring.
The Strategy also contains a Roadmap for Implementation. This Roadmap also outlines the timelines and the Departments with responsibility for the implementation of the Strategy's various elements.
Each Department has appointed a senior official to take responsibility for relevant actions and for the provision of up-dates to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy. Each Department will also produce an annual report on progress, which will be published on its website.
My Department has overall responsibility for overseeing implementation and a progress report on overall implementation will be produced on a periodic basis over the lifetime of the Strategy and presented to the above Cabinet Committee. The first progress report on implementation will be considered by the Cabinet Committee at its next meeting.
As implementation progresses, the Strategy will be reviewed on a periodic basis to consider whether adjustments or additional actions are appropriate.
1056. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when general practitioner only medical cards for persons with long-term illnesses, as announced in budget 2012, will be issued. [1368/13]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, GP care without fees within its first term of office. Primary legislation is required to give effect to Government commitment to introduce a universal GP service without fees.
Legislation to allow the Minister for Health to make regulations to extend access to GP services without fees to persons with prescribed illnesses is currently being drafted by the Office of the Attorney General and the Department and it will be published shortly. Implementation dates and application details will be announced in due course.
1057. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health his plans to install CCTV cameras in all Health Service Executive ambulances to prevent the risk of assault to ambulance staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1381/13]
View answerA key priority for the HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS) is the upgrading of its fleet and communications systems. The NAS has had a comprehensive capital upgrade programme over the last number of years which includes provision for replacement of existing emergency ambulances, with installation of cameras to ensure safety for staff and patients as a standard. At this point, the majority of emergency ambulances on duty have cameras installed in the patient care area of the vehicle. These cameras are activated by way of a panic strip.
1058. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason for closing a disability service (details supplied) in County Galway. [1384/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1059. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive an appointment with the child development team of the Health Service Executive; the plans in place to ensure that efficient diagnoses are made for children with aspergers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1395/13]
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.
1060. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the home help supports available to children with aspergers syndrome or autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1396/13]
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.
1061. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hip replacement procedure at Sligo General Hospital in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1400/13]
View answerShould the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved.
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1062. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health if there are any reports anticipated from the new National Office of Clinical Audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1420/13]
View answerThe National Office for Clinical Audit (NOCA) was established by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) under a service level agreement with the HSE. NOCA reports to the HSE's Quality and Patient Safety Directorate.
As this is a service matter, the question has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1063. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health if there are any reviews/reports due on the new formal Health Service Executive Performance Management System; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1423/13]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
