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Wednesday, 9 Apr 2014

Written Answers Nos. 163-68

Prompt Payments

Questions (163)

Dara Calleary

Question:

163. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the average number of days the Health Service Executive takes to pay invoices submitted by suppliers; the total amount of outstanding invoices owing by the HSE at the end of March; the number of these invoices that are one month old, three months old, six months old and in excess of 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16836/14]

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Written answers

I can assure the Deputy that the Executive is committed to making every effort to pay its suppliers promptly, and to standard payment terms of 30 days. Taking into account that over 7,000 invoices are received daily by the Executive across a multiplicity of service delivery units, managing all payment processes is logistically complex.

Notwithstanding this, the introduction of Prompt Payments legislation and the refinancing arrangements introduced and overseen by my Department have seen the HSE comprehensively address the issue of late payment. It should be noted that as a result of the improvement in payments, prompt payment interest paid by the HSE in 2012, was just one third of 1% of its non-pay budget for that year. I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you with regard to your specific queries.

Primary Medical Certificates Applications

Questions (164)

Michael McGrath

Question:

164. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the primary medical certificate application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the reason they were not awarded the certificate; and the options open to them. [16840/14]

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Written answers

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services Access

Questions (165)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

165. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the circumstances under which transport is provided for adults who must travel to access certain health services, in particular for persons who may, due to the effect of their condition, be unable for physical or intellectual reasons to safely navigate public transport; the way this may be determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16858/14]

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Written answers

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (166)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

166. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason some hospitals are indicating to general practitioners who have referred patients that they may seek alternative treatment elsewhere if waiting times given are not acceptable when at the same time the Health Service Executive states that it is enforcing hospital catchment areas strictly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16860/14]

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Written answers

The HSE has advised that it is in regular communication with GPs who refer patients to its hospitals for consultation and advice. To assist GPs to make the optimal referral decisions for patients, hospitals from time to time advise them on the most efficient referral route. Hospital's capacity in a region may increase due to the recruitment of new consultants or may change due to the re-organisation of clinics or services across a network of hospitals. It is critical that GPs are kept informed of such developments.

In relation to the issue of enforcement of catchment areas, the HSE has advised that it has not altered or changed its national policy on catchment areas. In particular, where hospitals traditionally accepted a referral volume to its hospitals from a geographical area, it is expected to continue this acceptance (within certain volume referral limits).

If the Deputy is aware of a particular circumstance where a significant review of catchment area referrals has taken place at a local level, the HSE, on receipt of the relevant information, has undertaken to follow up the matter directly with the Deputy.

Hospital Services

Questions (167)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

167. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason a cystic fibrosis unit in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, is presently idle; if he has engaged with the Health Service Executive to determine how quickly the unit can be utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16861/14]

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Written answers

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

Health Services Charges

Questions (168)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

168. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the average annual cost of dialysis for a patient; the number of dialysis patients that undergo treatment in the State in a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16863/14]

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Written answers

In relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to her directly.

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