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Wednesday, 30 Jan 2013

Written Answers Nos. 194-199

Hospital Services

Questions (195)

Finian McGrath

Question:

195. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding bilateral cochlear implants in respect of a person (details supplied). [4785/13]

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Written answers

I am advised that Beaumont Hospital carried out over ninety cochlear implants in 2012 and that over seven hundred patients are currently under the care of the hospital programme which provides rehabilitation and programming on a recurring basis. In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Question No. 196 answered with Question No. 189.

Mental Health Services Report

Questions (197)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

197. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when he will re-establish an independent monitoring group to oversee the implementation of A Vision for Change in view of the recent seven year anniversary of the document, published to help develop mental health services; the priorities that are in place to ensure the continued development of mental health services away from institutional style care towards community-centred care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4792/13]

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Written answers

This Government has prioritised the reform of our mental health services in line with A Vision for Change and is committed in particular to the delivery of more and better quality care in the community. In this regard, a special allocation of €35m was provided in 2012 primarily to further strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both adult and children’s mental health services, to advance activities in the area of suicide prevention, to initiate the provision of psychological and counselling services in primary care, specifically for people with mental health problems and to facilitate the re-location of mental health service users from institutional care to more independent living arrangements in their communities, in line with A Vision for Change. A further additional €35m for mental health was provided in Budget 2013 representing a total of €70m additional revenue available this year to continue to develop and reform our mental health services. Over 880 new mental health professionals will be employed to strengthen these services. I have been assured by the HSE that the recruitment process for the 470 new posts being funded in 2013 will commence immediately and any outstanding posts from the 414 approved in 2012, will also be filled in the near future.

The current priority is to review the Mental Health Act 2001, which is expected to be completed in the coming months, after which we will consider reviewing A Vision for Change and establishing independent monitoring arrangements. In the interim, the HSE continues to implement A Vision for Change, with the substantial additional funding provided in 2012 and 2013, and reports on this on a monthly basis, through the HSE National Service Plan.

HSE Expenditure

Questions (198)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

198. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an analysis of opening balances in the books and records of the Health Service Executive at 1 January 2013, under headings (details supplied). [4794/13]

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Written answers

Section 36 (2) of the Health Act, 2004 requires the HSE to prepare Annual Financial Statements (AFS) and to adopt the AFS on or before the 1st day of April in the year following the financial year to which they relate. All accrued liabilities must be disclosed in the AFS. The HSE is also required to prepare an Appropriation Account annually which is derived from the AFS and is audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The audited appropriation account is examined by the Public Accounts Committee. The information for the AFS is currently being collated and will be published as soon as possible after its adoption by the Executive.

HSE Expenditure

Questions (199)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

199. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the actions the Health Service Executive has taken to prevent the build up of tax arrears by way of delayed payments in organisations and bodies funded by it; if the HSE has written to any organisations or bodies funded by it in relation to the build up of tax arrears; the HSE's estimate of tax arrears due from such organisations or bodies, that is, the amounts other than taxes deducted but not yet due to be remitted; and if there has been any correspondence between the Revenue Commissioners and the HSE in relation to the general problem of tax arrears or in relation to specific bodies or organisations funded by it. [4795/13]

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Written answers

The Health Service Executive funds a number of service providers and bodies for the provision of health and personal social services on its behalf, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 38 and 39 of the Health Act 2004. Before entering into such as arrangement, the HSE determines the maximum amount of funding that it proposes to make available in the financial year under the arrangement and the level of service that it expects to be provided for that funding.

Accountability for the management of these service level agreements is a matter for the HSE to address within the ambit of its Vote (Vote 39). The HSE Annual Report and Financial Statements 2011, which is the latest information available, sets out the range of organisations which were in receipt of funding during that year. Details in relation to any accruals are set out in the annual financial statements of these organisations, which are provided to the HSE as part of the accountability arrangements in place with Section 38 and 39 Agencies.

I have asked the Executive to reply directly to the Deputy in this regard, when the information is available.

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