Written Answers Nos. 188-197
188. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the need for extra beds to be opened at West Kerry Community Hospital; if he will assist in ensuring that the Health Service Executive provides adequate funding in the 2015 service plan to allow for extra beds to open so that older people in west Kerry can remain in their community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34952/14]
View answerThe question of funding available for Social Care is being considered as part of the Estimates Process 2015, which is currently underway. Pending completion of the national estimates and budgetary process the HSE National Service Plan will set out the quantum and type of health service to be provided next year within the overall level of funding provided. Services provided at West Kerry Community Hospital are an operational matter for the HSE and the Deputy's question in relation to beds has been referred to the Executive for direct reply.
189. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the mental health day care centre at the new Kenmare Community Hospital remains empty and unused; if he will assist in ensuring that the Health Service Executive provides adequate funding in the 2015 service plan to allow for this centre to open so that older people in south Kerry can avail of its use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34953/14]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
190. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the multidisciplinary therapy services at a special school, details supplied, in County Kerry have improved for the 2014-15 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34969/14]
View answerThe particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
191. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the reason two Health Service Executive employees, details supplied, are being paid at point 1 on the pay scale instead of point 7; if their proper level of pay, including back pay, will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34970/14]
View answerAs this relates to an operational matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply.
192. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if national lottery funding will be provided to a facility, details supplied, in County Kerry to ensure its survival, in view of the vital role it serves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34971/14]
View answerMy Department administers a National Lottery Discretionary Fund from which once-off grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations, providing a range of health related services. If an organisation wishes to make an application for National Lottery Funding they should send in a formal application. Detailed procedures along with the application form are set out on the Department's website at www.health.gov.ie. The closing date for applications this year was 31 July 2014.
The Deputy may wish to note that my Department has no record of receiving an application for lottery funding from this organisation in 2014.
193. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if national lottery funding will be provided to a facility, details supplied, in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34972/14]
View answerMy Department administers a National Lottery Discretionary Fund from which once-off grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations, providing a range of health related services. If an organisation wishes to make an application for National Lottery Funding they should send in a formal application. Detailed procedures along with the application form are set out on the Department's website at www.health.gov.ie. The closing date for applications this year was 31 July 2014.
The Deputy may wish to note that my Department has no record of receiving an application for lottery funding from this organisation in 2014.
194. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if national lottery funding will be provided to a facility, details supplied, in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34973/14]
View answerMy Department has received an application for funding from the 2014 National Lottery allocation from the organisation in question. This is one of a large number of applications currently being assessed by my Department. The organisation will be informed of the outcome of the application as soon as a decision has been made.
195. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the accident and emergency department at Portiuncula Hospital; if there is any threat to the future of the unit; and if, in light of civil servant warnings over proposed cutbacks in the health service, including the potential closure of Portiuncula's emergency department and the loss of 50 beds in local hospitals, will affect services at the hospital. [34989/14]
View answerThe Article in the Irish Times last week was based on information related to the Department's submission to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform under the Government's Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) exercise. This Review exercise is carried out every three to four years. The last such Review was completed in 2011. As my Department’s CRE submission is currently under consideration, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time. However, I can confirm that there are currently no specific plans to close the 24-hour emergency department at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe.
196. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the resources allocated for the provision of respite services for people with intellectual disabilities; the number of spaces available for adults and children in each county; the impact that Health Information and Quality Authority guidelines on using different facilities for adults and children has had on the provision of respite services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34996/14]
View answerThe vision for the Health Service Executive's Disability Services Programme is to contribute to the realisation of a society where people with disabilities are supported, as far as possible, to participate to their full potential in economic and social life, and have access to a range of quality personal social supports and services including respite care to enhance their quality of life.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
197. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a proposal to facilitate patients with hereditary hemochromatosis to undergo phlebotomy treatment in GP practices, thereby reducing the workload on acute hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34997/14]
View answerOn 4th June 2014, a Framework Agreement was concluded between the Department of Health, the HSE and the Irish Medical Organisation. The Framework Agreement sets out a process for engagement concerning the GMS/GP contract and other publicly funded contracts involving GPs.
The parties are currently in discussions on the draft contract for the provision of GP care to children under 6 years. They will soon commence discussions on the main GMS contract. The appropriate arrangements in relation to phlebotomy services will be considered as part of these discussions.
