Billy Kelleher
Question:191. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the amount it would cost to fill all current vacant front line posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8391/14]
View answerHSE Staffing
Questions (191, 193)
Billy Kelleher
Question:193. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the potential saving if the Health Service Executive were allowed recruit critical front-line staff on the new rates of pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8393/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 193 together. As these questions relate to service costs they been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
HSE Agency Staff Expenditure
Questions (192)
Billy Kelleher
Question:192. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the differential between employing clerical staff at a basic grade compared with the cost of the present agency staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8392/14]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Question No. 193 answered with Question No. 191.
Tobacco Control Measures
Questions (194)
Billy Kelleher
Question:194. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate and expand on the way he proposes to raise the €5m in revenue from tobacco retailers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8394/14]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, under current Irish tobacco control legislation a retailer wishing to sell tobacco products, whether over the counter or from a self-service vending machine, must register with the HSE National Tobacco Control Office and be placed on the Retail Register for the sale of tobacco products. Under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002, as amended, the HSE may charge a fee as may be determined by the Minister for Health. To date this has been a once off fee of €50.
Tobacco Free Ireland, Ireland’s tobacco control policy, sets out recommendations for the future regulation of the tobacco retail environment. The Government proposes to increase the Retail Register fee during 2014, in the context of legislation to provide for the licensing of the sale of tobacco products as outlined in Tobacco Free Ireland. Work is ongoing in relation to this legislation, and as such details are not yet available.
Long-Term Illness Scheme Applications
Questions (195)
Michael McGrath
Question:195. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for the long term illness scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [8396/14]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to investigate this case and respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointment Status
Questions (196)
Seán Fleming
Question:196. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a hospital appointment will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8397/14]
View answerWritten answers
A maximum waiting time target of 12 months has been set for a first time consultant-led outpatient appointment and this is reflected in the HSE Service Plan. The SDU and the NTPF are working closely with hospitals towards achievement of the maximum waiting time.
Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific hospital appointment query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (197)
James Bannon
Question:197. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Limerick has had to wait over a year in relation to an outpatient's appointment, such a delay is unacceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8405/14]
View answerWritten answers
A maximum waiting time target of 12 months has been set for a first time consultant-led outpatient appointment and this is reflected in the HSE Service Plan. The SDU and the NTPF are working closely with hospitals towards achievement of the maximum waiting time.
Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific hospital appointment query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.