John Lyons
Question:375. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the introduction of the national alcohol strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21106/13]
View answerNational Substance Misuse Strategy
Questions (375)
Written answers
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 report. These proposals cover all of the areas mentioned in the report, including minimum unit pricing, advertising of alcohol, and the structural separation of alcohol from other products in mixed trading outlets. As part of the process of developing these proposals, the Department is continuing discussions with various Departments.
The Cabinet Committee on Social Policy has considered these proposals and I intend to bring forward specific proposals for consideration by Government as soon as possible.
In the meantime, work on developing a framework for the necessary Department of Health legislation is continuing. For example, in conjunction with Northern Ireland, a health impact assessment is being commissioned as part of the process of developing a legislative basis for minimum unit pricing. (Scotland commissioned a similar assessment before drafting its legislation on minimum unit pricing.) The health impact assessment will study the impact of different minimum prices on a range of areas such as health, crime and likely economic impact.
Hospital Staff
Questions (376)
Pearse Doherty
Question:376. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of practitioners that are currently employed in the orthodontic unit at Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal; the number of practitioners currently on maternity or other leave; if he is satisfied with the existing levels of staffing and service provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21112/13]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
Home Help Service Provision
Questions (377, 378, 379)
Pearse Doherty
Question:377. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of persons employed directly by the Health Service Executive to provide home help services in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21115/13]
View answerPearse Doherty
Question:378. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently employed by private bodies such as bluebird care for the provision of home help services in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21116/13]
View answerPearse Doherty
Question:379. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if the 605,000 home help hours to be provided by the Health Service Executive in County Donegal in 2013 include those to be provided by private companies under a service level agreement by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21117/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 377 to 379, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (380)
Clare Daly
Question:380. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Dublin is waiting more than two years for a hernia operation at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; and the action he will take regarding same. [21119/13]
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.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (381)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:381. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12, who has Dercum disease which has been diagnosed for many years has had to turn to the private hospital system to address the need for surgical procedure to remove lesions which have left them in chronic pain for the past 14 years. [21125/13]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme
Questions (382)
Seán Fleming
Question:382. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when an application for Fair deal will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21136/13]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Health Services Issues
Questions (383)
Sandra McLellan
Question:383. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the reason a consultant will not sign a person (details supplied) in County Cork fit for work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21142/13]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (384)
Kevin Humphreys
Question:384. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if he can provide a list of wheelchair accessible drug rehabilitation and treatment centres in the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21196/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to ensuring access and equity of service for people with disabilities, at all levels of the health service. In this regard, the HSE has specific obligations under the Disability Act 2005. As the HSE provides addiction services in partnership with a range of statutory, non-statutory voluntary and community groups as well as projects in Drugs Task Force areas, the question tabled by the Deputy has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.