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Thursday, 5 Dec 2013

Written Answers Nos. 218 - 226

Health Services Staff Remuneration

Questions (218)

John Halligan

Question:

218. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if any person in either Waterford Regional Hospital or any other Health Service Executive operated institution within Waterford city and county has been in receipt of any top up payments similar to those currently being reported in the media; if so which institution; the member of staff that has received the top up payment; where the associated additional funds have come from; his views on officially appointed members of staff receiving top up payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52299/13]

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Written answers

Arising from the HIQA report on Tallaght Hospital in 2012 which noted that a number of senior staff had been in receipt of remuneration in addition to the approved rates for their posts, my Department requested the HSE to take steps to ensure that similar payments were not being made in other agencies funded under Section 38 of the 2004 Health Act. The HSE’s Internal Audit Directorate undertook a detailed review of remuneration in these agencies. This review was concluded in March 2013 and identified a significant number of cases in which senior personnel were in receipt of additional payments outside the terms of the approved pay scales. The agencies which were audited are voluntary hospitals and disability organisations and the audit does not relate to employees of the HSE.

On 27 September 2013 my Department issued a pay policy, prepared following consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, to the HSE. This policy, which reflects Government policy on senior public service pay generally, makes it clear that health service bodies, including the HSE, may not supplement approved rates of remuneration with Exchequer funding or non-Exchequer sources of funding.

As the issues raised in relation to Waterford are service matters this aspect of the Deputy's question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Charges

Questions (219)

John Halligan

Question:

219. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health regarding Waterford Regional Hospital car parking facilities, the amount annually that has been collected in the past five years from 2008 to 2012, inclusive; the person or company that operates the car parking facilities and where these funds are allocated; if they are reinvested in the hospital itself; if so, in which areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52300/13]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Hospitals Funding

Questions (220, 221)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

220. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or his Department have agreed any capital investment in the three Dublin children's hospitals in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52307/13]

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Billy Kelleher

Question:

221. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if any of three Dublin children's hospitals have applied for assistance or clearance for any capital developments in their hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52308/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together.

Delivery of healthcare infrastructure is a service matter. Therefore, the Deputy's questions have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Accident and Emergency Departments Waiting Times

Questions (222)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

222. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting on trolleys in Galway University Hospital each day during the past 30 days; the way this compares to the same 30 days in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52317/13]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Medical Card Delays

Questions (223)

Tom Fleming

Question:

223. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52321/13]

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Written answers

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.

Hospital Charges

Questions (224)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

224. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the annual rents that have been paid to Beaumont Hospital for each of the past five years by the third party car park operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52323/13]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Medical Card Data

Questions (225)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

225. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the amount of money he expects the Health Service Executive and his Department to achieve in savings from medical card probity for 2014; if that number has changed from budget day in view of media reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52326/13]

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Written answers

The €113 million savings target under medical card probity was agreed by Government as part of the package of Budget 2014 measures. The Secretaries General of the Departments of Health, Public Expenditure & Reform, and an Taoiseach are undertaking a validation exercise of this target. The HSE's National Service Plan for 2014, which Minister Reilly is now reviewing, includes the implementation of this measure.

Departmental Agencies Staff Remuneration

Questions (226)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

226. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to ask the board of the Central Remedial Clinic to resign in view of the top-ups scandal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52327/13]

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Written answers

The Government is determined to ensure that public pay policy is respected and complied with across the health service including the Central Remedial Clinic. Governance arrangements for the Central Remedial Clinic are a matter for the organisation itself and the Minister has no role or function in appointing members to its board.

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