Written Answers Nos. 182-186
182. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form, by consultant, the number of public patients in each hospital within the State who were seen in 2012 by each consultant doctor as opposed to being seen by a member of the consultant's team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53200/13]
View answer183. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of public patients in each hospital within the State that were operated on in 2012 by their consultant doctor as opposed to being operated on by a member of their team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53201/13]
View answer185. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of public patients in each hospital within the State that were operated on in 2012 by their consultant doctor as opposed to being operated on by a member of their team; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 182, 183 and 185 together.
In relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly in these matters.
184. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of patients seen in each accident and emergency department, in each hospital, within the State between the hours of 9 to 5 p.m. on a Monday to Friday in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53202/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
186. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some speech and language services at Stewarts Hospital have been cut to the most vulnerable of residents, those with a learning disability, as a result of a speech and language therapist resigning their post for personal reasons; his views, notwithstanding the financial constraints of the State, that a new post should be advertised immediately to replace this professional as it does not breach the employment embargo; if he will confirm if it is the decision of the Stewarts Hospital Management Team not to replace this professional or have they been directed by his Department not to replace this professional; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53204/13]
View answer188. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive expects to approve the funding to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of a speech and language therapist working for an organisation (details supplied) in, Palmerstown, Dublin 20, and which has resulted in the cutting of speech and language services for young children in the area who are badly in need of such treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53215/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 188 together.
As the Deputies will be aware, the Health Service Executive has operational responsibility for the delivery of health and personal social services within the ambit of its Vote (Vote 39). The level of health services to be delivered within the available funding has been set out in the HSE National Service Plan, which I approved in January.
The reduction in size of the public service has been an essential component of the approach to addressing the State’s fiscal difficulties. This has been combined with a firm focus on improving public service efficiency and effectiveness. The Haddington Road Agreement provides for some five million additional working hours annually.
These measures will enable the health service to continue to reduce overall numbers, while maintaining services and service levels to the greatest possible extent. The HSE can make staff appointments once it remains within its overall employment ceiling and has the financial resources to do so.
The particular issue raised by the Deputies is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. My Department has not issued any directive to the Stewards Hospital Management Team in relation to the filling of the post in question. I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputies.
