Written Answers Nos. 239-246
239. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if he has met with the tobacco industry or lobbyists on their behalf in 2013; if he will outline who was present at these meetings; the matters that were discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26052/13]
View answerI have had no meetings with the tobacco industry or lobbyists on their behalf.
240. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 519 of 30 April 2013, when a response will issue from the Health Service Executive. [26053/13]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, I have again asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
241. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when an appointment for a CT head scan will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26060/13]
View answerImproving access to outpatient services is a key priority for the Government. Collaborating with individual hospitals, the SDU together with the NTPF and the HSE have developed the OP waiting list minimum dataset that allows for data to be submitted to the NTPF from hospitals on a weekly basis and, for the first time, outpatient data is available on www.ntpf.ie. For 2013, a maximum waiting time target has been set of 12 months for a first time consultant led outpatient appointment and this is reflected in the HSE service plan. The SDU/NTPF will work closely with hospitals towards achievement of the maximum waiting time. 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.
242. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health the amount of compensation paid out to settle claims from users of the health service for any reason either through the courts or through private settlements for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26073/13]
View answerAny claims made against the HSE in respect of clinical malpractice, employer liability, and public liability are managed by the State Claims Agency. The Agency has a statutory obligation to ensure that the claims are contained at the lowest achievable level. Claims are therefore actively managed, and instruments such as alternative dispute resolution are used where possible to the benefit of both the State and the claimant. I have asked the HSE to forward the figures requested directly to the Deputy.
243. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health regarding the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013, if there is a cut-off in the timeframe with regard to when medical experts suggest a termination would be allowed; the person that will decide that a mother is suicidal or expressing suicidal ideation; if a baby may be terminated three weeks before term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26158/13]
View answerI wish to remind the Deputy that the wording of Article 40.3.3 and the judgment in the X case make it clear that the life of the unborn must be vindicated where practicable. This means that where a woman has a pregnancy that places her life at risk but her foetus is viable, she may have a right to have the pregnancy brought to an end but not a right to insist that the life of the foetus be deliberately ended.
As the Deputy may be aware the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013 will provide for the offence of intentional destruction of unborn human life. The Bill will also set out exemptions to the offence. In the case of suicidal intent, three specialist medical practitioners will have to jointly certify that, in their reasonable opinion, there is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother and that this risk can only be averted by the termination of her pregnancy. One of these doctors must always be an obstetrician/gynaecologist, and the other two will be psychiatrists.
In addition, the definition of 'reasonable opinion' requires that this opinion must be formed in good faith and must have regard to protect and preserve unborn human life where practicable. The registered medical practitioners will be obliged to record this opinion in writing if certifying a procedure that will end unborn human life.
244. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Dungloe community hospital, County Donegal, has reduced its beds from 35 to 25 as a result of staffing pressures; the steps he is taking to ensure that the beds are immediately reopened; if he will allow the recruitment embargo to be relaxed in order to recruit additional staff to the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26185/13]
View answer245. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Carndonagh community hospital, County Donegal, has had its community hospital beds reduced from 30 to 24 and its Alzeimher's unit beds reduced from 16 to 12 as a result of staffing pressures; the steps he is taking to ensure the beds are immediately reopened; if he will allow the recruitment embargo to be relaxed in order to recruit additional staff to the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26186/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
246. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health his plans to relax the recruitment embargo in the health service in order to ensure that community hospitals do not have to close beds due to staffing pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26188/13]
View answerThe Government has decided that the numbers employed across the public service must be reduced in order to meet its fiscal and budgetary targets. The health sector must make its contribution to that reduction. This policy requires the health service to reduce its workforce to 98,955 wholetime equivalent employees by the end of 2013. However, the HSE can make staff appointments once it remains within its overall employment ceiling and has the financial resources to do so.
