Written Answers Nos. 191-196
191. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 12 March 2014, the number of persons on the placement list for the nursing homes support scheme; the length of time it takes for funding to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26319/14]
View answerOn the 28th May 2014 there were 1,265 people on the national placement list for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. At that stage it was taking 7-8 weeks for funding to issue, from the date that the person was first placed on the list.
192. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans for the National Ambulance Service to recruit paramedics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26320/14]
View answerThe Government has decided that the numbers employed across the public service must be reduced in order to meet fiscal and budgetary targets. In order to mitigate the impact on frontline services of the reduction in employment numbers, the priority is to reform how health services are delivered in order to ensure a more productive and cost effective health system. The revised working arrangements provided for in the Haddington Road Agreement are a pivotal element in this regard.
Subject to approval by senior managers, arrangements are in place in the HSE to allow the recruitment of staff where it has been established that there is an urgent service requirement. In addition, the HSE continues to fill a significant number of development posts in line with service priorities identified by Government. As this is an operational matter, the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
193. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding hereditary angioedema; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26324/14]
View answerAs this is a service issue, the matter has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
194. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for assistance for medical equipment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26342/14]
View answerMedical equipment, including a wheelchair, is provided by the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be referred to the Health Service Executive. The Department has requested that the HSE reply directly to the Deputy with the current position.
195. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he acknowledges that 3.5 years' waiting time is unacceptable for paediatric orthodontics in Cork University Hospital; if he acknowledges that this waiting time will affect the personal, social and psychological development of the children waiting; the way he plans to tackle these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26345/14]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific queries raised by the Deputy concerning services in Cork and to reply to her as soon as possible.
196. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his plans to approve funding for enhancement or refurbishment works on the emergency department in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9. [26353/14]
View answerThere will always be more construction projects than can be funded by the Exchequer. Therefore, it is essential to assess all projects, other than those where existing contractual commitments are in place, on their merits to ensure that the limited capital funding available goes to those developments which are of highest national importance based on service needs. As with all capital projects acute hospital projects must be considered within the overall capital envelope available to the health service. The method and timescale for the delivery of health care infrastructure is a dynamic process which is constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances, including the feasibility of implementation. There is limited funding available for new projects over the period 2014-2018 given the level of commitments and the costs to completion already in place.
