Sean Fleming
Question:241. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a knee operation will be carried out in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15827/13]
View answerHospital Waiting Lists
Questions (241)
Written answers
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.
Thalidomide Victims Compensation
Questions (242)
Joanna Tuffy
Question:242. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health when he intends to meet with the representatives of the Irish Thalidomide Association to address some important issues, as set out in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15828/13]
View answerWritten answers
Given the challenges that persist for each individual, this Government's aim is to address the health and personal social care needs of thalidomide survivors living in Ireland. I have stated that I am willing to enter into discussions about a health care package on a non-statutory basis; an ex-gratia payment having regard to current financial circumstances; and a statement to the Dáil recognising the challenges faced by survivors.
There are two thalidomide representative organisations. The largest group, the Irish Thalidomide Association announced publicly in 2012 that it had ceased talks with the Government. The Association's legal advisor has initiated personal injuries claims against the manufacturer and distributors of the Thalidomide drug and the State.
The second organisation, the Irish Thalidomide Survivors Society, has sought an independent agency and a statutory health care package including other aspects of their needs such as housing, heating, transport and clothing, which are outside the remit of the health sector. My position remains unchanged from that outlined in my letter to the Irish Thalidomide Survivors Society in June last year in which I requested that the Society consider, in good faith, proceeding with a Health Care Protocol which envisaged appointing and training a multi-disciplinary team, arranging a multi-disciplinary health evaluation, identifying and documenting their healthcare needs/issues and developing plans to address those needs. I met with both organisations in July 2011 and have been in correspondence since.
There are currently 32 Irish Thalidomide survivors. Each survivor received lump sum payments from a German Foundation and the Irish Government in the early 1970s. In 1975 the lump-sums paid by the Irish Government ranged from €6,400 to €21,000. In addition, each survivor receives on-going monthly payments from both the German Foundation and the Irish Government. Combining the Irish and German payments, most individuals receive €30,386 per annum or €2,572 per month, tax free. The German and Irish monthly allowance is not reckonable for State benefits and each individual is automatically entitled to a medical card.
Mental Health Services Provision
Questions (243)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:243. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding mental health issues. [15849/13]
View answerWritten answers
A Vision for Changethe Report of the Expert Group on mental health policy recommends the provision of 80 child and adolescent psychiatric in-patient beds. There are currently 44 child and adolescent beds nationally (12 in Dublin, 12 in Cork and 20 in Galway). The increase in bed capacity reflects an almost 50% decrease in admissions of children to adult units since 2008. An additional 22 beds are scheduled to come on stream in 2013 (8 in Cork and 14 in Dublin - giving a projected Child and Adolescent capacity of 66 beds by the end of 2013). Planning permission has been granted to construct a 24 bed in-patient facility at Cherry Orchard, Dublin, which will incorporate some existing beds and increase capacity to 76 beds. This project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013 / early 2014, with an expected opening date of 2015.
The core unit of mental health service delivery for children and adolescents is the Community Mental Health Team. In this regard, 150 additional posts were allocated to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Teams in 2012 and a further 80 posts have been identified for allocation to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in 2013 from the investment of €35m in mental health in each of those years.
As the specific issue raised by the Deputy relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply in respect of the detailed information sought.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (244)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:244. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15854/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Nursing Home Services
Questions (245)
Noel Harrington
Question:245. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health his preferred ratio of public versus private long-stay bed provision in the community for the future in view of the closure of two long stay care facilities in Bandon and Innishannon, County Cork, in recent times; if will undertake to review and commit to the extension of Bandon Community Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15860/13]
View answerWritten answers
Both myself and my colleague, Minister Reilly are committed to the provision of a quality public nursing home service. Our overall objective is to protect the viability of as many units, including Bandon Community Hospital, as possible, within the funding and staffing resources available. The Department is working closely with the HSE to develop an overall plan regarding future public provision for the Minister’s consideration. The plan will reflect regional need and have regard to the current severe financial constraints, restrictions on public sector staffing and recruitment and the ongoing need to meet service and safety standards; all of which pose challenges for community nursing units across the country.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (246)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:246. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an operation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15896/13]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Medical Card Eligibility
Questions (247)
Bernard Durkan
Question:247. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which specific assistance such as a medical card may be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15947/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services Provision
Questions (248)
Finian McGrath
Question:248. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 458 of 20 March 2013, the support he will give to a person (details supplied). [15973/13]
View answerWritten 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.