Written Answers Nos. 285 - 295
285. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health the total cost to the taxpayer of paying the aggregate fees, salaries and any other remuneration to directors of all State bodies, to include majority State owned banks, all public interest directors, all semi-State bodies, all State agencies and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15410/13]
View answerThe information requested is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
286. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive heart surgery. [15432/13]
View answerIn relation to waiting list management in general, the National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has recently been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. In relation to this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the situation and respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
287. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15446/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
288. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the supports available for those with foetal valproate syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15564/13]
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.
289. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding social worker support in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [15565/13]
View answerAs the issue raised by the Deputy relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
290. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the progressing disability services for children and young people programme by the Health Service Executive for County Kerry; if services will now change from provision for children aged zero to six years to children aged zero to 18 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15647/13]
View answerThe HSE has recognised the need to increase the level of consistency and standardisation in the way both early intervention services and services for school-aged children with disabilities are delivered. It is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of existing therapy resources to geographic based teams for children (0-18 years) as part of the National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years). The Programme is organised at national, regional and local level and includes representatives from the health and education sectors, service providers (both statutory and non-statutory) and parents. These stakeholders are working together to see how current services can be reorganised in line with agreed policy. The HSE has stated that it is is very cognisant of stakeholder's views particularly of parents within this context. It has also worked to ensure that information about the Programme is made widely available.
The Executive is working very closely with the education sector, which is fully involved in the development of the Programme, to ensure that, from the children’s and parents’ perspective, the services provided by each sector in so far as possible areintegrated. Detailed Local Area action plans are being implemented with the following objectives:
- One clear pathway to services for all children with disabilities according to need,
- Resources used to the greatest benefit for all children and families, and
- Health and Education working together to support children to achieve their potential.
The purpose of the reconfiguration of existing therapy resources is to ensure that the resources available are used to best effect, in order to provide health supports and ongoing therapy to all children (0-18 years) in line with their prioritised needs. In particular, it will mean that all children, regardless of where they receive their education services will have equitable access to services based on their needs. Decisions in relation to the local reorganisation of services will be made by Local Implementation Groups, which include representatives of all the service providers in the local area, parents and the education sector. They have a complex task which includes agreeing the principles which should underpin all disability services, mapping of existing services and gaps, consideration of the changes needed in structures and a detailed plan of how to advance. This plan will include issues of timing and the phasing of proposed changes. My Department has asked the HSE to provide the Deputy with detailed information on the implementation of the Programme in Kerry which he has referred to in his question.
291. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the total figure being spent nationally in treating patients for diseases and illnesses that are attributed to alcohol consumption; if he will provide a county breakdown of the same figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15648/13]
View answerThe National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group reported that alcohol-related illness cost the healthcare system an estimated €1.2 billion in 2007. It further reported that it was estimated that of this figure, €500 million was in the acute hospital sector, €574 million was in General Practitioner and allied health services and €104 million was in mental health services.
292. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if there is a programme in place nationally to educate adults about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15649/13]
View answer293. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the action his Department is taking in primary, secondary and third level schools in terms of alcohol awareness education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15650/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 293 together.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that real and tangible proposals are currently being finalised on foot of the recommendations in the National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group report. These proposals cover all of the areas mentioned in the report. These include the recommendations to further develop a co-ordinated approach to prevention and education interventions in relation to alcohol between all stakeholders in educational institutions (including third level); to seek greater co-ordination of prevention activities at both national and local levels to target, among others, drink-related anti-social behaviour/public order offences, excessive drinking generally, and those who are pregnant or likely to become pregnant; and to continue the development and monitoring of Social and Personal Health Education (SPHE) Programme in schools.
In addition, the National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group recommended low-risk weekly guidelines of alcohol consumption for men and women; and that labels on alcohol products sold in Ireland should include the number of grams of alcohol per container, along with calorific content and health warnings in relation to consuming alcohol in pregnancy. As this is a service matter, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
294. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive is continuing to pay rent for a premises (details supplied) in County Dublin despite the discontinuation of the service there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15651/13]
View answerManagement of healthcare property is a service issue. Therefore, your question has been referred to the HSE for direct repy.
295. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a respite care bed will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in a community hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15654/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
