Written Answers Nos. 240-247
240. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the appointment of a Director for Mental Health for the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9166/13]
View answerRevised HSE management structures are being put in place in conjunction with the new governance arrangements are provided for in the Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012; the recruitment process for a Chief Financial Officer and five National Directors, including the Director of Mental Health, has now commenced.
The competition for the post of Director of Mental Health was advertised by the Public Appointments Service on 21st January 2013 and the closing date for receipt of applications was 7th February 2013. Staff employed in the HSE, the Department of Health, other statutory health agencies and bodies which provide services on behalf of the HSE under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004, were eligible to apply. I understand that interviews for the position will be conducted in the coming weeks.
241. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the standards, guidelines, protocols and procedures which are in place for the support and supervision of school-going children with Type 1 diabetes in their efforts to control their blood glucose levels; if he will outline measures used to ensure these are adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9183/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
242. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of agency nurses that have been contracted by the Health Service Executive in the past three months broken down by location; the estimated cost to the HSE of the use of agency nurses over the same period; the average spend on each agency nurse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9188/13]
View answerAs the use of agency staff is a matter for the HSE in the first instance, the Deputy's enquiry has been referred to the Executive for direct reply.
243. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Health the level of funding being provided by the Health Service Executive to each of the named adult intellectual disabled service providers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9192/13]
View answer244. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Health the number of people receiving a service from service providers (details supplied) in County Donegal in respect of intellectual disability services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9193/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 244 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.
245. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on whether that due to the increased number of medical school graduates this year it is anticipated that in July 2013 there will be a shortage of intern places for both EU and non EU graduates of medical schools here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9201/13]
View answer251. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health his plans to deal with the expected deficit of intern places due to additional medical school places, as it is anticipated that in July 2013 there will be a shortage of places for both EU and non-EU graduates of medical schools here, which is unacceptable in view of the fact that the completion of an intern year is a legal requisite for the practice of medicine here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9225/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 251 together.
The issue of an adequate number of intern places in the Irish medical system is a priority for my Department and for the HSE. The HSE established an Intern Implementation Group in 2009 to implement aspects of the Report of the NCMET on the Intern Year and I am aware that this Group has issued two Implementation Reports, most recently in April 2012 (Second Interim Report). The intern year is an integral part of medical training, and a medical practitioner cannot be fully accredited without it. There were 572 posts available in Ireland for the July 2012 intern intake, an increase of almost 70 posts since 2007. To date, there have been sufficient posts for all EU graduates from Irish medical schools, and a number of available posts for some non-EU applicants.
My Department has been in regular contact with the HSE in relation to the issue of intern places, with the aim, in so far as is possible, of providing a sufficient number of intern places for Irish/EU graduates from Irish medical schools. In addition, under EU law, intern posts must be open to graduates from other EU countries and the HSE has no control over the numbers applying.
The application process for internships closed in November last, but the HSE will not know the final number of eligible applicants for some time. The final numbers that will proceed to the first round match have not yet been determined, as the overseas candidates must pass the entrance test, meet the HSE English language requirements, provide a Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate, and pass their final year medical exams. Candidates applying from within Ireland must provide a BLS certificate and pass their final year medical exams.
This year the HSE will have approximately 80 additional posts available for interns commencing their training in July. In total, therefore, there will be in the region of 650 places available for 2013, and the HSE is confident that there will be sufficient capacity and funding to ensure that every EU graduate of the six Irish medical schools can access an internship.
246. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if a decision to refuse the renewal of a medical card to a person (details supplied) suffering from a progressive and incurable condition was made by a Health Service Executive appeals officer or by a qualified medical officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9203/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
247. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow may expect to avail of a general practitioner visit card under the long term illness scheme and if a general practitioner visit card will automatically issue to those patients on the LTI card or do they have to apply for the card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9210/13]
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 the 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.
