Written Answers Nos. 147-153
148. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the steps that have been taken to recruit additional staff for organ transplantation; the way he proposes to address the shortage of transplant consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22651/15]
View answerAdditional funding of almost €3m has been provided to the HSE’s Organ Donation & Transplant Office to facilitate the development of improved infrastructure to support organ donation and transplantation. The extra investment includes provision for the appointment of 19 whole-time-equivalent staff dedicated to organ donation and transplantation across the country. The additional staff will work to foster a strong culture of organ donation, optimise conversion rates and ultimately increase the number of transplantations that are carried out each year.
At the end of 2014, two consultant transplant surgeons left the renal and pancreas transplant programme at Beaumont Hospital, one on retirement and the second on leave of absence for professional development purposes. Four consultant transplant surgeons remain in Beaumont. Given the limited number of surgeons who specialise in transplantation, the filling of any vacancies poses a challenge. Every effort is currently being made to fill the two vacancies.
149. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the dates, in the past 12 months, when each acute hospital instructed the ambulance service to divert to other hospitals, due to emergency department overcrowding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22656/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
150. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided to a charity (details supplied) in County Cork that trains dogs to assist children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22661/15]
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. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
151. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason the mobility allowance was refused in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if full account was taken of all that person's outlays, including rent, at the time the decision was made. [22665/15]
View answerThe Mobility Allowance scheme was closed to new applicants in February 2013. However, as the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
